Page 63 of Homeward for a Spell

Careful of Sage’s injury, Araphi kneels between Sage’s legs and captures the ranger’s mouth with her own. This kiss is long, lingering, and it causes a series of candles to light up on the table. They illuminate the thick quilt on the bed, a green enameled soup pot on the stove on one side of the cabin, and a small pantry.

“I think the magic liked that,” Sage whispers against Araphi’s lips. “Keep going.”

Araphi’s hand moves along Sage’s uninjured leg and slips under her shirt. As her fingers graze Sage’s skin, a long groan leaves Sage’s lips.

“Bard, I’m too injured to do much for you tonight.”

“I assure you, I’m very much able to handle things for both of us on my own. Let’s get you out of these wet clothes and into bed.”

With the next kiss, golden candlelight flickers across a large, claw-footed bathtub behind a screen she’d missed in her first assessment of the cabin. Steaming water pours from a tap and flower petals float on the surface of the tub.

“Oh, Ranger,” Araphi whispers against Sage’s mouth. “I think the magic wants us to have a bath together.”

“Happily,” Sage says, her voice laced with desire. “Though you might have to help me.”

“Happily,” Araphi echoes.

She stands up and takes Sage’s hand. Sage’s body crashes gently into Araphi’s.

“I’ve got you,” Araphi murmurs as she slides under Sage’s arm, helping her toward the tub one pained step at a time.

Sage leans against the edge of the tub. “You know, I’ve never been great at letting others help me, Bard. But I’m willing for you to undress me.”

Heat flares between Araphi’s legs. “Where should I start?”

Sage grins. “Boots off first, please, then my coat and shirt.”

Araphi obliges, carefully removing Sage’s boots and socks. She pulls Sage’s shirt over her head, exposing the contours of her stomach and the long scar across her midsection for which Sage has never offered an explanation and Araphi wouldn’t dare press. Words catch in her throat. She wants to write a ballad for this woman, something stormy and lovely and dangerous. But she can think of music later. For now, she whispers a kiss along Sage’s collarbone and then slips her hands around Sage’s back to undo her bindings.

“Now, your turn, Bard. It’s only fair.”

With a smirk, Araphi takes off her dress and riding pants. Then, her chemise and corset, and her socks and boots, so she’s completely naked except for the lemon-scented charm around her neck. Warmth engulfs her from the fire and the tub’s steam, neither of them as blazing as the look in Sage’s eyes.

Araphi kisses Sage again, gently letting their chests, their breasts, touch, and then she skims her hands along the ranger’s sculpted hips. With careful fingers she undoes the laces on Sage’s breeches, and then she slides them and Sage’s undergarments to the floor.

The magic likes this very much, and a small cupboard to the side of the shower opens, revealing two dressing gowns and thick towels.

“If we keep this going, this cabin is going to make us dinner, I do believe,” Sage murmurs.

Almost as if it’s listening, there’s a noise from the kitchen and a flame ignites under the soup pot.

Araphi meets Sage’s gaze and they both start laughing.

“Are we supposed to do anything about that?” Araphi raises one eyebrow. “I’ve never made soup in my life.”

“I say we trust the magic knows what it’s doing, and we keep doing what we’re doing.” Sage shifts awkwardly on the edge of the tub, and her eyebrows draw together in pain.

“I’ll help you,” Araphi says, easing Sage into the bath. “I know you’re hurting, so we can go very slowly, or not do anything at all. We just have to keep kissing, I think, so the magic keeps working.”

Sage lets out a long sigh as she settles into the hot water. “I’ve had much worse, believe me. Now, please, get in the tub too. It’s glorious. Like the hot springs, but even better.”

“I’m not sure there’s room in there for both of us.”

“There definitely is.”

“I don’t want to hurt your leg.”

“You can sit behind me. This will work, trust me.”