KATHERINE

I stretched lazily in bed. My thighs protested a little, and my still-drowsy mind recalled the reason for the discomfort.

I could still feel the delicious tingling from those vigorous thrusts.

Of course, my legs ached—I had ridden the Duke like a cowgirl on a mechanical bull, and what a bull I had gotten.

I smiled a little, staring at the ceiling above me.

I really was shameless.

Still, I had to make sure I had the opportunity to seduce Elliot properly because he wasn’t a fool. And if I ended up pregnant "out of thin air," he might think I had cheated on him with someone else.

When I sat up on the mattress, I suddenly felt a sharp pang in my chest.

I placed my hand over my heart, which was pounding furiously.

Something had changed.

I felt stronger, somehow… more powerful… I don’t know… It was the sensation of that magical energy coursing through my veins.

Was this because I had cast my first spell? That had to be it… or maybe it was because I had made love to Elliot?

I wasn’