Evie Awakened

Welcome back readers! This installment explores Evie's evolving connections with Marcus, Kelly, and Bel, and of course spends more time in the increasingly fraught magical world. There is a lengthy sex scene/series that I wanted to give room to breathe. There's also plenty of feelings and magical goofery. CWs include MF, MFF, anal, and DP; light references to nonsexual mind control. As a style note, any language the POV character speaks will be written in English and narratively denoted as a translation. Unrelated, I want to assure you Idoknow how to spell "eponymous". Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Relationship Material

Birdsong dragged Evie from a deep sleep in the predawn gloom. She groaned into her pillow at the thought of rising before the sun for the second day in a row and tried to roll over. Strong arms held her in place, one pinned under her side grasping her small breast, the other wrapped around her middle. Marcus wasn't much of a cuddler once they fell asleep--they both ran hot and tended to drift to opposite ends of the bed throughout the night--so this was a lovely surprise. A breeze ruffled the gauzy curtains and she relaxed in the intimate embrace. She couldn't remember the last time she'd woken up in Marcus's arms.

Nice as it was to be held, his grip put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on her bladder. She squirmed around and managed to pry loose the hand on her stomach. Finally able to move, she turned over to face her partner. Soft, platinum blonde hair shimmered in the moonlight. Evie let out a surprised gasp and her sleepy brain caught up to the events of the previous day. Marcus had been called in for an emergency at work and went straight to dinner with his sister afterward. Her boyfriend unavailable, Evie had instead spent the night with the sorcerer she'd met during a harrowing afternoon in the park.

The movement disturbed Bel, who shifted in her sleep and secured her vise grip. Her right leg coiled around the back of Evie's thighs and her arms squeezed tightly enough to restrict the redhead's breathing. Was she part octopus?

Her bedmate clutched her anew every time she found a more comfortable position, and Evie resigned herself to another too-early morning. Still, it wasn't all bad. The shuffling positioned her face level with Bel's and she spent a peaceful moment watching the other woman sleep.

Softened in repose, the blonde's features took on an angelic radiance. Moonlit hair spilled artfully over her brow and spread across her pillow like a lopsided halo. The graceful curve of her neck disappeared under the blanket, which rose and fell with the steady rhythm of her breath. That same rhythm pushed her chest into Evie's with every inhalation. Evie's modest breasts lined up with Bel's colossal pair, their stiff nipples pressed together.

As much out of necessity to fill her lungs as mounting desire, Evie's breathing quickened to match her companion's. Her chest expanded as the other woman exhaled, slight differences in the gentle cycle creating the delightful friction of skin against skin. Need seeped into her groin.

As an inconsistent sleeper, Evie knew how elusive good rest could be and liked to let her partners wake naturally. As an inveterate horndog, she also liked to start every day with an orgasm. Several, if she could manage it. At least Marcus made it easy. He slept like a rock, in more ways than one, and by now she'd have climbed on his morning wood to get herself off. Even if she could extricate herself from Bel's clutches, the lack of a convenient penis meant she'd need to find some other way to take care of herself. Maybe she should break her rule and hope Bel woke up horny rather than grumpy. The thought of the other woman's icy eyes fluttering open to meet her emerald gaze sent a tingle down Evie's spine. Their lips would brush against each other, hands caressing, welcoming the day with quiet passion. Fuck, she was sexy.

Then Bel snorted. She smacked her lips and inched closer, snoring her morning breath directly into Evie's nostrils. Suddenly less overwhelmed by ethereal beauty, Evie freed herself and snuck out of the room.

"No...warm..." Bel whined, wrapping herself in Evie's abandoned bedding and curling up in the middle of the bed, still fast asleep.

Evie made her way to the hall bathroom and caught herself grinning in the mirror. Bodily needs addressed, she regarded her reflection with a critical eye. Her skincare routine seemed unnecessary and makeup felt redundant. A quick toss of her head shook out the tangles in her hair and sent waves of shimmering copper cascading down her back, several inches longer than yesterday. Huh. Most mornings, she simply gathered her hair in a quick bun. If it styled itself, though, why not take advantage? Looking like this, Evie was sure she'd have Bel's full attention the moment she woke up.

Smiling to herself once more, Evie turned to leave and found she was not alone. She whispered, "Hey, Boots. Where were you last night? You missed out on some quality snuggle time." The cat hopped down from his perch on a low shelf to rub against Evie's legs. She stooped to pick him up and buried her face in his sleek coat. She felt more than heard his purr, a pleased vibration deep in his chest, and she held him close for a long minute. A playful ukulele plucked at her aether, quite reasonably in the same way a cat would paw at a toy. Evie's stomach rumbled and she snickered into his fur. "Should we make breakfast?" He meowed his agreement and dropped to the floor to lead the way downstairs.

"What do you think Bel likes?" she mused, not expecting a response. Dr. Boots tilted his head at Evie then looked at the refrigerator. She started the coffee maker and rummaged around the pantry in search of ideas. "Lucky boy, you don't have to cook and you still get the good stuff," Evie said as she set out a bowl of gourmet cat chow. Maybe she'd try making waffles? Too bad she couldn't just offer Bel the same wet food as Dr. Boots.

Not that he seemed particularly impressed with her offering. Usually, the feline feast would be gone as soon as she presented it, but he padded across the kitchen and sat rather than attack his breakfast.

"Aren't you hungry?" Evie asked. Dr. Boots meowed but stayed seated. What was going on with this cat? Between his fussing previous morning, refusing to sleep on her bed last night, and now turning up his nose at a meal, she was starting to worry. Although, thinking back to yesterday, his strange behavior had led her to Jasmine's bedroom and the Rod of Eronis.

"Are you trying to show me something?" Meow. Evie frowned in suspicion. "Jas isn't hiding another artifact in the fridge, is she?"

Dr. Boots stared back, silent and intense. His ukulele melody somehow dripping with condescension, he swiped a paw at the door handle and resumed his vigil.

"All right, scooch," she grumbled. She opened the door, ready to slam it shut at the first sign of magic. No world-altering surprises before coffee. Fortunately, the contents of the refrigerator proved mundane and none seemed likely to change her life. However, there were more mysteries to add to her growing list.

Evie glared, splitting her ire between the cat at the kitchen at large. Aside from the refrigerator basics, Jasmine had left behind nothing but a handful of fresh vegetables harvested during her gardener Giacomo's last visit. Eager to impress Bel in spite of her limited culinary prowess, Evie had combined most of the veggies with a stir fry mix for the previous night's dinner. She was pleased at how well the entree turned out, especially alongside her favorite Korean rice soup from Jang Bistro, and the two ravenous women demolished the entire serving. Then they ate the leftover fusion tacos (also from Jang's) with a side salad made from the rest of the produce. And a frozen pizza. And a pint of ice cream.

She and Bel had devoured every available morsel. There most certainly had not been a bundle of herbs, a thick slice of ham, a wedge of soft cheese, or a bowl of spinach when she looked last night. Dr. Boots hopped up on the counter and drew her attention to a basket of eggs. "Don't question the magic house," she murmured and set about preparing one of the few meals she could confidently make from scratch.

Cubing the ham and cheese, roughly chopping the spinach, and fishing broken bits of shell out of the mixing bowl before whisking the eggs gave Evie a few minutes to gather her thoughts. The sounds of Dr. Boots eating his food weren't precisely pleasant, but at least she wouldn't need to worry about scheduling a vet visit. The room lightened with dawn's approach and she shivered when the sun cleared the horizon. She had always been able to feel sunrise--if she was awake to notice it, anyway--but today it came with a profound stirring in her chest and a pure, sweet chorus heralding a new day.

"Evie?" An unexpected baritone in the foyer startled her out of the moment of awe.

"Mar-" Evie croaked. She cleared her throat and scrubbed a tear from her eye. Dawn had really affected her. "Marcus?"

"Can you come out here?" he called back.

She set down the mixing bowl and turned off the burner, glad she hadn't started cooking the scrambled eggs. Marcus should be on his way to work, and if he went to the trouble of dropping by so early, why was he standing on the porch? She jogged to the front door and stepped into a tense scene.

After finally indulging another side of her sexuality, a small part of Evie worried she may be less attracted to her boyfriend. Seeing him dressed unremarkably for his summer job with his dad's roofing company--outfitted in a plain tee, durable khakis, and a sweat-stained ball cap, his glasses slightly smudged and stubble untrimmed--thoroughly quashed that concern. A bolt of desire shot straight to her loins as she pressed against his side and let the scent of his deodorant wash over her. With conscious effort, she forced down her raging libido and examined the latest trouble to enter her life.

Her bodyguard Ricky Vega stood with his back to her, firmly planted opposite a man she didn't recognize. Red-faced, with bags under his eyes and dressed in a wrinkled suit, the unanticipated guest loomed over Ricky. He waved his arms, gesticulating wildly, though he kept his ranting to a reasonable volume.

The intruder turned to Evie and pointed dramatically. He spoke in a strained voice that reached for authority and landed somewhere around self-importance. "Is this your house? Tell your goon here to let me inside before I have you arrested for kidnapping!"

Shock and lack of caffeine rooted Evie in place. Goon? Ricky saved her by answering with his trademark calm, "As I told you, sir, the security system doesn't let anyone in or out before sunrise. Now the door's open, Miss Zeller can retrieve your associate." He glanced over his shoulder and met Evie's eyes. "Please take Mr. Anderson inside and ask your guest to join us out here, ma'am."

Ricky's instructions nudged Evie to action. She nodded and stepped back in the house, embracing her magic on the way. Aether hummed in her chest and she quickly tuned in to both men on the porch before shutting the door. Ricky's guitar sounded muted and even, neither anger nor fear marring the placid strumming as she left him alone and in control. She could barely hear the other man's song. Frustration was clear in the jarring notes, but she hardly needed a sixth sense to pick up on that. Oddly, this was the first song she'd encountered without an identifiable instrument.

Marcus gave her a squeeze as they reached the staircase and she wrapped him up in a hug. "What're you doing here?" she mumbled into his shoulder. "I mean, I'm happy to see you, but aren't you out by the airport today?"

"My crew's schedule got moved around last minute. We're at an apartment complex a few miles away for the rest of the week so I left early, thought I'd drop off some of Mom's doughnuts as a surprise. I didn't expect a stranger threatening to break down the door when I drove up. Thank god for Ricky, right?" Marcus laughed weakly. He nuzzled closer, his short, curly beard tickling the side of her neck. "You sounded weird when I called last night. You sure you're okay?"

Evie drew back to look at her Marcus. How much would she tell him? Everything, she'd already decided, but not while an angry intruder waited on the porch. "I'm fine, better with you here. Give me a second to wake Bel up. Could you wait on the patio? I told her about you, but I don't want her to feel ambushed. And I'm sorry, it's probably weird to actually see me with someone else."

"Babe, I'm cool with you being poly--you're the only one worried about that. Promise I wasn't trying to crash your date." He shuffled toward the patio, pausing in the doorway with a raised eyebrow. "If it goes well, will I get to meet this southern belle some time?"

"I hope so. She's supposed to fly home tonight--to California, she's not from the south--but I..." Evie cut herself off at the grumpy squawk of a trumpet.

Descending the stairs in borrowed clothes and running a hand through her rumpled hair, Bel's entrance nevertheless stole Evie's breath. Her crystal blue gaze, sharpened by a slight redness as she blinked sleep from her eyes, would have captured Evie's complete attention if not for the obscene stretch of the slim-fit tank top over her braless breasts.

Marcus, too, seemed lost for words. "You're...Bel..." was all he managed before she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Bel spared him a glance that turned into an appraising once-over. "I am. You're the boyfriend?" she said with a smirk, then turned to Evie. "He's cute, in a nerdy way." Her phone buzzed and her lips twisted into a scowl. "Fucking Aaron's called like twenty times, where is he?"

Evie tore her eyes from Bel's chest and shook her head. "On the porch with Ricky. He's pretty worked up."

"Ugh, he's such an asshole," Bel whined. "Whatever, I should get out of here anyway." She turned and started down the hall.

"Wait!" Evie reached for Bel's arm, but stopped short of grabbing her. "You don't have to go. At least stay for breakfast."

"Yeah, I need to get to work," Marcus chimed in. "Don't leave on my account."

The blonde hesitated. She looked down at Evie's hand and chewed on her lip. "Don't make this more than it is," she said after a long moment and stepped away. Her song warred with itself, a discordant mess that grated on Evie's aether as they made their way to the foyer. Bel threw open the door and treated her driver to a frigid glare.

The irate man's demeanor changed immediately. "Miss Wethridge! Thank goodness, I was so worried! Miss Levine said there was trouble." His words tumbled out in a rush until Bel cut him off with a snap of her fingers. He gulped.

"Car. Now." Her voice was ice. The man swallowed again and nodded. Sweating even more profusely than before, he scampered to the driveway and ducked into the driver's seat of a glossy black rental.

Bel scoffed then then turned to Ricky. "Next time he's a dick, just knock him out. Maybe he'll learn a lesson."

Ricky shrugged. "Not necessary, miss." He glanced toward the car and added, "I'd ask if you felt safe alone with him, but you can take care of yourself?"

Having seen her in a fight, Evie couldn't help but cover her mouth and grin as Bel snorted in response. The blonde woman leaned down to whisper to Ricky.

"No thanks, I'm good here," he answered evenly with a meaningful look at Evie. His quiet guitar sent a pleasant buzz through her chest she didn't quite know how to unpack.

Shrugging in acceptance, Bel sauntered toward her car. Evie wanted to call out, to beg her to stay. Their brief time together had been more than a fun night, and there were so many unasked questions. She considered running after the blonde to at least offer her email address or something, but Bel had made her choice. Leaning heavily against Marcus, Evie tuned out the jumbled brass melody and let the warm lilt of her boyfriend's cello envelope her. The rest of the world fell away as she anchored herself to one partner and watched another leave.

Hand on the car door, Bel paused and looked back at the group assembled on the porch. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"Bye, Bel," Evie said, her voice clear in the morning hush. An owl hooted mournfully overhead. The guardian maples at the edge of the property held the wind itself, preserving the peace of their mistress's home. A subconscious fragment of Evie's mind thanked them for their kindness.

Bel sniffed and slid into the back seat, slamming the door behind her. Birds chirped and chattered, the sounds of the waking city swept in, the land exhaled. Marcus flinched at the sudden uptick in volume. Ricky peered around then shook his head with a curious look at his employer. Evie just watched the town car roll down the driveway and turn smoothly onto the street.

"If you don't need me, Evie, I'll clear out and let you get on with your morning," Ricky said, shaking her out of her spell.

"Thanks, Ricky. Why were you here so early, anyway?"

The bodyguard's eyes tracked the likely path of their departed guests and he grunted, "Just a feeling." He offered Evie a respectful nod, acknowledged Marcus with a "Mr. Anderson", and made his own exit.

Alone at last, Evie wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. Less than twenty-four hours ago, all she wanted was this exact moment. No sense wasting it now. "How long until you have to go?"

Marcus checked his phone. "Uh, ten minutes? Twenty if you let me use the doughnuts to bribe the crew." Simone Anderson's baking was legendary--Evie's dad once jokingly gave Marcus a preemptive blessing to marry his daughter, so long as it ensured a steady supply of sweet treats from the in-laws.

Evie brushed her lips against Marcus's. "Worth it," she breathed. Her tongue slid into his mouth and she smiled at his hungry groan. Pressed against his front, Evie felt the rapid swelling of his neglected member. Her hand snuck around to unfasten his belt and she broke their sensuous kiss. Desire permeated his song, resonating with her own.

Barely able to restrain herself from taking him right there on the porch, Evie pushed Marcus into the house and steered him to a bench next to the door. He grunted in surprise, but caught on quickly enough to brace his back against the wall and let her yank down his pants. His boxer briefs followed and his cock sprang to attention. Her own nethers warmed at the impressive sight, long enough to plumb her depths and the perfect thickness to fill her just shy of discomfort. Not huge, but bigger than average and seemingly tailor-made to fit her preferences. She ached with need, wanting nothing more than to tear off her leggings and ride him until she collapsed, but she also knew she wouldn't let him go after a mere twenty minutes. Still, she could have some fun and thank Marcus for showing up when she needed him.

Wrapping her hand around his veiny tool, Evie tugged at the light brown flesh, pulling back his foreskin to expose the swollen head. She wasted no time dropping to her knees and taking half his length into her mouth with a delighted hum that raised goosebumps on his legs. She swirled her tongue on the underside of his shaft and pushed forward until his crown neared her throat. Holding for a second, she pulled back and began bobbing her head in a quick rhythm. For a few minutes, gratuitously sloppy slurps mingled with Marcus's quiet gasps and groans.

"Fuck, babe, I'm not going to last long," Marcus said shakily. He gathered Evie's hair loosely in his fist, applying no pressure but clearing his view of her face. "I don't know what you did with your makeup, but you look incredible. You're so gorgeous."