Chapter 3 Forget Me ....Not!

The incense smoke curled languidly through the air, twirling its way around gemstone towers and flickering candle flames. Zalindra sat behind the counter of her metaphysical shop, a quaint paradise of mystic oddities where crystals glimmered like stars trapped in glass jars, and the scent of sage and spices whispered tales of forgotten magic.

“Another day selling mysteries to the curious minds of those who find magic to be a novelty” Zalindra murmured to herself, absentmindedly adjusting a row of tarot decks on the shelf. Her thoughts drifted back to her evening with the twins. She had not been that satisfied in a very long time. That was the best sex and best night’s sleep she has ever had…ever.

Her musings were interrupted by the gentle chime of the doorbell. Layla, her coven sister and best friend, swept into the shop with the energy of a spring breeze. Her platinum blonde hair shimmered under the soft lights, making her look like a celestial being gracing us with her presence.

“You have that look again,” Layla teased, settling herself on the plush purple velvet stool beside the counter.

Zalindra sighed, leaning back with her arms crossed. “What look?”

“The one where you’re reminiscing about certain handsome strangers you met under very... special circumstances,” Layla chuckled, her eyes a mix of mischief and genuine concern.

Zalindra couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, well, it was a memorable night.”

Layla plopped down on a nearby chaise and laughed “I wish I had your…everything!  The way you took control and gave control and just..let go! I don’t have the guts.”

Zalindra leaned over the arm of the chaise and looked up at the ceiling. “It was my last night as a free woman.  I could not waste it.”

Truth is, Zalindra had never been so bold in any other encounter. She wasn’t a prude and generally quite adventurous.  But that night was something else.  It was all so effortless and natural. That night was sex magic at its finest. That night was the last night of true freedom she would ever experience.  Zalindra let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.

Layla tilted her head, understanding etched into her features. “You deserve happiness, Z. Beyond our rituals and the cosmic responsibilities of the coven, there’s you, a beautiful soul who deserves more than just duty.”

Zalindra’s lips curled upwards in gratitude. “Thank you, Layla. I just... I worry about derailing from what I’m supposed to do. My commitment to the coven is important.”

“True,” Layla nodded, “but remember, the coven wants you to be fulfilled too. And sometimes, wandering off the path leads you right where you need to be.”

Feeling lighter, Zalindra closed the shop for lunch, and the two friends strolled down the cobblestone path to their favorite café, The Moonlit Brew. The gentle hum of chatter and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted them as they entered.

Just as Zalindra was about to order, a familiar sensation threaded through her veins—an awareness, a tingle that danced up her spine. Turning, she locked eyes with Lucian and Lorian, two alluring faces that, by all accounts, should only exist in last night’s memory.

Zalindra grabbed Layla hand and whispered in her ear, “Don’t overreact, but they are here.” Layla immediately jerked her head around and said in a not whispered voice “Where?” Zalindra squeezed her hand and pulled her back. “Stop it” she whisper screamed at Layla.

The two ladies rushed to a table and sat down.

“Layla, close your mouth” Zalindra said while gently pushing Layla’s chin up.

“Girl! They are FINE!” Layla reluctantly turned to Zalindra. “Go talk to them!”

“They won’t remember me. I cast a forgetting spell on them before I left.  Like I said, my last night of freedom.  It was easy to let loose when only I would get to remember it.” Zalindra looked at them while biting her lower lip.  The memory of that night, the things they did, the way they tasted, they way made her FEEL, the way…Layla kicked her shin underneath the table. “You’re going to lose it right here if you don’t stop that right now” Layla laughed and took a bite of her sandwich.

Zalindra did the same, but the sandwich was not what she wanted in her mouth right now.

Zalindra looked down quickly and covered her face with her hair, “They are looking this way” Layla laughed “Of course they are. We are HOT! Besides, you made them forget…right?” Zalindra nodded quick and way more than she should have because of the way they were looking at her, she was not entirely convinced herself.  Her brows furrowed as she returned their gaze.  They did not look at her like a stranger.

Her heart skipped at their unmistakable presence. The soft, mischievous smiles on their faces told her everything she feared.

“The forgetting spell,” Zalindra whispered more to herself than anyone else, panic rising in her chest, “it didn’t work.”

Lucian and Lorian made their way to their table and pulled two seats to sit on either side of Zalindra.

Lucian’s gaze was steady yet filled with a spark of intrigue. Lorian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Hello beautiful” Lorian said “long time to see” he turned to Layla and introduced himself. “Pardon my manners, I am Lorian, and this here is my brother Lucian.” He extended his hand to Layla expectantly.

Almost choking on her drink, Layla coughed out her name “Layla, pleased to me you…both”

Lucian leaned into Zalindra “And who might you be? Last we met; names were the last things on our minds.”  Zalindra swallowed hard and steeled her emotions. Recapturing a little confidence from that night she met Lucian’s gaze “Zalindra but why would you need to know my name?” Lucian gave her a sexy smile that made her wet “Well, we were hoping we could spend a little more time together” He gently caressed her hand while he spoke. Without looking at her, Lorian placed his hand on her thigh and gave a gentle squeeze. When Zalindra shivered only then did Lorian look at her.

Layla, ever perceptive, cast an inquisitive glance between them. “Well, this is unexpected.” She stood and gathered her things to leave. Zalindra spoke up immediately “You don’t have to go Layla, we just started eating and they…”

Layla interrupted her “Oh no, I absolutely must go! I have to go do that research on that thing you forgot and see why it didn’t work like it was supposed to…”

Layla gave Zalindra a look that women give each other when they speak with only their eyes. It took Zalindra a couple of seconds for it to register.  As soon as it did, she almost screamed “YES! Uh..yes PLEASE that would be amazing.  Let me know what you find out.”  With that, Layla rushed out of the café. They all watched her as she passed the window outside. Once she was out of sight, Lorian asked “What was that about?”

“Before you got here, we were talking about a…project we are working on and one of the programs didn’t work as expected. She is going to see why that might be” Zalindra answered.  She looked back at the window with a perplexed look on her face.  She was going to be the next High Queen of the Coven.  Not to brag or anything but that meant her magic was strong…very strong.  A forgetting spell was child’s play, and her version was smooth and left no remnants.  Yet here these men are sitting beside her with a full and complete memory of our one-night stand.  This situation was intriguing and terrifying at the same time.  She needed answers quickly.