Indigo Spell (33 page)

“At least a century.”

Her hand froze, the bottle of water halfway to her lips. “What are you talking about?”

“You can learn our ways, Tess. You can even gain some of our knowledge, power and ability but it takes time, at least a century to acquire those skills. Even then you won’t have the strength of a wizard born into the Assembly.”

“I thought wizards were made, not born.”

Jaxon draped his arm along the back of the bench, his fingers resting close to the nape of her neck. “That’s what most people think. There are groups of wizards all over the universe who are trained such as you but their abilities are not the same as ours. They’re limited in their capabilities. The Assembly knows no such limits.”

She leaned back against his hand. His fingertips stirred the damp tendrils of hair that had escaped from the braid. “So if I become pregnant, our child will have these abilities?”

“When not if, and mostly, yes.”

“Which means that he or she could be stronger than I am one day.”

“True.”

Her brow wrinkled. “Human kids are pretty good at outsmarting their parents, Jaxon. Have you ever thought what a child with the capabilities of a full-fledged wizard will be able to do?”

He chuckled and curled his fingers around her neck, squeezing gently. “By the time he knows how to use his powers, you’ll have gained the power of discernment. Don’t worry, honey. You will know where he is and what he’s doing until he becomes a man.”

The furrows in her brow grew. “But I thought you said it would take a hundred years for me to gain that knowledge.”

“I did.”

“Um, Jaxon?”

“Yes, baby?”

“How old does a wizard have to be before he’s considered a man?”

His teeth flashed in a grin. “Two hundred.”

“So I’m guessing puberty is a really tough time for you guys.”

* * * * *

Falcon stood straight and tall, his long white hair flowing behind him like a snowy river. His feet barely touched the ground. He preferred to hover. It would enable greater speed should he need to make a hasty exit. His eyes were trained on Tess’ small form in the arena below. “She learns fast.”

Jaxon watched his wife proudly. “That she does.” His eyes glinted with humor as she opened her palm and startled herself with the small, leaping flame, which nestled there. “And it is a good thing she does. Even now the witches are waging a battle with her.”

“You can feel it as well.” Falcon nodded. “It is good. Your own powers have grown. You will serve our people well.”

“I wish you would not talk like that.” Jaxon kept his eyes trained on his wife while his mother instructed her in another spell, a captivating spell. He frowned marginally. He wasn’t so sure Tess needed to know how to captivate another man. “Mother, perhaps there are other spells which would be of more benefit to her.”

Tess held up her hand. “You hush. I told your mother I wanted to learn the book. I’m learning the book.”

Falcon and Jaxon exchanged long, steady looks. “The entire book will take quite some time, Tess.” Falcon offered his opinion. “Jaxon is right to suggest other spells.”

“Just ignore them, Charlemaine.” Tess swept a hand up to close the door from Falcon and Jaxon’s view.

The leader chuckled. “Yes, I do think she learns fast. All of this after only three months. I do not think we will need a century with your lovely wife, Jaxon.”

“I have helped her.” Jaxon broke his own promise to himself and braced himself for his mentor’s wrath.

“What do you mean you have helped her?” There was no mistaking the ominous tone of Falcon’s voice.

Jaxon moved out of his physical reach. “I know you do not approve but Athena cannot be trusted. Until Tess becomes pregnant, she is vulnerable to any move the witches make. I cannot be with her twenty-four hours of the day. I wanted to protect her.”

“You shared your powers?” Falcon’s voice vibrated with the richness of his fury.

“No, I only enhanced her ability to learn. I shared my strength and some of my knowledge.”

“Does she know?”

“How could I tell her that while she was sleeping, I cast a spell which will accelerate the learning process? As it is, it is going to be difficult for her to accept her own abilities even as she learns what they are. No, it is better this way.”

Falcon whirled around sending a shower of sparks dancing at his feet. “It is better if you let nature take its course! How many times do I have to tell you that we cannot upset the balance of nature? To accelerate time is to risk exposing your wife to even greater dangers. If she is not ready to accept all she is capable of, she could give in to the dark forces within her. Then you would have to destroy her.”

How could he explain the power of his fear? The worry in the pit of his stomach that he wouldn’t be able to protect her? “Then I will make sure she does accept them.”

“By another spell? Will you listen to yourself? You are risking far more than just her life by manipulating nature and time. You are risking your own banishment. Should the other wizards discover what you have done, they will demand a tribunal.”

“I know that.”

Falcon shook his head in disbelief. “Then why did you tell me?”

“Because should something happen to me, I know you will protect her. You are the only one I trust enough to train her, to guide her in the proper path. As you did me.”

For a long moment silence reigned. Then shuffling his feet, Falcon cleared his throat. “That was different. You were of the Assembly. Tess is not.”

Jaxon whipped around, eyes flashing. His body held rigid with tension, he faced his mentor, the man who had saved him from his own treacherous mind. “You could still help her. Promise me you will, Falcon. Promise me if anything happens to me, you will watch out for Tess.”

“What is all this talk about something happening to you? Have you had a vision?”

He broke eye contact, traversed the expanse of the hall outside the training room.
More nightmare than vision. So overpowering.
He shivered to even think of it. “Yes. I did not want to say anything because the vision was unclear.”

“Tell me.” The voice carried a command.

“I saw the death of a wizard and Tess grieving. I could not see the face or hear the name of the wizard. But why else would she grieve except if she were to lose the man she loves?”

Falcon clamped a hand on his protégé’s shoulder. “You said the vision is unclear. Perhaps it is fragmented. It is possible the death of the wizard comes before or after what you saw with Tess. I will not release you, Jaxon. You have a destiny to assume my place, my rank in the Assembly. That was preordained before your birth. Preordination takes precedence over a vision.” He shrugged. “You simply will not die.”

“It is so like you to challenge the power of the vision.”

“That I would. I will not allow anything to happen to you.”

“Does the Assembly know—” Jaxon couldn’t finish the question.

“That you will take my place? Of course. There is no dissension. Unlike you, your fellow wizards do not question destiny. Your mother knew before you were born you were meant to ascend to this place of responsibility. She accepted it before your father did. And he before you. I see you have great difficulty believing you are the chosen one.”

“That cannot surprise you. Most of the other wizards have more knowledge and wisdom—”

“No, they do not. They have lived longer but the wealth of knowledge and wisdom you have acquired, the power, far exceeds theirs. It is the way it should be. Oldest does not always mean the wisest. Wisdom comes with experience. You have experienced more over the centuries, have learned more. You will lead well.”

Jaxon wished he felt as confident as his mentor did. Emotions swirled within him, anger, resentment, pride, fear and even a trace of wonder. Wonder that he could be chosen above the others. Fear that he would fail them all. He shook his head to brush off the feelings. “But there is time, right? You are not passing the mantle as of yet?”

Falcon squeezed his shoulder. “There is still some time. And even once you have assumed leadership over the Assembly, I will not be so far away that you cannot reach me.”

The words gave Jaxon pause. “You will leave?”

“Eventually.”

“I will not let you go.”

The leader smiled. “Do not let your power go to your head, young Jaxon. Your abilities will never surpass mine. You cannot prevent me from leaving. It is our way.”

“Now I know why Tess wanted to live as a human. It certainly seems less complicated.”

Laughter rang out but it was more a sound of regret than humor. “You managed to hide from your responsibilities for a time but even during your time away from us, you knew, deep in your heart, eventually you would have to return.”

The truth stared him in the face and Jaxon couldn’t deny it. Though he’d enjoyed every second of his time on Earth, he’d known the Assembly would not allow him to disappear forever. A wizard always had a duty first to his people.

Jaxon stared hard at the door shielding the training room from his view. Behind the wood was the woman he loved, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. With the vision came the knowledge he might not have that much time to spend. It saddened him to think the time he did have might be spent in battle with the Coven, that part of his duty that could very well make Tess a widow.

The door flew open and his heart slammed in his throat. Tess, her feet dangling, danced in the air, laughing gaily. The long, white robe she wore billowed around her, offering freedom of movement. Her silky, chestnut hair flowed around her shoulders while her eyes glittered. Perfect happiness. Jaxon felt it for a brief moment, allowed her happiness to envelop him. “Tess, come down from there.”

“Let her be,” Falcon instructed. “Perhaps she is dealing with her new abilities in the best way she knows how.”

She glided toward the door, hand extended. “Jaxon, this feels incredible. I want to dance with you. I’ve never danced without the ground beneath my feet.” Her laugh was infectious.

Jaxon stood rooted to the spot until Falcon nudged him forward. Only a slight nudge but it jarred him out of his trance. He took the hand she offered and ascended, his feet leaving the ground with an ease borne of years of experience. “I told you that you would taste life in a way you could have only imagined.” He smiled into her upturned face.

Tess tossed back her head, continued to laugh. “This isn’t tasting life. It’s taking it for a ride.” Her fingers tightened around his. “Let’s get out of here.” Before he could guess her next move, she tugged him with her, propelling them both out of the room and into the darkened corridors.

Chapter Twelve

Tess swept around a gilded chandelier, brought her arms together in a V-shape and shot toward the floor like an arrow. “I have an idea.”

Jaxon sighed, swept low and caught her in his arms. He lifted her against his chest and tucked her head against his shoulder. “If you keep doing that, you’re going to have one hell of a headache. Now why don’t we sit down and have this conversation?”

She broke away from him and waggled one finger in mock admonition. “No way. I’ve just discovered this and I’m not interested in coming down anytime soon.”

“Eventually you’re going to get tired.”

Her soft laughter brought back the memories of last night and the night before that. Would he ever get enough of her? Even now his hands itched to sink into her hair while his eyes lingered on her full, ripe breasts beneath the silky robe she wore.

“Hey, are you listening to me?”

The waspish tone of her voice brought a smile to his face. “I was doing more looking than listening.”

“Well, stop. Now do you want to hear my idea or not?”

“From the sound of your voice, I can already tell I’m not going to like it.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Let’s try to stay positive, shall we? If I understand what you’ve been telling me correctly,” Tess took a break to lean against one wall of the corridor, her feet still several inches from the floor, “Athena has every intention of trying to take our baby the moment I become pregnant.” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “That is if I become pregnant.”

Jaxon scowled. “You will and did I mention I don’t like this already?”

“Just listen.” She hardened her voice and continued. “In the event that she manages to…put a spell on me or whatever in the hell it is that witches do—”

“That’s not going to happen.”

She ignored him. “In the event that it does happen, we need a plan.”

Jaxon spiraled to her side, snatched her arm and brought her to the floor with a thump. “No plan is needed because Athena is not going to come anywhere near you again.”

“Jaxon.” She grabbed hold of the collar of his shirt and brought him up short. “You’re not thinking realistically. Athena has outsmarted you once.” One look at her husband’s face told her she’d said the wrong thing. His jaw locked. His eyes narrowed and his body tensed. Anger rippled visibly through his muscles. But Tess didn’t let his displeasure dissuade her. “Now the way I see it, Athena might be able to pull the wool over our eyes again and in that instance, we have to have a backup plan.”

He walked toward the door, towing her with him. “No plan. No more discussion about this. Athena is not going to get her hands on you.”

“You’re letting pride do the talking here.” Tess knew she was goading him but pride wasn’t going to save her skin should Athena manage to sneak past their protective spells.

He stopped to spin around and glare at her. “I said there will be no more discussion of this.”

“You’re refusing to listen to me because you’re too busy beating your chest. I know you’re a big, powerful wizard. I know you’ve bested Athena before, but guess what? This isn’t before. It’s now and we,” she pressed a finger against the center of his chest then touched her own, “that’s you and I need a plan. You can’t snap your fingers and make all of this go away.”

“I’m not going to talk about this with you.”

She played her trump card. “I’ll go to Falcon.”

He took one step forward and backed her against the wall, his eyes becoming pools of fury. “Do not attempt to play Falcon against me. While he is the leader of the Assembly for now, I am your husband forever. He will not interfere between us.”

She honed in on two words in Jaxon’s warning. “What do you mean for now?”

“That isn’t important. What is important is your accepting my decision.”

“No.”

His eyebrow arched. “No?”

“You heard me. No. I don’t accept your decision any more than I accept your authority over me. God, Jaxon, when are you going to crawl into the twenty-first century? Women do not obey their husbands. Women do not bow and scrape while standing in awe of the meat provider.” Palms open, she pushed against his shoulders and broke open a space wide enough for her to escape from the overpowering crush of his body against hers. “And you know what? I’m really not keen on your macho attitude either. When you want to hold a discussion that does not include grunting and pointing, look me up. Or I should say, look up.” Her hips swayed as she sashayed away from him. Two feet away, she took to the air, her laughter trailing behind her.

* * * * *

Rane captured a handful of peanuts and tossed them into his mouth. “Grunting and pointing. I like that. She is good for you.”

Jaxon had begun to regret his decision to vent to his brothers within the first five minutes of the conversation. Their supply of compassion was limited. Actually they had a lion’s share of sympathy but only for his wife. “She is going to be the death of me.”

Braeden slapped Jaxon on the shoulder and straddled a chair opposite him. “I know plenty of men who wished they were having your difficulties.”

Jaxon’s brows lowered. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Rane closed his fist around more peanuts and grinned. “We cannot spell it out for you, brother. As they say on Earth, it would lose its punch. Suffice it to say that Tess is an attractive woman.”

The scowl intensified. “And she is my wife.”

Braeden reached for the ceramic bowl of peanuts. “Then you are going to have to accept that she is not just an ordinary female you can order around. If that is what you wanted, you should have married another wizard. Tess has a mind of her own…unless you decide to control her like a puppet.”

Jaxon shifted uncomfortably. “I would not do that to her.”

Rane slapped the table and launched himself to his feet. “Then I suggest you learn how to deal with your wife and stop trying to change her into something she is not.” He lifted his face to the air for a brief moment before favoring his brothers with a wry smile. “I should go. I have tolerated enough of this male bonding for one day. I am considering visiting this place you call Earth, Jaxon. It has some intriguing possibilities.”

Braeden nudged Jaxon with his elbow. “Your trip was definitely worth it.”

Jaxon debated that issue. While he loved Tess to distraction, she crawled under his skin, drove him mad and then loved him with a ferocity he couldn’t match. Their nights together branded his memories and a simple thought, one word, could send him running back to their bedroom in hopes of an afternoon foray. When he should be concentrating on helping the Assembly, on preventing another invasion.

“I believe we have lost our brother in the conversation.” Rane shook his head wryly. “Falcon is going to call a meeting at ten tonight. Make sure Jaxon knows he is to be there.” He knocked once against the wood frame before exiting the room.

Braeden shifted and bumped Jaxon’s chair with his foot. “Are you still with me?”

No
. He’d been with Tess where he wanted to be right now. Jaxon shook his head, cleared his thoughts and returned to the conversation. “I am considering what to do about Tess. She is not going to let this subject drop.”

“Maybe you should talk to Falcon, get the jump on her.” Braeden broke off with a grin. “So to speak.”

“I fight my own battles.”

“I see. So are you winning?”

Jaxon scrambled to his feet. “Go to hell.”

“You have spent way too much time with the humans. You have gotten soft.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. His shoulders tensed. Maybe a good fight was exactly what he needed to work off some of his anger. “And maybe you are waiting for an ass-kicking.”

Braeden looked up. “You mean an actual fist fight?” He laughed softly. “Is that the way they handle things down there, because if so, I am not impressed. I would suggest we focus our energies on a more challenging game.” He stood and strolled toward the door. “Interested?”

Jaxon eyed his brother speculatively, wondering what his devious elder was up to. But what the hell? Whatever it was, he probably needed it. Maybe it would work some of the grunting out of his system.

* * * * *

Tess stood on the sidelines, watching the two brothers slide across the marble floors. Encased inside a dome-shaped glass, they sparred like two ancient warriors, testing their powers, working off frustrations unknown to Tess.

“Are they fighting?” She wondered aloud as her mother-in-law approached. She winced as a bolt of lightning bounced off the glass ceiling, ricocheted off the walls.

Charlemaine’s face was wreathed with pride despite the grunts and groans emanating from below. “It is a game.”

Tess shook her head. If she lived to be centuries old like her husband, she would never figure out this family. Two powerful wizards were fighting tooth and nail and their mother showed not only her approval but her pride as well. “Couldn’t they hurt one another?”

“They would not allow their magic to hurt one another. It is simply a game, like tennis in your world.”

“In tennis, we don’t throw lightning bolts around and there’s usually no blood.”

Charlemaine smiled. “You must stop worrying so much. Except for rare instances, wizards are not allowed to use their magic against one another. Right now they are, for want of a better phrase, beating their chests.”

Tess directed her gaze back toward the center of the room. Both wizards had taken up opposing sides, their bodies tensed. Fingers flexed at their sides but their faces wore identical grins.

With a shout that echoed outside the shrouded walls, Jaxon bounded forward with a leap that sent him toward the ceiling. His hand smacked the glass and he pushed off, whirling around the tightly enclosed interior until his body became a blur of motion. Tess squinted in an attempt to keep track of him while Braeden laughed in appreciation of his brother’s abilities.

“They’re idiots,” she decided, placing a hand on Charlemaine’s arm to soften her words. “With the witches plotting to infiltrate the Assembly and Athena making plans for our future baby, Jaxon is playing human ping-pong. God, I’ll never understand him.” She dropped her hand to her side and took a backward step.

“Sometimes our emotions run high and unless we take steps to bottle them, they will overtake us. We will make rash decisions or possibly hurt someone. It is better we work out our frustrations in such a way.”

“I can’t see you whirling around a glass room like that.”

Charlemaine’s eyes glittered with just a hint of deviousness. “Oh, I have other ways. Ways that involve my husband.” She winked, hooked her arm through Tess’ and guided her away from the battling wizards.

* * * * *

Jaxon didn’t need to be told his wife was irritated. With her increasing powers, she expressed herself quite well. Almost too well. As he opened the door to the bedroom, she turned and hurled a pillow at his head. He caught the fluffy missile easily and tossed it to the floor. “Let me guess. You’re upset.”

She folded her arms. Narrowed her eyes. “I need to get out of here.”

“We’ve already discussed this.”

One hand went up in the air to halt further conversation. “I didn’t mean I needed to go back to South Carolina. I think you took care of that quite effectively. I meant I need to get out of this house, this fortress or whatever in the hell you call it. I need some fresh air to breathe.”