The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (11 page)

* * * *

When dawn arrived the next morning, Gracie was standing in front of the window, watching the sun begin its ascent in the cloudless sky. She’d tried to sleep but erotic dreams had woken her several times during the night. Each time Zara had apologized and swore to try to hold on a bit longer, and each time it had taken even longer to drift back off with her body drenched in sweat and tight need. “It’s time to come home, Wildcat. I hope you’ve gotten it worked out in your head because,” Rand stepped into the room and slammed the door behind him. "…It's you or no one."

Drinking in his presence as if she’d been gone for a year rather than just a day, she noticed how rough he looked. It looked like he’d pulled an ‘all-nighter’.

“You cheated, Rand.” She turned back towards the window.

Stopping inches from her, his voice was tight. “Really? How do you figure?”

“You promised you wouldn’t come after me until dawn. The sun is just now peaking over the horizon. You had to have left the palace nearly four hours ago to reach me.

You left long before dawn.”

105

"You left me no choice. Neither you nor Zara showed any mercy. Once you merged with me last night, Ruzac offered none either. I could’ve resisted the first time, Wildcat, but after the fourth merge, I was nearly out of my mind.”

"You mean every time I dreamed I was…" Her face reddened.

"Yes. I tried sparring with Jonathan. Hell I even woke Dad up after the second one and he walked the floor with me. When each one became more intense, I left with Jonathan and had him drive me here. Do you realize the accidents I would’ve caused if I’d driven myself when you had your third dream?”

She shook her head.

“Letting me tie you to the bed and eat to my heart’s content nearly had me spilling in my pants like an untried youth.”

When she moaned softly and reached towards him, he stepped back quickly. "Don't touch me, Wildcat. I’m at the end of my tether here.”

“
This was why I left, Zara. It’s uncontrollable. I’ve no pride because if he’d let me I
would drop to my knees right now and blow him, especially if I thought it would tempt
him into taking me before that damn ceremony.”

“I know. It’s scary but I promise you it’ll be all right. You’ll come through this

just as every other chosen pair has.”

“But the question is: will I come through with my pride and sense of self-esteem still
intact?”

A knock at the door and Rand letting the person in, had her looking over her shoulder to see Jonathan.

“Where one goes, so does the other. I see you’re no worse for wear, Jonathan.”

106

“No, it seems the little witch who disabled me also made sure I was healed before I awoke. Rather thoughtful of you, Gracie.”

“I can be at times.”

“I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll never again underestimate you.”

“It’d be a wise idea. Smartass!”

“Are you ready to go, Wildcat?” Rand looked around the room for any bag she might’ve taken with her.

She glared at him. “Do I have a choice?”

Rand glared back at her.

“I don’t think there’s any other option, Gracie.” Jonathan took her arm and started to lead her from the room and spoke so softly only she could hear. “As your mom would say, ‘it’s best to let sleeping tigers lie’ and just go back with him.”

107

Resignation filled Gracie when they arrived back at the palace. Opening the car door, she grimaced and walked to the entrance of the palace. Her father stood on the steps waiting for her. He had a frown on his handsome face. “
I know I’ve probably
angered him by running off, Zara, but I won’t apologize for it. For the love of Mica when
will he realize I’m a grown woman?”

“Probably never, sweetheart. You’re always going to be his baby. But running

away only to be brought back by Rand seems more like the act of an angry child

than a grown woman.”

“Perhaps. But I tried to explain my fears to him like a grown woman, and like
everyone else he’s ignored them.”

Brushing by him, she wasn’t surprised when he grabbed her arm.

"Grace O'Connor, I'm very disappointed in you and we need to have a talk."

"Dad, I’m tired and I’m in no mood to deal with your anger at the moment.”

“If you’d stayed where you belong, instead of running away like a scared child…”

Jerking herself free, she glared up at him.

“I said no! Dad, it’s time for you to realize I no longer have to answer to you. My actions are my own as are the consequences to them. And if you’re angry with me, deal with it, because I’m not going to bend over backwards to keep you happy!”

Shock filled his face. “How dare you!”

“I dare many things these days, Dad. Now if you excuse me I’m going to retire to my chambers.”

“Like hell.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her into his study.

108

“Let go of me!”

Once the door was shut and she was alone with her dad, she realized it was time to set a few things straight with her domineering father.

“This has got to stop!”

“Take care of where you tread, Grace Ann.”

Ignoring Zara’s advice, she walked over to the bar, pulled out a crystal decanter and poured both of them a finger of scotch.

"Gracie, don't you think it's too early to be drinking?" Colin stared at the drink before finally accepting it.

"No. You want to have this out? Fine. Lets have this out, Dad." She moved over to the floor length windows. Staring out into the gardens, she paused to gather her thoughts barely aware when Rand entered the room.

“Are you sure you want to do this with him here, sweetheart?”

“If he has the nerve to stay and listen then he deserves no less than he receives
because I’m not going to back down on this.”

"Well?" Colin grew impatient with the silence.

"It’s this simple, Dad. I'll marry Rand because I haven’t a choice. As usual when the royalty decrees something, it is as good as gospel. It doesn’t mean I have to be happy about the circumstances surrounding my marriage." She turned back to her father. "I never planned on marrying. I was happy with my life the way it was. I had just finished my studies, had the prospect of a good job, and two best friends I wouldn't trade for anything in the world."

109

"Gracie, did you honestly think you were going to escape the prophesy? That it wouldn’t come true?" He watched his daughter pace back and forth in front of him.

"Who said I had to accept it, Dad? Oh, that’s right. In one fell swoop of the pen, you decided for me. Despite the fact you knew how I felt about it, you chose for me like I was still a child unable to make her own decision. You could’ve removed my name from the list or simply told Rand I wasn't a suitable candidate to be his bride."

"I won't lie, Gracie, even for you. You were the most suitable match for him." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, I hope I'm as suitable as you think. I may end up losing more than I could ever hope to gain. My studies are done, but what about a job? I won't be working anymore. I could handle losing a job. I might get bored but I could handle it. What I don’t know if I’m going to able to handle is the loss of one of my best friends. How the hell, Dad, did you think I could possibly convert my best friend into my husband?"

"Grace!" Setting down his drink, he moved towards her, responding to the misery in her voice.

"Stop” She held up held up her hand. “There’s nothing you can do now. Even if Rand decided today he no longer wants me, nothing will ever be the same between us again.

Now all I have left is my duty and honor. I'll share Rand’s bed, even his throne if he’ll let me but what little else I can salvage for myself I’ll keep.” Placing the glass down on the edge of his desk, she left the room, never acknowledging the stone-faced man who had been watching them.

* * * *

Rand longed to go after Gracie but knew he had to deal with Colin first. 110

“He only meant to help, boy.”

“Then he failed miserably, Ruzac.”
He locked gazes with his dad’s advisor and trusted friend.

“Well that didn’t go as I hoped it would.” Colin rubbed the back of his neck.

"No, it didn’t. Do you realize what you’ve done?" He leaned over Colin's desk.

Colin’s back stiffened. "She’s my daughter and I’ll speak to her…”

Rand cut him off. "She’s also my chosen, Colin, and I happen to be in love with her.

I suggest the next time you think about laying into her, put yourself in her place. Right now, she’s struggling with the idea I’m serious about changing our relationship. Then throw in her accidental triggering of the
mezclar
to the equation and she’s now running scared or angry as hell. Personally I’d rather deal with her anger than her fear.”

"I can empathize with how it must be but it's still her duty." Colin’s tone was fierce.

"Her duty isn’t going to prepare her for the reality of our bonding. She still thinks she’s going to be able to hold part of herself back and your anger didn’t help matters.

Do you realize how much harder I’m going to have to fight to get her to let go? It’s bad enough I have to compete with the memory of her lost love.

“Lost love?” Colin eyes narrowed. “For the love of Mica, what are you talking about?”

“I’m assuming it’s someone she met after I left for my advanced studies. She refuses to talk about him. Perhaps you know who it might be?”

“I don’t have the slightest idea. The only wizard I remember sniffing around her was that Costas boy.”

“Costas?” Rand’s mind was whirling quickly.

111

“Yeah, she tutored him the year after you left. Harold Costas. Had a hell of a time learning to control his water spells. Gracie took him on as a favor to his cousin. The gay one. Damned if I remember his name…Adam, Alec…”

“Alexander Costas?”

Colin’s face lit up. “That’s it. Alexander. I wondered what happened with him. Last I knew, he was living with his lover, Thomas.”

“I don’t know but I think it might be worth the time to find out.” Rand turned and left the room. Lifting his com unit to his mouth, he summoned Jonathan.

“I’ve got a small job you, Jonathan. Find Alexander Costas and whatever you can about Harold, his cousin.”

* * * *

Standing on the balcony outside her room, Gracie ruthlessly pushed down her need to run.
“What would it accomplish, sweetheart?”

“Not a damn thing. Rand would come after me. Why do you think I’m still here?”

“Pure stubbornness. You’ve decided to go through with the mezclar but you

still haven’t accepted it.”

“Acceptance isn’t required, Zara. All Rand needs is a warm body…”

“The boy needs more than that, Gracie.”
The unexpected voice of Rand’s sentient being was a shock.

“Great! Did you forget to mention something, Zara?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to put any more stress on you. Once the mezclar

started, Ruzac has been able to reach you through your bond with me.”

112

“And you can do the same with Rand?”

“Of course she can! Are you daft, girl?”

Anger washed over her only to be replaced by humor.
“Did you just call me girl?”

“Well that’s what you are.”

“That I am. But tell me Ruzac, do you call Rand boy?”

“Of course he does. Which irritates Rand to no end.”

“Woman! She was talking to me.”

With Ruzac’s scolding of Zara, Gracie was trying to control her laughter but lost it when Zara gave back as good as she was getting.

“Why don’t you go and see if Mica will let you sleep with him again tonight,

Ruzac? I fear that Aria might protest but you never know until you ask.”

* * * *

Rand was trying to relax on his bed. He smiled when he heard his Wildcat laughing out on the balcony.
Having Ruzac go and pester her was a brilliant idea. I knew she’d find the humor in
his battle of wills with Zara. They’re as bad as two kids fighting over the last piece of
candy.

Even aware as he was of her presence such a short few feet away, he still didn’t trust himself to join her. Last night had stretched his control to the very limit.
How in the
name of Mica am I going to survive another ten days until we’re married? If she’d
merged with me one more time, I was ready to say to hell with the formal wedding and
take my Wildcat to the nearest minister
.
I’m just thankful Jonathan and Dad are willing
to be the buffer between us until the wedding.

113

The knock on his door drew his attention. With a flick of his magic, he opened the door. If Jonathan thought there was anything odd in the fact that Rand hadn’t gotten up to answer it, he said nothing. But then again the man seemed focused on the folder he was holding. Finally Jonathan looked up.

“We’ve got a small problem, Rand.” He extended the folder to Rand.

Sitting up, he accepted the folder and began to flip through its contents.

“So what’s the problem? All I see is the documentation of your search into Alexander Costas and his cousin Harold.”

“Check the time stamp.”

Glancing down, it finally dawned on him. “These are stamped nearly two days ago. I hadn’t even asked you yet.”

“Exactly and I didn’t start my inquiry today.”

“Then how did…”

“Exactly! We’ve got a traitor amongst us. He’s using my security code to look into Gracie’s past and that can’t be good.”

“No, it isn’t. So what are you going to do about it?”

“First of all, it isn’t what am I going to do about it. It’s what we’re going to do about it.

I made a promise to your Dad to stick to your side like glue until the wedding.”

Rand nodded. “All right then what are
we
going to do about it?”

“I suggest we take a little road trip and pay a visit to Alexander Costas. Since this inquiry shows that Harold is off the planet at the moment, Alexander would be the most likely place to start and…”

114

“…we can find out if anyone has approached him about Gracie in the past two days.”

Rand rolled off the bed. "Give me ten minutes to hit the showers and we can leave.”

Jonathan nodded. “And what are you going to tell Gracie about your absence? I believe you told her something along the lines of her not leaving your side. Are we going to take her with us?”

Rand thought for a moment before answering. “No. I won’t place her in danger if there is a real threat. But instead why don’t you go ahead and talk to her about Alexander and Harold. Perhaps she might have an idea who might be looking.”

“Are you insane? Do you want me dead? She’ll kill me if I start asking her questions about her past relationships.”

“Chicken, Jonathan? Surely one little witch doesn’t scare you.” Rand couldn’t help but taunt his friend.

“And you’re not the one who ended up unconscious the last time she got pissed.

You do it.”

“Do I look like I’m in any shape to tangle with her right now? That’s why I’m pulling rank. You’re nominated.” Rand couldn’t help but laugh as he escaped into the bathroom. Jonathan’s cursing grew fainter as he turned on the shower.