The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (15 page)

Outside the little cottage, Rand, King Mica, Jonathan, and Colin crept around the perimeter and surrounded it. Rand was certain Gracie was being held in one of its rooms. As another tremor shook him, he inhaled sharply.

“You’re time is running out, boy. The mezclar is nearly at its pinnacle.”

“I know, Ruzac. You don’t have to remind me. I need you to try to control your
aggressiveness! I
cannot
claim her yet. Our bonding ceremony will be held in two days
time. You’ve got to hold on until then. Can you do that for me?”

“I make no promises, boy. I long to be one with my chosen again; it’s been

many years since I’ve felt our intimate connection.”

“I know, and soon you’ll have the connection once again, but I can’t sacrifice Gracie
for it. Either control yourself or I’ll have to take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen.”

"Can you control it, Rand?"

Jonathan’s question drew him back to the reality of his surroundings.

"I’ve warned Ruzac about his aggressiveness, but I’m not sure if it’ll be enough. If fighting breaks out during the rescue, make sure you surround her. Even though I know logically I’ve got to wait until the ceremony, I don’t know if I’ll be able to control my instinct to claim her."

"You’ve my oath we’ll protect your chosen, even if it’s from you.”

“It’s time, son. Let’s go rescue Gracie.”

Drawing intricate patterns into the air, Mica drew from the protective sulfuric acid outer shell of Venus. Sparks of fire trailed in the wake of his hands as he built the 148

groundwork for the Ring of Fire, the most powerful spell on their world. A soft familiar, feminine voice came from behind him and broke his concentration.

“While the thought of you using one of our most powerful spells to rescue me is flattering, Your Majesty, I don’t think it’s necessarily needed.”

The group of them spun around at her voice.

* * * *

Gracie winced as she cradled her arm against her body. Between the drugs and the power she’d used for the invisibility spell, she was barely able to stand on her own two feet. When her knees started to crumple, her father rushed to her aid. Lowering her to the ground, he knelt next to her. Rand dropped to his knees on her other side. “Oh Wildcat, what have you done?

Who dared lay hands on you?” Brushing her hair out of her face, he cupped her cheek.

“I…there was a man…” Focusing on Jonathan, she drew a ragged breath. “…he’s your…” She cried out in pain as her father probed at her shoulder.

"I know it hurts, sweetheart. Just bear with me. It only takes a moment." Colin took a firm grip on her wrist, nodding to Mica who was kneeling at her head with her head on his legs. Pressing down on her torso, he held her still. Colin took a deep breath and pulled hard on her arm. A scream ripped from her chest as the dislocated shoulder popped back into place. The pain rapidly subsided and she opened her eyes.

“…William...your assistant…he’s the one…” Darkness swam before her eyes. Trying to hold on to consciousness was a futile battle.

“Sleep, sweetheart. You’re safe with the Triad surrounding you. Nothing will

happen.”

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“I’m so tired, Zara.”

* * * *

“Gracie! Come on Wildcat, you’ve got to open those beautiful eyes for me!” At the distress in his voice, her eyes opened briefly before closing once more.

“Calm down, boy. Wasn’t it you who was just lecturing me about control?

She’s exhausted and Zara assures me she slumbers - nothing more. She was

drugged and still managed to escape, Rand. That’s some chosen you have. I

hope you realize that and how precious she is.”

“I know exactly how precious she is. This is why I want to protect her. She’s my life
and I won’t be worth a damn if she’s taken from me.”

“She’s safe with your father and the rest of the Triad. I hunger for retribution,

so what do you say we go inside and kick some ass?”

Looking up at his father and Colin, he spoke calmly despite both Ruzac and his own need for vengeance were riding him. “I’m going to see if any of the bastards who caused this stuck around. Stay with her.” Surging to his feet, he ignored the protest coming from his father. He vaguely heard Colin’s response.

“It’s his prerogative, Mica. It was his chosen they kidnapped. Let him met out what little bit of justice he can. It may get rid of the aggression which’s riding him so hard.”

* * * *

Rand pushed the door open to find the cabin empty accept for a dazed man, who was sprawled on the floor in the middle of what used to look like a chair. Moving forward, he detected the lingering trace of his chosen’s magic.

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“Yep, I detect Zara’s power here also, boy. Looks like your wildcat punished

her attacker already. Did you realize she had violent tendencies? I’d be watching

my back if I were you.”

“If she tries to attack me, she’s gonna find herself bent over my knee, Ruzac.”

A low moan from the man brought Rand to his side. Reaching down, he dragged the man upright by the nape of his neck.

William groaned louder as his feet left the floor. His eyes opened and focused on the man who was holding him two inches above the ground.

“You dared touch my chosen?”

William’s eyes widened at the menace in the prince’s voice. It was quite obvious he’d made a huge miscalculation when he’d thought he was going to able to use Gracie as his shield.

“I…”

“Even as an off-worlder, you agreed to follow the laws of this planet.”

“But I didn’t know…”

Rand narrowed his eyes. “Don’t give me that nonsense, William. You were required to sign the documentation when you landed. Even if you hadn’t, you can’t expect me to believe you weren’t aware of our laws, especially when you dealt with infractions of them on daily basis. “

William paled and tried to backpedal. “No, no…I didn’t know she was already your chosen. I thought you had to go through the ceremony before it became official.”

“Common sense would tell you that chosens, no matter what state of claim they are in, are off-limits.”

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“What are you going to do to me? All I wanted to do is go home. That bitch and her husband have my passport. I thought if I grabbed your chosen, I could get off the planet and go home.”

“Well it’s a good thing that’s what you want. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like punishment but there is no help for it. William, for your abuse to my chosen, I hereby banish you from my father’s kingdom. If you set foot on its soil again you will be killed on sight. You’ve two hours to leave or face death.”

"What about my passport? I can’t leave without it!”

“I personally will see to it you have no issues leaving Venus or being remitted to earth.

“Thank you, Your Highness." William slunk out of the cottage.

* * * *

Rand rejoined his father and rest of the Triad. Colin had her wrapped in a protective spell which levitated her while protecting her from outside contaminants. Colin was quick to reassure him. “It’s just precautionary until we can get her back to the Palace.”

Rand nodded, wishing he could touch her. Even something as simple as holding her hand would go a long ways toward soothing him.

"Rand?"

Even barely conscious and in pain, Gracie had responded to his distress.

“Shh, Gracie. Just sleep. We’ve got big plans for the day after tomorrow.”

“But I can feel your...”

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“It’s nothing. You need to rest because even though I want to be gentle and easy
with you when we finally join, I’m afraid the mezclar won’t allow it.”

“Damn straight!”

Rand was going to chew Ruzac out when Gracie’s laughter spilled over him.

“Ruzac, you’re incorrigible. Don’t go giving him any more ideas than he already has.”

“Now, I can’t go promising you that, girl. But I can promise he’ll only do the

good things to you during the mezclar. I’ll save the naughty things for after it dies

down and you need the extra spice.”

“Shut up, Ruzac!”
For not the first time, Rand wanted to kill his sentient power. Or at least find a gag for him.

* * * *

“Gracie, it's time to get up.”
Opening her eyes as Rand's voice caressed her mind, she was tempted to roll back over and rejoin him on the dream plane. She was more relaxed than she could ever remember being despite the constant burn of the mezclar over the past forty-eight hours. She and Rand had spent the majority of the time dozing and connected on the dream plane. It felt as if she’d gotten her best friend back. Ruzac and Zara had even joined them.

The only thing which had bothered her was the fact they’d took turns joining her, until Rand had explained that with Zara in heat, it would be like pouring gasoline on an open flame. Ruzac would go up in flames and drag both Gracie and Rand with him.

“
Go away. I don’t want to get up.”
She snuggled deeper into the pillows.

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“If I have to come in there, Wildcat, you’re going to find yourself bonded before you
can even say nay.”

“Oh yeah, boy. I second that idea. Stay in bed, girl. We’ll join ya.”

“You would, you old reprobate. I’m not ready and until I am you can just cool

your heels.”
Zara was definitely cranky.

"Go away, Ruzac!"
Gracie didn’t open her eyes. She could feel her chosen’s presence coming from his room.

“I don’t want to. I can’t wait until Rand slides inside that tight little body of

yours, girl. Be ready, Zara because once he does, your mine; all mine.”

Gracie opened her eyes and sat up with a groan.

“
Insatiable lecher. Quit tormenting Gracie. Or you’re going to have to figure

out a way to go and sleep with Mica from the afterlife.”

“But he’s right, Zara, I want every inch of Gracie under me in the worst way. This
damn burn is driving me crazy.”

Finally giving in, Gracie rolled out of the bed.

“No more, please. I can’t handle it. I’m up, Rand, and have a million things to do
before our ceremony. Go pester Jonathan and send Pati to help me.

“What makes you think if I find Jonathan, I’m going to find her?”

Gracie rolled her eyes.
“Come on, Rand, you can’t be that dense. He hasn’t let her
out of his sight for more than five minutes since we got back to the palace.”

* * * *

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Gracie was sitting in her suite, eating breakfast when her mother and sister appeared in her doorway. When they moved further into the room, Gracie realized they weren’t alone. Auntie Clara was standing behind them.

"Good morning, Gracie. I must say after seeing what a fine man your friend has become, you’ve definitely been blessed." Auntie Clara sank into the chair next to her and leaned in and snatched a piece of the toast Gracie had been nibbling on.

"Good morning, Aunt Clara.”

"You’re not dressed yet! We’re going to be late for our appointment with the hairdresser.” Walking to her armoire, her mother yanked it open and pulled the first dress she came across out. Tossing it towards Gracie, she told her to go and get dressed and please hurry up.

“I don’t want your hair up, Wildcat. I want it loose and flowing down your back.”

“What difference does it make if I indulge Mom?”

“Please, Wildcat. I don’t have the patience tonight to undo an elaborate hair-style.”

“Who said anything about undoing it?”

“I want to feel your hair brush across my naked skin. I won’t be able to feel it if your
hair is piled on top of your head. Promise me you won’t let her have it put up. Only one
of us is going to have our hair restrained today, Wildcat.”

“That doesn’t seem fair!”

“It won’t take an hour to release my hair. I’m looking forward to dragging it across
every inch of your body tonight.”

The burn inside her flared as his words struck a chord.

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“Enough! Your Auntie can pick up what you’re saying to each other. While I’m

willing to have share this with you, sweetheart, I refuse to share it with any other

person. The mating is a private matter between the chosen couple and their

sentient powers!”

“I’m sorry, Zara. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have started it. Blame my own impatience.”

Rand’s voice was apologetic.

“Don’t be apologizing to her, boy. You can talk to Gracie anyway you choose!”

“Sometimes Rand, I feel like we’ve got two bickering kids inside our heads. I wonder
if we can ground them?”

* * * *

Sitting across from his father, Rand couldn't help but chuckle. The tremors were still rippling across his powerful frame but he knew he'd be okay. King Mica looked up at his son's laughter.

"What's so funny?”

“Tell me, Dad, were your grandparents this combative when they were alive?”

Mica seemed to think for a moment. “They could be at times.”

“Gracie wants to ground both of them.”

Mica burst into laughter. Wiping his eyes, he tried to control it but every time he glanced at his son, it would start over again.

“Good lord, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life.” Mica finally managed to control himself.