The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (16 page)

* * * *

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William settled down in his seat. He was glad he was finally on his way home.

Glancing around the plane, he noticed it was mostly empty. That rarity was probably due to the prince's wedding. Closing his eyes, he drifted towards sleep, never aware that Jonathan, his former boss, was observing from the security office. When the shuttle finally was given clearance to depart, Jonathan gave a sigh of relief.

“You’ve made arrangements with Captain Espinoza to confirm when William has finally disembarked on Earth?”

“Yes, Apprentice Master Jonathan.”

“Thank you, Mr. Randle. I’ll leave you to your business now. I do believe I’ve a wedding to attend.”

“Congratulate the Prince for me, Apprentice Master.”

“Will do.” Jonathan turned and exited the office and passed by a vaguely familiar man. If he hadn’t been thinking about the million things he had to do for the upcoming ceremony, he would’ve probably recognized Harold Costas despite the changes in his appearance.

* * * *

Harold Costas was on pins and needles when the man he’d come to see finally appeared. The power rolling off the man was quite apparent and for a moment, Harold had misgivings about his association with him. “Mr. Costas. I hope your flight was good?”

“As best as can be expected.” Harold fidgeted in his seat.

“Good. Thank you for traveling here on such short notice. I assure you time is of the essence. I don’t know if you’re aware of Grace O’Connor’s pending nuptials?”

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Harold nodded and wondered where the man was going with this thread of conversation.
It’s all Gracie has ever wanted. She was devastated when Rand left for
his advanced studies and rejected their bond. Despite my own feelings for her, I’m
happy Rand has finally wised up and seen what a precious treasure he has.

“To be quite blunt, Harold, Ms. O’Connor is being forced into marrying the Prince.

When she couldn’t use legal means to dissolve their betrothal, she ran away from Prince Randall, only to be dragged back. She contracted me to find you. Since your departure to Earth, Ms. O’Connor has realized the depths of her feelings for you. She’s willing to leave Venus and live on Earth with you. But she needs to know if you still want her before she commits.”

“Still want her?” Harold’s head was spinning.

“Yes, of course. After the Prince’s betrayal, she’s expressed concern about chasing another man who doesn’t return her feelings. She doesn’t want to force her presence on you, if you don’t still feel the same way.”

Joy filled Harold. “Of course I still want her! I only left because the thought of seeing her with her chosen was more than I could bear.”

“Good, good. Ms. O’Connor will be pleased to hear that.” The man pulled out a sheaf of papers. “Now, at Ms. O’Connor’s request, I’ve secured an invitation to the wedding for you and a place to stay where you won’t attract notice. You’ll be joining Princess Deanna and Prince Charles as their respected guest. Be ready an hour before the ceremony and Ms. O’Connor will meet you at the east entrance of the Royal Gardens, where you’ll leave together.”

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Harold stood and took the papers from the man. Shaking his hand, he couldn’t keep the grin of happiness off his face. “Thank you so much for contacting me, Mr. Sorin.

You’ve just made me the happiest man on Venus.”

“It was my pleasure, Mr. Costas.”

* * * *

Gracie's Suite
Olivia watched with misty eyes as her daughter stood with her back presented to Emma. The personal assistant was slowly tying the intricate ties on the back of Gracie's wedding dress. All the other preparations were finished and Gracie looked regal in her white satin and lace. To Gracie, the soft brush of her maid's hands against her back were uncomfortable. Every inch of her skin felt as if it were burning. The
mezclar
had become increasingly persistent as the day had worn on.

Taking deep breaths, she tried to control her racing heart. She hated feeling like this.

“
This is even worse than the fear. I’m ready to jump out of my skin, Zara.”

“Soon, sweetheart. Very soon it’ll all be over.”

“God, I hope so.”

Agitated, she pushed her hair off her face.

“Damn hair.”

“Thank you, Wildcat, for leaving it down.”

“Only for you, Rand.”

* * * *

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Rand gritted his teeth as he fought to control the tremors wracking his frame. They’d grown in intensity as the day had worn on. As his trembling fingers attempted once again to pull his hair back with a leather thong, he cursed while he fumbled and it dropped to the floor once more.

“Can’t you even do that, boy? Where’s your control? Even I managed to tie my

own hair back for my bonding ceremony.”

“
Shut the fuck up, Ruzac!”

Just then, Rand caught Jonathan’s reflection in the mirror as he walked into the dressing room.

* * * *

Jonathan stooped down and picked up the hair tie. Taking a good look at his best friend, he immediately noticed the severe tremors consuming him.
Fuck, he’s not going to make it. He’s so far gone now, I don’t know if he’ll make it
back up the aisle without fucking Gracie. I’d better help him. The sooner the bond is in
place the better.”

“Here." Jonathan handed the leather strip to Rand, who promptly lost it again when his trembling fingers wouldn't close around the small object.

"Son of bitch!" Rand’s eyes glowed with anger when it fell to the floor once more.

"Just leave it there. I doubt it’ll matter to Gracie if your hair is pulled back or not."

"You don't understand, Jonathan. It is customary for the bride to loosen the groom's hair during the ceremony, another damn tradition." Rand’s voice was hoarse and shaky.

"Fine. Give me the damn hair tie. I'll pull it back for you." As he briskly pulled his friend's hair back, he continued to talk. "Does your father know you’re in this condition?"

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"No. I sent him to be with Mom. She was having some last minute issues with the caterers."

"Screw the caterers. How are you going to make it through the ceremony without attacking her?" Jonathan ran the comb through the long ponytail at the base of his friend’s head.

"I don't know," Rand groaned helplessly. "I feel like I'm on fire. Gracie is the only one who can put it out."

"Enough of this!" Jonathan headed back to the door. Sticking his head outside, he hollered at someone in the hall.

“Yes, enough already, boy, I can’t wait any longer. We need to join.”

Rand closed his eyes. If Ruzac had said anything other than ‘we need to join’ Rand would’ve disregarded it as more of his sentient powers nagging. Ruzac had been needling him all day, but the desperation in Ruzac’s voice and the whispered ‘we’ only drove home the fact they were both at the end of their tethers and needed the bonding now.

“I know.”

Rand jerked when his mother and father came rushing into the room.

"How long have you been like this?" Mica grabbed Rand’s shoulder and gave him a small shake.

“All day." Rand clenched his hands to try and stop the trembling.

"You’re almost out of control, Rand. We need to get your wedding over now."

Turning to his wife, he gave quick orders.

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"Aria, get Gracie and her parents. Take them to the chapel. We have to perform the ceremony now."

"But what about our guests and the Court?"

Rand’s question was a valid one.

"We'll have a private ceremony in our chapel and video tape it. Then we'll broadcast it later tonight. The
mezclar
will wait no longer."

* * * *

Olivia was surprised when Queen Aria stormed into the room and looked around wildly for Gracie. "Where is she? We’ve got to do this now.” Aria rushed around, picking up the veil laying across the bed and the bouquet of Earth Orchids sitting beside it.

"In the bathroom." Aria knocked briskly on the door. "Gracie?" There was no response from behind the door. “We don’t have time for this.” Using a spell to unlock the door, she hurried in. Gracie was huddled in the corner, sitting on a vanity chair, trembling violently.

“Oh for love of Mica! Mica, send Jonathan to Gracie's quarters.”

“Now what's wrong? Please tell me Gracie hasn’t run off again. I’ll tan her ass this
time if she has.”

“No, no! Gracie’s in even worse shape than our son. I need someone to help me get
her to the chapel.”

“All right, love, Jonathan's on his way.”

“Fine and tell him to hurry! Has the official from the Wizardry Institute arrived yet?”

“Yes, just a few moments ago.”

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“Then get him ready, she can’t marry Rand without her official rating.”

* * * *

After Mica sent Jonathan to help Aria, he and Rand met with the official who’d tested Gracie. “Thank you for being early, Mr. Carson. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ve had to rush our original time table.”

Mr. Carson took in the tremors shaking Rand. “Understood. The
mezclar
doesn’t care about your carefully laid plans or schedules. I’ve got the documentation right here.

Do you have the sacred scrolls?”

Colin nodded and handed them to the official.

“Good. This won’t take long.” Mr. Carson opened his own scroll and with a quill made a mark on the lower corner of it. Then he handed the quill to Mica. Taking it, Mica added his own mark. Finally the quill was passed to Rand.

Taking it with shaking fingers, he signed, without even verifying what his chosen’s power rating was.
At this point, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what rating she has as
long as her ass is in front of the altar with me.”

“Boy, you’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t. What’ll you tell your chosen

when she asks you what her rating is? You know traditionally you’re supposed to

tell her just before you complete the bonding.”

A growl erupted from his chest.

Mr. Carson, who’d been in the process of rolling up the scrolls, paused.

“Give them to me.” Rand held out a shaking hand.

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Without a word, Mr. Carson handed them back to him. Unrolling them once more, he focused the best he could on the scrolls.

“Just as I thought a perfect match.” He handed them back to the official.

Mica and Colin exchanged looks. A perfect ten was rare in the world of Venus but to have two members in the royal family with that highest ranking boded well for the future.

“I think we’re done here. Thank you. Mr. Carson.” Mica took Rand’s arm to guide him. “Let’s go wait in the chapel for Gracie.”

* * * *

When Jonathan, Queen Aria, Gracie and her parents arrived in the chapel, King Mica had the priest and Rand waiting at the front of it. Colin wrapped his hand around his daughter's waist and slowly guided her up to the altar. The priest watched as the king's advisor guided his trembling daughter to the altar.

In the many years I’ve been performing these ceremonies I don’t think I’ve ever seen a
couple as far gone as these two.

“Is everything ready?” Mica’s soft whisper barely registered.

Colin nodded. “We'll tape it and then broadcast it later.”

Turning to Jonathan, the priest held his hand out.

"Do you have the required items?"

Jonathan stepped forward. "Yes."

"Good. Then we’re ready to proceed with this marriage."

Colin stepped forward with Gracie. Standing between them, he joined Gracie and Rand’s hands and held them in his own as was customary. On his right, a gasp escaped his daughter while to his left, a growl rolled out of Rand’s chest.

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"I know," Colin whispered softly enough that the vid cams wouldn't pick up his comment. "Just for a moment," he promised them.

"We have come here today to join these two in Holy Royal matrimony. The duties Rand and Gracie have chosen to take on have been determined through much reflection and have been predestined through the ages. These duties require special sacrifice and special bonds between the man and woman. Who gives this woman to this man?" the priest asked.

"I do." Colin’s voice was loud and clear.

"And who gives this man to this woman?"

"I do." Queen Aria was standing at her husband’s side.

"May I have the bindings?" The priest turned to Jonathan. On silent feet, he moved forward and handed the delicate looking bindings to the priest. "I bless these bindings to hold and join Gracie to Rand, and Rand to Gracie." The priest’s tone was solemn.

Taking the binding the priest interwove it around both of their joined hands.

Gracie gasped as she felt the binding settle in place. Now, there was no way for her to escape. “
What am I doing? I can’t go through with this!”

“Relax, sweetheart, Rand will never hurt you.”

“Calm down, girl. This is meant to be.”

“ I don't think I can handle this!”

“Ruzac and Zara have all the faith in the world in us, Wildcat, or they’d have never
committed their spirits to us.”

Fear raced over Gracie.

“I don’t want you. Let me go, Rand!”

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“Like hell I will. I’ve waited too long for you. You want this as much as I do. I can feel
how hot you’re burning. I can feel your body readying itself for mine. Lying to yourself or
me isn’t going to change anything.”

“I’ll fight you!”

“Go ahead, Wildcat. I look forward to it.”

“Damn it, Rand! Let me go!”

“Never.”

Colin felt the sudden tension grip his daughter. Whatever was going on between his daughter and Rand was coming to a head, and he had a feeling his stubborn daughter was mounting her final defense.

“Quit fighting him, Gracie,” Colin whispered in his daughter’s ear.

"Turn and face each other." Turning, Gracie glared at her husband-to-be.

“
That’s right, Wildcat. Get angry with me. Under all that anger is a desire so hot you'll
burn with me until we both rise from the ashes. Damned if I don’t want you under me. I
want to kiss those magnificent breasts and then roll over and have you ride my cock
while I nibble on those dark nipples.

“Stop it!”
Gracie’s body trembled as the burn increased.

“I'm not going to stop until I’ve planted a babe or three in your sexy little belly, Grace
Ann.”

"Gracie, to show his utmost faith and trust, Rand is going to allow you to free his hair for his kingdom to see. I know you’re aware of the significance of this gesture. No wizard is allowed to wear their hair free until after they have bonded with their chosen.

Rand, please kneel in front of your bride.”

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Rand dropped to his knees and knelt in front of Gracie. She could feel his gaze focused on her stomach and mound.

“Stop it!”

Warring with herself, she stared at the tie at the nape of Rand's neck.

“
Release it, sweetheart.”

“I’m afraid.”

“ Please, Gracie. I've longed to feel your nimble fingers run through my hair.”

Her will weakened, she fumbled but finally managed to free his hair. Running her fingers through as she would her own, her knees almost gave out when the heat poured over her, adding to the already vicious burning inside her.

Rand inhaled sharply as the heat flowed from her to him. Clenching his fingers in the fabric of her dress, he fought the need to take her down and mount her.

"You may stand, Prince Rand.”

At first he didn’t hear the priest until the order was repeated. Finally Jonathan moved forward and helped him to his feet. Seeing the need, the priest rushed the rest of the ceremony.

“May I have the amulets?" Quickly Colin and Queen Aria stepped forward with them.

"The amulet has always been a symbol of each wizard's or witch's power. In exchanging these amulets, Rand and Gracie are giving each other control over their power and sentient power to one another. Once they’re exchanged, the two sentient powers will once more merge as one and be a guiding light for both Rand and Gracie."

"Place this over Gracie's head and repeat after me." He handed the amulet to Rand.

Taking it with trembling hands which Jonathan helped guide, he held it over Gracie’s 167

head. "I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever." The priest waited for Rand.

"I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever." As he spoke each word, Rand felt them echoing through his heart and for once soothing his aggressive sentient power. Rand could feel Ruzac trembling inside him.

“Steady, boy. I know you have the control to see this through.”

Buoyed by Ruzac’s words, he lowered his amulet over Gracie's head and settled it gently against her bosom.

The priest smiled softly and then handed Gracie's amulet to her. "Gracie, it's now your turn. Place this amulet over Rand's head and repeat after me. I, Grace Anne, entrust this man with my heart, my soul and powers. To hold and protect forever."

Gracie panicked and would’ve darted away from Rand and the minster if Zara hadn’t chosen to step in. For the first and only time Gracie could remember, Zara took control of her body.

“Zara, what are you doing?”

“Since you don’t have enough courage to face your fear by yourself, I’ll be the

guiding force and do it for you.”

“Don’t do this to me!”
Gracie hoped her plea would strike a chord with Zara. Then she found out why Zara had been such a powerful and respected queen.

“I’ll stand no more for your foolishness, Grace Anne! You’ll take what it’s so

obvious you want.”

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Gracie trembled under the fierce anger of her sentient spirit. Before she could protest again, Zara took control of her voice and began the vow.

"I, Grace Anne, entrust this man with my heart, my soul, and powers. To hold and protect forever."

Tears escaped the corners of her eyes, and Gracie realized, while Zara had indeed started the vow, she herself had taken control back and finished it.

She expected to see triumph in Rand’s eyes. Instead she saw only happiness and intense desire before he bowed his head and leaned down enough so she could place her amulet on him.

“At last. You did good, sweetheart.”
Zara’s praise warmed Gracie’s heart.

“
And now you’re mine!”
Ruzac’s voice boomed inside of both Gracie and Rand, followed by Zara’s squeal.

“For the love of Mica, what have we done?”

Gracie’s whisper washed over Rand.

“The only possible thing we could. Let them work it out. They’ll eventually calm
down.”
Rand’s own whisper held a hint of humor.

The priest’s words of completion spilled over the couple.

"I now declare Rand and Grace Anne are as one in Holy Royal matrimony. What I have joined together let no man or wizard ever part."

“
Besides, Wildcat, I have better things to do than worry about our bickering sentient
powers.”

“And what’s that?”

“Our bonding. I’m tired of being a virgin.”

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This time it was Gracie who squealed when Rand hoisted her over his shoulder and strode from the chapel.

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