The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (23 page)

* * * *

Gracie exited the car, and slowly walked up the steps to the palace. She was relieved she’d be able to tell her mother Patience was once more safe with Jonathan. "Gracie, you're home.” Olivia’s gaze darted, looking for her other daughter.

"She's with Jonathan, Mom," Gracie explained. "Other than the fact she was drugged, I do believe she is no worse for the wear."

"Drugged? Not my Patience. She'd never touch the stuff."

"She didn't take them willingly, Mom."

“But she's with Jonathan, you say?"

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Nodding, she turned to walk up the stairs. The short but intense battle with Brett added to her overwhelming need to be with her chosen. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to make it to their bedroom. Behind her she heard Mica offering Harold a room. The next morning would be soon enough to try to reverse the erasure spell.

227

Knocking on the open doorframe to Colin’s office, Mica entered. Colin looked up from the scroll he’d been looking over.

“Mica, you’re up early today. I wasn’t expecting to see you for at least another hour.”

Raking his hand through his hair, he paced towards his advisor. “My son’s missing, our daughter Gracie hasn’t accepted their bond, and I fear for what this means. Not to mention I’ve a man who’s under the compulsion of a memory- erasure spell and I may have to sign out writs of treason for a man I’ve always looked at as another son.

Charles trained side by side with Jonathan and Rand - a more honorable man I’ve never met.”

“It’s unfortunate he married that nasty little witch, Deanna.”

Mica nodded as he stopped in front of the window. Looking out, he was taken back to a time when he’d watched his son chase little Gracie Anne around the fountain. “It used to be so simple, Colin. Remember when they were kids? We’d watch them from up here. Gracie being chased by Rand while Pati sat under a tree and read a book.

Jonathan would join in and help Rand catch her, so they could dump her in the fountain.

Then Pati would invariably get up and join the melee and somehow Rand and Jonathan would end up in the water with Gracie. It always amazed me when your youngest daughter, without having any power would somehow best two wizards and a witch in training.”

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“True. The
Vindexicis
nature was apparent even then, Mica. It’s sometimes hard for me to realize my little girls are all grown up now. I couldn’t be happier with their choices of mates. Pati and Jonathan are perfect together and not to worry once Gracie accepts him - faults and all, she’ll make Rand a perfect wife and mate. She’ll keep him from getting too arrogant.”

Mica burst out laughing. “My son arrogant? Surely you jest!” Then he sobered and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “What are we going to do about this situation, Colin? I want my son back!”

“We’ll get him back. In fact, I don’t expect him to be gone long. Rand is a powerful wizard in his own right.”

* * * *

Pati screamed when another orgasm raced through her already over-stimulated body. Jonathan, covered with a light sheen of sweat, cursed above her, obviously pushed to the edge of his control. "Any doubts, baby, about my stamina, now?” He slowed his thrusts to keep from being dragged over the edge with her.

"None...oh please, Jonathan, come….I can’t take any more." Her cry was broken while another wave of pleasure washed over her.

"Yes, you can. I’m going to push you past the point of this cursed drug, Patience. I want to feel the passion I tasted before from you.”

A louder scream escaped her as he began to pound against her. Tilting her hips up with his wide hands, he made sure to hit the most sensitive spot of her sheath on every stroke.

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Shaking her head when the heat returned and grew even stronger, she fought his hold. But Jonathan was not going to be denied. He wanted his chosen back and wasn’t going to stop until he got what he wanted. Rolling with her, he placed her on top of him, forcing her to sit up. He sank even deeper.

“Please…Jonathan…oh…my God!” .

"That's right, baby, move on me." Pressing his head back against the pillows, he fought his impending orgasm. He had a feeling pushing Pati to very limits sexually may be the key to breaking the bond the Raz-ice had on her. Looking up at her, he felt pride and sheer sexual need at the flush she carried from all the orgasms he’d coaxed out of her. His magic amulet caught the light and shimmered in the hollow of her throat. When she reached down and cupped her breasts, the slender hold he’d had on his body snapped and he erupted inside her. A roar filled the room, followed by a shrill satisfied scream.

* * * *

Gracie joined Colin and Mica in the main hall of the Palace. Harold was already present and pacing anxiously. “Relax, Harold. I promised it wouldn’t hurt.” Gracie’s voice carried over to the man.

Turning towards her, his eyes lit up with delight and then dimmed.

“Damn, Zara. I never intended to hurt Harold. I thought his childhood crush on me
was gone. This thing I think Deanna may have done has hurt him in ways I’d never
wanted him to be hurt.”

“I know, Sweetheart. He’s several years younger than you and if it’s

discovered to be Deanna behind this, I’ll personally cross over and take her

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sentient power from her. What she did is more than cruel. No witch or wizard

should ever use their power to take an unfair advantage of another’s feelings.”

“My life would’ve been so much simpler if I’d fallen in love with him.”

“Grace Anne!”

“Calm down, Zara. I didn’t say I wanted to be in love with him, just that my life
wouldn’t be so complicated.”

“Rand is the perfect match for you! Why you can’t see it, is beyond me. You’re

a fool if you let a few minor faults keep you from having the love of your life by

your side every night.”

“I’m not going to argue this with you! What you might be able to tolerate from Ruzac
to keep him at your side, does NOT mean I’ll tolerate the same.”

“Gracie?”

Mica’s inquiry brought her back. “I’m late. I apologize. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Colin wrapped his arm around his daughter. Bending his head to hers, he drew her into a hug. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I’m just out of sorts, Daddy. This isn’t what I expected to have happen after I got married. It seems Aunt Clara’s prophesy is coming true and it scares me.”

“He’ll be back, Gracie. Look at how hard he pursued you. If he wouldn’t let you with all your stubbornness stand in his way, no mere prophesy is going to keep him from you.”

“Shall we begin?” Mica joined them.

“Of course. What do you need me to do? I assume since you need three members of the de Carthwright family, I’ll be standing in Rand’s stead?”

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While the erasure spell was easy for any mid-level witch or wizard, the reverse-erasure spell was much more complex and even higher level witches and wizards struggled with it. By joining the high powers of several of the de Carthwrights, it would be easier but no less complex of a spell to perform. For the spell to work there had to be familial ties between those performing it, and the de Carthwrights were one of the few families to possess such a thing.

“Yes, if you don’t mind, Gracie. I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but I fear I’ve no choice.” Mica placed a hand on his daughter-in-law’s shoulder.

“I understand.” Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath.

The opening of the door behind her barely registered while she tried to absorb the enormity of what her father-in-law had asked of her.

“Sorry about the delay. It couldn’t be helped. Are we ready to start?”

Spinning around she saw Jonathan and her sister.

“Pati!” She rushed forward to embrace her sister. Wrapping her arms around Pati, she couldn’t help but notice the trembling.

Leaning in Pati breathed into her sister’s ear. “Kill me, please?”

Looking back at her sister in concern, Gracie brushed her hair back. “Sissy?” The long ago childhood endearment escaped her.

“Please, Gracie. I don’t know if I can handle another night like last night. This drug is going to be the death of me. I can’t ask Jonathan to go through this.”

Gazing into the eyes so similar to her own, she could feel the depth and pain of her twin’s despair. “Nonsense, Pati…”

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“Do you honestly think I won’t follow you, baby?” Jonathan’s voice was soft despite the anger Gracie knew her best friend had to be feeling. “We’re mates. If you choose to leave this world, then I have no choice but to follow.” Cupping Pati’s cheek with his hand, he lifted her face to his. “Whatever you decide will decide both our fates. I can understand if you feel the need to give into the drug, but I was hoping the
Vindexicis
Warrior
which I know is still buried under the drug’s effects will fight for us.” Running a thumb over her lower lip, he left the decision in his chosen’s hands. “Now choose, baby.

Once your decision is made, it’s final and I won’t let you change your mind later.”

Hope dawned in Pati’s eyes. “Do you honestly think the warrior is still there?”

“Of course I do, baby. No drug could ever kill the fierce spirit of the
Vindexicis
inside of you.”

“If you’re sure, then I choose to live.”

Relief showed on his face. “That’s my girl. Fight for us.” Pressing a kiss against her lips, he sealed her vow. Lifting his head, he straightened. “Good, now we’ve dealt with that, I think it’s time to help Harold.” Offering his arm to Gracie, he escorted both his chosen and her sister back across the room, where Mica, Colin and Harold were waiting.

“Are we ready?” Mica had felt the undercurrents between the three across the room.

“Of course.” Gracie let go of Jonathan’s arm. “The sooner we do this, the sooner I find out where my husband is.”

* * * *

Rand sat fuming in the ejection pod as he listened to the automated system count down the time to ejection. 233

"Ejection," the automated system confirmed. Rand gritted his teeth when he felt the pod leave the ship. Looking around, he desperately searched for something to cut the ropes restraining him.

"Have a nice trip, Your Highness," Aric's voice came over the radio, "you should land somewhere in the middle of Iowa by all projections. I do hope the hick farmers don't shoot you on sight.” Aric’s laughter filled the pod. He toyed with the precious amulet he had removed from the unconscious Rand.

"Damn it!" He struggled against the ropes.

“Quit struggling, boy!”

“Then how in the name of Mica do you expect me to free myself?”

“If you calm down, I can help you. It takes intense concentration but I can

focus your power without Gracie’s amulet to aid you.”

“What do you mean, without Gracie’s amulet?”

“I’m sorry, boy, but that son of a bitch took it off you while you were

unconscious. We’ll get it back even if we have to pry it out of his dead fingers.”

A cold fury like he’d never known washed over him.
“That bastard dared to take the
sign of my bond with my chosen? Death is going to be the least of his worries.”

Suddenly he was released as the ropes separated.

“That was fast.”

“I didn’t do that, boy.”

"Just wanted to give you a chance at survival. Did I mention, Prince Randall, that you have absolutely no magic on Earth without your amulet?" Aric’s voice filled the cabin once more.

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"No. You better pray I don’t get a hold of you, Aric." Rand sprang from the seat after shaking the coils of his restraints off.

“Your wife has a very powerful amulet, Rand. Imagine the amount of things I can accomplish with it. My crown is a certainty now.”

"As my wife would say, don’t go counting your chickens just yet, Aric. That amulet is mine and I
will
be getting it back." Rand started pushing the buttons on the console only to realize Aric had locked the controls from the mother ship.

* * * *

A bead of sweat slid down the side of Gracie’s face. The amount of energy she was trying to fine-tune was massive. In her role as the monitor of the spell, she had to control the flux of energy which was flowing from Mica and Jonathan and then combine it with a portion of hers to delicately peel back the complex layers of the erasure spell wrapped around Harold’s memories.
“You’re doing wonderful, Sweetheart. Rand would be proud of you if he were

here.”

“Yeah right, if Rand were here, I wouldn’t be doing this. I’d be a mere observer if I
were even allowed to be present.”

“Steady, daughter. You’ve almost got it.” Mica’s voice was calm despite the power he was sending through Gracie.

Standing in front of Harold with her hands on his temples, she was very aware of the weight of Mica’s hand on her right shoulder and Jonathan’s hand on her left. Across the room, guarding the door were Colin and Pati. The awe on her sister’s face would’ve shocked Gracie, who’d for years taken her power for granted. She’d once told Pati, “I’ve 235

got power. So what? Big deal! I’d much rather be able to kick the bad guys’ ass than stand around weaving spells.” Soon after that, Pati had taken her twin sister under her wing and began to secretly train her sister in the mysterious art of the
Vindexicis
Warrior.

A soft whimper escaped Harold when Gracie approached the final layer of the spell.

Sending soothing thoughts to the man, she continued to massage the unyielding layer with steady but delicate finesse. A sigh of relief escaped her as the final layer dissolved and the spell was no more. After a careful inspection to assure herself nothing was missed and Harold’s mind was in one piece, she slipped out of his. She would’ve fallen to her knees if Jonathan and Mica hadn’t been there to catch her.

“You did a wonderful job, Sweetheart.”

“Just don’t let Rand or Ruzac know about it.”

Mica and Jonathan guided her to a nearby chair. Harold stood up and followed.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The stiff formality of his response had her jerking with surprise.

“Don’t make me kick your ass, Harold. No matter what title I carry, I’m always going to be your friend.”

Staring down at her, he seemed to waver for a moment before coming to a decision.

“I think at this time, it’d be for the best if I rely on the formality of your title.”

“That’s nonsense!”

“Nonetheless, it’s my decision.”

“But…-“

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“
Let it go, Gracie. Leave the man some pride. He’s just realized what a fool

he’s been. I’m sure he feels like he’s forced himself on you even though it was

your sister he held all along. If a little formality will ease him, let it be.”

“If you feel that’s what you need, Harold, I’ll respect your wishes but hope to one day to hear you call me Gracie again.”