The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (24 page)

* * * *

Rand cursed as the jar of his ejection pod hitting the ground knocked him out of the captain’s chair. Despite the separation from his chosen, he felt the familiar excitement he always got when he first stepped on a planet which wasn’t his own. Not to mention he’d always planned to bring Gracie to her mother's native planet.
“And we still can. After we make it back to Venus and kick Aric’s ass.”

Opening the ejection pod's escape hatch, he crawled out and slowly stood.

Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was in the middle of a field. Turning around

,he realized he could only see the same tall plants in every direction he turned. He could see just see above them.

“What in the name of Mica are we standing in? I’ve never seen plants this

high! Are they poisonous?”

“Relax, Ruzac. If my memory serves me right, this is what Olivia called a sweet corn
field. The plants are supposed to grow very tall. She said she ‘de..hassled’…or
something like that when she was a child. It’s supposed to be very sweet and melt in
your mouth. It’s eaten with lots of butter.”

“Are you sure? I could really use a good battle. Can’t we knock down a few of

them to be sure?”

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Rand couldn’t help but laugh at the plaintive tone of his sentient power.

“No, Ruzac. This is someone’s livelihood and we’re not going to destroy any more
than we already have.”

“Well then what about that huge beast headed our way?”

Spinning around, Rand swallowed at the horror of the approaching beast. It was dark green and had rotating. Staring for a moment, he realized there was a person inside it.

“Ruzac, that’s no beast. It looks like some kind of machinery.”

“Aw come on, boy. It has all those teeth. Surely these people won’t be upset

with us dispatching this beast.”

“Knock it off, Ruzac. You’ll get your vengeance soon enough. We’re not going to
terrorize these people because you want to kick someone’s ass.”

“What the hell are you doing in the middle of a corn field, you idiot? Don’t you realize it’s a good way to get killed? Especially during harvest time!” The dark haired woman had killed the machine while he’d been arguing with Ruzac. Standing with her hands on her hips, she stared at the ejection pod. “Wonderful! Gramps is going to have a fit when he sees the mess you made!”

“My humblest apologies, Mistress. I fear I had no choice in where she landed.”

Climbing down from the machine, she stomped over to him. Stopping in front of him, she poked him in the chest. “You need to get this mess cleaned up before my gramps comes back from his trip.”

“Trip?” He arched his eyebrow at the woman who stood nearly a foot shorter than his six foot eight height.

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“Yes he went to the National Farmer’s Convention. So are you going to clean this mess up?”

“I’d be delighted to if you could explain how you expect me to do this. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is High Prince Randall de Carthwright of Venus.”

She smirked at him. “Yeah right, and I’m the Queen of Sheba .”

“Then you’ll understand how sometimes it isn’t important how something happened but why.”

She threw her hands in the air and headed back to the machine.

Climbing back up in the combine, Katrina Littlebird was more than tempted to run the exotic looking stranger over. He’d made a mess out of her Gramp’s field and at the worst possible time. It was the middle of harvest and she didn’t need this catastrophe.

How in hell did I get myself volunteered for this madness? For God’s sake I’m an
accountant.

“Excuse me, Queen Sheba. I really could use some help. I don’t know where I’m at and I need to get back home.”

She groaned and was tempted to beat her head on the ladder of the combine.

“I’m not the queen of anything, Mr. de Carthwright. I’m an accountant.” Grinding her teeth in frustration, she turned back to face him.

“Ah this is a very prestigious job too. Keeping track of
durlacs
is very important.”

Looking at him with a blank look, she couldn’t help herself. “What planet are you from, dude?”

“I told you. I’m the High Prince of Venus.”

“You were serious?”

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“Of course. I wouldn’t lie about something as important as that.”

Sinking down onto the ladder, she cradled her head in her hands. “Just freakin’

wonderful, Kat. You’ve got an alien stranded in your grandfather’s field. A royal alien no less. And the damn corn still needs harvesting.”

Rand watched the woman mumble to herself.

“Are you speaking to your sentient power?”

The woman paled. “Sentient power? Are you crazy? People go to jail for less around here!”

“What is this strange place I’ve landed, Mistress.”

“Iowa. You’ve landed on a farm just outside of Springville, which is in Eastern Iowa and one of the many states in the United States which have laws against anything magic. So if you’ve powers, Mr. de Carthwright, I wouldn’t go flaunting them.”

“And why’s that, Mistress….”

“My name is Katrina Littlebird. Call me Kat and lets just say I know from bitter experience the outcome of using magic around here.”

“Well, Mistress Kat, I’m pleased to meet you and happy for the information. Do you think you could help me find transportation off this planet?”

“I’ve got to be outta my mind, but yes I’ll help you.”

A huge smile split his face.

“But first you have to help me clean up this mess you made. High Crown Prince or not, I won’t put my ass in a sling for anyone. If my grandfather finds this mess, I’ll run for the hills before I step between him and you.”

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“Of course, Mistress Kat. I’d expect no other. I don’t run from my responsibilities nor will I allow a woman to protect me. I hid behind no woman’s skirts. Women are to be cherished and protected above all else.”

Kat smirked at him. “A bit outdated aren’t you, Conan? This is the twenty second century. Woman are equals here. Men don’t protect us anymore.”

“This is sad that you’ve no man to provide and care for you, Mistress Kat.”

“Cut the mistress crap. Kat will do fine and I don’t need any protecting, I can take care of myself.”

“I can see why you aren’t married.”

Kat laughed. “Marriage isn’t everything, Prince Randall. Tell me, do you have a nice little obedient wife waiting at home for you?”

“If anyone knew Gracie, the last thing they say is that she’s obedient.”

“Good for her. She must be my kind of woman.”

* * * *

Once the spell was removed and Gracie had recovered, the story spilled out of Harold. The call he’d received on Earth, the meeting with Mr. Sorin to his meeting with Deanna and Charlie to the subsequent capture of Pati in the Royal Gardens, and his discovery of the Raz-ice they’d been giving her before they’d started the aphrodisiac injections. “That does it! Colin, send out Scrolls of Presentation summoning them to the High Council for both Prince Charles and Princess Deanna of Areseric. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I’m sure one of them knows the identity of Mr. Sorin along with my son’s whereabouts.”

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“Of course, Mica. They’ll be transmitted within the hour.” Colin left with a flourish.

“Thank you, Harold. I know this had to be difficult for you. But rest assured you were no more than a pawn in the scheme of things. No charges will be pressed against you.”

“Thank you, Princess Grace. I think if you’re done here with me, I’ll leave and return home to Earth.”

“I’m sorry, Harold but I’m going to need you to stay and appear before the High Council. We’ll need your testimony against Deanna and Charles.” Even though the words pained Mica, he knew until he had concrete proof of Charles’ lack of involvement, he needed to treat him as another possible traitor to the Crown.

“Of course, Your Royal Highness.” Harold bowed before leaving the room.

“You can’t mean to think Charles is involved with this, Uncle Mica. He’d be a full fledged
Vindexicis
Warrior if Master Iason hadn’t chosen to leave Venus with his exiled daughter.”

Jonathan’s objection did not surprise Mica.

“I realize this but love is a funny thing, Jonathan. It can make the most sane and honorable of men commit deeds they’d never dream of to simply satisfy the one they love.”

“Not a
Vindexicis
Warrior! Honor is everything to them.”

Mica stopped and looked at his nephew, who had Pati draped over his lap. “Tell me, nephew, if simply ignoring an unlocked door in the High Palace would give you the cure for Pati’s addiction, would you be able to resist?”

Jonathan grew silent. “I don’t know.”

“Exactly.” The king turned on his heel and left the grand hall.

242

Entering the chambers where the High Council of Venus was held, Gracie was going to slip into one of the seats at the rear as she always had when she’d come to watch her father or King Mica. Just before her bottom brushed the seat, King Mica’s voice echoed over the room.

“Princess Gracie!”

Her head flew up to find him frowning at her. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“I do believe your place is here.” Watching as he gestured to the empty seat to his right, she flushed before walking sedately towards the front of the room. Passing the table where Prince Charles and Princess Deanna of Areseric sat, she couldn’t help but feel for the Prince. “
He’s totally unaware of why he’s here. This is going to be a harsh
blow to his pride.”

“It’ll work, Sweetheart. He’s innocent and perhaps one day will find his true

chosen, one who won’t abuse her bond with him.”

“I hope so.”

Sitting down next to the King, she settled back as the proceedings began.

“Prince Charles and Princess Deanna, thank you for answering the Scrolls of Presentation. I assure you no disrespect is meant, but as the High King of Venus, I must listen to allegations of treason. You’ve both been accused of the Articles of Treason against the High Crown. How say you, in regards to these allegations?”

Deanna bristled. “Who dares to accuse me of treason?”

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Charles placed a hand on Deanna’s shoulder. “Enough, Deanna.” Turning his attention back to Mica, he stood. “I swear upon my honor I’ve played no part in treason towards the High Crown, King Mica.”

Mica nodded. “I suspected you’d say as much. We have reason to believe you may’ve had a memory erasure spell placed upon you, Charles. Myself, Jonathan and Princess Gracie would like to check to see if the same erasure spell is present in your mind.”

“No!” Deanna surged to her feet. “As my right as his chosen, I refuse to let you tamper with his mind and as common law states, no wizard or witch may come between chosens.” Her smile was smug.

Mica drummed his fingers on the table in front of him. A tight smile pasted to his face, he contemplated her. “You dare refuse?”

“Relax, Deanna. We’ve nothing to hide.” Charles was quick to assure his wife.

“When would you like to determine this?”

“Tomorrow morning, I’d like you and you alone to return to this chamber. At that time, we shall perform a small examination of your mind and then, if there is an erasure spell present, we shall remove it. Agreed?”

“Of course, your Majesty.” Tucking Deanna’s hand in the crock of his arm, he moved to escort his wife from the chamber.

“One more thing, Charles.”

Charles and Deanna stopped and Charles looked over his shoulder at Mica.

“Yes?”

“Pray that we find the spell present, son, because I’d hate to have to banish you.”

244

* * * *

Gracie entered the dining hall later that evening, only to find it deserted except for a smug Deanna. Her eyes lingered on the amulet resting on Gracie’s bosom.

“It seems to me the Princess isn’t as committed to her bonding as she’d like everyone to believe. Oh that’s right, the Princess didn’t want to be a princess, did she?”

Joining Gracie at the buffet of food set out for the Royal Family and their guests, Deanna smirked at her.

Gracie smiled coolly. “But I am Rand’s wife now, for ‘better or worse’ and dealing with you is something I would definitely consider ‘worse’.”

“You’re nothing but a little half-breed Earth girl who aspired above her station!”

“Tell me what you really think, Deanna. It’s so enlightening.” Gracie grabbed a plate and began to fill it with her favorites.

A shriek of rage sounded behind her and Deanna attacked. A shove in the center of her back sent Gracie into the buffet table. Righting herself, she counted to ten under her breath. Without even thinking, she strengthened her personal shields.

“I’m not going to get into a physical altercation with Deanna. I’m not!”

“I don’t think she’s going to give you a choice.”

“For the love of Mica, Zara, we’re not kids. We’re grown adults.”

“Somehow I think someone forgot to tell her she’s supposed to act like one.”

She turned around and faced Deanna.

“That’s enough. Quit acting like a spoiled child, Deanna. I’m more than a mere half-breed Earthling. I’m a Level Ten witch and I’ve had enough.”

“You lie! No Earthling has ever tested that high.”

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“You forget about my Venusian blood. My father is a Level Eight wizard.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“I don’t care if you believe me or not, it’s the truth.” Gracie turned away. She arched her back when a bolt of lightning came toward her from behind. It bounced harmlessly off her shields and skittered away.

She turned back around. “You had the audacity to strike a member of the royal family?”

Deanna laughed. “A bastard member.” She flung another spell at Gracie.

With a wave of her arm, Gracie brushed it aside. “That is
enough!
”

“I’ll decide when I’ve had enough, and I’ve decided that until Randall de Carthwright is mine, it’ll never be enough.” Deanna was furious at the swift ease this upstart blocked her most powerful spells. Gracie continued to stand there untouched but now on her guard.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she finally glanced at the raging woman. “This is all because you want
my
husband?”

“It’s not a true bond. Your amulet didn’t shorten. Once this business with the High Council is done, I plan to have your marriage annulled. Without the amulet’s shortening it’s not valid.”

A fury consumed Gracie – it would’ve surprised her if she’d been thinking clearly.

“He’s mine and you’ll never have him.”

“We’ll see about that. I’ll kill you, you little bitch, if I have to.” Deanna screamed and launched herself at Gracie. Gracie had only enough time to fall back on the
Vindexicis
training Pati had taught her and, combined with Zara’s energy, the struggle was over 246

rather quickly. Gracie looked in dismay at the mess they made of the dining hall.

Stepping around Deanna, who was lying sobbing on the floor, she reached for her power to restore order. She was unprepared for the wave of agony as Zara, sensing the enchanted but deadly knife the other woman held and was preparing to use, did the only thing left to do. Gracie cried out at the sudden pouring of Deanna’s power into her unsuspecting body while Zara stripped every bit of her sentient power from the other woman. Deanna was left mentally dazed and the useless knife clattered to the floor.