The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (21 page)

* * * *

The next morning, when Gracie awoke she found herself still covered by her husband who had his cock buried deep inside her ass. After the climatic conclusion of their mating last night, she’d blacked out. It was obvious he did too. “Rand?” It came out as a horse croak.

“Hmmm?” His arms tightened around her. She winced with first pain and then pleasure as his trapped cock began to grow inside her ass.

“Ah…” It came out as a moan as he slowly ground himself against her ass. An unexpected orgasm racked her as his movements ground her clit into the bedding under her.

“Wildcat?” The sensual bemusement in his voice was apparent. Pulling back, he drove back inside with a slow deep thrust. “God I love feeling you come apart in my arms.”

207

“Something’s wrong, Rand. What happened last night wasn’t normal. The desire should be returning to normal not intensifying.”

“I know.” Cursing under his breath, he apologized to her. “I’m sorry…but I’ve got to…come.” His hips slapped against her upturned ass. It only took moments before he was once more filling her ass with his seed. Slumping over her, he tried to catch his breath. “I’m sorry, Wildcat. I’d never intentionally hurt you. I’ve never even had a desire to fuck your ass before. I don’t know what came over me.”

She winced when he jerked his cock out of her ass. “I think it has something to do with my twin bond with Pati. I don’t know what happened but Zara said the need to mate was bleeding through it.”

“Damn, I hope she’s not in trouble.”

“I’m sorry to tell you, boy, she’s got some rather potent aphrodisiacs running

though her. With Zara’s help I bled through the bond between Gracie and Pati.

She’s not in good shape at all. If her chosen were with her it might be bearable

but I didn’t find any signs of him being near.”

“My sister is bonded? With who?”
Then a vague memory of the first night of their mating returned along with Pati’s threat of kicking Rand’s ass.

“Jonathan. That’s who she’s bonded to.”

Rand lifted his head. “My cousin?”

Before she could respond there was a knock on the door of their suite.

“Son, we’ve got a situation. I need to talk to you.”

At his father’s voice, he pulled Gracie closer. With a flick of his hand, he covered them and allowed the door to unlock.

208

When his father walked into the room, it was immediately apparent something was dreadfully wrong.

“I’m sorry I’ve interrupted, Rand but Pati…”

“I know. We’ve felt it through Gracie’s bond with her.” Lifting their joined hands over the cover, he offered them to his father. “Take care of this and we’ll go and save Pati.”

Mica focused on the amulet resting on top of Gracie’s covered breasts which, unlike Rand’s amulet, hadn’t shortened and became smaller with her acceptance. “Is it complete?”

Rand looked over at his chosen. Fingering the amulet, he sighed.
“Still resisting,
Wildcat?”

Gracie had the decency to blush.
“Before I’ll commit completely, things are going to
change, Rand.”

“What kind of things? You’re mine. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Boy, you still haven’t shortened your leash on her?”

“Shut up, Ruzac. This is between Gracie and I.”

“Son?”

He jerked his gaze back to his father. “It’s as complete as it’s going to get, Dad.”

Even though his dad looked saddened by the news, he lifted his hand and drew a short but intricate design of fire.

"With the power vested in me, I hereby sever these bonds of silk to only replace them with bonds of power." The small spark of fire consumed the silk bonds joining them.

209

Gracie wanted to cry out when the silk was consumed. Tears threatened to spill over while Mica disappeared from the room to give her and Rand a few moments of privacy.

“Don’t worry about Pati, Wildcat. We’ll find her and return her to Jonathan whole.”

“I know.” She watched as he disappeared into the bathroom. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she was tempted to kick her own ass. Touching the amulet, her tears slid down her face.
Why can’t you give him what he wants, Grace Anne? Why do you have
to fight him?

“Quit beating yourself up, Sweetheart. When it’s right the amulet will shorten.

Until then just be the best wife you can be.”

“And when Rand becomes a laughing stock when everyone notices that his has
shortened and mine hasn’t?”

“I’ll deal with any man or woman who threatens our claim to each other. It doesn’t
matter if it ever shortens, you’re mine either way. Now bring your ass in here with me. I
want to wash you.”

“Go to him. He knows what he wants and quit worrying about it.”

* * * *

When Gracie and Rand finally joined Mica and Aria in Jonathan’s suite, she was aghast to see the condition her friend was in. Quickly moving to his side, she sank down on the bed next to him. Taking his hand in hers, she lifted it to her mouth. “From what I’ve been told, Jonathan, you’re going to be my brother and as such I’ll kick your ass if you don’t fight this and get better.” 210

Jonathan opened his eyes and focused on her. “Pati? Come here. Let me sooth you.” Tugging on her arm with surprising strength, he pulled her across his chest. He frowned when Rand’s amulet hit his chest. “Baby, why’s my amulet lengthened?”

Gracie’s eyes flew up to meet Rand’s. Even dazed and out of his mind, Jonathan commented on the state of her amulet. “Jonathan, it’s me, Gracie.”

He frowned and then touched her. “You look like my Pati but there’s no fire. Oh God, Gracie, I’ve got to find Pati. She’s hurting and needs me.” Shoving her off his chest, he tried to roll off the bed, to only stumble and have Rand catch him before he hit the floor.

“Whoa, cousin. Slow down. We’ll find her. You’re in no shape to be going after her.”

Using a weak burst of power, he pushed Rand away. “She’s mine - mine to protect!

Get the hell out of my way before I kick your ass.”

Gracie's heart went out to him. She could feel his fear and need to reach Pati.

“Calm down, Jonathan. We’re here to help. I’ve called in an expert at situations like this. He deals specifically in kidnapping. Aric is the illegitimate son of Princess Deanna’s father. Since he hasn’t been able to claim the throne despite his numerous attempts, he’s turned his abilities elsewhere. His insight and guidance in this will be priceless.”

Mica helped Rand guide Jonathan back to the bed.

“He will?” Jonathan’s eyes pleaded with his uncle.

“Of course. We’ll have Pati back at your side by nightfall.”

“For the love of Mica, I hope so.” Jonathan convulsed as the firestorm hit him once more. He vaguely heard the curses that filled the room while Gracie moaned and sank to her knees and Rand let out a growl of wild need.

* * * *

211

Pati rolled off the bed as the fire once more consumed her body.
Whatever he
injected me with has only made it worse.

“Dear lord, Gracie! You’re feverish and out of your mind. I don’t care what you or Deanna say! You need to see a doctor and now.”

Harold picked Pati up off the bed and nearly stumbled. She wrapped her arms around him and writhed against his frame. Harold went ramrod straight when she rubbed against him.

“No, Gracie. This isn’t happening. I can’t make love to you while you’re this sick!”

“
Why am I reacting this way? He’s not Jonathan. Why can’t I control my body?

“Hang on, Pati! We’re coming!”
Jonathan’s whisper sent a flow of relief through her.

Her chosen was coming, he hadn’t abandoned her!

* * * *

Aric watched with cool eyes while Jonathan’s breathing became more ragged. Glancing over at Rand and Gracie, he had to smoother his glee. The drug Brett had injected was working better than he’d ever hoped. With one fell swoop, he’d incapacitated two thirds of the Triad of Fire. And by the distracted look on Mica’s face, he knew it wouldn’t hard to catch the older man off balance. Watching the scenery pass by, he wanted to burst out of his skin when they drew nearer to where Jonathan though Pati was being held.
The bond between chosens is truly amazing and I’m quite glad I
don’t have one. It’d be disconcerting to know that a woman would be able to touch my
mind at will. I 'll never allow another to have that kind of power.

212

“When we arrive at the location, I think it will be best if Dad and I deal with whatever security measures they’ve in place. Jonathan, I want you and Gracie to find Pati and bring her back to the hovercraft.”

“
I think you need to be prepared, Wildcat. When Jonathan and Pati get in the same
room, I expect one of two things to happen. Either the need tearing at them will explode
and you’re going to get an eyeful, or it may ease. Will you be able to control them until
you can get them out of there?”

Gracie fought down the guilt and anger she felt at his question. His doubt hurt.

“Yes. I won’t fail you, Rand. If I have to I’ll knock their heads together, I will
.” The underlying misery in her voice roused Zara.

“He’s not doubting your abilities, Sweetheart.”

Picking up his chosen’s hand, he pressed his mouth to it.
“I love you, Wildcat, and
after we’re done here, I’m going to take you back to our suite and we’re not leaving until
my amulet is where it should be, in the hollow of your throat.”

Gracie caught her breath. She didn’t know if the sudden arousal was due to Rand’s words or the bleed over from her sister.

“You’re evil, Randall de Carthwright.”

“Of course he is, girl. He’s my great grandson.”
Ruzac’s voice washed over her.

Gracie’s hand flew to her mouth to keep her laughter from spilling over.
“Oh shut up,
Ruzac!”

213

Pulling up to the house where Jonathan was certain Pati was being kept, they surrounded it. Walking towards the door, Rand used a quick flick of his wrist to blow it off its hinges. Stepping across the threshold, he wasn’t surprised to see half a dozen guards in the living room. There was shouting and yelling as the guards reacted to Rand's presence. When they turned to their weapons, Rand shook his head.

“I can’t believe you fools are drawing guns on a level ten wizard.”

The guards looked bewildered at his comment. One stepped forward. “Stop right there!”

Scowling, he walked further into the room followed by his father. The one who’d decided to be the spokesman visibly trembled as the second part of the Triad of Fire entered the room. Looking wildly from Rand and Mica then to the men behind him, it was obvious he wasn’t prepared to take on the Triad.

Finally finding his voice, he uttered the word ‘attack’ compelled by an unseen force.

Horror crossed man’s face when the men behind him surged forward and bullets began to fly. When the bullets hit the shield Rand and Mica had thrown up, the men dropped their guns and rushed the duo.

While Rand and Mica kept the guards busy, Gracie, Jonathan and Aric slipped in the back door and up the stairs, with Gracie leading the way. When she crept down the hall, she found her sister in a spare bedroom and never saw the look which passed between Aric and Brett who’d been waiting in the room.

214

As soon as Jonathan followed her, the door slammed shut behind them effectively trapping Gracie and Jonathan in the room with Pati and Brett, who was casually cleaning the blade he normally carried.

* * * *

Brett smiled in anticipation when he heard the door shut. Glancing over at Pati, he waited for Jonathan to spot his chosen.
While those idiots downstairs are ignorant to
this world, I’m very aware of the risk we’re taking here. I’d much rather deal with one
wizard out of his mind with need and a woman than the other pissed off ‘ two-thirds of
the Triad of Fire’.
“Pati!” Jonathan’s cry made him smile. Getting up from his chair, he stepped between the bed and Jonathan. He could hear the noises Pati was making in her throat.

“Grace O’Connor, I wasn’t expecting the pleasure of meeting the Prince’s little slut and I see you brought Jonathan along with you.”

"Sorry to barge in unannounced, but I believe you’ve my sister. I'd like her back."

Crossing her arms, she smiled coolly at him. “We can either do this the hard way or the easy. At this point I really don’t care which way, because I’m taking her with me when I go.”

Brett laughed. He couldn't believe the audacity of this woman. "You're giving me an ultimatum? Surely you jest, woman. I’ve got the oldest of Sandovian blood running through my veins…”

“I don’t care what kind of blood is running in your veins. If you don’t let me pass, I’ll be more than happy to spill it on the floor and we’ll really see what color your blood is.”

215

Brett laughed even louder. A loud moan of pleasure had Gracie turning towards the bed. While she’d been arguing with Brett, Jonathan had slipped by her and sprung on Pati. The loud moans coming from them made her realize this situation was quickly spiraling out of control.

"I really don’t have time to deal with this.” Surrounding herself with a shield when she saw him begin motions that precluded his construction of an ‘air’ attack, she realized she was going to have a physical altercation with the moron.
“Damnit, Zara. Why does
he have to do this the hard way?”

“Some men are simply like that, Sweetheart. I’m going to slip through your

bond with Pati and try to bring things under control. Can you handle that arrogant

ass by yourself?”

“Of course. If not I’m sure Ruzac will lend a helping hand.”

“For the love of Mica, don’t call on him for help unless you’re in death’s way.

His attitude is: ‘ if I can’t fuck it, I’ll destroy it’.”

Suppressing her laughter, she focused on Brett who was on the verge of releasing his manifestation on her. From one heartbeat to the next he released it. With a flick of her wrist, she sent out a bolt of fire to consume it. With the nature of fire, it absorbed every particle of oxygen in the air and it increased her surge exponentially. She couldn’t feel even a bit of remorse when it broke through his shield and lit him on fire. A scream broke through the room as he stumbled to towards the door, running while the fire continued to lick over his clothing and skin.

216

Shaking her head to free herself from the battle, she turned to find her sister’s legs draped over Jonathan’s shoulders. The rhythmic rocking of the bed left no doubt in her mind to what they were doing.

“Oh for the love of Mica!” Turning her back on them, she slipped out of the bedroom and gave them privacy to finish their coupling.