by Tena Stetler
“Noooooo, Bruce watch out.” Tristian bellowed.
Rezar latched on to Angie’s essence in an attempt to follow her into the dream realm, thereby escaping Stefan and Tristian. The failed attempt dumped Rezar unceremoniously at Bruce’s feet as Angie seamlessly returned to her body.
Rezar first to react drove his dagger deep into Bruce’s thigh, twisting the dagger against bone as Rezar tried to right himself.
Blood poured down Bruce’s leg. Unconcerned he watched Angie’s violet eyes flutter open and lock on his. “Welcome home, my li’l witch.” Never taking his eyes from hers, he shoved the barefoot of his good leg into Rezar’s ribcage, sending a surge of energy through Rezar temporarily immobilizing him. “Rest now, my love,” he said quietly to Angie suppressing a groan as the pain surged through his thigh and down his leg, he wiggled his toes to make sure nerves, tendons, and muscles were still intact. Yep, all good there.
Bruce wrapped his hand around the dagger, sucked in a breath and wrenched it out of his leg, blood poured from the wound, streamed down his leg and pooled on the floor. With unbridled rage, he thrust the dagger now pulsing with his powerful magic directly into Rezar’s heart. His blood-curdling scream filled the room. Angie’s brow creased as she shifted in the bed. Silence settled in the room as a puff of gray smoke rose from where Rezar fell, a pile of ash all that remained. The silver collar glinted in the room’s soft light as it spun on its edge and came to rest on the floor encircling the ash next to Bruce’s bare foot.
Andre rushed into the room with Matiah close on his heels. He grasped her arm and whispered, “Wait until he settles or asks for your help in healing the wound. He’s a warrior and has been through a lot worse.”
“Not in my home.” Matiah protested and wrenched free of his hold.
Bruce felt his mother’s presence. When his weary gaze locked on hers, she glided slowly toward him and he nodded. She ripped open his pants leg around the wound and laid her hand gently over the area. A subtle lilac glow emanated from her hand as the wound closed and new pink skin appeared. Bruce watched his mom glance from the dark liquid congealing on the floor to the red spatter on the bedding, the corners of her mouth twitching in an attempt to conceal a grin. “You’ll have to clean up this mess,” she chided gently patting his shoulder, “when your witch awakens, which should be soon.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow, staring at his mother. “I’ll get right on that.” He remained on the edge of the bed, his fingertips lightly caressing Angie’s forehead.
Angie slowly opened her eyes again, blinking at the bright sunlight streaming through the window and tried to focus on the individuals surrounding her bed.
“Welcome back li’l witch.” Bruce leaned over, kissed her lightly, and released a sigh of relief along with his parents.
Angie smiled up at Bruce. Glanced at Andre and Matiah, and then looked around the room. “I’m happy to be back,” she said slowly. “That was quite a trip.” She blinked several times, took a deep breath pulling herself into a sitting position and leaning back against the headboard, she wrinkled her nose. “I need a shower and change of clothes. It smells like fire and brimstone in here.” She glanced at the floor, her heart raced as she fought back a wave of panic. “I hope that’s not yours,” she said as nonchalantly as possible while inclining her head toward the pool of blood.
“Unfortunately, my love, it is but nothing to worry about. I’ll clean it up while you shower.”
The others laughed. Bruce lifted her out of the bed, ambled to the other side, and let her stretch her legs until her bare feet touched the floor and she steadied herself. He dropped to one knee and took a little red velvet box out of the nightstand. With his thumb he flipped open the lid revealing a ring set with a sparkling marquee cut emerald nestled between two blue diamonds in platinum . “Angie, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Andre’s forehead creased in puzzlement as a single tear rolled down Matiah’s cheek, which she quickly wiped away.
“Of course. But you don’t…” Angie started.
“I do. Your beliefs and traditions are as important as mine. Together, no one will put asunder.” He slipped the ring on the ring finger of her left hand and brought her hand up to his warm lips.
Epilogue
Willow squealed as Angie pushed her way through the heavy glass door to the Krystal Unicorn, followed closely by Bruce. The chilly wind whirled around the room as Willow came from behind the counter to envelope Angie in a hug. “I’ve missed you. Don’t you ever do anything like that again.”
“I’ll do my best,” Angie said unable to stifle a giggle at Willow’s reaction. “Now, if you’ll just loosen your arms as well as your wings, maybe I could breathe.” Angie made exaggerated gasps for air, pulling at Willows arms.
Willow grinned and released Angie, then whirled around to face Bruce. “And you,” Willow said taking a step forward, poking her finger in Bruce’s broad chest. “You were supposed to keep her safe, all powerful one,” she sneered.
“Watch it Faery,” Bruce warned in a low growl flicking her finger away from him. “And you might want to pull in your wings before those watching discover they aren’t fake.” He jerked his chin toward the customers milling around just outside the interior shop door shared with the salon’s waiting area.
Several pairs of gossamer wings hung just inside the showroom window that faced the salon. They were a popular item and tough to keep in stock. Willow glanced at the wings in the window and dipped slightly behind Angie while tucking in her own.
Angie looked around the shop. “This place is absolutely magical, what a wonderful job you’ve done. I love the cozy overstuffed chairs near the bookshelves, and the mirrored tiles etched with unicorns on the wall behind the counter, where’d you find those? The ivy twined sparingly over the tiles is a really nice touch, not to mention how much bigger it makes the shop look.” Angie continued turning in a three hundred and sixty-degree circle taking in all the changes. “I like the light green carpeting and the pale yellow walls. Flowering vines climbing the corners of the room is a nice touch.” She sniffed the air and sighed. “I love the aroma of the scented candles.”
Willow shrugged. “I wish I could take credit for it all, but Tobi found the tiles and did a lot of the decorating and arranging before I returned. But the pastel colored faery wind chimes and the Irish crystal snowflakes hanging from the ceiling are my additions. Brought them back from Ireland. Don’t you just love em?”
Angie nodded and reached up to touch a low hanging snowflake. It spun in the sunlight casting rainbows across the room.
Still tweaking her shoulders a bit, Willow straightened. “If we order in bulk, we can get a much better price on the snow flakes. I know a guy.” Willow’s voice trailed off as she noticed the sparkling gem on Angie’s left hand. “What is that?” She asked raising a brow, her ice blue eyes sparkling as she grabbed hold of Angie’s hand.
“Just what it looks like. An engagement ring.” Angie couldn’t keep the bright smile from her lips.
“So…your demon Lord bowed to your brother’s pressure?” Willow smirked. “Not a good example for our powerful Overlord to set.” She cut her eyes, filled with mischief, to Bruce.
“You’re digging yourself a hole, that I won’t be able to rescue you from,” Angie warned laughing. “You know better than that. No, Bruce asked me to marry me because he loves me and…”
Willow interrupted, “And wants to make sure you belong to him in every way possible.”
“Oh, you’re impossible. Just maybe he respects my traditions as well as his own.” Angie reached for Willow, grasping hold of her wrist. “I believe you have some explaining to do yourself.” Angie’s eyes twinkled as she lifted Willow’s hand up so Tobi and Owen, peering in from the Salon, Bruce and a few good customers crowded around could see the rock on Willow’s finger.
Willow’s cheeks blushed crimson and she smiled wide, jerking her hand out of Angie’s grip. “Yes, I’ve news o
f my own. Caleb asked me to marry him and I agreed. Our families are not really on board with it yet, but they will get used to it.” Willow paused chewing on her bottom lip. “I hope.”
“Of course they will,” Angie assured her friend then pursed her lips and considered. “Willow, I wonder what your families would think of…”
Bruce nudged Angie and peered over her head toward the outside salon door just as Mrs. Staret swept in with her daughter, Jill. The older woman paused for a moment scanning the salon before she caught sight of Bruce and Angie among their little throng of friends. Mrs. Staret walked purposefully toward them.
Uh oh. Bruce’s words wafted through Angie’s thoughts. This can’t be good. He wrapped his arm around Angie’s waist protectively, angling her body slightly behind him.
Mrs. Staret gave Willow a quick smile and stepped toward Bruce her hand extended.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Staret,” Bruce said graciously, dropping his arm from Angie’s waist and moving closer to the older woman, he clasped her hand in both of his. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
She glanced toward Jill who was now standing beside her mother and said, “My daughter and I are ready to take you up on your offer, if it’s still available.”
Never missing a beat, Bruce smiled broadly. “Of course.” His arm returned to Angie’s waist and drew her next to him. “We’d be happy to have you join us for dinner. Just so happens we are free this evening. Will that work? “
Somewhat taken a back, Mrs. Staret’s eyes went wide for a moment. “Why, yes, I believe it would,” she said as her daughter nodded in agreement.
“Good, would you like us to pick the two of you up, or would you rather meet us at Anthony’s around 7:30 this evening? Italian all right?” Bruce paused and shifted his attention to Jill. “Would you like your husband to join us?”
“No,” Jill said firmly. “He isn’t aware…uh…the less he knows about this situation the better.” She shifted from one foot to the other uncomfortably.
“As you wish, but it’s been my experience secrets between couples usually lead to trouble,” Bruce said.
Mrs. Staret cleared her throat. “Yes, Anthony’s is one of our favorite restaurants and we’ll meet you there.” Mrs. Staret and her daughter gave a curt nod and walked back through the salon and out the same door they’d entered.
“That was interesting,” Angie mused, wondering if their meeting would set things to right, or if Mrs. Staret had an ulterior motive.
“I think she just wants closure. I will certainly be glad to put that particular situation behind me. But it bothers me that Jill’s husband is being left out of the loop.”
“Oh powerful one, it’s none of your business.” Angie crooned and patted Bruce’s arm.
Willow lowered her voice so only the three of them could hear and said, “No, Bruce is right. Jill’s husband, Seth, doesn’t know the family secret. Mrs. Staret says two of their three children inherited the abilities and it won’t be long before he figures it out, then all hell will break loose. At least that’s what Mrs. Staret thinks.”
“Still none of our business,” Angie said sweetly.
“Unless Seth freaks out when he finds out and endangers the rest of us,” Bruce said gravely. “It has happened.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that. Maybe we can carefully address the situation at dinner,” Angie suggested.
Bruce surveyed the salon; each stylist was with a customer and a few still in the waiting area. Perfect. Tobi turned toward them smiling and gave a quick wave. “That’s enough business talk, aren’t we celebrating the grand reopening of The Krystal Unicorn?”
“Just one more thing. Angie, what were you wondering about my family before we were interrupted?” Willow asked.
Angie opened her mouth about to speak, then caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked toward The Krystal Unicorn’s entrance off the street. Now what.
The shop’s door chimes sounded as Tristian strode in then held the door for a pleasant looking young woman with bright blue eyes and dark red hair that curled just above her collar. He reached down and caught her hand in his as they approached the group. Tristian’s usual somber expression brightened considerably as the woman smiled shyly up at him, then switched her gaze to the group. Her glance swept quickly over Bruce and lingered on Angie for a moment then returned to Tristian.
He wrapped an arm around Angie’s neck and pulled her to him kissing her cheek. “Morning sis.”
“Oh, Tristian you came to the grand re-opening of the Krystal Unicorn. How thoughtful,” Angie said.
“Of course. But I’d also like you to meet Hannah Shaughnessy.” Tristian slid his arm around Hannah’s waist and arranged her slightly in front of him. “Hannah, this is my sister, Angie, who chose to tie herself for eternity to the cause of all our trouble—” He lowered his voice. “The Western Hemisphere’s Territory Overlord.” Tristian bent over at the waist in an exaggerated bow toward Bruce, then quickly took a couple steps backward tugging Hannah along with him. “And my boss of many years. We were even friends until he took up with my sister. Now…well as you know we are working on it.”
“Nice to see you too, Tristian,” Bruce said cheerfully. “And a boss that has made you a very wealthy man, let’s not forget that.”
Ignoring Bruce, Angie reached for Hannah and gave her a quick hug. “Hello, Hannah. It’s wonderful to finally meet the woman who tamed my brother. And believe me, I know that’s no small feat.” She winked at Hannah and grinned.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” The blood rushed to Hannah’s cheeks and she took a sudden interest in her shoes.
“Oh, I would and he’s a better man for it.” Angie batted her eyes at her brother and smirked, just daring him to retort.
Tristian’s blue-gray eyes blazed but he said nothing.
Hannah looked back at Angie then over to Tristian a puzzled look on her face.
Bruce leaned forward, careful not to intimidate Hannah. “I would be the trouble to which Tristian is referring. I’m Bruce. It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Shaughnessy.” He offered his hand to Hannah who took it tentatively.
“Please, just Hannah,” she said with a nervous smile.
“Hannah, are you enjoying your visit to our historic city?”
“I am now,” she said with a slight grimace. “I’m kinda new to this type of intrigue. But now that it’s safe…”
“Oh…it’s never…” Bruce began.
Frowning, Tristian interrupted and waved his hand toward Willow. “Hannah this is Angie’s life-long friend, Willow. You’ve met her family. They live in the house next door to our family home in Maine. Willow and Angie are business partners and own The Krystal Unicorn.”
Hannah nodded her head and grinned at Willow. “I’ve heard all about you and am so glad to meet you. Do you get back home often?”
“No not much.” Willow said hesitantly, looking first to Hannah and then narrowed her eyes at Tristian. “Work keeps me pretty busy and my fiancé lives here. He’s an artist,” she said proudly.
Tristian nearly choked on his own spit, eyes rounded as he repeated. “Your fiancé? But you’re just…”
“Just really glad you’re not my brother.” Willow dissolved into a fit of laughter, joined by Angie. Hannah covered her mouth so Tristian wouldn’t see her broad smile at his obvious surprise.
“Yes, Tristian, fiancé. As a matter of fact, we were just about to discuss the possibility of having a double wedding, when you and Hannah walked in,” Angie said smugly. I wonder if Andre would officiate at our ceremony. She tucked that thought away for the moment, deciding to wait until a better time to mention it. Maybe I’ll talk it over with Matiah first.
“We were?” Willow sputtered staring at her friend then repeated. “We were.” Willow bobbed her head emphatically.
“Double wedding,” Tristian repeated cutting his gaze to Hannah. “Who else is getting married?”
Hannah shook her head and s
hrugged.
Tristian glanced around the room, then his gaze settled on Angie. “Ok, someone needs to bring me up to speed on what’s going on around here. Hannah and I were just on our way to the airport, when I decided—” He paused and glanced at Hannah. “I mean we decided, it was time to introduce Hannah to all of you before we left. She is an important part of my life now.”
This time it was the others turn to stare in shocked silence at Tristian. Such a personal declaration from him was uncharacteristic. Just a few months ago, no one even knew he had a sister.
Angie was the first to find her voice. “I am so happy for you.” She rushed back to Tristian and threw her arms around him then Hannah. “It’s about time. You’ve spent way too much time trying to take care of me, while putting your own life on hold. The double wedding is for Bruce and I, and Willow and Caleb. You’ll receive an invitation when we’ve ironed out all the details.”
“Settling down huh?” Bruce reached his hand out and shook Tristian’s. “Maybe it would be a good idea to stick around and let Angie and Hannah get acquainted, Willow too. I can make the apartment available to you for a while longer.”
Tristian shook his head. “We gotta get back and check on things at home.” Then switched his gaze to Hannah who frowned. Tristian cleared his throat and quickly added. “But we’d like to return in a couple weeks. Would that work?”
Hannah’s frown faded and she nodded in agreement, a smile forming at the corners of her lips.
“Sure, let me know the time frame and we’ll make arrangements. We can send the jet for you.” Bruce slid his arm around Angie’s waist again and pulled her into him brushing a kiss across her forehead, in a rare show of affection in public.
