by Billy London
Her father told her to make sure Auden didn’t do too much, not to burn himself out. How could she tell him to slow down when he was rediscovering life? He went paragliding, bungee jumping, skydiving, abseiling and started pilot lessons. If she couldn’t go with him in the evening, he would take her out, to dance, to sing, to play. Even though she enjoyed sleeping through the night, speeding through London streets in her brand new Porsche, counted as quality play time in Auden’s opinion.
The night before they travelled to Kent for their wedding, Helena returned to a home she didn’t recognise. It was a whole new world, white rocks framing a waterfall cascading into what should have been her living room—and a huge rock pool with steam rising from the water. Candles were everywhere.
“Auden,” she called. “If you’ve got a lute over your privates, I’m not marrying you!”
Instead a silk dove flew into her hand saying, Good evening, love. I’ve gone to see Terry about those songs I wrote. Enjoy your spa. Back in a few. A. PS, you know they’re all about you, right?
Her pride in him at that moment nearly burst through her chest. She’d known he was writing again, but she’d thought it was to do with his adventures and his freedom, and a lack of bed sheet covers at night or whenever she fell asleep. God, now that she could do so, she found it impossible not to sleep at any given opportunity. She felt so safe. More so now that Romely had been suspended from her surgery to await the GMC hearing, there was a non-molestation order in place so Romely had to stay far away. A criminal investigation was also in play thanks to Ophelia. The lure of the Kent house was enough to keep Ophelia and her team of solicitors extra busy.
She knew he wanted to do more than let the law account for Romely’s actions, but given he had just had everything returned to him, it was better to keep on the right side of the track. For now. Not that she was desperate to change his mind, but having fought so hard to have him, she would be devastated if he were taken away again. For the first time, Helena felt worry pick away at her love.
Chapter Seventeen
Celine Garceau is a sight for sore eyes, Auden thought, watching his mother approving the changes he and Helena had made to the house. Knowing that her almost daughter-in-law was as accomplished with magic as she, made her all the happier. The aging side-effect of trying to breach the spell wore away as the day passed. Auden’s sister was now a sweet young woman, and his younger brother was much cooler than he’d ever been at that age. Less swagger, more assured skill.
Happily accepting Desdemona’s demands on what they would all be wearing at every stage of the wedding, Auden grabbed a moment alone. Sitting outside, his hands in his pockets, he marvelled how quickly time had gone. Had it just been six weeks ago that he’d asked Romely for a night of freedom? Just six weeks ago that he’d nearly transformed in front of Helena?
He wanted to feel entirely happy, but the shadow of Romely darkened his mood. Would there ever be sufficient justice to atone for what had been done to him?
“Probably not,” Celine said gently.
“Mum!” he groaned, clutching his hand to his chest. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“You’re still my child. I’ll scare you if I want to.” She looped an arm through his, looking up at him. “Don’t dwell, dear.”
“Can’t help it.”
“Then you’ll undo everything you’ve gained. There are rules for everything. Taking the life of a Wiccan is extremely serious.”
“What will happen to her?” he asked.
“I’ve spoken to the other coven heads. More particularly, I’ve spoken to the High Chair. I have been given permission to remove her powers.”
“You can do that?”
Celine held up her hand where an intricate symbol sat in her palm. “By special order only. She’s a danger and she must be controlled.”
“Put down would be more like it.”
“Auden…”
“She stole my life,” he said, voice dark with rage.
“You’ve got it back,” Celine reminded him. “We’re all here. That wonderful family loves you too.”
He sighed. “I know.”
“Let it go, dear. There’s no future in revenge.” She scooped her long hair over her shoulder and gave his arm a solid tug. “Have you and Helena picked your ceremonial spot?”
“Yeah,” he gave a smile. The Wiccan ceremony would be entirely different from the civil one. It was to take place somewhere significant to the couple, ensuring the magic would be strong and eternal. Where better than the first time he and Helena were intimate with one another?
“It is a serious commitment,” Celine warned. “If you break that bond, it will be as close to death as you can get without dying.”
“I know, Mum, but we’re sure.”
She smiled. “Good. Now, let’s go back inside. Be sociable.”
“You sound like Helena,” he said, a touch worried.
“That can only be a good thing!”
“Not convinced.” He led her back inside. Despite her reassurance, there wasn’t enough his mother could say or do to remove the sense of foreboding. Or the desire to personally eradicate Romely from the earth.
***
His wife looked incredible. Beyond his wildest dreams. Admittedly his new sister-in-law was pretty loopy, but Desdemona had organised everything to a T. All Auden and Helena had to do was show up. It had been a tear fest. Charlie teared up handing Helena to Auden. He whispered the words to the song he’d written just for her. It made Helena burst into tears, much to the surprise of her family, which made them all cry the harder. Victoria, Ophelia and Desdemona were completely inconsolable during the ceremony, especially when Helena changed every “love” in Corinthians 13 to “you” in her impromptu vows. He had no idea she had prepared anything, but his Helena continued to be a surprise.
Gripping his hands, she held his gaze, and began in her soft, lilting voice, “You are patient, you are kind. You do not envy, you do not boast, you are not proud. You do not dishonour others, you are not self-seeking, you are not easily angered, you keep no record of wrongs. You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. You never fail. And now these three remain: faith, hope and you. But the greatest of these is you, Auden Garceau.”
No one could have made him wait to kiss her in love and gratitude for such a commendation. His own family watched with Cheshire Cat grins long after they were finally pronounced husband and wife.
Obediently, as Desdemona had commanded, they had their photographs taken. “Some of these will have to be released,” Des claimed. “You know, to the press and all that.”
“No,” Auden said.
Des blinked at him. “What was that word you said?”
“No. Be prepared to hear that a lot if you decide to start pimping your sister to the tabloids.”
She beamed at him. “I like you.”
Well, that was a relief. Even though she pulled out the stops to get his trust back and sue the little finger out of Romely, Ophelia was still wary of him. He would probably always be the “guitar banding scruff” who corrupted her sister.
“You’ve got prettier hair than three quarters of the women in this place,” she protested. “I have to despise you for something.”
“No, you really don’t. I’m good with ‘meh.’”
Ophelia took a thoughtful breath. “No. Sorry, I have to hate you. For a little while. Just don’t get my sister pregnant for at least a year and I’ll think about it.”
“Cameron’s chatting up Des.” Auden nodded his chin toward where they stood, Desdemona giving a flirty little giggle.
“I’ll fucking kill her. Then him. No, I’ll take my time over her. Savour it. Cheers scruff.”
“No worries.” Auden had no idea where half these people had come from. Friends from the local area mingled with Helena’s extended family and his own distant relatives, who’d been summoned by Celine. At least he recog
nised the pub landlord.
“Will you and the missus be coming around for some sing-a-longs?” he asked, a hefty arm around Auden’s shoulders.
“Give us some time alone for a bit, yeah? But keep the piano tuned.”
“Miss those days. You’re a good lad. I really wish you and your wife the best.”
Auden gave an uninhibited grin. “Still can’t believe she said yes.”
“You’re a lucky bloke,” the landlord assured him with a wink, abandoning him for the second round of canapés that were circling after a huge sit down meal, speeches and all sorts.
Honestly, he really wanted to be alone with his wife now. To take that dress off slowly and see what treasures lay beneath.
As no one seemed to be in a hurry to leave, if he could not touch, he’d have to content himself with looking. Jogging lightly to Helena’s side, he slipped an arm around her waist, pressing his mouth to her jaw. She smelled divine. “Mmm. Now, where are you off to, wife?”
She beamed at him. “I’m going to put on outfit number four as directed by Des. I just handed over my credit card and promised to go back to Temperley if I ever need anything else.”
As if she heard her name, his sister-in-law yelled, “Oi, new bro! I’ve let this wedding go ahead because I want photographs! Get out of my sister’s way!”
Helena turned in Desdemona’s direction and pressed a finger to her glossy lips. “See, I won’t have a moment’s peace until I do. Just be glad she hasn’t seen the dress for the you-know-what.”
He gazed at her for a moment, feeling utterly complete at that moment. “Want to go for a walk in the forest?”
She smiled, leaning over to kiss him. “Later. For as long as you like.”
“All right, I’ll wait. Not for long though.”
Helena blew him a kiss and started toward the stairs, one hand hitching up the hem of her dress. Near mesmerised by the hypnotic sway of her glorious bottom, he almost missed the flash of blue out of the corner of his eye. Romely.
“Stop,” he commanded.
Everyone stilled immediately. Helena turned to see Romely’s frozen face, not a meter away, twisted with anger and hatred. Her hand glowed with light, as if she were about to throw something into Helena.
His wife stood aside as he folded Romely’s hand so the palm faced her own chest, then let time move once more.
People screamed, as Romely was powered through a wall into the hallway. Walking after her, he calmly dodged the people running in all directions. Auden caught Romely with his mind, and pinned her to the arched wall of the hallway, right above people rushing for the nearest exit. Fine, if Romely wanted it this way…
He rubbed his thumb over the tips of his fingers and time stilled once more. People were caught mid-step, hair and clothing flying haphazardly. A tray of drinks precariously headed towards the floor.
Romely, in complete ignorance to her circumstances, clapped. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
“I couldn’t before. But I can now.”
“Because of me.” Helena came to stand beside him, her hand at his back.
“She’s not like me, Auden,” Romely begged. “Can’t you see that? I have given everything for you. I’ve sacrificed a career for you.”
“You did that for yourself. That wasn’t for me.”
Helena touched her nose to his cheek. “You need to put her down. Let your mother deal with her.”
“Why?” he demanded. “She respects nothing.”
“Auden, come on, let me go. We’re better together. She’s not—”
The concrete behind Romely gave a resounding crack.
“Quiet,” he insisted. Romely wisely shut her mouth. “You will no longer dictate to me. I am not your fucking pet. You are so devoid of any real feelings, you don’t understand what you did to me do you?”
“I loved you. I still love you.”
Auden fully intended to crush her body until nothing remained of her vicious person. His voice lowered, “That emotion is beyond your understanding. I want nothing more of you. I don’t want you even to exist.”
Helena curled her arms around his waist. “Auden, listen to me. Don’t do it.”
“She needs to pay.”
“No.” She took in a deep breath, pressing herself so firmly into his side that he could feel her heart beat. “Because then she really will haunt you. She has stolen so much from you.”
“Do you think if I hadn’t just stopped her, she wouldn’t have taken you from me as well? She won’t stop.” He didn’t want to look at his wife, in case she made him change his mind. Romely needed to go. There was no redeeming her. And if anyone should exact justice, it should be him. The woman had no shame. Stepping into his wedding, his wedding, to try and hurt his wife. To take her away from him. No. Not happening—ever.
Helena buried her face in his neck. “Listen to me, my love. It took meeting you for me to accept who I am and what I did. But it will always be there. I won’t be enough to make what she did hurt any less if you kill her. We’ve had the shortest time together, please don’t leave me.”
“I’m not leaving you,” he said, shocked.
“You will if you do this. Celine said there are consequences for taking the life of a Wiccan. Please don’t give her that power. Please.”
Auden lowered his hand and Romely collapsed onto the ground, screaming as her bones cracked against the stone floors. Helena sent him a look of disapproval.
He shrugged. “Minor injuries.” It was the least she deserved.
Romely struggled to her feet, assisted by Celine. “You realise how much trouble you’re in, don’t you, my dear?”
Romely glanced at Auden. “I love him.”
“Inexcusable.” She glanced up at Auden and Helena. “Do you know how powerful you both are? I’ve never seen Wiccans tap into their lover’s power before a ceremony.”
“We’re unique,” Auden gave Helena a small smile. She hugged him tighter.
“That will work out rather nicely in the future. I’ll make sure no one remembers what just happened. You two can go. Now, Romely Deans, Wiccan of the county of Kent, I withdraw your touch in the world of magic.”
As his mother spoke, blue spirals circled Romely, draining her, forcing her to lean more heavily on Celine’s frame. “I remove your ability to commune with the gifts given to you. I seal all that is magical from your mind, your body, your soul. From henceforth you will be banished from our world.”
Romely gave a scream that made Helena shudder beside him. “No, you can’t! I know you’re not allowed to. Auden, tell her!”
Auden turned away, his arm around Helena’s waist.
“Auden!” Romely yelled. “Don’t go!”
He tightened his hold on Helena. “I don’t need to see anything else. I’m free.”
He waved a hand behind him and any screams of protest from Romely were silenced. Just as the desire for her death had been extinguished.
“Thank you,” Helena whispered, leading him upstairs.
“I’m running up quite a tab with you,” he admitted slowly. “You’ve got to let me make it up to you.”
“You’re here, with me. You don’t need to do anything else.”
He turned and cupped her face with both hands. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“After what you did just now? Yeah, I think I do.”
“Good.” He pulled her forward for a kiss. No more sacrifices were needed. Not anymore. The spectre of Romely was finally gone.
Epilogue
Helena had no idea there were so many Wiccans in a hundred mile radius. But they were all here at the breaking of dawn to witness her union with Auden. Even though they were legally married, this ceremony was altogether different. She wished she could share this with her sisters, but they were still coping with the fact she’d married someone she’d known for less than two months. C’est la vie.
It was uncomfortable standing in a spot where Auden had taken her against a tree with
his mother presiding over the ceremony, but her husband assured her that it made the magic binding them together all the stronger.
Celine pulled the huge velvet hood over her hair. “Ready?” she asked them both with a smile.
Auden nodded, taking Helena’s hands in his own. Celine raised her voice to address everyone. “You are here to witness the seal between Auden and Helena. As witnesses, you pledge to uphold their bond and protect that same bond from harm should they call for your assistance. Witness as they make their exchange in mind, body and soul.”
Celine nodded for them to start their exchange. Helena felt a touch of nerves in her tummy that she hadn’t thought twice about in church.
“This is our gift to one another,” Auden said softly. “To know what is in our minds.”
“I share my mind, as you will share with me,” she replied.
Celine touched a hand to Auden’s forehead, then to Helena’s. A wonderful warmth drenched her body.
Auden’s voice sounded loud and clear in her head. Getting hot, love?
Oh my Lord, can your mother hear us?
Yes. Celine answered dryly. Not for much longer though.
She removed her hands and stepped back. “Minds opened.”
Auden’s hands moved to Helena’s waist, cradling her against his lower body. “My body is yours. I care for your physical form whatever shape it may take as I will care for you and your love for me.”
“I claim your body as you have claimed mine. We are one.”
He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The imprint of his kiss burned in her chest before her heart stopped beating for ten long seconds, only to begin again in complete unison with Auden’s.
“Offer of the body.” Celine lowered her voice. “Last point to change your mind.”
