Toren climbed the stone carved steps up into the descending light of dusk out upon the top of the cliffs. The winds coming up from the sea pushed against him, pulling at his clothes and hair. He was utterly spent, both in emotion and magic.
Waiting, Charity turned and ran into his arms, pressing her cheek upon his chest and the hurt of what he’d just done eased somewhat. Down below within a wind-carved cavern few knew about, he’d laid Edeen upon an altar of stone and summoned a spell that had taken every last reserve of magic both he and Charity had together. He had only enough left for one more task, then ‘twould likely take several fortnights to replenish even a fraction of what they once had. They were both as vulnerable as any human now, yet for his sister, her safety, he would give everything.
They’d consulted every magical wielder left upon the land. None could help. None had the magical prowess of the clan of Limont that had disappeared. There were no spells, no potions, no amount of healing would awaken the lass. Edeen simply slept on. Finally they came upon a seer—or rather the seer came to them—with foresight of Edeen’s awakening. She spoke of patience and a powerful slumbering spell and of another magical wielder, who alone had the ability to awaken the lass. But they must be patient, they must not seek the wielder out, but let fate draw him to Edeen’s hidden cavern.
Toren pulled Charity closer. Patience. They had to wait. Possibly for years. Years. So Toren had created a spell of protection and sustaining to envelop Edeen while she slept. He created another to keep her well hidden from any who might mean her harm, and placed all his hope and trust into the seer’s vision. For what else could he do?
He had to leave Edeen safe and hidden here in order to discover where in time Col had been flung to, and rescue Shaw from the witch.
Charity’s palm lifted to his cheek. “Are you going to be all right?”
Nodding, he grasped her hand, staring down at her in relief and gratitude. He could not have borne this heartache alone. That this beautiful spirited woman choose to share this burden with him was humbling. He lowered his forehead to rest upon hers and just held her, letting her compassion, her strength soothe him. He’d never loved anyone as completely. His entire heart belonged to her.
“She’ll be all right here, Toren. You’ve done everything you could.”
Not everything.
Sighing, he turned to finished it, but Charity held him fast. Her hands held his face and drew him closer until their lips met. It was a kiss of understanding, of shared grief, and also more, a kiss of love and hope and determination…and magic. A soul-blending magical giving as Charity poured her entire heart and essence into him, giving him the last of her own reserves so he’d have the strength to complete his final service for Edeen.
He felt like openly weeping, stalwart warrior that he was. No one had given him so much as freely. Charity Greves was a blessing, his salvation, and his reason for going on. He’d already decided to seek her hand in earnest once his family was reunited, but at this moment, at how right it was that they persevere together, centuries between their lives or nay, Charity would be his wife.
He pulled back and his heart took another sudden stumble, once again struck by her beauty, enhanced tenfold in her disheveled appearance, swollen thoroughly kissed lips and slightly dazed eyes. The maleness in him surged to life.
He squeezed her hand. “Together then?”
“Together.”
He let the magic build within him and then shot it out toward the steps cut deep into the earth that led to Edeen’s cavernous haven. The earth shook, the walls of the hole fell inward, piling stone and dirt over the entrance, leaving no easy way in or out to reach the cavern except through the opening carved with the side of the cliff face that was hidden beneath layers of spells.
Until she was awakened by another, Edeen would remain safe in her slumber.
The End
Highland Sorcerer Page 27
