Enchantment
Page 33
Aunt Wisdom hung her apron on a nail by the kitchen sink then sat down at the table.
Josh said, “There was this comic strip my dad used to read to me when I was a kid.”
Channie pressed her cheek against the base of his throat and felt his skin grow warmer. She smiled. He was blushing.
“Um … so, the main character’s name was Prince Valiant. Not that I want to be named Prince or Valiant, but he was definitely a hero type.”
Channie kissed his cheek and said, “How about Valor? Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. But it also suggests a high level of honor.”
Aunt Wisdom leaned across the table and squeezed Channie’s arm. “That’s perfect.”
Josh chewed on his lower lip for a few seconds then said, “Okay. As long as no one calls me Val.”
Aunt Wisdom said, “We need to keep your identity a secret for as long as possible … so for now, let’s stick with Josh.”
Channie brushed Josh’s ear with her lips and whispered, “Now … and forever.”
~***~
Aunt Wisdom explained the naming ceremony to Josh and said, “Normally your parents would do this for you, but since your circumstances are so … unusual, I see no reason why I can’t name you. Especially since your mother isn’t a mage and we have no idea whether your father is still living.” She frowned and puckered her lips then said, “Speaking of parents, do yours know where you are?”
“Not exactly. I talked to my Dad a couple of days ago and told him I’d keep him posted, but I haven’t been able to get a signal out here.”
“Are they going to send law enforcement to look for you?”
“I’ll be eighteen in a few weeks and I told him what I was doing, so I’m not exactly a runaway kid. The cops aren’t going to waste time looking for me. What about Channie?”
Channie rolled her eyes. “They won’t even miss me.”
Aunt Wisdom said, “I doubt that, but they know better than to come back here with the Veyjiviks looking for them. And they don’t trust the police.”
She put a folded quilt on the floor and motioned for Josh to kneel in front of her. “Are you ready to become a mage?”
He pulled his lower lip between his teeth then smiled at Channie and nodded.
Aunt Wisdom placed her hands on his head, took a deep breath and said …
I now bestow the name of Valor
Let it guide you hour by hour.
For on this day, you come of age.
You knelt a boy, now rise a mage.
Aunt Wisdom slid her hands from Josh’s head to his shoulders then kissed his cheek. “How do you feel?”
His eyes widened as he began to tremble — a whole body quake that rumbled the floor.
Aunt Wisdom grabbed Channie’s arm, flung the front door open and shoved her outside. “Run!”
Aunt Wisdom was not easily frightened or given to dramatics so when she said run, Channie should have run. But she was worried about Josh and hesitated. A blast of energy knocked her off her feet. She flew backwards off the porch, smacking the side of her head against the handrail.
She woke up in Momma and Daddy’s bed with a cool, damp rag on her forehead that smelled faintly of willow bark — and a throbbing skull. The room spun when she tried to sit up. Strong hands pushed her back against the mattress, but they were not the hands she wanted.
“Where’s Josh?”
Aunt Wisdom said, “Outside, pacing and draining excess magic.”
“What happened?”
“I’d never given a power-name to an adult before, but that’s no excuse, I should have known better.” Aunt Wisdom took the cool rag from Channie’s forehead, dipped it in a basin of water and wrung it out before she replaced it. The scent of willow bark was much stronger now. “When his power-well was opened for the first time, all that pent up energy had to go somewhere.”
“Is he all right? Can I see him?”
“He’s fine. Or at least he will be when I tell him you’re conscious and asking for him. You have a nasty concussion, I stopped your brain from swelling, but it’s going to take time for the headache to go away.”
“How much time?” Channie tried to sit up again, but gave up when a wave of nausea twisted her stomach. “I’m supposed to marry Josh before the moon sets.”
“You need to do more than just marry him. This is one time you can’t say, ‘not tonight dear, I have a headache.’”
“Why not?” Channie pressed her palms against her temples but the added pressure only made her head hurt worse. She had no intention of postponing the honeymoon, but she wanted to know why Aunt Wisdom was so worried about it.
“The marriage isn’t real until you consummate it.”
Channie didn’t like the word ‘consummate.’ It was too official, cold and practical — like signing a contract. She wanted to make love to Josh, not consummate him. And she didn’t want to do it with what felt like a herd of wild beasts trying to claw their way out of her skull. “I know it’s risky to mess with my brain, but just this once, couldn’t you—”
“I’ve already done all I can safely do. There is a reason your head hurts. Listen to your body and let your pain protect you. I’ve already talked to Josh.”
Channie groaned and not just from the pain of her headache. “What did you say to him?” Josh had a tendency to be overly cautious when it came to Channie’s wellbeing.
Aunt Wisdom ignored her question and said, “It’s about ten o’clock. I want to perform the binding spell when the moon reaches it apex at twelve-thirty. If I leave to go get Josh, will you promise to stay in bed?”
“I promise.” Channie couldn’t even sit up, much less get out of bed.
~***~
When Josh knocked on the door and poked his head into the room, Channie’s heart soared, in spite of her headache. It fluttered against her ribs like a caged bird … a very happy, excited, about-to-be-married caged bird. Just the sight of him lessened her pain.
Josh stood in the doorway and bit his lip then pulled it through his teeth. “You look … amazing.”
Aunt Wisdom had buffed and manicured Channie’s nails into perfect ovals and brushed her hair until it fell around her shoulders in smooth, glossy waves.
She said, “So do you.” Josh was wearing a new pair of jeans and a dark blue sweater that enhanced the color of his eyes.
“That dress is beautiful.”
It was the same dress she’d had on all evening, but it didn’t surprise Channie that Josh hadn’t noticed it until now.
“I wish I could stand up and twirl around so you could get the full effect, but Aunt Wisdom won’t let me out of bed.”
Josh grinned and said, “I like you in bed,” then bit his lip again and frowned. “Your aunt said you fell and hit your head when she shoved you outside. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Aunt Wisdom must have blamed herself for Channie’s injuries so Josh wouldn’t be burdened with guilt.
He said, “Is it okay if I sit beside you?”
Channie scooted over and patted the mattress.
The springs creaked when Josh sat down.
Channie cringed. She didn’t care if she were half dead, she was not going to spend her wedding night in Momma and Daddy’s bed. She’d find a way to get into her own bed if it killed her.
Josh picked up her left hand and kissed her fingers, over her promise ring. “I’ll get you an engagement ring and a wedding band as soon as we get home.”
“I don’t care about the rings, except I can’t wait to put one on your finger, so everyone knows you’re mine.”
“I’ve been yours since the first night I saw you in Heritage Park.”
Channie dropped her gaze to her hands. “Josh? Are you okay with this? Mages marry a lot younger than Empties so this isn’t out of the ordinary for me, but I know you had other plans for your life.”
He stroked her cheek with his fingers and gazed into her eyes. “You, Channie Belks, are my life.”
>
Aunt Wisdom knocked on the door and said, “Are you two ready?”
Josh nodded. Channie said, “Yes.”
But instead of Aunt Wisdom joining them in Momma and Daddy’s room, Josh picked Channie up and carried her outside.
The full moon floated in a cloudless sky. Its brilliant light painted everything in shades of blue and silver. To Channie’s amazement, Momma’s roses were in full bloom. So were the lilac bushes, the redbud trees and the flower garden. And in the middle of it all was Channie’s bed — under a wedding bower.
Four sycamore branches supported a frame of evergreen boughs. Roses, lilacs and larkspur were woven into the greenery. The flowers’ sweet perfume drifted above the clean scent of pine and warm fragrance of cedar, tickling Channie’s nose.
“How …? What …?”
Aunt Wisdom and Josh both laughed. Aunt Wisdom said, “I told you Josh had a lot of pent up magical energy.”
Channie turned in Josh’s arms to study his face, which beamed brighter than the moon.
“It was like when you made that magical shield for me, only a hundred times more intense. I couldn’t control it. I’m sorry about the oak tree.” Channie twisted around to follow Josh’s line of sight and gasped. The old tree looked like it had been struck by lightening. It was split clean in two. “At least the rest of the plants look good.”
Channie didn’t have the heart to tell him that they would die too. She regretted the damage to the plants, but she was impressed by the evidence of Josh’s power. Even the air was warm.
Josh laid Channie across the bed under the wedding bower then gently propped her up with what had to be every pillow in the house. He crawled onto the bed next to her and grinned. “I wonder how many weddings take place in bed?”
Channie giggled even though it made her head throb. “I don’t know. Maybe we’ll start a new trend.”
Aunt Wisdom said, “The moon’s reached its apex. Let’s get started.”
The wedding bower’s shadow formed a perfect border on the ground, leaving the entire bed, as well as Josh and Channie, unshaded and bathed in moonlight.
Aunt Wisdom stood at the foot of the bed and said, “Grasp each other’s left wrists and place your right hands over the other’s hearts.”
Josh narrowed his eyes and said, “Is this a death pledge? Like what you did to that Hunter kid?”
Channie almost giggled, but she could see how Josh might think that. He had so much to learn. How could he possibly be ready in just one year’s time?
Aunt Wisdom said, “No. But it is a binding spell. You will be bound to each other for the rest of your lives. So, if you’re having doubts about marrying Channie, speak up.”
Josh wrapped his fingers around Channie’s wrist and placed his hand over her heart. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Channie put her hand over Josh’s heart. Her own beat harder and faster.
Aunt Wisdom closed her eyes. Magic flowed in and around Channie but she could not hold it. She instinctively tried to channel the energy into her power-well, but it was sealed shut. She even tried to guide it to her heart-of-hearts, but couldn’t find it. When she decided to just enjoy the feel of it instead of trying to capture it, Aunt Wisdom opened her eyes and cast the spell that would bind Channie and Josh forever…
Beneath the moon and wedding bower,
Join your hearts with ancient power.
Look upon each other’s face
And bind yourselves with courage and grace.
Feel your love grow strong and whole.
Surrender body, mind and soul.
When time and distance keep you apart,
Let love protect your spell-bound hearts.
Seal your vows with true love’s kiss,
And fill this night with songs of bliss.
For the breaking dawn will kill the moon,
And this magic moment end too soon.
Aunt Wisdom cleared her throat and said, “Well, what are you waiting for?”
Joshua said, “Oh!” Then loosened his grip on Channie’s wrist.
She squeezed his and said, “Don’t let go!”
“Sorry. I’ve never been to a mage wedding before.” He maintained the binding grip as he leaned over and kissed Channie tenderly on the lips.
She said, “That was nice, but we need to exchange vows.”
“Oh. Um … Is there something specific I’m supposed to say?”
“Do you want me to go first?”
Josh nodded.
“Joshua Abrim—”
“No!” Aunt Wisdom grabbed Channie’s foot and said, “Use his mage name.”
Channie nodded and began again. “Valor Veyjivik, I Enchant … um …” Panic swelled in Channie’s chest making it hard to breathe. “What name should I use?” Enchantment and Chastity were both gone.
Aunt Wisdom’s eyes glistened. “I don’t mean to be cruel, sweetheart, but your name doesn’t really matter, since you aren’t a mage anymore. Valor’s magic is what binds you.”
Channie’s lip trembled, she fought it, but the quivering just spread to her chin.
Josh said, “I’m so sorry. I would give you my magic if I could.”
Josh would give her anything she desired. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine.” She took a deep breath and managed to swallow her tears before they slid down her cheeks.
The name Josh knew best was Channie Belks so that’s the name she would use to seal herself to him. “I, Channie Belks, do promise to love, honor and …” Josh was the last person on earth that would use magic to control someone, but the word ‘obey’ stuck in Channie’s throat like a fishbone.
“I, Channie Belks, do promise to love, honor and cooperate with Valor Veyjivik from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Josh seemed to be waiting for more, so Channie squeezed his wrist and raised her eyebrows.
He said, “My turn?”
She nodded.
“I, Valor Veyjivik, do promise to love, honor and cooperate with Channie Belks from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Josh’s heart beat stronger and faster. His hand tightened around her wrist as he gazed into her eyes with even more intensity. “I also promise to do all in my power to protect and provide for you and our children. I promise to put your needs above my own, to cherish you above all others, to be faithful, kind, and loving, to be the best husband I can be.”
Channie said, “Me too. I promise all of that, too.” Her face and ears burned, but Channie wanted to be sure that Josh knew she loved him every bit as much as he loved her.
Aunt Wisdom smiled and said, “Congratulations.”
Josh leaned towards Channie but instead of kissing her again, he whispered in her ear. “Are we married?”
She nodded her head and released his wrist. Josh slid his arm around Channie’s waist, and kissed her with so much tender passion it took her breath away.
When they broke the kiss, Aunt Wisdom said, “I’m going to spend the night in Whistler’s Gulch. I’ll buy a few groceries tomorrow morning and take care of a few errands. I’ll be back around moonrise tomorrow evening. You kids know what you need to do before the moon sets tonight, right?”
Josh said, “Um … I’m not prepared.”
Channie said, “What?”
He grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. “I … um … don’t have a condom.”
Aunt Wisdom said, “Even if you did, you couldn’t use it tonight. Neither of you can do anything to prevent conception until after this marriage is consummated.”
“What if I get Channie pregnant?” Josh pushed against the mattress and sat up straighter.
Channie said, “I cast so many moon-curses on myself, I’ll be lucky if I can conceive within the next five years.”
“Really?”
“You don’t sound very disappointed.”
“I want kids someday, but not until we can afford them and definitely not until this mage war is over.”
Aunt Wisdom said, “Don’t worry about birth control tonight. I’ll scan Channie when I get back and take care of any … complications.”
The hell she would. If by some miracle Channie did conceive, she wasn’t about to let Aunt Wisdom or anyone else harm Josh’s baby. Even if that meant asking Momma and Daddy to help out.
Aunt Wisdom said, “I’ll see you tomorrow evening,” and left.
~***~
Josh said, “So … no pressure, right?”
“Yeah. No pressure.”
They were married now. There was no reason to feel guilty or embarrassed or shy, but Channie couldn’t help it. She trembled as she thought about what they were supposed to do … what they were expected to do. What they had to do before this night was over.
Her head felt like it was going to explode.
She wasn’t the least bit cold, the wedding bower alone held enough heat from Josh’s magical release that it would keep them warm until morning, but she couldn’t stop shaking.
Josh was trembling too. “What’s wrong? Does your head still hurt?”
“Yeah.” It hurt like hell, so that wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. “I’m … nervous.”
Josh stroked her cheek. “Me too.”
“You are?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know, maybe because you’re a guy and you’ve wanted to do this for a long time.”
“True, but I also want to please you. And I’m afraid I might hurt you. You already have a headache and—”
Channie interrupted him with a kiss. When they came up for air she said, “Maybe we’re over-thinking this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe if we get under the covers and cuddle, things will … you know … progress.”
“Okay.” Josh grinned then got up and pulled down the covers on his side of the bed. He helped Channie scoot over and crawl under the sheets, then joined her. “How’s this?”