The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch

by Dakota Trace

  won’t let it happen.”

  “Then you deal with him, Zara because I’m done.”

  * * * *

  Watching her future daughter, Aria decided she had no choice but to call upon her husband. It would be disastrous if Gracie tried to run now. Reaching out, she used their bond with ease. 88

  “Mica, she’s going to run. I fear what will happen if she does. How strong do you think our son’s control is?”

  “I’m not sure it’s strong enough to take her running at this point. Keep her there and I’ll get him.”

  “I will.” Turning back to face Gracie, Aria paled. She was gone.

  * * * *

  Rand entered Gracie's rooms without knocking. Gracie was curled up on top of her bed. Her head turned to him as he strode across the room. Placing his hands on his hips, he stared down at her. “You dare to think about running from me?” He reached down and pulled her off the bed.

  “Let me go.” Pushing against his chest, she tried to break free of his hold.

  Queen Aria rushed into the room followed by Olivia.

  "Now, son, you need to stop and think this through.”

  “What’s to think about? She threatened to leave me! I won’t allow it!”

  * * * *

  “Of course not, her place is at your side.” Keeping her tone soft, Aria sent an urgent plea to her husband. Hurry up Mica. He’s going to lose it. Why did she have to challenge him? I don’t think I’m strong enough to prevent him from claiming her. I'm coming, love, and Colin is with me. Between the two of us we’ll be able to prevent this from happening.

  When King Mica and Colin burst into the room, the sight greeting them was worse than they’d expected. Rand had Gracie wrapped in his arms was mating with her 89

  mouth. From the sounds coming from the couple, it was obvious time was of the essence.

  "Rand!" When his son was slow to respond, Mica realized just how far he was gone.

  A curse escaped him. Stopping next to him, he knew laying hands on Rand could possibly make things worse. Striving for patience, he began speaking calmly; hoping common sense would win out over the overpowering need to claim.

  "Son, listen to me. I know how hot the mezclar burns. Gracie doesn’t understand the temptations it represents. But rest assured we’ll keep her at your side until the completion of the ritual. She’s not going anywhere but you’ve got to release her. Don’t throw your honor away in a moment of burning passion. Pull back from the edge. You’re stronger than this. In less than ten days you’ll wed. Gracie and you will probably set the whole palace on fire but for now just hang on."

  * * * *

  From a distance, Rand could hear his father’s words. The words of reason; he couldn’t do this now. His honor would be forfeit. “No! Claim her! Make her ours.”

  “No! It’s not the time.”

  “Yes it is. She’s challenged us and it cannot go unanswered.”

  “No. I’m in control here, Ruzac! This is Gracie. My Gracie, not your Zara.”

  “Claim her!”

  Pushing down on his sentient power, he focused on his dad and the incendiary heat consuming him. He needed an outlet. Releasing Gracie, he stumbled towards the 90

  French doors. A shout rose from courtyard. The water in the wishing fountain began to roll wildly.

  "That's right, son. Get rid of it."

  As the last bit of the wildest part of the fire extinguished in the fountain, he spoke.

  "I'm in control now. I promise I won't rape her." His own disgust at his lack of control struck home. Not trusting his fragile hold on Ruzac, he left Gracie’s room without even looking at her, scared that one look into her passion glazed eyes would break it.

  * * * *

  When her father and Mica followed Rand out of the room, Gracie sank onto the bed. "This has got to stop.” Looking up at her mother and Aria, she gestured wildly. “The wildness of this can’t be controlled. This is only going to get worse. Why else do you think I’ve been fighting so hard? It has nothing to do with the fact I’m his best friend. Or even if I love him." Standing on trembling legs, she faced them. “It can’t be controlled and in the end it’ll destroy us both.”

  “It’ll never consume you, sweetheart. With the balance between you and Rand,

  it may become wild and erotic but never will the fire consume either of you.”

  “As much as I’d like to believe you, the burn is still so strong. I think perhaps a walk is in order for me to cool down.”

  * * * *

  Mica tapped his fingers on his desk as Colin and he waited in the King's Solar for Jonathan to join them. He’d a plan but it all hinged on Jonathan’s participation. The incident in Gracie’s room had been too close for comfort. 91

  Jonathan strode into the King's solar a short while later. After making the customary bow to the king and his advisor, he waited to for the King to speak.

  “There was an incident early this afternoon with Rand and Gracie.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Yes, I’d heard about it. It’s quite the buzz around the castle.”

  Mica nodded. “The only thing I can suggest to keep it from happening again is having a chaperon with them at all times – even at night. I know Rand will be resistant to the idea but out of everyone I can think of, you’re the one I think he’ll be the least likely to object to.”

  “True. I don’t mind chaperoning him even though it’ll make my own courtship plans a bit more difficult. We can’t have them spinning out of control again. And knowing Gracie, it’s only a matter of time before she tests his patience again. She’s made an art form of getting under his skin.”

  "I don't want this to interfere with your courtship of Colin's daughter, Jonathan but I’m glad you understand the severity of this."

  "Courtship?”

  Facing Colin, Jonathan nodded. “Something peculiar has happened. My sentient power has claimed Pati, Colin. I don’t understand why but you know as well as I, once it happens there is no reversing it. Not that I’d want to. I’m having one of the Masters look into it to see why it occurred and what protocol I need to follow. But doubt me not, Colin, Pati is no sooner going to escape me than Gracie is Rand. She’s mine.”

  “I would expect no less of you, Jonathan. Now that only leaves one more thing to discuss.”

  "What's that?" The king looked at him.

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  "Who gets to tell Rand he's gonna have a babysitter?"

  * * * *

  "How did I get elected to do this?" Jonathan mumbled to himself as he knocked on the door to Rand's suite. He could hear his friend moving around in the room before the door slowly swung open. Jonathan was taken back at his friend’s appearance. Rand's ebony hair stood up at all angles on his head and Jonathan could see the tremors still racked him. Deciding to take this into his own hands, he threw his arm around his best friend and smiled. "Come on let's go work off some of this energy." Jonathan dragged Rand down the hall to the palace’s exercise room.

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  Chapter Five

  “It’s too much, Wildcat. We can’t…” Rand ripped his mouth way from the bared curves of her breasts. After the brutal workout Jonathan had forced him through, he assumed he’d be tired enough to resist temptation and had merged with his chosen as was his nightly custom. He just hadn’t expected to find her having an erotic dream.

  “What did you expect to happen when you snuck into my dreams?” Gracie crossed her arms covering her breasts. “Zira has gone into heat and you honestly expected Ruzac to resist temptation once he found himself here? You’re a bigger fool than I thought you were if you thought he would.”

  Sitting on the edge of her rumpled bed, he drew deep breaths into his burning lungs. He didn't dare look at her; it wouldn't take much for him to give in to both Ruzac and his own burning need to claim his chosen.

  “Perhaps this was a mistake, Rand. I thought I could control it. I’d forgotten

  how out of control the mezclar makes me.”

/>   For once Ruzac actually sounded contrite. Surging to his feet, he paced over to the large standing armoire. Leaning against the cool wood, he couldn’t help but stare at her.

  Sitting amidst her pillows and ‘dryla’ sheets, she was the ultimate temptation.

  “Bastard!” Zara’s cry rang through the dream plane.

  “What the hell did you do, Ruzac?” Rand was astonished.

  “Gave Zara incentive to keep Gracie in line. There’s no way, she’s going to let

  her use the loophole now.”

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  “I ought to, Ruzac, just to spite your stubborn ass! Get the hell out of her

  dream and don’t come back until you’re both invited!”

  Without warning Rand found himself barred from Gracie’s dream and back in his room. Rolling over and off his bed, he headed for his French doors, intending on walking the short distance to Gracie’s room.

  “Where are you headed, bud?”

  Jonathan’s voice jerked him to a stop. Running his hand through his hair, he shrugged.

  “After what happened earlier do you honestly think being alone with Gracie is wise?”

  “Not really but I need to see her. Ruzac did something stupid to Zara and I’ve a feeling I’m the one who’s gonna pay for it.”

  “Even though he’s your sentient power, Rand, you control him, not the other way around. Sometimes you have to put your foot down. He may be the reincarnated spirit of your great grandfather but you’re in control.”

  “Boy, you were the one who was worried about her using the stupid loophole.

  You should be thanking me. She won’t be able to escape you now.”

  “What the hell did you do, Ruzac?”

  “I placed a spell on Zara.”

  “What kind of spell?”

  “One which will keep her on the edge of release until you claim Gracie.”

  “Rand?”

  Opening his eyes, he focused on Jonathan. “If he weren’t already dead, I’d kill him.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.”

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  “It’s not. He’s placed a sexual non-fulfillment spell on Gracie’s sentient power. She can’t come anymore than the two of us.”

  Jonathan paled. “I’ll kill him for you. Do you realize with Gracie’s sentient power entrapped in such a spell the mezclar is only going to get worse?”

  * * * *

  Gracie stood at the edge of the gardens. She tried to push all thoughts of leaving from her mind. She didn’t want Zara to realize what she’d planned until it was too late to stop her. After Ruzac had placed a…a shudder raced over her…sexual containment spell on Zara, she’d realized enough was enough. This has gotten totally out of hand. It’s time for me to leave. Perhaps time and space will lessen the affect of the mezclar.

  A twinge of regret washed over her as she’d scrawled a note for Rand, gathered a few things and exited the room via the balcony. She made her way through the extensive gardens. Looking back up at the lighted windows of the palace, she knew it was time for her to disappear. Even though it would be fruitless and only temporary, she needed a little breathing space. I know Rand will follow for certain but perhaps I’ll luck out and get enough time to figure this whole thing out.

  “What are you doing, Gracie?”

  “Taking some time and space away from the whole situation.”

  “You can’t…dammit! Ruzac, she’s getting ready to run…”

  “Damn it, Zara, why did you have to do that?”

  Stealing one more glance at the palace, she whispered an invisibility spell and disappeared into thin air.

  “Good-bye, Rand.”

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  * * * *

  Rand's head flew up. He could’ve sworn he’d just heard Gracie whisper ‘Good–bye, Rand’.

  “She’s gone. Zara just called out. Gracie’s running.”

  "No!" He knocked over the chair he’d been sitting in. Yanking open the French doors, he stormed across the balcony towards her room.

  “Rand, where are you going?” Jonathan trailed after him.

  “She’s gone!” Jerking the door open, he stormed into her room. Of course it was empty. Glancing around, he immediately noticed a note lying on the dresser. With a vicious jerk, he ripped it open. His anger grew as he read. Crumbling it in his fist, he threw it at Jonathan. “I’m going to paddle her ass!”

  Smoothing out the paper, Jonathan read it.

  Rand,

  After what happened between us, I’ve decided I need to take some time away from our situation. I’m sorry but I can’t stay here right now and fight both you and this thing with the mezclar. Let me go. I promise I’ll return in time for the ceremony, if there is one.

  Take this time to decide if I’m what you want. I won’t change who or what I am. To be honest with you if you decide I am your chosen, then be prepared to learn the fine art of compromising because I won’t sit back and let you make all my decisions for me.

  Gracie

  Jonathan read it a second time before he looked up from the paper to his best friend.

  “Is she delusional?”

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  “I don’t know what she is but I’m not going to stand for this shit anymore.

  Compromise my ass. She’s mine and I’m going to remind her of that. Thanks to her, I can now reach out and touch her mind at will. She’ll be back where she belongs within twenty minutes.”

  Jonathan rubbed his neck before suggesting an alternative. “Why not let her go, Rand? Don’t establish contact. Let her experience what it’s going to be like without you.

  Let her come to her own decision about coming back.”

  “And if she decides against it?”

  “Honestly, after reading her note, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about it.”

  “And if it were Pati, Jonathan? Would you be as understanding with her?”

  When a warning growl escaped Jonathan, Rand chuckled. “I didn’t think so.”

  “I’ll compromise with you, Jonathan, just to prove I can. I’ll give her tonight and then I’m chasing her ass down and bringing her back.”

  After his cousin left the room, Rand smiled wickedly. “Ah, Wildcat, I wish you hadn’t done this. But we’ll see how well you handle your sentient power tonight without the dream merge.”

  “We need to go after her, boy.”

  “No. Just as Jonathan said, Ruzac, I’m in charge here. Tomorrow will be soon enough. Let’s allow her and your Zara to stew for the night.”

  “But…”

  “I’m not going to discuss this with you and since I’m the one who controls the physical body, I’ll be making the decisions.”

  “You dare challenge me?”

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  If circumstances had been different, Rand would’ve found the humor in the situation, but with his nerves already raw from his last confrontation with Ruzac, humor was the furthest thing from his mind.

  * * * *

  Patience paced across her living room. She’d wanted to resist his request to see her after what’d happened the last time they’d been together. But when he told me it had to do with Gracie, I couldn’t in good conscience refuse. I did give my word to help get my sister to the altar. I just can’t believe she ran. After all the warnings Rand gave her, plus the fact that Zara let her go is such a surprise. "So what’s Rand doing about it? How are we going to help him if she’s gone?”

  "Sweetheart, calm down." Jonathan placed a hand on her shoulder.

  She went still while pleasure filled her at his touch. “Let go of me, Jonathan. I haven’t given you permission to touch me.”

  He chuckled and bent his head to hers. “Do I honestly look like a man who waits for permission to touch his woman?”

  “No, but I’m not your woman nor will I be. Besides now is not the time to rehash this issue. We need to find a solution before she brings disaster down upon my mother and father. Her running from Rand is not a small slight that can just be at
tributed to premarital nerves. Not to mention the Council of the Elders may possibly imprison her for it. The daughter of an advisor doesn’t turn down marriage to the Crown Prince. It’s pure luck that Rand hasn’t called out the cavalry to bring her back."

  "And if he did, quite a few of them would’ve been hurt in the process. I won’t go back until I’m ready, Pati.”

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  Both spun around to see Grace standing in the doorway. When Jonathan reached for the com unit strapped to his waist, Gracie sighed.

  "I don’t want to hurt you, Jonathan, but if you try to contact Rand, I will. Even if you did manage to get a call off to him before I stop you, I won’t be here by the time he arrives. So is it worth the pain it’s going to cause both of us?" She spoke more calmly than she felt. "Don’t force my hand. You’re not going to call him."

  "He's our best friend. The Gracie I knew wouldn’t be so cruel. He cares about you.”

  "I know he does and I care too much about him to marry him when he wants more than I can give.”

  Pati watched the interplay between Jonathan and Gracie. If it came down to a battle of powers, she wasn’t sure who’d win. While her sister’s power was not yet known, Jonathan’s was well documented.

  "You know I’m going to call him. As your chosen he has the right to know you’re safe. Simply let me know where you’re going and I’ll tell him.”

  “And he’ll promptly show up.”

  It was obvious Jonathan was thinking of another angle when he switched tactics.

  "He has a real bond with you. You know there’ll be no other for him.”

  “Playing the poor Rand card are we? Okay I’ll play. Rand started this. I didn’t ask to be his chosen nor did I ask for his hand in marriage. And I damned sure didn’t ask for the constant burn of the mezclar –“