The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch

by Dakota Trace

  “I…I…think I’m…fine…”

  Frowning, he sank down into a crouch in front of her.

  “Pati, baby, what’s wrong?”

  Closing her eyes, she shook her head.

  “Talk to me. I won’t know how to help you if you don’t talk to me.”

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  “No. I’ll…be fine. All I want is sleep.”

  Nodding, even though he didn’t believe his chosen’s words, he picked her up and walked back to his bedroom. Settling her on the bed, he walked quickly back out to the kitchen. Grabbing a cold bottle of water from the fridge, he guzzled over half of it. He could feel the fire building once more. Damn it. I wanted to let her rest tonight.

  When he came through the living room, he could hear Pati's soft moans float down the hall.

  " Jonathan! Please, I burn!"

  Hanging his head in despair, he fought his need to go to his chosen and his duty to his cousin. I really should be helping Gracie find Rand. She looked so lost when we joined her and Uncle Mica. I know I couldn’t handle the separation from Pati so soon after our bonding. Gracie’s got to be going out of her mind.”

  “Go to her, Jonathan, and let me worry about finding Rand.” Gracie's voice filled his head as she used her twin bond with Pati to reach him.

  “But...”

  “Go to her, and that's an order. I’ll be home with Gracie soon. I believe I’ve a promise to keep to my wife and I don’t intend to renege.” Rand's voice echoed though him as if coming from a long, long distance.

  “Rand, you’re okay?”

  “Don’t worry about me. Pati should be your biggest concern. Your chosen needs you more than I do. Let Dad and Gracie find me.” Rand's voice began to fade.

  “Jonathan, where are you? I need you!” Pati’s voice seemed to be more insistent.

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  “I'm coming, baby.” Running down the hall, he entered his bedroom. Jonathan's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. In the shadows he could see his bed and Pati's naked form writhing against its sheets. Swallowing a growl, he quickly disrobed. Striding over to the bed, he paused beside it.

  Pati opened her eyes, sensing her mate was nearby. Her body was still burning with the effects of the aphrodisiac Brett had pumped into her. What little relief he’d given her at the cottage was gone.

  “Where are you, Jonathan? The fire - it burns.”

  "Shh, baby, I'm right here. I’d never let you battle the fire alone." Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he caught her when she rolled towards him. The touch of her skin against his nearly shattered the fragile hold he had on his unraveling self-control.

  "Jonathan." Her sigh of relief told its own story.

  "Pati, what have they done to us?" Using a quick, spell he undressed himself, no longer able to contain the need to feel naked skin against naked skin.

  When she reached between his legs to grasp his manhood, a loud moan tore free of his chest. Rolling her under him, he was barely able to suppress his urge to mount her.

  "I hope you are ready because I can't control this."

  "Yes…please!" Wrapping her legs around him, she clung to him while he sat back against the headboard. With her arranged on top of his distended cock, and with a quick check of her readiness, he slid deep inside her. With a scream of pleasure, she began to ride him as hard and fast as she could.

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  "Hell, yes!” Clenching her hips in his hands, he helped her move up and down on him. He hissed when she climaxed around him. Hanging on to the edges of his fraying control, he fought not to follow her over the edge.

  “More, baby! I want more!” Before she could come down from her peak, he held her still and hammered up into her convulsing folds.

  Pati squealed and her eyes flew open. Looking deep into his eyes at the intense desire she saw, she flew over the edge once more.

  "Oh my god, Jonathan!"

  "Yes," he hissed, "gonna fill you full."

  "No more…no more." Her sobs filled the room as she fought the need tearing through her body. The burning is never going to stop!

  Jonathan growled before rolling her under him. Hooking her legs over his shoulders, he smiled wickedly.

  "What?" A gasp of intense desire escaped her when he sank even deeper.

  "I want you to come again.” He pounded against her softness, intent on putting the fire out which was flaring even higher. “Let's put this fire out once and for all."

  "You don't have the stamina," she countered as she skated along edge of release.

  "Are you challenging me, baby?" Delving deeper, he couldn’t help but grin when his thrusting forced her to orgasm again.

  "Yes...no...I don't know."

  He smiled when he felt her folds massaging his trapped cock.

  "That's it, baby, come for me!" Jonathan grunted as he continued to move against her savagely.

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  * * * *

  “Wildcat?”

  Gracie sat up straighter in the backseat of the hovercraft. They hadn’t quite made it to the palace yet. The familiar caress of Rand's voice righted her unease.

  “Where are you?”

  “I'm not sure. As soon as I’ve an idea, I’ll let you know, but for the love of Mica once I figure it out, don’t come alone!”

  “ I won't. I’ll be bringing Zara with me.”

  “Gracie!” The warning was evident in his voice.

  “What?”

  “Promise me you’ll bring Jonathan, Dad or another who can protect you.”

  Anger rolled over Gracie.

  “This is what I’m talking about, Rand. You’ve got to start remembering I’m powerful in my own right. I can take care of myself!”

  “Not as long as I live and breathe, Grace Ann de Carthwright. You’re mine to protect!”

  “Shut the hell up, Rand, if that’s the kind of nonsense you’re going to spew.”

  .* * * *

  Rand lifted his aching head. He was sitting in a chair with his legs and arms bound tightly to it. Plus, it felt as if someone had taken a hammer to his head. Surveying his surroundings he tried to figure out where he was when his gaze landed on Aric.

  "I see you’re finally awake."

  When Rand only glared at him, Aric laughed.

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  "Is that supposed to scare me?"

  "You don't have to be scared to get hurt, Aric." Tugging on his bindings, he cursed inwardly at the fact he’d been betrayed by a wizard he had trusted. The room they were holding him in reminded him of a spaceship.

  "Captain, we're receiving a signal from Earth to enter her atmosphere," a tinny voice filtered into the room.

  "Acknowledged, I'll be to the bridge in just a moment."

  "You're taking me to Earth?"

  "Yes. We'll see how high and mighty you are when you are away from your own planet. Lets see how well you can function there." Walking towards the door, he told the crewman to put Rand in the ejection pod.

  "Aw, shit!" Reaching with his mind, he tried to connect with Gracie. A roar of frustration filled the room when he failed.

  * * * *

  Gracie exited the car, and slowly walked up the steps to the palace. She was relieved she’d be able to tell her mother Patience was once more safe with Jonathan. "Gracie, you're home.” Olivia’s gaze darted, looking for her other daughter.

  "She's with Jonathan, Mom," Gracie explained. "Other than the fact she was drugged, I do believe she is no worse for the wear."

  "Drugged? Not my Patience. She'd never touch the stuff."

  "She didn't take them willingly, Mom."

  “But she's with Jonathan, you say?"

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  Nodding, she turned to walk up the stairs. The short but intense battle with Brett added to her overwhelming need to be with her chosen. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to make it to their bedroom. Behind her she heard Mica offering Harold a room. The next morning would be soon enough to try to reverse the erasure spell.

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  Chapter Thirteen

  Knocking on the open doorframe to Colin’s office, Mica entered. Colin looked up from the scroll he’d been looking over.

  “Mica, you’re up early today. I wasn’t expecting to see you for at least another hour.”

  Raking his hand through his hair, he paced towards his advisor. “My son’s missing, our daughter Gracie hasn’t accepted their bond, and I fear for what this means. Not to mention I’ve a man who’s under the compulsion of a memory- erasure spell and I may have to sign out writs of treason for a man I’ve always looked at as another son.

  Charles trained side by side with Jonathan and Rand - a more honorable man I’ve never met.”

  “It’s unfortunate he married that nasty little witch, Deanna.”

  Mica nodded as he stopped in front of the window. Looking out, he was taken back to a time when he’d watched his son chase little Gracie Anne around the fountain. “It used to be so simple, Colin. Remember when they were kids? We’d watch them from up here. Gracie being chased by Rand while Pati sat under a tree and read a book.

  Jonathan would join in and help Rand catch her, so they could dump her in the fountain.

  Then Pati would invariably get up and join the melee and somehow Rand and Jonathan would end up in the water with Gracie. It always amazed me when your youngest daughter, without having any power would somehow best two wizards and a witch in training.”

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  “True. The Vindexicis nature was apparent even then, Mica. It’s sometimes hard for me to realize my little girls are all grown up now. I couldn’t be happier with their choices of mates. Pati and Jonathan are perfect together and not to worry once Gracie accepts him - faults and all, she’ll make Rand a perfect wife and mate. She’ll keep him from getting too arrogant.”

  Mica burst out laughing. “My son arrogant? Surely you jest!” Then he sobered and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “What are we going to do about this situation, Colin? I want my son back!”

  “We’ll get him back. In fact, I don’t expect him to be gone long. Rand is a powerful wizard in his own right.”

  * * * *

  Pati screamed when another orgasm raced through her already over-stimulated body. Jonathan, covered with a light sheen of sweat, cursed above her, obviously pushed to the edge of his control. "Any doubts, baby, about my stamina, now?” He slowed his thrusts to keep from being dragged over the edge with her.

  "None...oh please, Jonathan, come….I can’t take any more." Her cry was broken while another wave of pleasure washed over her.

  "Yes, you can. I’m going to push you past the point of this cursed drug, Patience. I want to feel the passion I tasted before from you.”

  A louder scream escaped her as he began to pound against her. Tilting her hips up with his wide hands, he made sure to hit the most sensitive spot of her sheath on every stroke.

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  Shaking her head when the heat returned and grew even stronger, she fought his hold. But Jonathan was not going to be denied. He wanted his chosen back and wasn’t going to stop until he got what he wanted. Rolling with her, he placed her on top of him, forcing her to sit up. He sank even deeper.

  “Please…Jonathan…oh…my God!” .

  "That's right, baby, move on me." Pressing his head back against the pillows, he fought his impending orgasm. He had a feeling pushing Pati to very limits sexually may be the key to breaking the bond the Raz-ice had on her. Looking up at her, he felt pride and sheer sexual need at the flush she carried from all the orgasms he’d coaxed out of her. His magic amulet caught the light and shimmered in the hollow of her throat. When she reached down and cupped her breasts, the slender hold he’d had on his body snapped and he erupted inside her. A roar filled the room, followed by a shrill satisfied scream.

  * * * *

  Gracie joined Colin and Mica in the main hall of the Palace. Harold was already present and pacing anxiously. “Relax, Harold. I promised it wouldn’t hurt.” Gracie’s voice carried over to the man.

  Turning towards her, his eyes lit up with delight and then dimmed.

  “Damn, Zara. I never intended to hurt Harold. I thought his childhood crush on me was gone. This thing I think Deanna may have done has hurt him in ways I’d never wanted him to be hurt.”

  “I know, Sweetheart. He’s several years younger than you and if it’s

  discovered to be Deanna behind this, I’ll personally cross over and take her

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  sentient power from her. What she did is more than cruel. No witch or wizard

  should ever use their power to take an unfair advantage of another’s feelings.”

  “My life would’ve been so much simpler if I’d fallen in love with him.”

  “Grace Anne!”

  “Calm down, Zara. I didn’t say I wanted to be in love with him, just that my life wouldn’t be so complicated.”

  “Rand is the perfect match for you! Why you can’t see it, is beyond me. You’re

  a fool if you let a few minor faults keep you from having the love of your life by

  your side every night.”

  “I’m not going to argue this with you! What you might be able to tolerate from Ruzac to keep him at your side, does NOT mean I’ll tolerate the same.”

  “Gracie?”

  Mica’s inquiry brought her back. “I’m late. I apologize. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  Colin wrapped his arm around his daughter. Bending his head to hers, he drew her into a hug. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “I’m just out of sorts, Daddy. This isn’t what I expected to have happen after I got married. It seems Aunt Clara’s prophesy is coming true and it scares me.”

  “He’ll be back, Gracie. Look at how hard he pursued you. If he wouldn’t let you with all your stubbornness stand in his way, no mere prophesy is going to keep him from you.”

  “Shall we begin?” Mica joined them.

  “Of course. What do you need me to do? I assume since you need three members of the de Carthwright family, I’ll be standing in Rand’s stead?”

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  While the erasure spell was easy for any mid-level witch or wizard, the reverse-erasure spell was much more complex and even higher level witches and wizards struggled with it. By joining the high powers of several of the de Carthwrights, it would be easier but no less complex of a spell to perform. For the spell to work there had to be familial ties between those performing it, and the de Carthwrights were one of the few families to possess such a thing.

  “Yes, if you don’t mind, Gracie. I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but I fear I’ve no choice.” Mica placed a hand on his daughter-in-law’s shoulder.

  “I understand.” Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath.

  The opening of the door behind her barely registered while she tried to absorb the enormity of what her father-in-law had asked of her.

  “Sorry about the delay. It couldn’t be helped. Are we ready to start?”

  Spinning around she saw Jonathan and her sister.

  “Pati!” She rushed forward to embrace her sister. Wrapping her arms around Pati, she couldn’t help but notice the trembling.

  Leaning in Pati breathed into her sister’s ear. “Kill me, please?”

  Looking back at her sister in concern, Gracie brushed her hair back. “Sissy?” The long ago childhood endearment escaped her.

  “Please, Gracie. I don’t know if I can handle another night like last night. This drug is going to be the death of me. I can’t ask Jonathan to go through this.”

  Gazing into the eyes so similar to her own, she could feel the depth and pain of her twin’s despair. “Nonsense, Pati…”

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  “Do you honestly think I won’t follow you, baby?” Jonathan’s voice was soft despite the anger Gracie knew her best friend had to be feeling. “We’re mates. If you choose to leave this world, then I have no choice but to follow.” Cupping Pati’s cheek with his hand, he lifted her face to
his. “Whatever you decide will decide both our fates. I can understand if you feel the need to give into the drug, but I was hoping the Vindexicis Warrior which I know is still buried under the drug’s effects will fight for us.” Running a thumb over her lower lip, he left the decision in his chosen’s hands. “Now choose, baby.

  Once your decision is made, it’s final and I won’t let you change your mind later.”

  Hope dawned in Pati’s eyes. “Do you honestly think the warrior is still there?”

  “Of course I do, baby. No drug could ever kill the fierce spirit of the Vindexicis inside of you.”

  “If you’re sure, then I choose to live.”

  Relief showed on his face. “That’s my girl. Fight for us.” Pressing a kiss against her lips, he sealed her vow. Lifting his head, he straightened. “Good, now we’ve dealt with that, I think it’s time to help Harold.” Offering his arm to Gracie, he escorted both his chosen and her sister back across the room, where Mica, Colin and Harold were waiting.

  “Are we ready?” Mica had felt the undercurrents between the three across the room.

  “Of course.” Gracie let go of Jonathan’s arm. “The sooner we do this, the sooner I find out where my husband is.”

  * * * *

  Rand sat fuming in the ejection pod as he listened to the automated system count down the time to ejection. 233

  "Ejection," the automated system confirmed. Rand gritted his teeth when he felt the pod leave the ship. Looking around, he desperately searched for something to cut the ropes restraining him.

  "Have a nice trip, Your Highness," Aric's voice came over the radio, "you should land somewhere in the middle of Iowa by all projections. I do hope the hick farmers don't shoot you on sight.” Aric’s laughter filled the pod. He toyed with the precious amulet he had removed from the unconscious Rand.

  "Damn it!" He struggled against the ropes.