Blessedly Bound

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “Well if I am going to work our blood into yarn, why don't you knit me something too?”

  “I don't knit.”

  “I can teach you. I'd like to teach you something. You've taught me so much, and I imagine you will teach me more.”

  “I hope so. I would love for you to teach me.”

  “Good, let me think about it and talk to Lewis. I'll call you. Probably this weekend. Is there a rush? Do I need to be scared now?”

  “Sweetheart, there is a killer on the loose and Lewis is away. That worries me now.”

  She agreed. She didn't like to be alone considering what she had seen at the campgrounds.

  He observed the fear in her eyes. “Did you want to come to my place? I have to go in the morning as you know and Yardley can watch over you until you wake up.”

  She wanted to ask about Yardley but decided she had enough to take in for one night. She agreed that she didn't want to be alone at night in the empty house and they drove her truck to his place.

  They spent the rest of the night in his library, talking mostly about what would be done in the blood ritual and how to knit magic.

  She drifted off well before time for him to go.

  He moved her to a guest room and gave Yardley instructions not to disturb her, but to make sure he answered the door to absolutely no one until she was awake.

  It was the first night in many he felt peaceful as he bolted his door.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  G wen rolled over and tugged the blankets up to her chin. The bed felt soft, the blankets plush, and the pillow cradled her head. The smell of exotic spices reminded her of Sebastian. She caught a glimpse of his blue eyes, lashes dancing when he blinked before her eyes opened. She looked around, seeing she was in a strange bedroom, on a strange bed.

  Memories of being in his library came to her and she assumed he moved her when she fell asleep. She blushed a little, seeing that she was sleeping in her shirt and long johns, her pants were folded on the dresser. After a moment of thinking about it, she hoped it was Sebastian and not Yardley who had tucked her in.

  She got up and dressed, before making the bed. It was a huge four-post bed made up with fluffy soft sheets and a thick comforter, all in rich red, all calling her to lay back down and forget about her troubles. There was a wooden dresser and a small night table beside the bed. She used the huge mirror that hung over the dresser to make sure she didn't look too disheveled.

  Still half asleep, she opened the door and started down the hall.

  “Hello?” she called out as she searched for, found, and started down the stairs.

  Every hallway, every inch of his house gave off the same luxury and grace he did.

  At the foot of the stairs Yardley greeted her. “Ma'am, I have coffee and some pastries if you are hungry.”

  “Coffee would be lovely, thank you.” She followed him to the kitchen.

  “Would you like to eat in the dining room?”

  “No,” she said, and sat on a stool in the kitchen. “This will do.”

  As she drank her coffee and ate a raspberry danish he had given her anyway, she watched Yardley, wondering what the connection could be or if he were really just hired help. She assumed there must be more because she got the impression he knew what Sebastian was.

  After she ate, he asked if she needed anything else and then escorted her out, having her coat and purse waiting by the door. When she walked out he smiled at her and said, “I hope to see you again soon, Miss Hensley.”

  When Gwen got home she was a little sad to feel that Lewis wasn't there. Her mind drifted to the night before and she wondered where he was. Could it be he was lying about making a re-connection and he was actually doing whatever voodoo stuff it was that had Sebastian so worried?

  After she changed, she walked to the glass room and thought about what she wanted to do. Did she want to make a bond like that with Sebastian? What did she want with him? He still drew her to him like they were connected at the soul already.

  She had never seen a fang when he smiled, but in her mind she could see it, see them, as a snarl and dripping in blood. Would she ever not imagine him as a monster? If they were only bonded by a knitted something she could take it off, she could never put it on to begin with, not unless there was a real need.

  She needed to ask him what the actual blood bond would do. Would they still have some sort of forever bond just from doing that? They must. At least in some way.

  Restless, she walked upstairs and took one of Lizzy's journals. With everything else going on she had forgotten all about them. Most nights she fell asleep too tired to read anyway.

  She sat at the window seat, letting the sun warm her as she read. The story picked up with her mother leaving. After she left, Lizzy clung to some unnamed lover to keep from spiraling into sadness. From the references to others Gwen figured it wasn't her familiar or Sebastian. Gwen flipped through the juicy details, not wanting to pry like that.

  After Winnie had her accident, Lizzy and Sebastian again disagreed on what to do about Gwen. He had wanted to go get her, and Lizzy thought this Fannie woman would find her too easily there. They all stayed in touch with the foster home who had taken in Gwen. Gwen tried not to judge Lizzy for abandoning her. It was clear from her words that she felt a true fear for her safety and really believed what she did was needed. She mentioned it daily, mourned for William and Winnie, and struggled to carry on herself.

  Watching Will's brother everyday makes my heart sad. I wish he would have left town as they agreed on before Lenny took my Will away.

  Gwen felt her head spin. They were family, she knew that from what she saw at the campgrounds. William had a brother? In town? One he and Lizzy wanted to go away, why? Was whatever they wanted him gone for bad enough to kill over? Did Lizzy not know it wasn't Lenny? Gwen closed the book. Maybe she figured it out and that is why he killed her too.

  She stood and started down the stairs, book in hand. Someone would know if William had a brother. Father George and the yarn ladies had said he had no family. Who would know? Someone close to him, maybe one of his men, Curtis? He might know. Lenny would know for sure, he could give her a name. She wished it were Monday. Getting through today and Sunday was going to be torture.

  She called and listened to Sebastian's recording. There was something soothing about hearing his voice. She left a message about what she had found out and then walked downstairs to make something to eat.

  After she ate, Gwen looked at the un-dyed yarns she had, and decided to prepare them both. If she were going to make this bond she would need them ready to dye as soon as possible. She was hanging the freshly washed yarn to dry when she felt Lewis come in.

  She was so relieved to not be alone she forgot all about how mad she was at him for talking about her to Sebastian, or for keeping secrets, or for leaving. She went to his arms as soon as he shifted. “I've missed you.”

  He folded her in his arms, breathing in her pure clean scent, letting it wash away the darkness of where he had been and what he had seen. “I'm sorry I was gone so long, my love.”

  She told him about what she read, about the talk with Sebastian, and after she finished the yarn, they went to the main room.

  “So, you think it is those boys? The ones who were in the article?” he asked.

  “Well they were the only brothers. Maybe I should call Monday and make sure that Pratch looks at them next.”

  “What about the other, with Sebastian, have you decided?”

  “Is it pressing, Lewis? Really pressing? I mean I made some yarn in case it is, to make the charms with, but if it isn't, I'd like more time to decide how I feel about him.”

  Lewis looked to the right. How was he really going to push her into this? He didn't want her bonded to him. He wanted to take her and run away, but he knew they wouldn't be safe. Fannie had made sure he was under her evil thumb. Gwen would need Sebastian. “Yes, it is. It could be.”

  “Will you tell me why?”


  “Please, Gwen, can't you trust that the less you know for now the better.”

  “It's about that voodoo lady, Fannie? Has she hurt you?”

  Lewis pulled her to him so she wouldn't be able to see his face. “It is about her and it's complicated.”

  “Will you be okay? I mean if I have Sebastian to protect me, who protects you?”

  “You do.”

  “I will. Lewis, I promise whatever happened, if I can help you I will. Let me help you. Tell me what I need to know so that I can.”

  “I will. Not now.”

  “But you will?”

  “I will.”

  “Fine, I will make the bond with him.”

  He didn't know if he should celebrate or cry. Instead, he hugged her tight. “I love you, Gwen.”

  “Forever, Lewis, I love you.”

  He held her a while longer before she looked up at him. “Did he tell you it would need blood magic?”

  Lewis wrinkled his nose and frowned. “Yes.”

  “I hope it isn't too gruesome. I don't have a stomach for stuff like that.”

  “I will stay with you, as close as I can.”

  The rest of the day was uneventful. They talked about the boys, about the journals, about the detective, and who it could be. Even though it was a small town they hadn't met everyone, so it was possible it was some older man they just hadn't happened across. There were hundreds of people it could be.

  Sebastian called after the sun went down, and Gwen filled him in on everything. They decided that things could be done that night, agreeing to work the magic at his house so there would be no risk of calling something dark to her house, and so her place wouldn't have anything dark lingering after they were done.

  Lewis and Gwen drove over.

  Yardley was expecting them and Sebastian was quick to greet them in the main room.

  “I need to have a brief talk with Gwen first,” he said, and Lewis waited out in the hallway as they walked into another room.

  Gwen looked at him, watching as he chose his words. “I know we already talked about there being a price, but I just need you to be sure. This, what we do here tonight will forever shift your path.”

  “You said the cost would be small.”

  “It will, but make no mistake it changes your path. This is dark magic; it links you to a monster.”

  “To you. Sebastian, we have been linked since the day I arrived. I felt it and you felt it. I get the impression from what I have read in the journals, we may have been linked even before I was born. Who are we to say that this isn't part of my path, you are part of my path.”

  As he stepped closer she didn't back away. His arms wrapped around her and he leaned down, kissing the top of her head. “I will always endeavor to make your path as beautiful and gentle as you are.”

  She enjoyed his embrace a moment before they walked back to Lewis. Together, they all went to his altar room. Gwen instantly got the impression it was a much darker place than Lizzy's was. She could feel something left over from the last time he worked magic with Lewis. The room was a good size, though still just a room, not a whole floor like at her house. There was a small altar table and a few shelves with various things on them against the walls.

  She didn't realize how hard she had been holding on to Lewis until her hand started to ache.

  He reached up and stroked her back gently.

  When Sebastian closed the door, she felt her heartbeat ramp up.

  He looked at her, his eyes were sweet and filled with worry. “Are you certain you want to do this? We could figure out something else.”

  “No. I'm fine,” she said.

  Sebastian nodded and started to gather some things from the shelves, placing them on the ground in the center of the room. “It will probably be best for you if you wait outside the circle,” he said to Lewis.

  Gwen slowly released his hand and gave him a quick hug before she walked over to where Sebastian stood. She watched nervously as he closed them in a circle. She had no idea what he used, but it didn't look like any of the powders he used when teaching her to make circles. It wasn't so much a powdery substance as it was flakes, and they were a deep gray.

  She looked down at her feet, there were a lot of herbs and liquids set out. There was also a decent size cast iron pot, but her eyes were drawn to something more menacing. The small dagger with red and black jewels running along the handle made her shudder. She stared down at it, watching her reflection in the blade.

  When Sebastian finished with the preparations, he helped Gwen to kneel and joined her on the ground.

  She listened as he chanted in a hard tone. It was in a language she had never heard, it was not his smooth rolling Spanish, but something more utilitarian sounding.

  When he looked to her, his eyes were still gentle but his words were firm. “I need you to repeat exactly what I say and then take this.” He handed her the dagger. “After you say the words, close your hand around the blade and slide the knife out. Please, do it gently. It is very sharp.”

  She nodded, her throat was too dry to even let her croak out a yes.

  He reached out and touched her jaw with his thumb. His eyes said 'I love you' without him needing to say a word.

  She took the blade from his hand and drew in a few calming breaths.

  Sebastian said a few words, and then gave her the response she needed to say, repeating it to her slowly so she could get the enunciation correct. He watched and listened. When she completed the words, he nodded in approval.

  Gwen closed her eyes, wrapped her hand on the blade, and slid it down. She didn't open her eyes; afraid she might pass out at the sight. She felt his hand take hers and dared a look, seeing he had guided her hand so that the drips of blood would fall into the pot on the ground.

  Sebastian watched the blood dripping, again wondering if this was the right step for her to take. When he had enough to work with, he turned her hand and opened her palm. He ran his finger along the cut, whispering a few words and the cut sealed, stopping the bleeding.

  “Repeat this question to me,” he said, and then very slowly said a few words.

  Gwen repeated the words and listened as he responded the same as she had. Her eyes were drawn to his hands as he cut into his palm and let his blood drip into the pot with hers. She was shocked at how much thicker and darker his blood was.

  His cut stopped bleeding on its own and she watched as he crushed some herbs and blended a few liquids. He said some more words and added a final liquid that hissed and caused the pot to burst into flames.

  As she watched the fire burning, she considered what they had just done. It crossed her mind that the way they exchanged questions and answers was similar to a wedding vow and she wondered what sort of ritual it was exactly. As the fire died down, she thought it was a bit too late for more questions.

  He turned to her and gave a weary smile. “It's done. I will pour this into something so you can make the dye. That will be the part you have to do. We both have to have a hand in this.” He stood and said a few words and opened the circle. “You want to clear the darkness from her?” he asked Lewis as he left the circle to get a vial for the mixture.

  Lewis had watched the whole blood marriage in horror, trying not to flash back to the things he had done with Fannie. Cleansing Gwen of Sebastian's tainted magic was something he would gladly do.

  Gwen watched Sebastian as Lewis cleansed her. She could feel something was different, even though she still needed to weave the shawl. That tension and pulling to him that she always felt was even stronger. There was a deeper feeling that she was his and he was hers. They belonged to each other.

  When he handed her the vial, he still had a look of worry for her.

  “I'm fine,” she said softly.

  They all walked back to his front room.

  “I wish I could stay with you. I'm sorry,” Sebastian said, as they lingered at the door. He knew things were still not right between them and as much
as he hated it, he needed to give her the space to figure it out on her own.

  “I'll work on the yarn tomorrow. I need to get a few things from town first. If you want, I can teach you how to knit tomorrow night. The yarn may not be dry, but regardless, I can teach you tomorrow since you need to learn on some scrap stuff,” Gwen said, and paused, considering a hug but didn't. She knew she was rambling. Her nerves were shot and she needed sleep. “It should be dry enough to work with Monday.”

  “I'll watch over her,” Lewis said, and pulled her under his arm, putting an end to any thoughts either of them were having. He could feel her vulnerability and see that things between her and Sebastian were turning back to where they had been quickly.

  When they got home, Lewis laid with her until she drifted off, thinking about how things had ended up. It seemed to him an awful tragedy that he should end up with Fannie and Sebastian got his witch. Fannie had been awful interested in what Sebastian was doing, and that made him wonder if there wasn't a way to flip this on end. Could he offer Sebastian to her in place of Gwen?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  A fter making some coffee to go and giving Lewis a brief hello, Gwen made her way to town to get the few things she would need to start the yarn. Her thinking was she needed to get started before she changed her mind.

  She made two stops, one at the florist and one at the grocery. She decided on red, because if she did it right, it would be a deep red that would suit both a man and woman, and somehow seemed fitting considering what the garments were.

  When she pulled in the diner she saw the patrol car there and assumed it was Curtis. For a brief moment she considered pulling out, but quickly pushed the urge away. He may be gruff and he may have no knack for his job, but he didn't deserve to be snubbed. She figured he was genuinely trying and that he was there so often because of something between him and Mel, which still made her smile.

  “Hey sweetie, you want toast or danish today?” Mel asked, already having her two favorites memorized.

  “Hmm, how about a danish and coffee,” Gwen said, and took a seat at the counter. She didn't see Curtis, but there was a deputy at a table in the corner, who was probably driving the car.