Some of the stiffness left her body, and she leaned back against his chest. He continued to caress her arm.
He kissed her. He couldn’t help himself. Her lips were soft against his. He kissed her again, then moved to her closed eyes. Little kisses, and then he placed one on the tip of her nose.
She sighed, and he returned to her mouth, kissing and licking until she gave him entrance into her warmth. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Desire burst through him. Gabriella moaned and responded by grabbing onto his neck and hair.
“Garrett, your father is on line one.” Angeline’s voice on the intercom echoed in the room.
With a groan, Garrett reluctantly pulled away from Ella. She looked dazed, and her lips were swollen from his kisses. He kissed the tip of her nose as she blinked. Her hands fell from around his neck, and he felt a sudden loss. He brushed her hair back from her face before running his thumb over her lips. A slow smile blossomed on her face. He felt an answering glow in his heart.
“Tell him I will call him back in a few minutes, please.” His voice came out a little rough. Angeline didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes, sir.” Angeline replied, and the room went quiet once again.
§
Good Goddess, Garrett can kiss. It wouldn’t have been much longer before she started to strip his clothes off. The bulge resting against her bottom suggested that Garrett wouldn’t have stopped her. Even now, looking at him, his hair slightly mussed from her hands, she wanted to go back to the ecstasy she felt before they were interrupted.
Of course, making love in the Guardian conference room probably wasn’t a smart idea. Somewhere more private would work better. She wiggled a little in his lap and smiled when he grabbed her hip and moaned.
“If I ported us out of here right now, I might lose my job.” Garrett’s voice sounded strained.
Gabriella doubted he would lose his job. Guardians were chosen by magic itself as its guardian and protector. Hence the name. Once a Guardian, always a Guardian. At least, he wanted her enough to think about porting. But that big question still hung between them. Would she go through the ritual with him, maybe as early as tonight? Gabriella looked away. She couldn’t think clearly while looking at Garrett.
Venetia had told her a Destined One was a great gift and she should grab on with both hands. Did she want to bind herself to Garrett? The ritual was more than a magic ceremony. It was a marriage. But more than that, once done it couldn’t be undone. Their magic would merge, a bond on the soul level. Two halves becoming a whole, male and female, plus and minus, Ying and Yang. Call it what you will, it was powerful magic. It would change both of them, make them something more.
She shivered. Garrett looked at her, his gaze tender. Whatever she wanted to do, she knew he would agree. They could have the ceremony today, next month, or never. The temptation was overwhelming. Every young witch wished for her Destined One to find her. This man was her true love. The thing fairytales were based on. Why was she resisting?
“All right, let’s do the ritual tonight,” she said. “Whatever the future brings, at least I will have experienced the Destined One’s bond.” Venetia was right. She needed to grab at this chance of happiness with both hands.
“I’ll try to make you happy, Ella. I know it’s too soon to talk of love. But I’m sure that will come, too.” Garrett kissed her lightly on the mouth before standing and helping her to regain her footing. Once she was steady, he took her hand. “Come on, we need to tell Mabel and call my father. Would you like to invite Venetia to come?”
“Yes, she’s been like a mother to me.”
“I’d like that too. She knew my mother, as well.”
§
Garrett couldn’t wipe the sappy grin from his face. Ella had said yes. They told Mabel, and he called his father. He wanted to yell it to the rafters. She said yes. His Destined One wanted him. He frowned suddenly and looked over at Gabriella, who was talking with Venetia on the phone. Was the Destined One’s attraction making her say yes? Was it all an illusion constructed of magic?
He ran his hand over his eyes. He wanted this. Gabriella was his. Destined Ones were true loves. They would find love in each other, together. But how did he know for sure?
Gabriella hung up the phone and walked over to where he sat at his desk. He snagged her wrist and pulled her into his lap. “Tell me why.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Tell me why you want to go through the ceremony.” He didn’t want to scare her, but he had to know.
“I thought you wanted to.”
“But why, Ella? Is it just the attraction? Is it the stories people tell?”
“The attraction is part of it …”
“Attraction isn’t enough. I won’t do this if all we have is lust.”
“Is that all you feel for me, Garrett? Lust?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Garrett found his hand shaking.
“I know we just met and things have gotten off to a bad start,” Ella said. “But I saw you in my dreams. I know that you are a careful man, dedicated to keeping bad things from people. You try so hard to do what’s right. I know you didn’t want to hurt me, even when you put that nullifying cuff on me. You came for me and rescued me. Wait,” she put her hand over his mouth when he would have interrupted. “I see how you are with your family and friends. I … I think I could love you, that I’m already making my way to loving you. Maybe, I’m fooling myself, but I think you might be moving toward loving me in return. I’m willing to take the chance and bond with you. I know life isn’t a fairytale. But I want to live life to the fullest.”
Garrett sighed in relief and leaned his forehead against her shoulder. “Okay, I can do this. When I’m near you, I can’t think straight sometimes. I want to hold you, comfort you, and protect you, and yeah, I want to make love to you. I want you in my bed, our bodies joined. I won’t deny it. But it’s not lust. As long as there are real feelings behind your decision, I can do this.”
Gabriella kissed the top of his head. “I guess it’s decided then.”
§
Garrett looked up at the Georgian manor that was his father’s house. The last rays of daylight spread a warm glow across the front. He squeezed Gabriella’s hand. He didn’t know whether he was trying to reassure himself or her. He led her up the stairs and to the door before using the decorative knocker. This was such a big step for both of them, and he didn’t really know how his father felt about it.
The door was thrown open, and Garrett couldn’t help but smile at his two youngest sisters. “You’re finally here,” Chelsea said, holding open the door.
“Hurry and come in, Gabriella. I need to know what flowers you like,” Eileen said, standing behind her.
“Garrett, we are so happy for you. Papa said, you’re the first person in a generation to find your Destined One in the Earth-House.” Chelsea waved them inside before she shut the door behind them. “Well, except for Meadow. But I don’t think Papa counts that one because Brencis is a lycan.”
Hugs were exchanged, and then Eileen took Gabriella’s hand and led her down the hall. Chelsea hung off Garrett’s arm, smiling up at him.
“I heard about your visit to see Gabriella.” Garrett tweaked her nose.
“Are you mad? We wanted to welcome her to the family.”
“No, I’m not mad.” Even if it did give Gabriella a chance to escape. “I’m glad she knew our family wanted her. Thank you for welcoming her. What have you been up to?”
“Planning the ceremony, of course. The cook is in the kitchen, baking like crazy for the reception afterward. Meadow is helping her. Brencis is here in his wolf form being a nuisance.”
“Why is he staying in his wolf form?”
“Papa is running an experiment. While Brencis is in his wolf form, he is immune to magic like the other lycans. It’s only in his human form that he has an allergic reaction. So when Meadow wanted to come over and help, he came as a wolf. Scared poor Roberts, the b
utler, almost to death. The cook refused to let him in the kitchen. So he is lying across the door and keeping an eye on Meadow.” Chelsea giggled, and they started down the hall.
“Where is Father?”
“Oh, he’s in his office with Mabel. She arrived a little while ago. They are working on the wording of the ceremony. They want everything to be perfect for you and Gabriella.”
“What can I do to help?” Garrett felt guilty about not doing something to help out.
“Well, Damek and Josiah are outside setting up tables and chairs for the reception. I think Seth is out there too.” Chelsea sighed. “He is so cute.”
“I don’t think he would appreciate you calling him cute, Chessy. He is a Guardian now.”
“I know. That makes it even better.” Chelsea sighed again. Garrett shook his head.
Finally, they reached the library and walked in to find every available surface covered with vases of flowers. The room with all the floral bouquets smelled delicious. Gabriella turned to look at him and shrugged.
“What’s all this?” Garrett walked up and put his arm around Gabriella’s waist. He liked that she leaned into him.
“Well, I was wondering what flowers to use for Gabriella’s head wreath,” Eileen replied. “The rest will be put on the tables outside for the reception.”
“They’re all so beautiful.” Gabriella caressed a petal on a white rose.
“I know ...” Chelsea hurried over to the bookcase and picked up a book on the Victorian meanings of flowers. “Let’s see what they mean and pick the best from the flowers we have available.”
“Oh, great idea. Is that okay with you, Gabriella?” Eileen asked.
“Yes, that sounds lovely. Let’s have a look at that book, Chelsea.” Gabriella motioned the girls over.
The three women were soon pouring over the pages and looking at the various vases in the room before going back to the book. Garrett chuckled and slipped out the French doors. He’d go see what the men were doing to prepare.
It didn’t take long to find where the men were working. A large tent had been set up on the back lawn. Servants were unloading carts of chairs and three Guardians and Roberts were setting them up.
Garrett hurried over to help and grabbed a couple of chairs off one of the carts.
“Hey, about time you got here,” Damek said, slapping him on the back before picking up his own stack of chairs.
“Damek thought you might have taken your Destined One home for a little close up time,” Seth reported with a grin.
“Shut up, kid, or we won’t let you in on the money pool.” Josiah ruffled Seth’s hair.
“What money pool?” Garrett asked, making his way back to the pile of chairs. He took two more and unfolded them, adding to the rows.
“Well, I think the odds are two to one that Gabriella won’t go through with the ceremony. But don’t feel bad. I bet she would,” Seth said, carrying more chairs to the side of the tent.
“Now you’ve done it. Next time we don’t tell the lycans, Damek,” Josiah grumbled.
Damek smiled and shrugged. “Just having a little fun, cousin.”
“Fun like that I don’t need.” Garrett chuckled. “Don’t let Father know what you’re up to.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t,” Josiah said. “Your dad doesn’t get mad. He gets even.”
Chapter Seven
“You look beautiful, my dear.” Venetia adjusted the floral wreath on Gabriella’s head and pinned up the last curl, leaving one draped over her shoulder. “I wish your mother could see you now. She would be so happy and proud you found your Destined One.” They stood in one of the upper bedrooms in Garrett’s father’s house.
Gabriella took one last look in the full-length mirror at the white satin gown Venetia had brought her, then turned to give the old woman a hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you so much for being here for me.” They walked over to the velvet-covered bed and sat down.
Venetia was wearing a blue satin dress and her long hair was done up in a crown of braids.
“My pleasure, dear. A girl needs someone to lean on when getting married. I promised your mother I would be here for you when the time came. That’s why she asked me to store her wedding gown, so you girls could use it. This ceremony is like a marriage. It will bind you to Garrett.”
“I know Destined Ones are supposed to be forever. But I know so little about Garrett. Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
“You know he’s a good man. What else do you need to know?” Venetia patted her clutched hands. “Destined Ones are just that—destined. To not go through the ceremony would put you on a road to heartache. You have free will, of course. But your life’s path includes this man.”
“I know it’s silly, but I don’t even know his favorite color.”
“Well, as an earth witch, it’s probably green. But you can ask him, or one of his siblings would be happy to tell you. His youngest sisters are fountains of information.”
Gabriella laughed. “That’s true. They all try so hard to make me feel welcome. I haven’t had anyone treat me like that in a long time.” She looked around the sumptuous room and wondered what it would be like to belong to Garrett and his family.
“I know, dear. Now, you have the opportunity of a new beginning. Grab on tight.” Venetia squeezed her hands.
A quiet knock on the door made them both turn to look. “Come in,” Venetia called.
When the door opened, Gabriella was surprised to see Garrett’s father enter.
“Garrett Rodric Amhurst, so nice to see you again, or should I call you Councilman Amhurst?” Venetia stepped forward and kissed the man on each cheek.
“Venetia, Garrett told me you were here with Gabriella, and you can call me anything you like as long as you call me.” He winked at Venetia. “Gabriella, I believe we are ready to begin the ceremony. You look lovely. Garrett is a lucky man.”
“Thank you, Councilman …” Gabriella rose from the bed and stepped forward.
“Oh, that won’t do for you, my dear. Call me Dad, or my friends call me Rodric.”
“All right, Dad er Rodric. Thank you so much for opening your home on such short notice.”
“No problem. I love my children dearly, and knowing that Garrett has a Destined One is wonderful. I wasn’t very successful in choosing my wives. So the fact that destiny is going to show Garrett the way is a relief. Now, two of my children have found their destined mates.”
“You mean Meadow and her lycan?”
“Exactly. Meadow’s magic-house tattoo is colored in like yours will be after tonight.”
“I didn’t know lycans could be Destined Ones,” Venetia said.
“Brencis has Avery in his bloodline. Being a lycan with witch blood has caused him some problems. Most lycans are immune to magic, and Brencis is as long as he is in his wolf form. But when he comes in contact with magic in his human form, he reacts like he has an allergy. That’s why tonight he will be in his wolf form. All lycans are telepathic, and his wolf form is completely coherent. Speak to him as if he were human.”
“How very interesting,” Venetia said. “I’ll have to look into the scrying mirror and see if Meadow and Brencis are part of the fight against this blood cult.”
“Come along, ladies. Everyone is waiting to begin. I hope you don’t mind my escorting you, Gabriella.” Garrett’s father held open the door.
“Not at all. Thank you.” Gabriella picked up the train on her dress and walked through the door.
“Venetia, I thought you would like to hold the Tower for Water during the ceremony,” Garrett’s father said. “I will be holding Earth. Councilman Curtis Brant will hold Fire, and Councilwoman Clara Delaire will hold Air. Several council members were out of reach this evening, including your sister Sevan and Haytham’s uncle, Finley Luften. But tomorrow at the normal council meeting, they will be informed of the new Destined One pair.”
“I would be delighted, such an honor.”
Venetia’s smile lit up her face. Gabriella smiled as well, her heart happy with Venetia’s delight. They continued to follow Garrett’s father down the stairs and around to the side of the house.
“Right outside this door, we made the sacred circle in the open area next to the library.” Garrett’s father ushered them outdoors. Gabriella stepped onto the cool grass.
The moon was up and shining on the glade full of people. Gabriella was surprised to see so many. All the Guardians, as well as several Council members, were present. There were also lots of people she didn’t know, but assumed were friends of the family. The one person who she never expected to see again was Aidan Kindle. He stood talking with Curtis Brant and Garrett on the far side of the circle.
“You invited the Blacksmith?” Gabriella asked Garrett’s father. She was amazed.
“Don’t look so shocked, Gabriella. I’m not a tyrant. I want to know all the concerns of my people. It so happens that Aidan and Garrett were friends in school. They were both on the same Compass team. Aidan is welcome in my house.”
Then, Garrett looked up. He gave Gabriella a smile that made his eyes sparkle, and she felt answering warmth spread through her. He, too, was dressed in white, wearing a pair of cotton pants and shirt. He wore a head wreath similar to Gabriella’s that she was sure Chelsea and Eileen had made. Like the rest of the guests, he was barefoot.
Once he saw her, Garrett excused himself and started toward her. Mabel intercepted him, then clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentleman, if you will please take your places, it is time to begin the ceremony.”
While everyone looked for a place to stand on the outside circle, Garrett’s father pushed his way through the milling crowd and escorted Gabriella to the center of the space. Garrett took her hand while his father and the other assigned Masters took up the four tower positions. Gabriella smiled when a large gray wolf lay down and put his head on a petite young woman’s foot. This must be Meadow and her lycan.
Destined Magic Page 7
