Finding Valor

by Charlotte Abel

  “Look, I may not know anything about magic, but you’ll have a better chance of rescuing Channie if you have someone watching your back.”

  Hunter yawned. “No offense, but you ain’t had too much luck cursing anything but plants and mice.”

  “I blew up a fifty foot oak tree!”

  “Last I heard, oak trees were still considered plants.” Hunter patted Josh’s back. “Come on, let’s go cast a touch-me-not spell on this fern and scatter its leaves over our money.”

  “It’s your money. Not ours.”

  “I figure you’re gonna need a little cash for food and gas when it’s time for you to help. The Book of the Dead made it clear that you’re an important part of what’s coming. We’re all counting on you. Not just Channie.”

  ~***~

  Hunter set the potted fern on the floor in front of Josh’s closet. “Your magic works a bit different than mine, but I think all you gotta do is want the plant to protect the money and it’ll do it.”

  “That’s not much to go on.”

  “Give it a try. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “I could blow something up.”

  “Good point.” Hunter opened his arms. “Come here, Kassie.”

  Josh’s eyes widened when a green bubble popped out of Hunter’s stomach and surrounded him and Kassie. “Is that your shield?”

  “Yeah. And I recommend you raise yours too.”

  Josh closed his eyes. He felt a little silly as he thought, I want my shield to protect me.

  His embarrassment disappeared as a golden bubble popped out of his chest. It was different from the magic that tied him to Channie. This light didn’t hurt. In fact, it felt pretty damn good. Josh grinned and opened his eyes. “Do you see it?”

  Hunter chuckled. “It’s hard to miss. You’ve got one of the best shields I’ve ever seen.”

  Kassie stuck her lower lip out and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Only another mage can see a shield.” Hunter kissed the top of Kassie’s head.

  A flash of pain dropped Josh to his knees.

  Soft, frizzy curls tickle his chin and his lips as he leans over and kisses Channie’s lavender scented hair. She lifts her face and smiles. “I love it when you kiss my head like that.”

  He pressed his palms against his temples. “I wish these flashbacks weren’t so painful.”

  The pain lessened by half.

  Josh opened his eyes and found Hunter kneeling in front of him, his face not three inches from his own. “Try wishing they didn’t hurt at all.”

  The guy obviously had no concept of personal space. Josh leaned back. “I wish these flashbacks didn’t cause me any pain at all. I wish they felt good.”

  “Careful what you wish for.” Hunter wiggled his eyebrows. “You don’t want to embarrass yourself.”

  “How would he embarrass himself?” Kassie’s eyes widened. “Oh! Ew.”

  Heat crept up Josh’s neck and spread to his cheeks and ears. “I was thinking more along the lines of extra energy.”

  “You got to be specific when dealing with magic or it’ll twist your words into something entirely different.” Hunter stood up and offered Josh his hand. “I don’t suppose you were able to remember that flashback, were you?”

  Josh ignored Hunter’s outstretched hand and stood up. “No. And I’ve been wishing I could remember them even before I knew wishes had power.”

  “Maybe you don’t really want to remember.” Kassie touched Josh’s shoulder. “You gave up a lot to be with Channie. School, racing, college. Maybe there’s a part of you that regrets it and wishes things were different.”

  “Of course I wish things were different. I wish we could have dated for five or six years before getting married. I wish I could have had a normal senior year. And I really wish I hadn’t screwed up my racing career.” Pain and light shot out of Josh’s chest. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to remember her.”

  Hunter nodded. “Kassie’s right. You have to be committed to a spell before casting it. You cain’t have any contrary desires or it won’t work. Especially since you’re fighting another mage’s curse.”

  Josh rubbed his chest. “I wish this heart-bond thing didn’t—”

  “No!” Hunter grabbed Josh by the shoulders. “Don’t mess with your heart-bond. You don’t want to break it.”

  Maybe if he weren’t magically bound to Channie, he’d get his memory back. Maybe he’d even get his life back. He didn’t know the girl, but he knew without a doubt that if he lost this…whatever this was, he’d be devastated. “Okay, tell me how to magic this plant again.”

  “If I were going to do it, I’d reach inside my power-well and pull up a handful of energy. Then I’d focus on the plant as I thought about how I didn’t want anyone to touch that money.”

  Josh had no idea how to reach inside himself or pull up even a thimbleful of energy. “Okay. I don’t want anyone to touch that money. Hocus pocus alakazam.” He waved his hand over the plant but nothing happened.

  Hunter rolled his eyes. “No. Like this.”

  He took a deep breath and held it for a moment. As he exhaled, a stream of emerald green light poured out of his stomach into his hands. He lifted his chin, more of a twitch than a nod, and smiled as the light swirled over the plant. The fern glowed for a moment then returned to normal. Josh leaned over and touched a leafy stem.

  “Ouch!” He shook his hand and blew on his stinging fingers. “That hurt.”

  Hunter chuckled and shook his head. “It’s not supposed to feel good.”

  He broke off a couple stems then placed them inside the pillowcase. “That’ll last for a few days.”

  “How come the plant didn’t shock you?” Josh’s fingers were still tingling.

  “Cause I cast the spell. My own magic ain’t gonna hurt me.”

  “Remind me to never piss you off.” Kassie smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  Hunter frowned, creasing his brow. “I’d never curse you, no matter how mad you make me.”

  “Good to know. What else can you do?” She licked her lips and swallowed then dropped her gaze to her hands, resting on her baby bump. “Can you make someone fall in love with you?”

  “Of course I can.” Hunter grinned then winked at her. “But, not with magic.”

  “Okay, Romeo, let’s stick to magic. I’d like to know how it works, too.”

  “It’s a little hard to explain.” Hunter sighed as he shifted his gaze to Josh. “Magic responds to each mage according to their nature, natural abilities and power-name. My power-name’s Hunter, so I’m naturally good at finding things. And Channie’s power is Enchantment, or at least it was before her folks changed it to Chastity. She had everyone wrapped around her little finger. She could make a fella melt with nothing more than a glance.”

  The air around Kassie glowed the same ugly shade of puke green that Josh had produced earlier.

  She twisted a strand of hair around her finger and batted her eyelashes at Hunter. “I wonder what my power-name would be if I had magic.”

  He took the strand of hair from her and tucked it behind her ear. “There’re lots of power-names that’d suit you. Beauty, Intelligence, Seduction.”

  “Annoying, Stubborn and Bossy would work, too.” Josh ducked when Kassie threw a pillow at his head.

  “Them’s adjectives, not nouns, so they wouldn’t make good power-names for nobody.” Hunter stroked Kassie’s cheek with the back of his fingers. “And don’t be disrespecting Miss Kassie like that.”

  The green glow around Kassie faded, but the air between her and Hunter still shimmered with purple energy. “What’s this weird purple glow in the air?”

  Hunter’s cheeks flamed red. He dropped his hand and took two steps back, away from Kassie. “I’ll tell you later.”

  It’s lust. I can see lust. Gross.

  Kassie shot Josh a look and narrowed her eyes. She obviously didn’t appreciate him int
errupting her little game of seduction. She softened her expression before turning her attention back to Hunter. “What about Josh? Does he have a power-name?”

  “Every mage that has more than a smidgen of magic has a power-name. Josh’s is Valor. The idea was to make him extra brave and honorable. But it sort of backfired.”

  “What do you mean it backfired?” Red light pulsed out of Josh. “I’m no coward.”

  “I never said you was. It’s the honor part that’s interfering with your ability to curse anyone. And while that sounds all nice and noble, it makes you a liability in a combat situation instead of an asset.”

  Kassie’s eyes widened. “Josh had no problem cursing Eric the other day—before he lost his memory.”

  “What?” Hunter blinked then grabbed Josh’s arm. “You cursed someone?”

  “How would I know?” Josh tapped his temple. “No memory. Remember?”

  Kassie’s hands shook as she gestured, emphasizing her words. “Eric was being his usual asinine self. He came around the corner with his arm around Rebecca’s shoulders. Channie dragged me off to the bathroom to spare my feelings so I didn’t see it go down, but Bee told me all about it later. Eric was shooting his mouth off and spewing his usual lies. He even said the baby wasn’t his, but then he flew backwards and slammed into the lockers without anyone so much as touching him. He claimed Josh hit him with a taser. Was that a curse?”

  “Hell yeah!” Hunter slung one arm over Josh’s shoulder and the other around Kassie’s waist then pulled them both in for a group hug. “Let’s go snatch Eric and use him for target practice.”

  ~***~

  It took over five minutes for Josh to persuade Hunter to stay put and work on the Book of the Dead’s poetic messages instead of running off to kidnap Eric. It didn’t help that Kassie also thought it was a ‘freaking great idea.’

  Josh downloaded the pictures he’d taken of the Book of the Dead and printed enlarged copies for each of them then asked Hunter to read it out loud.

  “Do you think it’ll trigger a flashback?”

  “Probably. That’s why I didn’t read any of it while I was making copies.”

  “Maybe you better take a seat before I start.”

  Tender hearts full of hope and courage

  Heed the warnings, but be not discouraged.

  A love pure and true is yours if you dare

  To open your hearts and lay your souls bare.

  For every choice there is a cost

  And the things you lose are forever lost.

  You have until the full moon sets

  To bind your hearts with no regrets.

  But first remove the crimson stain

  Though it burns your flesh with unbearable pain.

  With your touch, ignite the fire

  And cleanse the one you most desire.

  You have until the dawn doth break

  To suffer for each other’s sake.

  But if you leave a single spot,

  Eternal pain will be your lot.

  Then wait until the moon is new

  Lest this tome be sealed to you.

  You have one chance to learn the spell

  And break the curse. Use it well.

  Each verse triggered a different flashback. Josh still couldn’t remember anything once they faded, but at least they didn’t cause him any pain. Each one gave him a thrill, sort of a mini-adrenaline rush. He felt encouraged for the first time since waking up without his memories.

  Hunter paused and frowned at Josh. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I’m having continuous flashbacks, but they don’t hurt. Keep reading.”

  Josh’s skin tingled as a calm feeling washed over him. He studied Hunter’s face. “Did you just use magic on me?”

  A sheepish grin spread across his face. “It’s just a be-calm spell. Your energy levels are jumping around all over the place. And you keep grabbing your chest. I ain’t no healer, but I figured a be-calm spell wouldn’t hurt and it might just help.”

  “It does.” Josh shrugged. “But I don’t want it to interfere with the flashbacks. Something tells me it’s important for me to feel as much as possible. Even if it’s painful.”

  “Are you still getting the headaches?” Hunter frowned.

  “No. But my chest aches.” Each verse caused the light to pulse more brightly. “One of the triplets said it’s because Channie’s missing me.”

  “I’m sure she is.” Hunter leaned over and gave Josh’s shoulder a squeeze. “But I ain’t never seen a couple so devoted to each other as you two. Are you ready for me to read some more?”

  Josh nodded then laid his head on his forearms and closed his eyes.

  True love’s kiss will set you free

  But pure and chaste it must be.

  One unclean thought will seal your fate

  Changing all you love—to all you hate.

  Daughter of power, conquer your fear

  For in the fire, your path becomes clear.

  A royal mage you must wed,

  Before you share a lover’s bed.

  Son of darkness, heed this advice,

  Forsake all others that might entice

  And lead astray with a wanton smile

  The foolish boy they wish to beguile.

  Burn the image in your heart and mind

  Of true love’s kiss, and surely you’ll find

  The strength and the will and the power to keep

  The promise you made so your love would not weep.

  Josh trembled as the most powerful flashback yet consumed him. It played like a movie projected in his mind, but he felt everything as if he were living it in the moment.

  His heart pounds as he pulls off the road. The scent of rain, pine and asphalt tickles his nose when he opens the door. The car’s engine ticks as it cools. He slams the door and flies towards Channie. Icy water sloshes into his shoes and soaks the hem of his jeans, but he barely notices the cold.

  Channie’s a mess. Dirt streaks her face. Leaves and twigs stick out of her hair, but she’s never looked more beautiful to him. Tears stream down both their faces as their bodies crash together.

  He picks her up and swings her around then lets her slide down his body as he lowers her feet to the ground. He cups her cheeks in his palms, expecting the skin to skin contact to trigger the curse and set them both on fire, but it doesn’t. All he feels is smooth, soft skin. He tilts her head to the side and leans in. The world stops spinning when his lips meet hers. Time ceases to exist. Magic flows around and through them as they kiss. She tastes like lavender and honey. Salt and sunshine. He should be consumed with lust but all he feels is love.

  A disembodied voice whispers, “Break Chastity’s curse and lose your power; watch love bloom and passion flower. For every choice there is a cost and the things you lose are forever lost. You have until the full moon sets to bind your hearts with no regrets.”

  His heart breaks. He’s already made his choice. He gave up his Olympic dreams when he left Grands without finishing the race. And he’d do it again. But he’d never ask Channie to give up magic.

  She gazes into his eyes. “I choose you.”

  ~***~

  Josh pressed both hands over his heart. The light and the memory were already fading. Please. If I can only remember one thing, let it be this.

  The light from his chest flared so brightly it blinded him. When his vision returned, so did the memory of that perfect, curse-breaking kiss and Channie’s sacrifice. He licked his lips and still tasted her. “I remember.”

  “What?” Kassie reached across the table and grabbed Josh’s hand. “What do you remember?”

  Josh blinked, but his vision was still blurry. He wiped his eyes then stared at the tears on his fingertips.

  “I remember…” Although the kiss he’d shared with Channie was completely chaste; it was far too intimate to share with anyone else. “I remember finding Channie in Oklahoma.”

  Hunter’s grin split his face.
He grabbed the back of Josh’s neck and gave it a squeeze. “That’s great! What else do you remember?”

  Josh’s own smile widened even as his heart ached for Channie. “I remember what she looks like. And she’s even more beautiful than her photo.”

  Kassie folded her arms across her chest. “That’s nice. But more importantly, do you remember how you feel about her?”

  “I don’t remember how we met or fell in love. But I know that we did and that what I’ve felt all along is real. Even when I couldn’t remember her at all, my heart never forgot.” He’d do anything for her. He’d crawl to Arkansas on his hands and knees if he had to. He’d learn to use magic. And he’d curse anyone that got in his way. He’d lay down his own life to save hers. Josh swallowed twice before he trusted his voice not to break. “I love her. I love Channie Belks with all my heart.”

  Kassie rolled her eyes. “You don’t love Channie Belks.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  She smiled at Josh. “Because you love Channie Abrim.”

  Josh’s heart leapt into his throat. He still believed they were too young for the responsibilities of marriage. But the knowledge that Channie was his wife made his pulse race and plastered a grin across his face so wide it made his cheeks ache.

  He wished he could remember their wedding night, but he must not have wished it hard enough because that particular memory remained locked away in the deepest recesses of his mind. Or maybe there was some other reason he couldn’t remember it? Maybe he didn’t have enough other memories of Channie to justify having access to that one. He needed to earn it.

  Hunter cleared his throat. “I’m glad you remember finding Channie. It’s a good sign. But we’ve still got lots of work to do. I’d like to figure out the rest of these here instructions before I hit the road.”

  It was after one when Kassie announced it was time for a lunch break. She ordered three extra-large meat-lover’s pizzas, so they’d have enough for supper as well. The hours passed in a blur of flashbacks, magical rhymes and cold pizza.