Magical Memories

by Donna Fletcher

  She smiled. “You grow wise.”

  “You gave me the tools I needed to gain wisdom.”

  “You possessed the tools. You just didn’t know how to use them.”

  Michael refused to accept credit for his achievement. “No, if it wasn’t for your—” He stopped suddenly and stared at her.

  “It’s so simple. It’s been in front of me all this time and I didn’t see it. I was too busy concentrating on myself.”

  He released her and moved off the couch to pace the floor in front of her. “I know I needed to accept that I am Marcus and Marcus is me, but I always felt there was something more to it all than just that, something deeper that Marcus understood that I as Michael didn’t. And my mistake was in assuming that Marcus was attempting to remind me of his beliefs.”

  Tempest listened in silence, wondering over his discovery.

  Michael ran his fingers through his hair in excitement. “But his beliefs also contain knowledge he had learned and yet refused to accept. That knowledge he had learned was why he turned with such desperation to you. He understood its power and what it could do once combined with his.”

  Tempest fought back tears, feeling that Michael had uncovered the truth and what he needed to know to bring the spell to completion. She stood and waited for him to finish.

  “And that power had begun to work its magic on him didn’t it?”

  She nodded.

  “He finally understood the essence of your power, but found it difficult to deal with, to surrender to.”

  She nodded again.

  He walked over to her and took her face in his hands. “I’ve known all along; I just needed to remember, didn’t I?”

  She couldn’t nod and couldn’t speak; she answered with the slow closing and opening of her eyes.

  He spoke softly, almost in reverence. “He knew—I knew all along.”

  “What did you know?” she managed to ask.

  He kissed her lips gently and whispered, “That you’re love in its purest form.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Tempest reluctantly stepped away from him. “Now you will recall everything.”

  “I have recalled much already,” Michael said. “The memories offer me little. It is now that concerns me. This time spent with you has taught me more than I could ever have hoped to learn. In the past my arrogance interfered, and I never truly understood the depth of the love you so unselfishly offered me. It is easy for me now to blend my past with my present. I understand what Marcus searched for and I understand what I have searched for. And I understand that now is the time I must make my choice.”

  “I can do no more for you,” she said, though wished she could.

  He walked over to her and reached out to take her hands. “The rest I must do on my own.”

  “The dark side may still tempt,” she warned.

  He laughed and raised her hands to kiss each one. “The dark side tempts mortals every day.”

  “You aren’t mortal,” she reminded him and stepped closer to him.

  “I am a witch,” he said, raising his chin with pride.

  “Welcome home,” she said and pressed her cheek to his.

  “What now?” he asked with a sense of eagerness.

  She took a calming breath, preparing herself for what she had waited centuries for. “The spell must be completed. You must make a choice.”

  “We must meet in a circle of light to accomplish this,” he said, amazed that he was beginning to remember so many things. Spells and chants filled his head and memories of magical feats astounded him.

  She smiled. “You’ve just realized the extent of your magic, haven’t you?”

  His grin held a touch of arrogance. “Yes, I was very good.”

  “You were a show-off,” she said with a poke to his ribs.

  “But I showed off well, sweetheart.”

  She laughed, hearing Marcus’s arrogance and Michael’s confidence. They had merged well and she was happy.

  He hugged her to him, rocking them back and forth. “Do you trust me?”

  She suddenly realized that she did and she nodded. “Very much.”

  “Then know all will be well for us.”

  Tempest didn’t respond; she simply slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head to his hard chest. She wanted to believe him. But she was aware that pride and arrogance might block his path and his choice might not be the wisest one.

  She could do no more than trust and love him and if her own beliefs were strong she would know that was enough. And if by chance his choice proved wrong she would do what was necessary no matter the heartache and pain it would cause her.

  “When does this meeting take place?” he asked.

  She would not delay it. “Tomorrow evening. After this rain the sky should be clear, the stars brilliant... a perfect night to end a cast.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  She hugged him tightly. “Choose wisely, Michael, please choose wisely.”

  The phone didn’t stop ringing the next morning. Sarina called first, insisting on knowing what was happening since she sensed something was going on.

  “Tell me,” she insisted. “I must know; I’m worried senseless here.”

  Tempest didn’t want her pregnant sister worrying and she didn’t want her to know that she was worried herself. But how did she hide her feelings from someone who could see so much?

  Being wise definitely came in handy. “I can feel your concern, Sarina; it’s making me feel the same way.”

  “Tell me if I have something to concern myself with.”

  Tempest thought to fudge the truth but realized she cherished her sister’s advice and wished to speak with her about the situation. “Michael and I will complete the spell this evening.”

  “I knew it, I knew it.”

  “What did you know?” Tempest heard Ali say in the background.

  Sarina repeated what Tempest had told her. “Let me talk to her,” she heard Ali say.

  “No, I’m talking,” Sarina said.

  Tempest could almost see them fighting over the phone.

  “Fine, I’ll go pick up one of the other phones and ... Tempest,”

  Ali shouted in the background. “Don’t say a word until I pick up the phone.”

  “How long are Ali and Sebastian visiting with you?” Tempest asked.

  “Too long,” Sarina said with a laugh.

  “I heard that,” Ali said on another phone.

  “Good, now be quiet and let Tempest talk,” Sarina ordered.

  There was an eager silence as they waited for Tempest to speak.

  Tempest shared her fears. “Michael and I meet tonight to finish the cast and while I trust in him to choose wisely, a part of me worries that he could fail, leaving me with the possibility of losing him forever. A thought I find unbearable.”

  “You have to trust him,” Ali said with confidence. “There’s really not much else you can do, and besides, you gave him all he needs to make the right choice.”

  “She’s right,” Sarina said. “Michael came to you like a newborn babe, knowing nothing, understanding little of his past. Look how much he has learned and grown. He will know what to do.”

  “I tell myself he will and not to worry, but I love him so much,” Tempest said with tears threatening to spill. “He’s become an important part of my world and I want him with me now and forever.”

  “And I’m sure he feels the same way,” Ali assured her, “which means he will think twice before making a decision.”

  “Or know instinctively which choice to make,” Sarina said.

  “She’s got a point,” Ali agreed. “He’s just as much in love as you are and his instincts should be good and sharp.”

  “Especially between the two of you,” Sarina pointed out.

  “If anyone has a strong connection, it would be you and Michael. Your many years, your combined wisdom and knowledge will probably serve you well this evening.”

/>   “True,” Tempest said, feeling better.

  “We’ll be thinking of you tonight,” Sarina said.

  “Strong, good, successful thoughts,” Ali added.

  “I appreciate it,” Tempest said, grateful for having such a wonderful sister and a special friend.

  “Let’s have ice cream, Sarina,” Ali said.

  “It’s barely ten in the morning.”

  “Fudge swirl—and I know I saw whipped cream in the fridge,” Ali tempted.

  “Whipped cream, you say?” Sarina said. “Call me later, Tempest.”

  “Enjoy the ice cream,” Tempest said and hung up the phone, only to have it ring again. “Hello.”

  “I called to wish you well,” Sydney said.

  She and Tempest talked for a few minutes and when she hung up, the phone rang again. This time she spent a few minutes hearing encouraging words from Dagon. When he finished

  Sebastian called and offered his advice, which Tempest was grateful for.

  When she thought herself done she received a summons from the fairies, and knew they were concerned. She wasted no time in going to them. She grabbed a jacket and headed out the door and into the woods.

  Beatrice paced along a fallen tree, her cockeyed head wreath nearly covering her eye and her wing crooked as usual.

  Tempest shook her head at the sight of her and smiled. She was a constant she could count on, right down to the crooked wing. No matter how many times she fixed it or placed a protective spell around her, she managed to crook the wing.

  But then that was Beatrice.

  “Good, you’ve come,” Beatrice said, patting the log for her to sit.

  Tempest took the offered seat and waited for the tiny fairy to express her concern.

  Her words surprised Tempest. “We’re concerned for Michael.”

  “Michael?”

  “Yes, the fairies have come to respect him and all he has achieved in his new life. He has grown to be wise and fair and we think him good for you.”

  Tempest smiled. “I think him good for me, too.”

  “How do you think he will fare tonight?”

  Tempest had gone over and over this in her head and with everyone who called, but she had no answer and would find none, not until this evening when Michael made his choice.

  “We will have to wait and see.”

  Beatrice climbed on Tempest’s leg to sit. “The fairies have confidence in him. They believe he will make the right choice, though the warlocks whisper of his successful return.”

  “Everyone waits for tonight.”

  “Everyone wishes you and Michael well,” Beatrice said with a pat of her hand.

  “It is all up to Michael.”

  Beatrice shook her head. “It is up to love.”

  Tempest smiled at her wise words and added her own. “Love never fails.”

  “We fail love,” Beatrice finished.

  Tempest felt confident. “Then tonight can only be successful.”

  o0o

  Tempest dressed in a gown of pure white. Yards and yards of gossamer material flowed around her, her feet were bare, her reddish-blond hair wild and free. She waited in a clearing in the woods for Michael. It was near to midnight, the sky overhead clear and bright with thousands of twinkling stars. The warm spring night air reminded one of summer and the sounds of the night insects and nocturnal animals provided a soothing symphony.

  It was a perfect night for love.

  She had prepared the large circle that surrounded her, securing it with magic and light and when the moment was right the protective circle would burst into light, wrapping Michael and her in the heart of its power.

  While the woman in her waited with nervous anticipation, the Ancient One waited with a serene calmness that most would never understand. What was done was done and nothing could change that. It was here and now that mattered and nothing else, not the past, the present or the future. Only this moment was important.

  Tempest heard his approach. She knew the trees’ branches bent in respect for him and the animals moved silently out of his way and the owls followed him with their wide knowledgeable eyes and the fairies offered their blessings to him.

  She held herself tall as only the Ancient One could, with all the love and wisdom she possessed.

  Her breath caught when he stepped out of the darkness and stopped just outside the circle. He was dressed in the ancient style, the style of the wise ones long ago. Black and purple robe gave him the appearance of a mighty ruler born of wisdom.

  His dark hair had grown longer, falling carelessly past his shoulders, and his scars added a sense of strength. He made an impressive sight.

  She smiled when she looked into his dark eyes; they held the eagerness of a young boy who was about to begin a grand adventure.

  “It is time,” she said and invited him into the circle.

  Michael entered with eager and confident steps and when he did the earth circle surrounding them burst into a brilliant light that shot several feet up to the sky before settling down to a low light that burned steadily.

  He waited, knowing he must follow the Ancient One’s lead.

  “Tell me what you have learned from this spell,” she said, her tone calm, her manner peaceful.

  He answered quickly. “I learned that trust is earned and love is given.”

  She smiled, thinking him finished, but he continued. “And I learned that patience is the wisest gift one can give to himself.”

  She almost cried. It was so rare for anyone, even a witch, to understand the importance of patience. She continued her questions. “Tell me what you learned from your past.”

  He answered eagerly. “That power based on greed, hate, fear and indifference can corrupt, hurt and cause endless pain and suffering. And that is a weak power born of the ego.”

  “You answer me wisely, but now tell me what is truly in your heart, past, present and future.”

  He took a breath as though he had much to say and was preparing for it. “Once I wanted the ultimate power. I wanted to capture pure love and combine it with my power to give life to a force that would be invincible. Instead it captured me and I didn’t understand the importance of that union until it was too late. I was lucky that the love I had thought I’d foolishly lost forever actually saved me and gave me a chance to redeem myself.”

  Tempest felt her heart swell with pride and her eyes fill with tears for the man she loved.

  “I thought to repay that love.” He shook his head. “But I realized no payment is required; that it was given freely and that is how I will give my love in return—freely and from my heart and soul. And for the future?” He shrugged. “As long as we love, it doesn’t matter.”

  The time was here for his choice, and she hoped with all her heart that he understood what he must do and hoped he had the courage to do it.

  Tempest stepped toward him. “I will repeat the spell to you and then the choice will be yours to make.”

  With a nod he whispered, “I love you.”

  She held back her tears, attempted to ignore the ache in her heart and the wrenching in her stomach and wished, wished on all the heavenly stars that he chose wisely.

  With her hands raised to the heavens she repeated the words that had once shattered her heart. “With my love I send you away; for you to return on a future day; your life will be yours

  to create; choose wisely and repeat no mistakes; cherish life and hold it dear; fill no hearts and souls with fear; surround yourself with magic and light; and seek not to return to the dark night; if by chance you should lose your way; remember all these words I say; magical memories you will recall; and the choice will be yours to stand or to fall!”

  Tempest lowered her hands and looked at Michael and wished, wished with all her heart that he would do what he must.

  He smiled, and then laughed not a chilling laugh but a knowing one and he slowly went down on his knees before her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his face
firmly to her stomach. “I love you, Tempest, and I wish to share a life of magic and light with you. I renounce all that I was and ask you to accept me for who I now am, the man and witch who loves you. Now, then and forever.”

  Her tears fell—she couldn’t stop them—and her heart burst with joy as she went down on her knees in front of him, cupping his face and raining kisses on him. “I love you, Michael.

  You’re the breath I take, you’re my heart that beats,” —she paused and kissed him softly—“Your soul and mine are one.”

  He hugged her fiercely to him. “Then let’s unite our souls forever. We’ve been separated far too long.”

  They fell together to the soft carpet of earth beneath them and with unhurried hands they touched each other; with gentle lips they savored each other and with an age-old love two old souls united forever.

  The heavenly winds whispered in song, the fairies rejoiced and Mother Sky smiled down upon her children.

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  “Stop worrying, Sebastian,” Dagon said for the third time. “Your daughter Jade will not develop her magical skills for several months.”

  Sebastian looked down into the bassinet at his beautiful, smiling, gurgling daughter whose tiny fist clung tightly to his finger. “So you tell me, but I have this uneasy feeling.”

  “Nonsense,” Ali said, her arm going around her husband’s waist. “She’s a normal, healthy, little girl.”

  “She’s a witch,” Sebastian said, as though it explained his concern.

  The little girl seemed to agree with a gurgling laugh.

  “See,” Sebastian said, confirming his worry.

  Everyone in the sitting room in Rasmus Castle laughed.

  Dagon and Sarina stood with their arms around each other, looking down at their smiling son, Alexander.

  Sydney sat with Lady Lily and Bear curled contentedly on her lap.

  Beatrice fluttered back and forth between the two bassinets, keeping a careful watch over the three-month-old babies.

  Tempest and Michael stood off to the side, watching the happy couples with their newborn babies with thoughts of their own future children in mind.

  Sarina and Dagon drifted away to sit on the couch. “In the summer you’ll have twin sons,” Sarina said to her sister with excitement.