Page 35 of Pure Magic
It’s hard to resist his joy. I love the way it rolls through me like a gentle spring rain. What I don’t like is how right he is about me. “As lovely as that sounds, Adam, I was thinking about the bench outside the cottage as a good place to rest. Perhaps if we talk, we’ll divine what your sister and brother want with you.”
His smile widens. “Of course.”
Part of me wants to tear down the walls I’ve erected against the bond between us and know everything he’s thinking. Mother’s magic niggles, reminding me of a lifetime of lessons where men are the enemy and will steal everything you have.
Outside the simple stone cottage is a lovely view of the wooded section of the park. A small grassy hill is about to bloom with wildflowers, and a soft breeze skims the earth, making everything breathe with life. We sit on the rough wooden bench set between two stones.
Adam takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “I’ve wondered for years why they pursue me, and I still have no idea. I’m not sure sitting here with you will change that, but I’m willing to do almost anything to stay near you.”
I should scold him for his pretty words. Men use compliments and flirting to lure women in. I need to stay in control of our relationship. It would be easier if I didn’t like hearing his sweet words so much. “Tell me about your relationship with your siblings before Ariana was sent away.”
Keeping my hand in his, he lifts his shoulders in a heavy sigh. “There’s not much to tell. Kaden and Ariana were very close. He was taken with her from the day she was born. Not to say that I didn’t love my sister. I did. For Kaden, she was perfect and needed him. He helped Mother each day after our lessons by caring for the baby while I took over much of his chores around the house and farm.”
“Did you resent their relationship?” I’m digging for some morsel that will help us fight these people if need be.
With a cock of his head, he says, “No. It was special, and I recognized that. I was still figuring out my magic, and with no other elemental witches to help me, father gave me whatever instruction he could.”
“What kind of witch was your father?”
He releases my hand.
The sense of him slips out of my mind and I spin toward him.
Head slumped with his shoulders slack and his eyes closed, he might have fallen asleep, but the way he disappeared from my mind tells me this is not natural. Touching the side of his neck, I feel the steady beat of his pulse, and relief floods me.
I cast an additional protection spell before rising and watching the woods around us. “Are you going to show yourself? Clearly, you wanted to speak to me alone, and now you have my attention.” I prop my fists on my hips, hoping it looks like a show of strength while my heart beats wildly.
“You are prettier than I imagined,” a woman answers, her voice melodic and feminine.
The oddly worded compliment requires no response but does succeed in annoying me, which I’m sure was the purpose.
She says, “My brother said you were past marrying age. I expected someone with lines around her eyes and mouth. How old are you, Sara Beth Ware?”
“Is that why you took the trouble to render your brother unconscious and get me alone, because you wished to ask about my age? I’m a witch. What difference does it make?” In the shadowy woods, beyond the grassy patch, I glimpse a hint of her figure.
“Come into the clearing, and I’ll join you there,” she says sweetly.
“So that you can have your henchman snatch up Adam? I don’t think so.” I stand closer and open my mind a crack. Where are you, Adam? Fight your way back.
I feel nothing from Adam.
The girl who steps into the clearing is beautiful, with bright blue eyes and shining red hair. She’s dressed in a pale-green dress with butter-colored ribbons flowing from the high waist and fluttering in the breeze. “I will wait for my brother to come to me. He will come. It’s only a matter of time. His destiny lies with me and Kaden, not with you.”
“What do you want, Ariana MacNab? Why did you want to speak to me alone?” I like being in the shadow of the trees while she is out in the clearing, but her stare tells me she can see me just fine.
She crosses through the grasses to the edge of the woods, looking as if she means to close the rest of the gap. The edge of my protection spell forces her to stop.
I can’t help the bead of pleasure that gives me.
Shifting her loose hair from her shoulder to her back, she grins, as if the blockade means nothing. “I thought perhaps we could talk woman to woman and sort this out. Men can be so tiresome, don’t you think? Even if those men are my brothers. I asked a simple favor of Kaden. Find Adam and bring him to me for a talk, and he couldn’t even manage that.”
“Kaden told Adam he wasn’t with you. He said you might have become a whore to survive. Did he tell you that?” I make no attempt to hide my disdain, and it rings in my voice. “Now you’re here confirming that he lied, and I doubt every word that comes out of your mouth.”
She smiles, showing straight white teeth. “It’s not surprising you’re smart. I understand you became a high priestess at only eighteen. You see, I asked around about you and your coven. Oddly, many people in Windsor know all about you. It’s a wonder you and yours aren’t burned at the stake by these creatures you live among. I could rid you of the burdens with the flick of my wrist, Miss Ware. No more peasants to protect would make your life so much easier. I will take Adam from here, and you will be free to rule this part of the country, while I take the rest. After all, this is my destiny. It’s only that you helped me so much by keeping poor Adam in one place long enough for me to show him the error of his ways. I will gift you Windsor and the surrounding countryside.” She waits primly, fussing with the ribbons.
“It’s a fine offer, but I’ll have to decline. Release Adam and get out of my town, Miss MacNab.” I collect magic at my fingertips. Adam, wake up. I open my mind farther, and the hint of his consciousness presses back.
Ten feet to Ariana’s right, Kaden steps out of the shadows. In brown trousers, coat, and a white shirt, he looks like a servant compared to his sister in her fine dress. His dark hair is dull, and the light in his bright blue eyes has gone. He stops at the edge of my protection spell, touches it, and pulls his hand back as if burned. “Nice magic. I thought you witches only protect the king. Why do you have a spell that bites back?”
