Page 54 of Pure Magic
I’m ashamed that I wanted to send him away when he first came to Windsor.
His beautiful lips turn up in a soft smile. “You didn’t, Beth. Don’t regret what did not happen.”
“I might have treated you like every other coven leader you’ve encountered in your years of running.” Ashamed or not, it’s better to get it out.
“But you didn’t. You were cautious, which is smart. Ultimately, you welcomed me into your home and your heart.” His thoughts return to the sacred pond and our lovemaking.
I fidget in my saddle. “Perhaps it’s best to change the subject since your thoughts go to places unfit for our current task.”
His laughter, and the way he too must adjust his seat, brings me more joy than anything I’ve had in my life.
“Where do you suppose we should begin looking for a staff made of birch?” He nudges Pilot into a trot.
“I have no idea. Perhaps we’ll find a birch forest on our way and ask the trees.” I can see why he gets annoyed with Goddess’s clues. They are rather vague.
He scratches his chin where a few days’ beard, a few shades redder than his hair, has grown. “Perses is her father, and she said that he made the staff. Where would a witch go to find a staff made by a god who married a nymph and gave life to the goddess of magic?”
“The peaks were made by gods and are west of here. Perhaps Perses made them too, and we’ll find what we need there.” I shrug. “There must be many trees in those hills.”
With a shrug, he says, “To the Peak District we go then. It’s a lovely place at least. Perhaps it will remind us of what we’re saving, even if it doesn’t produce a staff of pure white.”
“How long will it take to get there?” The water and the sacred little clearing where we made love healed me, but new aches have already begun.
His broad back expands with a deep breath. “Six days without a change of horses. We don’t want to kill these two beauties.” He pats Pilot’s shiny black coat.
“That long.” I calculate the date and wonder if we’ll find what we need in time. “What do you think happens if we can’t find the staff and the hart in time? Even if we find the hart, who’s to say he’ll hand over a piece of his antler? So many things can go wrong. I don’t even want to think about what I’ll have to do if Ariana finds us and takes you.”
Stopping his horse, he faces me and forces me to stop as well. His eyes are dark and serious. “You will let me go. Goddess has already told us she will take me. You must trust that I will not betray you or this world.”
My heart is pounding so hard it’s difficult to think of the right words to say. Sidestepping my horse so our legs touch, I want to rage at him, but my heart is too full to get angry. “She could bespell you and make you do things you won’t be able to live with, Adam.”
“If she could truly control me, she would have done so in the park. She put me in a trance, but she was not able to make me leave your side. She was not able to force me to get up and walk to her and Kaden.” He closes his eyes and breathes. When he looks at me again, calm is back in his gaze as well as love. “She needs me to be willing. She’ll use you or someone else to force me to go with her, but she’ll not have my heart, Beth. She can never have that, because it already belongs to you.”
Gripping the reins in one hand, I reach across, and he takes my hand. “I never expected my heart to be this full. I thought I would grow old and not know this kind of love. I trust you, Adam. I will do what is right.”
“Will you promise me you’ll not try to get me back when she takes me?” He grips my hand tighter.
“No. I cannot make that vow.” I shake my head to stop whatever argument he’s about to make. “I will do what is right and appropriate to the situation. Nothing will keep me from saving you if possible. I can promise I will put this world first. Even my love and future cannot come before the fate of witches and nonmagical people in this world.”
“What about Goddess and her world? Is that not just as important?” He skims his fingers along my cheek, as if I’m made of porcelain, and he might break me if he touches me too hard.
“Goddess is important, but I’m not pledged to protect her or the other gods and creatures who live in her world. I’m pledged to protect Windsor and England. I’ve vowed to do my best to keep the witches in my coven safe. I’ve extended that to other covens when it was needed, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep this world out of the hands of a dark witch.”
“You worship Goddess, Beth. I don’t see how you cannot protect her,” he says so softly that I strain to hear him.
“I will do what I can for her world, but if the choice is you or Goddess, she can fend for herself. You are a witch in this world and under my protection. I’ve lost witches in the past. Each time, a piece of my soul goes with them across the veil. I’m willing to die for this quest to stop your sister. I know you’re willing to do the same. However, losing other witches for the sake of deities is not part of my commitment to magic. Let us assume that if we do all we can and find the items Goddess provides, she can take care of herself.” Giving Zephyr a kick, I trot ahead, and I’m a little surprised when I sense only amusement from Adam.
A moment later, he’s beside me. “A fine speech.”
“You’re making fun of me.” I hear amusement in his head as well as in his tone.
“No. I’m impressed. You mistake my joy for folly.”
“What do you have to be joyful about?”
“You love me more than you love Goddess.” His adoration is like a warm blanket on a cool morning.
I wish we had ten thousand cool mornings to sit together with hot tea and watch the new day come to life. I push the horse faster to clear my mind of what I cannot have.
