Page 86 of Pure Magic
Adam pulls a second stool over to the bed and sits. He grasps his brother’s arm. “They might bind your magic.”
Kaden’s lips tighten, but he lets out a long breath and meets Adam’s gaze. “Yes. They might, and that may be for the best. Since I don’t trust myself, brother, I have to put my faith in others. I’m sorry.”
Torn between his love for Kaden and what is right, Adam’s mind is at war.
“I will send a message today. It will be a while before we hear back.” It’s time to be high priestess. Standing, I fold my arms over my chest. “Your brother and I are to be married. You will come with us back to Windsor.” I hold up a hand to stop Kaden’s denial. “I will have William keep your magic held. It’s not a binding, but it will stop the use of magic should your darker side push forth. You will attend our wedding if you wish. Then if the Order will have you, we will see you to Glasgow.”
“Thank you, high priestess,” Kaden says softly and reverently.
I’m about to leave, but there’s more to say. “You know, Kaden, we all of us have darkness within. No one lives perfectly in the light. Without the dark, there would be no light, or at least the contrast would be foreign to us. Try not to dwell on the evil. Focus on good. We are to be family.”
His lips tip in a brief smile. “You and Adam will be happy. I’m sure of it, high priestess.”
“Thank you. You and I will be brother and sister. You might call me Sara Beth.” The mood needs lightening.
Adam’s heart lifts, which does wonders for mine.
“Sara Beth,” Kaden says. “Thank you.”
I step into the damp grass and a shard of sunlight pushes through the clouds. It’s the first in days.
Minerva meets me a few yards from the tent. “He should be well enough to travel tomorrow, if you’re ready to go home.”
“More than ready.” I give her a quick hug. “I’ll tell everyone to start packing. We’ll leave at first light.”
No sight has ever been as glorious as the city of Windsor with the castle and Eton still there to greet us two days later.
A long week later, we’re dancing at my wedding.
Holding me close, Adam asks, “No complaints from your mother today?”
When I woke this morning, I wondered if Mother would protest in some way, but she’s been quiet. I shake my head. “Not a word or a grumble. No laughter in your head, I assume.”
Squeezing me tight, he whispers, “I’ll admit June laughed this morning in the common room, and I had a moment of panic until I rushed out and saw that she and Trina were gossiping.”
I note the tightness around his eyes. “Are you worried about our trip?”
“I’ll save that worry for tomorrow. Tonight, I want to celebrate the miracle of Sara Beth Ware becoming my wife.”
Joy floods my heart. “When Prudence said the words to bind us, I felt I heard them many times, Adam. This is not the first time we’ve pledged our hearts and souls to one another.”
“Nor will it be the last.” He kisses my cheek.
“You can do better than that!” Jonah calls over the music and merrymaking.
My cheeks heat.
Pulling me tight, Adam kisses me hard on the lips for longer than is normal in company.
The guests cheer and clap.
Heart pounding a beat that tells me I wish they would all leave and let us go to our bed for the night, I push him back with a light slap meant for show. Though, I’ll admit, in a fine black suit and blue waistcoat made for the wedding, my husband would turn any lady’s head.
He grins, reading my thoughts. “You are far more a sight than me, my love.”
I skim my hand over the lavender lace that covers the bodice of my gown. Prudence gifted me the clothes, bringing us both to tears when she told me I was like her own daughter, and she wished me joy.
“I thought the great mother and I would cry ourselves a small pond before we restored enough order to try the dress on.” I laugh, rather than let the emotions overtake me again.
