Hedge Witch Diaries Complete Series Boxed Set, page 11
“And Isolde had no intention of marrying her betrothed.”
“Isolde is the witch you fell in love with?”
Gareth nodded. “It was a long time ago. We both paid the price for violating the law of betrothal. I was cursed, and in a way, she was as well. Only, she was cursed to a life of unhappiness under the thumb of an abusive husband.”
“And you did nothing to stop it?”
“I was cursed, Briar. Trust me, I tried to break the curse in a thousand ways. I couldn’t so much as look at Isolde after that without experiencing overwhelming pain. I had no choice but to let her go.”
“What will happen now? You said there’s a law of betrothal?”
Dorian nodded. “A spell that inflicts a curse on any who might break it. Since I attempted to interfere, to steal a bride intended for another, the curse fell on me.”
“Will it happen again?” I asked.
Dorian shook his head. “I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll be afflicted twice. Then again, for some reason, the curse doesn’t affect me when I’m with you. It’s a mystery, but I can’t say I’m inclined to question the fates.”
I paced around one of the stones. “Why would my father betroth me to a boy from a family who had a different vision for the Morai?”
“Your father was a good man,” Dorian assured me. “He saw the best in everyone. Perhaps that was his fatal flaw. Do not harbor resentment against him for entering into the betrothal arrangement with the Sharpes. It was the custom and expected.”
“Damn stupid customs and traditions,” I grunted. “I’m not interested! I don’t even know why Gareth wants to marry me, anyway. He doesn’t know me.”
Dorian sighed, crossing his arms. “He probably sees a union with you as advantageous. You have great potential, Briar, and your powers are rare and valuable. A marriage to you would earn favor with the Grand Coven, making Gareth and the Morai more powerful. It could even earn them consideration for another elevation to the Grand Coven.”
I stared at him in disbelief, feeling like the ground beneath my feet had shifted. “Well, I have one thing to say about the law of betrothal.”
“What’s that?” Dorian raised an eyebrow.
“Fuck that shit!” I crossed my arms.
Dorian laughed. “Indeed. We feel the same. However, I suppose it is good that you know the truth. There is a risk involved in what we’ve started together. I cannot predict the consequences we might both have to endure. The law of betrothal is a complicated spell. As I said, the curse resulting from interfering with the spell is one I could never break.”
I took Dorian’s hands in mine. “It still doesn’t hurt, does it?”
“Not even a little.”
I raised myself on my toes and kissed Dorian on the lips. “Still doesn’t hurt?”
“It doesn’t.”
I kissed him again. I tangled my fingers in Dorian’s hair. He pressed me against a stone as his powerful hands explored my body.
Then he pulled away. “I can’t stop myself with you.”
I bit my lip. “Then, don’t.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The cool stones beneath us provided a stark contrast to the heat of our bodies as Dorian and I lay entwined in the center of his sanctuary. The air was thick with the scent of earth and the afterglow of our passion, our breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. My heart thundered wildly, threatening to burst free from its confines as I struggled to regain some semblance of composure.
“Wow,” I murmured, resting my head against Dorian’s broad chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my cheek.
“Indeed,” he agreed softly, his fingers tracing lazy circles along the curve of my hip.
As we lay there, basking in the warmth of our connection, a sudden chill snaked its way down my spine, causing me to shiver involuntarily. Lifting my gaze from Dorian’s face, I noticed we were not alone. The spirit animals had been watching us the entire time.
“Shit!” I exclaimed, attempting to cover my nakedness with my hands. “They saw everything!”
“Who?” Dorian asked, following my line of sight. “By the gods. I…”
“What?” I asked.
“I can see them! The spirits!”
I tilted my head. “Seriously?”
“I can’t explain it. Perhaps our connection, our intimacy. I don’t know!”
I quickly scurried through the loose gravel, the sharp pains piercing my feet as I found my clothes, bending over to pick up my pants. “What you looking at, Roy?”
The spirit wolf howled at my butt.
“That’s not a full moon, Roy! Behave!”
Dorian laughed. “Briar, they’re spirits. They’ve seen far worse than two people making love.”
My cheeks flushed crimson at his words, but I couldn’t shake the unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The eyes of the spirit animals seemed to bore into my soul, their silent judgment weighing heavily upon me.
“What do you think they’re thinking?” I whispered.
“Most likely nothing that would concern us,” Dorian reassured me, his voice soothing as he tightened his embrace around my body. “They’re simply curious. You’re the only human who can see them. Well, until now. I’m sure they’re being protective. They aren’t behaving aggressively. I think they approve.”
Reluctantly, I nodded in agreement, my fingers fumbling to retrieve my discarded clothes from the ground beside us. As I pulled on my jeans and wriggled back into my shirt, I couldn’t help but steal another glance at the spirit animals, their ethereal forms flickering like shadows against the moonlit stones of the sanctuary.
I studied the spirit animals, and a peculiar sensation washed over me. Dorian was right. It was as if they were communicating their approval through some unseen language. These spirits were not here to judge or condemn us. Rather, they bore witness to our connection and offered their silent blessing.
I glanced at Dorian, who seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes locked on the ethereal figures that surrounded us. His brow furrowed with concentration as he reached a tentative hand toward the closest spirit animal, an elegant doe who had been watching us intently. To my amazement, she did not shy away from his touch but instead stepped closer, allowing him to stroke her translucent form.
“Did you see that?” Dorian asked in awe, his voice barely more than a whisper.
“See what?” I replied, puzzled by his reaction.
“I…I can touch them,” he stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s incredible!”
I laughed. “Well, welcome to my world. It’s curious, though, right? Like making love let you borrow my powers?”
“It’s our harmony,” Dorian mused, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the curve of my spine. “It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that our union has opened a door between us, allowing you to share your gift with me.”
“Does that mean I can access your spirits as well?” I asked, both hopeful and wary of the implications.
“Perhaps,” he replied, his eyes shimmering with newfound wonder as he continued to study the spirit animals. “Only time will tell. My spirits are more reclusive, like the trees that stay rooted in place or the water that swirls and rages only within its shores.”
“Maybe this is only the beginning,” I whispered, hope lacing my voice as I envisioned a future filled with magic, mystery, and endless possibilities.
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and the promise of rain. I felt a shiver run down my spine, not from the cool air but from the lingering sensation of Dorian’s touch on my skin. We had sealed our love beneath the watchful eyes of the spirit animals, their presence a comforting reminder of the magic that now bound us together.
“Damn,” Dorian muttered, his voice breaking the spell of our shared reverie. He stood abruptly, the urgency in his movements slicing through the delicate threads of our connection. “I need to finish the wards before the Morai find us.”
“Right.” I tried to shake off the haze of our intimacy as reality came crashing back down. I glanced around the sanctuary, feeling strangely exposed. “But I can’t stay here with you forever, Dorian. I have a life outside these woods, you know. I need to go to work, use the bathroom, stuff like that.”
Dorian shrugged. “Use a tree. I promise the spirits won’t take offense.”
I stared at Dorian blankly. “I’m not peeing on a tree. That sort of thing is a lot easier for you than for me. Plus, what if I have to go…you know?”
“Then you find a leaf! Avoid the poison ivy, though. You’ll regret it. Trust me.”
I laughed. “Sounds like a lesson learned from experience. Honey, I don’t know when your birthday is, but I’m getting you some Charmin.”
Dorian snickered. “That would be delightful.”
“Point is, Dorian. This place is nice and all, but I can’t live here. Even if you do ward it so we’re safe from the Morai, I have to leave eventually.”
Dorian drew a deep breath. “I suppose you’re right. Still, it wouldn’t hurt. Just for a while.”
“Can’t you ward me or something?” I asked, feeling the pull of my ordinary life tugging at the edges of my newfound magic. “If you can protect this place, surely you can do the same for me. I have a connection to you. Perhaps some of your spells would work on me like you can see my little friends.”
“Those spells take time to prepare, and they’re not foolproof,” Dorian replied, frustration seeping into his voice. “Besides, the Morai are relentless. They won’t stop until they have what they want.”
“Then let’s give them a reason to back off.” My practicality rose to the surface. “Teach me how to defend myself, Dorian. More than wards. Show me how I can use my gifts to fight back.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt. “It’s a big step, a lot to take in so soon when you’ve only started scratching the surface of your potential. It might be overwhelming, and I don’t mean emotionally. Casting new spells for the first time can be physically exhausting.”
“Absolutely,” I replied. “If I get tired, hell, that’s what coffee is for.”
“All right,” he laughed, resignation settling over him like a heavy cloak. “First, let me ward this place. After that’s done, at least we’ll have a place to retreat if the Morai find us in the forest.”
I nodded. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Here.” Dorian gestured toward a large oak tree. “You should lean against this while I gather some herbs for a protection charm.”
I looked at the tree, its gnarled bark twisted into an almost menacing expression, then back at Dorian. Stubborn determination flared within me. “I don’t need to lean against anything,” I told him, taking a deep breath and standing straighter. “I can manage on my own.”
Dorian grinned. “I’m not saying you’re too weak or tired to stand. If you truly have a connection to my spirits as I do to yours, you need to build trust with the spirit of the oak. If I’m going to ward you, in addition to the sanctuary, it’s necessary.”
I darted my eyes back and forth. I extended a hand and leaned against the tree. “Hey there, Oakey.”
I felt a tingle spread up my arm and pulled it away instinctively. “That tickled!”
Dorian was already bent over, gathering a few twigs from the forest floor. “What did you feel?”
“When I touched the tree. It felt…funny.”
“Then it’s confirmed. You have a connection to its spirit. The spirit of the oak is trying to introduce itself. Allow it to do so.”
I bit my lip and slowly put my hand back on the tree’s trunk. The sensation resumed. I giggled. “Does it always feel like this?”
Dorian shrugged. “You get used to it.”
“Uh-huh.” I almost snorted, trying to restrain my chortles.
As Dorian moved away to collect the necessary ingredients, I allowed the tree’s spirit to wash over me. I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds of the woods, welcoming every sensation. Even the wind whispered secrets through the trees as if giving the forest a voice.
“All right.” Dorian returned to my side with a handful of herbs and a small vial of liquid. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, feeling both excited and nervous about what lay ahead. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“First, we’ll start with a simple protection charm,” he explained, grinding the herbs together in his hand. He poured some of the vial’s contents into his palm.
“What is that stuff?” I asked.
“Tree sap,” Dorian revealed. “They yield it to me willingly. All you need to do is ask.”
“That’s all right. I’m good.”
Dorian grabbed one of his pre-made totems dangling from the trees and smeared the paste all over it. “I’m making a permanent charm. This will protect you indefinitely, so long as you’re wearing it. No spell will be able to affect you.”
“I have to wear those sticks all the time?” I asked.
“It’s not large,” Dorian insisted. “I’m sure you can…figure out how to accessorize to accommodate it.”
I grinned. “Accessorize. Right.”
“Remember.” Dorian channeled power into the charm and draped it over my neck. “Magic is not only about reciting words and performing rituals. It’s about connecting with the forces around you. The spirits, the elements, even your own emotions. You must learn to harness these energies and learn the patterns that allow you to connect to the net.”
As I stared at the charm dangling from my neck, I knew he was right. If I wanted to survive the dangers ahead, I would have to become more than a passive observer of the magical world. I would have to become an active participant. I’d asked for this, and I was ready to learn whatever he could teach me.
“Hey, Dorian,” I called, curiosity making my voice tremble. “Do you think my father’s book might help me learn more about my powers?”
Dorian paused, his dark eyes thoughtful as he considered my question. “It’s possible,” he admitted after a moment. “Your father had a unique connection with animal spirits, much like you. He was one of the few who could communicate with them directly.” He glanced at the spirit animals that flitted around us. Curious, watchful, but not interfering. “Perhaps they can offer some guidance as well.”
I stared at him in disbelief, my heart pounding with sudden excitement. “You mean my father could do what I can do?”
“Indeed,” Dorian confirmed, his gaze filled with empathy and understanding. “He was a rare talent, much like yourself. While I am adept at harnessing the forces of nature, your father’s gift was something altogether different and mysterious. It would be wise for you to explore this connection, and I’m more than willing to help you. Now that I can engage these spirits with you, I suppose we’ll be able to learn together.”
The revelation sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn’t suppress the swell of emotion that welled up within me. All these years, I’d felt so alone in my strange ability, yet my father had shared the same gift.
Dorian lifted his hand to my cheek. “Begin by speaking to your spirits. Ask them for their guidance and assistance as you learn to wield your power.”
I drew a deep breath and looked around. “Roy, you here?”
A gust of wind blew through the trees. Perhaps it was a coincidence. Roy showed up, looking up at me with wide eyes, his mouth open and panting.
“Will you help me?” I asked him, my voice trembling slightly. Roy’s gaze flicked between Dorian and me as if weighing our intentions. Then, without a word, he dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a rush of gratitude at his acceptance. It was clear this was a new chapter not only for me but for the spirits I had grown up with as well.
“Where do we begin?” Dorian asked, his voice betraying his curiosity. He eyed Roy with a mixture of awe and uncertainty, still struggling to come to terms with the fact that he could now see the beings I had been connected to all my life.
“Roy knows where we need to go,” I replied, my confidence growing with each passing moment. “He’ll lead the way.”
We followed the wolf deeper into the woods. The forest seemed to close in around us, the branches above knitting together like a shroud.
As we continued our journey through the forest, my mind remained alert. I half expected Gareth and his witches to show up at any moment to steal me away again.
They never showed. Every minute that passed, the more my anxiety waned.
Roy howled and nuzzled at the earth. We had arrived at a small, secluded clearing, the ground littered with leaves and half-buried stones.
“Is this where…” I trailed off, unable to voice the question that burned in the back of my throat.
Roy grunted and pawed the dirt. The earth didn’t respond to his digging, but I got the hint. I bent over and started to claw beside him.
Eventually, I uncovered a small bone.
“Keep digging,” Dorian urged. “This is why he brought you here. Consider it a gift.”
I swallowed hard, trying to get over the natural sense of revulsion that accompanied digging up animal remains. I’d seen Roy for years. His bones must’ve been buried in that spot for as long, if not longer.
The flesh was gone. There wasn’t anything repulsive about them. I traced my fingers around the dirt, exposing more of the wolf’s skeleton until I’d exhumed it all.
“Thank you, Roy,” I murmured, my breath hitching. Roy nuzzled his head into my chin, and I scratched him behind the ears.
“Let’s take these back to the sanctuary,” Dorian suggested. “We’ll consult your father’s books. We must take great care to select the most useful spell. After you’ve used bones for a particular spell, you won’t be able to repurpose them.”
I nodded. “All right, let’s go.”
I gathered up the bones in my hands. I had to pull out the bottom of my shirt, creating a cradle for Roy’s skeletal corpse.
It was hard to believe all that had happened. When all I did was see animal spirits, my behavior was off enough that people thought I was strange. If they only knew the truth…
