A Late Summer Bloom (13 page)

The woman sounded desperate, begging him to reconsider.
“Julien, please.
I’ve been waiting for you. I will marry
another if you reject me.”

“I’ve tried not to lead you on, but you
refuse to listen. I guess I have to spell it out for you. I have no intention of
marrying you, nor will I impregnate you.”

“Why
not?
I’m pretty and smart. I’m a very talented witch. You
would be lucky to have me.”

“I don’t want to be cruel, but you are not—for
me. I have been with plenty of witches and none of them are—her.”

“Her? What type do you prefer, Julien?
Stupid?
Meek?
Brunette?
I can be all those things with a mere snap of my fingers.”

“I appreciate the effort, but I am made for
one witch only, and I have yet to find her. Marry someone else, Selena. I am
not the one for you.”

“Julien!
Wait. Don’t walk away
from me!”

Desiree squeezed her eyes shut and listened intently to the woman’s
cries of anguish. She shivered as she heard a strangled, angry wail swathed in
the newness of a hatred just born. Unable to move a muscle after hearing the
disturbing sound, Desiree felt the burning in her ears increase. It was then
she heard it, the low fervent mumbling sounds of a witch seeking retaliation. A
spell, evil in nature was cast over Julien, blocking his ability to feel
romantic love, and leaving him void of an emotional connection.

Dizzy with the effects of her aural vision, Desiree tried not to move. She
wasn’t powerless to help, but she would need assistance. And going to Simon was
her only option. Seeking out Selena Lovell was at the top of her to do list. Smiling
at her good fortune, Desiree silently thanked the gods because she knew just
where to find her evil highness. And she didn’t have to go far.

Desiree burst into Simon’s bedroom, flipping on the light switch. When
she eyed the traveler’s position, she giggled. “Get up. We have to talk.”

He slept on his stomach, his body half off the bed, his hand grazing
the floor. “Huh? What—what has happened?”

“I’ve discovered my true calling.”

He lifted himself up. “That is wonderful news. Tell me what it is, and
we will celebrate until the dawn.”

His smile sent waves of delight through her. Truly excited, Simon sat
up, putting his legs on the floor beside the bed. Her eyes came to rest on his
scars, and she looked away. “I believe I’m an auditory clairvoyant.”

Simon stood up and grabbed a tee-shirt. He pulled it over his head and
ran his fingers through his dark hair. He sat back down on the bed, facing her,
and tipped up her chin. His expression was serious when he looked into her
eyes. “This is an ancient calling, Desiree. You must be sure.”

“I know what I heard. You were in my mind tonight. You must’ve had a
suspicion.”

He looked away, but his hand lingered on her cheek. “I was focused on
... other things. I’m afraid I pulled out too soon.”

She cocked her head. “I hope that doesn’t happen too often.” She giggled
at the sexual innuendo, not wanting to shake him loose.

As he caressed her cheek with his thumb, Desiree leaned forward, her
breasts rubbing against his hard chest. Simon leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“I want to hook up with you, Desiree Mercier.”

Yes! Yes, take me.

His breath, his voice, his body screamed out to hers. On the verge of
giving in to her most forbidden fantasy, Simon pushed her back. “But I think it
would be a mistake. Yes?”

Desiree swallowed hard and nodded. Pulling away, she gathered her
strength, clearing her thoughts. “We have much more important things to discuss
. .
This may take a while.”

Chapter Twenty

Giselle stood by the river, across from Beaumont Plantation. The cool
breeze blew her hair away from her face while she focused on the water’s
surface. Julien broke her concentration for the third time.
“Any
day, Little Witch.
We’ve been at this for hours now.”

“You keep interrupting me. You’re making me nervous, hovering over
there. I can’t focus.”

“It shouldn’t take you this long. You’re not trying.”

“I am trying. Don’t tell me I’m not trying.”

“Stop acting like a child. You are a royal. Act like it.”

“I don’t know what a royal is supposed to act like. Just stand over
there out of the way and let me try to do this.”

“Fine.”

Giselle focused on the water again. Her mind was swirling with
confusion and her ability felt stifled.
Why
did Desiree leave, today of all days? I need to talk to her.
Turning around
to face him, she put her hands on her hips. “When did Desiree say she would
return?”

“Ugh. Not again. She and Simon will be back tonight. She said she had
something important to take care of in New Orleans.
Giselle—the
water?”

She sighed loudly and turned around to focus on the water. Unable to
make anything happen, she flipped around again. “And she didn’t tell you what
it was?”

He threw his hands in the air, his frustration evident. “If I wasn’t
assigned to protect you, I’d throw you over my knee. No. She didn’t tell me,
okay!”

She pursed her lips. “You don’t have to shout at me.”

Giselle looked out over the water and tried again. Although she thought
it strange for Desiree to leave in the night without telling her, she also knew
she, herself, was stalling. Her powers would not surface.

Was it because she was outside the gates of Beaumont plantation?
I do feel a great connection with that land.
Okay. Concentrate Giselle. You just need
a little movement.

A loud, annoyed, huff came from Julien, making her lose her temper. She
glared at him.

“Damn it! You did it again!”

Julien stood with his arms crossed over his chest, tapping his foot with
impatience. “Get your head in the game, Giselle. You are stressing over
something, and I’m just about to lose it. We don’t have time for this.”

“You don’t think I know that?” She marched away from him. Heading across
the road to toward Beaumont Plantation, she shouted back to him. “I need some
air.”

He retorted. “You’re already outside.”

“Well, then I need some alone time.”

****

Julien ran his hand through his hair and moaned in frustration as he watched
her walk away. Bending down he scooped up some rocks to throw.
Anything to rid him of his frustration, sexual or otherwise.
Before he could toss his first pebble, he heard the sounds of a waterfall. Up
from the river’s surface was a shooting geyser of water at least ten feet high.
Shouting out to Giselle, he noticed she was too far away already, walking at a
maddening pace. Her anger caused the large flute of water to appear.

Julien glanced at his wristwatch. He would note the amount of time the
water reacted, giving them both some much needed time alone. Then he would
shift, take flight over the grounds and check the perimeters. Unable to think
of anything other than the kiss from the night before, he fought with his good
sense. He longed to go after her and gather her in his arms. He wanted to make
love to her and be the first to give her the ultimate in satisfaction.

But he learned his lesson with Selena. The sex between them had been passionate,
but for Julien, something was amiss. Breaking Selena’s heart and rejecting her had
its consequence. The death of Thomas Montclair, and Chantilly’s departure, was
his punishment, his burden to bear.

The large cascading jut of water stopped. Looking at the time, he glanced
in the direction of the house. Giselle was out of sight. He had proof now that her
anger and emotion controlled her power. That was when she had the least amount
of restraint. She’d blocked her power for so long, it had become second nature.
Giselle must embrace her abilities. And until she was convinced her power was a
gift, not a curse, she would continue to stifle its magnificence.

Chapter Twenty-One

Desiree scanned the homes on Canal Street. The rundown section of New
Orleans was in dire need of repair. Addresses were scarce as she tried to read
the faded numbers, but Desiree kept her focus searching for one home in
particular. Having heard the stories of the
dark
lady,
Desiree knew she must keep her wits about her. Good witches don’t
mess with black magic. And the ones that do are the ones to avoid.

She’d heard of Selena Lovell. The witch had a reputation for seeking
out weak-minded humans, offering them a chance at love or success, all through
the art of fortune-telling. Guiding the misguided was her calling card, taking
their money was her business. According to the locals, Selena was in the habit
of conducting appointments at home, which is exactly where Desiree hoped to
find her.

When she found the house, she wasn’t surprised by its appearance. The
rickety home, with its rusty fence, was the perfect locale for Selena’s kind of
business. Maybe she should’ve told Simon where she was going, but her need for
him confused her. She needed space.
Desiree
opened the latch on the broken gate, leaving it hanging open, a quick exit on
her mind. Walking up the path to the front door, she noticed discolored grass,
withered flowers, and potted plants crackled with age. The windows were covered
with grime, the frames warped and swollen. She stepped to the front door,
knocking with just enough force to be heard.

When the door opened, Desiree’s first impression of Selena Lovell was
surprise. The young woman stood five-foot-nine. Her straight blond hair hung
lifeless. A slight part, zigzagging along her scalp, failed to hide the true
ash brown color of her roots. The witch was far from ugly, but the permanent
scowl on her face made her look old. And, by the looks of her, Desiree
understood why she was feared in her inner circle. Standing in the doorway
disheveled, Selena still managed to dismiss her.

“I don’t take walk-ins.”

As she attempted to close the door, Desiree put her hand out. “I’m
looking for Selena Lovell.”

Selena scowled at her. “Well, you found her. Like I said, I don’t take
walk-ins.”

Desiree pushed herself inside. “I’m not here for an
appointment.
”

“What are you here for?”

“My name is Desiree
Mercier,
I’m a friend of
Julien Beaumont.”

Noticing Selena’s demeanor change from relaxed to rigid, Desiree
continued. “I won’t take up much of your time so I’ll make this short. I am
here to inform you that the curse you placed on Julien Beaumont has been
discovered.”

“Curse?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Indeed.” Desiree stared at her. “You will remove the curse, Selena, or
pay the price for your desecration.”

“What could
you
possibly do
to
me
?”

“Hmm.
Unlike you, I don’t announce my talents with a shingle outside my
home. But don’t underestimate me. Or, if you prefer, I can tell Julien of your
treachery, leave you to his discretion.”

Selena’s tone was sarcastic. “His power is no match for mine.”

“You’re right, it’s not. Julien Beaumont is much stronger.”

Selena’s eyes gave away her trepidation. She looked away.

“We’ve all suffered a broken heart in our lifetime,” Desiree said. “We
move on and try to come to terms with it. There is no reason to let our
disappointment morph into hate. I came here to appeal to you as a woman. You
know I can get the curse removed through other avenues but if I have to do
that, I will call a council.”

When Selena raised her eyes, Desiree had to look away. The seething
fury hidden behind those black eyes penetrated right through to Desiree’s
bones. Suddenly pinned to the wall, held prisoner by a dark energy, Desiree
watched Selena as she got closer, tilting her head, examining her. “You come
into my home?
My domain?
And demand a cessation?
You’re a joke. I should kill you right here and put you out with the trash.”

Desiree struggled to free herself while yelling out in pain.

Selena continued her venomous tirade. “Hurts, huh? You think you can
disrupt my life because you want Julien Beaumont? You will not have him. No one
will!”

Sweat beaded on Desiree’s forehead. Selena laughed, a maniacal sound
from a woman deranged and consumed with rage. “Poor Desiree—Mercier, was it?
I’ll remember that.” She spat. Without looking, Selena ducked as a lamp flew
over her head crashing into the wall.

“I’m impressed.
Wanna
try again?”

Suddenly, Selena was thrust back by an unseen force, hitting the wall
with a loud thud. Though her vision was blurry, Desiree knew the moment Simon
arrived. Struggling to focus, she watched another blow send Selena to her
knees. And, all at once, Desiree was free from pain and no longer held to the
wall. Simon stood tall as he grinned at someone on the other side of the room.