Indigo Spell (20 page)

Falcon climbed to his feet, his eagle eyes pinned on Jaxon’s face. “Where did she hear that name?”

Jaxon’s response was straightforward, without emotion. Falcon preferred it that way. Deliver the problem in a simple and clean manner and he would deliver the solution. “I can only assume Athena. That’s the name they have chosen for the next child they will take. They have decided that child will be mine.”

“Why Shantay?” Tess touched Falcon’s hand and sparks shot from her fingertips. She immediately clutched her hand against her breast and stared up at the wizard. “Okay, that was weird.”

“Falcon doesn’t like to be touched by mortals,” Andion explained in a somewhat awed tone of voice.

She elbowed Jaxon in the ribs. “You could have warned me.”

“I didn’t know you were going to touch him.”

She let the matter drop. “Again, what is so special about Shantay?”

Jaxon answered Tess’ question. “It is the name Athena has chosen for the future ruler of the Coven, the witch with the greatest power. The name means Enchanted.”

Stepping away from him, she looked around the room. “Great. At least she has high hopes for my child. Goals are important. So where’s the door?”

Slipping back to her side, Jaxon took her hand. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to kick this witch’s ass.” Tess found the door, a solid panel. The doorknob was nowhere to be seen. She felt along the smooth board. “Where’s the doorknob now? You know,” she turned back around to face the Assembly, “I think if I’m going to become a part of this family, such as it is, I don’t want to be left out in the cold. I want to know about your plans, especially those plans that involve Jaxon, me or our future children. Is that too much to ask?” When silence greeted her question, she threw up her hands. “Great. Okay. I’ve stepped over another line. Could someone please give me a rule book?”

Jaxon took her arms in his and pulled her close, ignoring the interested gazes of his family and friends. “Honey, you didn’t break any rules. It’s just going to take you some time to adjust.”

Falcon moved into position close behind them, so close that the heat of his body enveloped them. “You don’t have that much time, Jaxon. If Tess is the woman you are to marry, you must make haste in protecting her. You cannot do so without the ceremony. Her life is in grave danger right now. Athena could have easily taken her last night.”

Tess shivered, pressed her palm against Jaxon’s chest. “What ceremony?”

He didn’t meet her eyes. “The wedding.”

“Why am I getting the feeling there’s a little more involved here than just saying I do?”

“The ceremony is binding. Permanent. There will be no turning back,” Falcon informed her.

“I didn’t imagine the wizards would honor divorce. With all your power, that would give you a bad name,” she teased, even though Jaxon read the fear in the depths of her eyes. “Don’t worry about it. No matter how strange this seems to me, I am where I’m supposed to be. Don’t ask me how I know that because I just realized it myself. Of course, I’m not even beginning to think about the future and immortality and all that stuff. God, I thought dealing with reporters and newly discovered cousins was difficult.”

Falcon nodded his head, a gesture of his approval. “Then it will be done. Tonight.”

“Tonight?” Tess shook her head. “No, that’s not possible. I have to have time to plan, to prepare. There’s invitations and the wedding cake and—”

Jaxon covered her mouth with his hand. “The ceremony is quick and private. Tonight at midnight, you will become my wife.” His eyes burned into hers as if daring her to accept the challenge.

She peeled his hand away. “And then what happens?”

The wolfish grin brought a chorus of chuckles from the male wizards. “Do you really need to ask?”

Her nose wrinkled. “It’s nice to know that even wizards can be crude.” She tipped her head back to see Jaxon’s face. “Even though they’re a bit tardy. At any rate, I guess I’ll see you guys tonight at midnight. Try to look at least moderately happy for Jaxon, will you?”

* * * * *

Charlemaine’s pacing made Tess nervous. Or maybe it was more the way her future mother-in-law watched her which made her nervous. She couldn’t be sure. She wanted to ask her to sit, if even just for a moment. Long enough for her to calm down herself. After all, she was getting married in less than an hour and with Charlemaine’s arrival, Jaxon had disappeared. Traitor.

“I have not had the opportunity to speak with you before now.” Charlemaine finally sat, crossed her slim legs and adjusted the rustling silk of her dress over her knees. Softness filtered into her gaze and Tess relaxed a little.

She tweaked the last pin in her French braid and scooted back away from the mirror, giving the older woman her full attention. “Well, we’re both here now and it looks like we have some time to kill. So why don’t we have that conversation?”

Charlemaine’s eyes lifted, connected with Tess’. There was fear in those glossy, green depths before Jaxon’s mother quickly shuttered her gaze. Fear for what? Or for whom?

“I know you think we are not happy for Jaxon and for you. On the contrary, I am happy for the both of you. I am pleased my son has found a woman who touches his heart, his soul. His father and I were beginning to despair he would never find someone. He did not seem interested before now. But,” she released a sigh, “I would be lying to you if I said I was glad he has chosen to marry a mortal.”

“But that won’t matter once I become pregnant. I’ll be immortal.”

“That is true but Jaxon, being a male, probably did not give you all of the information you would need in order to make an informed decision.”

Tess leaned forward and touched Charlemaine’s hand. “And you think warning me now is going to help? I’m sorry if you don’t like that I’m a human, mortal or whatever you want to call it. Jaxon and I didn’t choose to fall in love with one another. It just happened. Did you plan to fall in love with Jaxon’s father?”

Charlemaine smiled as the point hit home. “No, I suppose not. But I was already a wizard. The risks were not the same.”

“I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize your family or the Assembly.”

“I know you love my son but some things are beyond your control. The love between a wizard and his wife is a powerful thing, more powerful than the witches who now threaten you. They may be able to take your child but they will never be able to come between you and Jaxon, not once you are husband and wife.” The older woman got to her feet, resumed pacing. “The passion is intense, overwhelming even, for a woman not accustomed to our ways.”

“I’ve already experienced it.” A shiver danced its way down her spine.

The wizard nodded. “I thought as much.”

“Please don’t tell me there are rules against premarital sex.”

A chuckle broke forth from the older woman’s throat. “None that I’m aware of.” She clasped her hands together in front of her, her smile fading. “There is no doubt in my mind that Jaxon loves you, Tess. Once a wizard has given his heart, he will not take it back but then,” she turned to face her son’s choice, “neither will he give you yours.”

“I’ve already been warned about the no divorce. Why don’t you just tell me what you really want to tell me instead of dancing around it? After all I’ve learned these past few weeks I can assure you I can take it.”

Charlemaine smiled her acknowledgment. “I am sure you can. You are a strong woman. You must have been a force before you met Jaxon.”

Tess’ eyes narrowed. “My personality isn’t going to change.”

“But that is the problem. It must change. You cannot challenge your husband in the face of the Assembly. You cannot challenge the Assembly like you did this morning. It is not acceptable and will not be tolerated once you are one of us.”

Tess stood, shoved the stool back under the dressing table. “I will never be one of you, Charlemaine. I may marry your son but you’ll never fully accept me into your family because I’m not a wizard. I can’t do all the little magic tricks like pulling a star from the sky or bending a tree because I need a bridge. That’s not going to happen. I have accepted that. I have accepted my differences. I just wish you did.”

“I can see you truly do not understand.” Charlemaine went to her, took her hands. “Tess, once you are joined with my son and you bear his child, you will be expected to become one of us.”

Heart pounding, Tess arched one eyebrow. “I thought you had to be born a wizard.”

“In our realm, you are but there are other wizards, those who can be trained, who learn to acquire some, if not all, of our skills. This will be expected of you.”

“And you don’t think I can do it.”

Charlemaine allowed her hands to drop back to her sides. “It is not my intention to attempt to frighten you. Believe it or not, I like you. I think you will be good for my son but I worry about what the future might hold for the two of you.”

“You’re not by yourself on that one.”

“I can see your fear.”

Tess adjusted the full-length tulle skirt she wore. “As I’m sure everyone can.”

Charlemaine softened her next words. “You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. My son would not have chosen you had he not seen this strength. Only the strongest of mortals survive in our world.”

Were the words meant as a compliment or a warning? “Is this your idea of an olive branch?”

“I look at it as extending the hand of friendship.”

“With reservations.”

The female wizard nodded. “I am sure in time the reservations will recede.”

Not exactly the warmest welcome to the family she’d ever heard but Tess figured it would have to do. “Thank you.”

Charlemaine moved about the chamber, her steps measured, assured. She came to a stop in front of the door and tilted her head to one side. She ran one hand along the brick wall and Tess heard the rasp of her skin against the rock. “My son belongs in our world. He knows what we require of him.”

Tess couldn’t decipher if there was a threat hidden within the words. Her temper sparked anyway. “He met me in my world. That’s how I know him, as a building contractor who donates his time and himself for charity causes, who plays pool with his friends and treats me like I’m the only woman in the world who matters.” She brushed a hand over her thick braid and glared up at her future mother-in-law. “Are you trying to help me or intimidate me?”

Green eyes blinked back at her. “I want you to know that the man you are marrying is unlike any man you have ever known.”

Shoulders relaxing a little, Tess managed a small smile. “I figured that out on my own.”

The hand on her shoulder brought her eyes upward. Charlemaine stood behind her, a smile on her face, approval in her eyes. “Jaxon has chosen you. And he has chosen well. You will be more than a match for my son’s unstable temper and dark moods and a welcome addition to the Assembly. Now I believe it is time for a wedding, is it not?”

Chapter Seven

Athena, leader of the Coven, a formidable witch who had achieved far more than her sisters by way of power, hung suspended in midair, her legs crossed, fingernails tapping against her forearm. “So the wizard is taking a wife. A mortal wife, no less. Who would have believed it?”

“He will not let his guard down,” Arista pointed out with a trace of bitterness. As a young witch, she’d crossed paths with Jaxon more than one time and had suffered great loss at his hand, including the life of her true blood sister, Oena. But now her powers had strengthened and she was eager for a taste of the revenge Athena had been crowing about the last century.

Athena swept a gaze over her fellow witch, a slight smile tilting the corners of her full lips. “That’s the beauty of it. We do not need his guard to be lowered…only hers. I have seen her temper, her fire. Her child will be the next leader of our great coven. She will have her mother’s strength, her father’s power and our magic. She will be undefeated. And Jaxon’s wife will bring her to us.”

“How can you be so sure? Jaxon’s protection is strong and even if we can reach the mortal, he will not let her go without a fight.” Hestra joined her two sister witches at the tower window, her long, flowing blonde hair swept back from her face with a blue ribbon. To the mortal eye, she was a beautiful woman, rivaling Athena, but underneath the mark of beauty lay a cruel and calculating heart. She’d been instrumental in helping the Coven overtake several weaker bands of witches, absorbing their power. This power enabled the Coven of Allesandra to pit their new forces against the Assembly once more. To Hestra, the need to overtake the wizards was more than revenge, it was a thirst for supremacy, an all-consuming desire to win.

It was one of the things Athena liked about her the most. “I will take care of Jaxon.”

“And what about Braeden, will you take care of him as well?” Hestra didn’t bother to hide her disdain.

Athena turned, eyes clashing with her sister witch. “Braeden is no concern of yours.”

Hestra ascended to the air. Her hand touched the ceiling in a gesture of irritation. “And he should not be a concern of yours. You are a witch, Athena, a witch who has gained immortality, something few witches are able to accomplish. You lead a strong band of your sister witches and yet you would love a wizard.”

Athena’s hand swept the air, creating an arc of black rage. “Enough. We will not discuss my past with Braeden.”

“You fell in love with him,” the blonde witch scoffed.

“Before I knew he was a wizard. That part of my life is over.”

“I’m sure we’d all like to hope so but you can’t blame us for the doubt.”

“Whatever you think matters little to me. I lead this coven and you shall simply have to trust me.”

Arista rejoined the conversation. “Could you kill him should that become necessary?”

A cold chill ran down Athena’s spine. “He is immortal. It is not nearly so easy to kill him as you would imagine.” She knew the words were a hedge but she wasn’t so sure she could give the response her sisters sought.

“Even immortals can be killed. Our magic is strong and together we can do anything.” Hestra’s pointed words hit their mark, bringing a frown to Athena’s face.

“We don’t need to discuss this right now. The spell is ready. At nightfall, I will slip into the bedroom and—”

“Jaxon will be there,” Arista noted. “There needs to be another time, a better place.”

“It must take place at the exact time the moon rises here high in the sky. By my calculations, that would be two a.m. Jaxon and his new bride,” Athena’s words carried a wealth of scorn, “should have adjourned to the bedroom by then.”

Hestra’s feet kicked the air. “And if they aren’t?”

Athena circled the air with the palm of her hand and opened a window into the world below. “I don’t make provisions for failure. This will work. We have no other choice. We will make it work.” Her lips tilted upward in a cruel smile. “Soon this land and all the land surrounding it will belong to the Coven. We shall reign and rule and the wizards shall be banished forever.”

Arista and Hestra exchanged glances that simmered with doubt but they joined in the chant of power. “We will reign and rule forever. The Coven of Allesandra is strong and mighty and no force can withstand ours. Together, we will destroy the Assembly. Together, we shall achieve the highest power ever coveted by a witch. Eternal rulers. The world shall be ours.”

* * * * *

The air hummed with electricity, vibrant sparks dancing off the walls. Tess clasped her hands together in front of her to quell the shaking and shifted from foot to foot. The long walk down the narrow corridor leading to the main Assembly room had been tough enough but this infernal waiting preyed heavily on her peace of mind. She remained alone in the room at Falcon’s request. He’d asked for a word alone with Jaxon, just him and the other members of the Assembly. Which left her alone. And growing more impatient with each passing minute.

She’d already seen what there was to see of the room. The brick walls choked off what little light could filter in from the lone window. Candelabras lined the upper walls, creating a warmth she didn’t feel. Polished marble lay at her feet and echoed with each step. The great table had been moved to make way for the coming ceremony. In the corner of the room, closest to the door, a dais had been erected where Falcon would seal her fate, join her life to Jaxon’s.

Tess’ abdomen clenched as another wave of panic gripped her. She still had time to run, but where would she go? Her doubts magnified as the door behind her swept open.

“Tess, sorry to have kept you waiting.” Falcon’s voice held no real apology as he approached her.

“I bet,” she muttered below her breath.

“Excuse me?” Falcon directed his eyes to her face, an expression of polite inquiry on his.

She waved her hand. “Never mind.”
Arrogant bastard.

“Jaxon will be along momentarily.”

“If you don’t mind me saying, ordinarily the groom is waiting at the altar for the bride, not the other way around. I’ve never been to a wedding where the groom actually walked down the aisle.”

Falcon’s lips twitched. “Jaxon won’t be walking down the aisle, my dear.”

A ray of light slashed across the bleak gray wall and then Jaxon appeared to stand beside her, wearing a tuxedo and a smile. “Sorry, I got held up.”

Tess couldn’t control the racing of her heart. He looked magnificent. The black material of the jacket stretched across his broad shoulders. His hair had been tamed for the occasion but she much preferred it casual and wind-tossed. He’d shaved and her palm itched to touch the smoothness of his cheek. She covered her desire by a quick quip. “So I noticed. I thought you were going to leave me standing at the altar.”

“Not a chance.” He winked and took her hand. “We’re ready.”

She looked over her shoulder. “Wait. Aren’t we going to wait for the others?”

“The others are here.” Jaxon kept his eyes turned straight ahead.

“I don’t see anyone.”

“The others will be attending the ceremony through other means than actual physical presence. It is our custom. A wedding is a private affair between the man and his bride,” Falcon informed her, sweeping his hands wide.

Her fingers clenched around Jaxon’s hand. “Okay. Well. I suppose we’re ready then. If we don’t require a witness, that is.”

He brought her hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles. “Our ceremonies are vastly different than those of mortals, Tess. As are our marriages.”

“I was just waiting for you to remind me of that one.” She peered up at the leader of the Assembly, her eyes narrowed. “There’s nothing in your little speech about my obeying the husband or bowing and scraping, is there?”

Falcon exchanged a glance with Jaxon, his eyes crinkled with amusement. “No, I can assure you there is not.”

“Good. Then I’m definitely ready.” She hoped she sounded braver than she felt. Tying herself to a wizard hadn’t exactly been one of her goals in life but marrying a good man was. And Jaxon was definitely a good man. Strong. Powerful. Loving. He made her feel safe, protected. Loved. Important factors in a marriage. She squeezed his fingers once more, he responded with a squeeze of his own.

“By the way, you’re beautiful,” Jaxon whispered for her ears alone.

With yards of satin and lace, the wedding dress Tess had chosen was an off-the-shoulder creation designed to fit her curves. She’d spent more time than she’d had that afternoon with the dressmaker once the dress had been chosen. Bearing a three-feet train and tapered sleeves with lace panels, which narrowed over her hands, the gown made her feel like a princess, even if she wasn’t so sure she would be living the fairy tale.

She gave him a nervous smile and tried to relax, to concentrate on the melodic flow of Falcon’s voice.

“A wedding ceremony is a sacred joining of two hearts, two lives. As you stand here today, the two of you shall become one. In spirit. In life. Eternally bound. Your love will be your strongest ally, your most powerful force. Together, you are indomitable. Separate you will be no more.” Falcon held out both hands and while Tess watched in awe, he created circles in the air, whirling vortexes of sound and wind.

Cold swept over her but before fear could set in she found herself in Jaxon’s arms and she allowed herself the luxury of placing her head on his shoulder.

“Hold on,” he whispered in her ear.

As Tess’ nails dug into his arms, the winds increased, sweeping back and forth over them, threatening to tear them apart. She couldn’t breathe or move her legs. Steel bands crawled up her body, encasing her in a metal tomb with Jaxon. Before panic could set in, he kissed her, bringing her thoughts back to what really mattered.

Together, they rocked as the winds intensified outside their steely circle and just when Tess was sure they’d be swept away, Jaxon raised his head and held his palm against the side of the metal wall. Instantly it splintered into thousands of tiny missiles, soaring into the air overhead before disintegrating like a snowball in the hot noonday sun.

She kept her head back, watching until the last piece of metal had disappeared. “What was that all about?” she whispered.

“Before the Assembly, your hearts have been bound, your lives joined. From henceforth, you shall be husband and wife.” Falcon lifted his hands, shifted the ground beneath their feet and guided them gently through the air.

Tess stilled the scream in her throat.

Jaxon reached for her hands. “Just hold onto me as you did before.”

She didn’t need the instruction for her fingers wrapped tightly around his. She focused solely on his face as the air began to swirl around them. Clouds of indigo circled, spiraled and arced around them, under and over, giving way to a stream of light that bent across the open sky. “Jaxon, we’re flying.” Her voice was bathed in awe.

His arms went around her and as their bodies showered into the light, his lips found hers, sealing their union.

The bedroom door slammed against the wall and they practically fell inside, wrapped in one another’s arms. Jaxon’s hand fisted in Tess’ hair, deepening the kiss. She pulled away to gasp for breath, pulling the oxygen into her lungs as her world spun crazily.

“Why am I so nervous? It’s not like we’ve never done this before.” Shaky laughter accompanied the words.

Jaxon placed a finger over her lips. “Because you’re focusing on the ceremony, what it means to be the wife of a wizard.”