They returned to Raven’s Creek twenty-four hours after leaving, bringing with them a selection of wines from all of Gregori’s estates plus his own vin Rousseau rosé for them all to drink at the wine tasting which had been set for Sunday at twilight, two days before he had to return to Marylebone. It was heading towards mid-summer. It wouldn’t be dark in the evening until nine at least.
In the intervening days, Alanna continued to sculpt, and Gregori pretended to hunt for the reason behind the sisters’ parents’ death. At night, they slept entangled in each other’s arms and he waited for Alanna to tell him everything as she’d promised. He could see as each day passed, that she grew sadder and he knew she fought an internal battle with herself.
Her anguish ate through his resolve to be patient. Patience was for saints. He was anything but.
There were less than a handful of days before Marylebone wanted him back. His magic was building within him, causing his spells to behave in an erratic manner. He was afraid if he waited much longer, he would have to leave Raven’s Creek altogether before this week was over. He had no wish to expose his beloved to danger and he could feel that was exactly what was happening to him. He was growing exponentially dangerous as each day passed. Increment by increment, his handle on his magic weakened.
He cornered her the night before the wine-tasting event. “When?” he asked, his arm braced against the wall beside her head. There was no need to explain. She knew exactly what he referred to.
“Soon,” she said and ducked under his arm in an attempt to evade his questions.
“Now,” he insisted and moved to prevent her escape. He slid his finger down the bridge of her nose in a soft caress. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
“Not now,” she swatted at his finger, a playful lilt in her voice. “You need to get ready for the wine-tasting tomorrow.”
“I do not need to get ready for anything.” He hated to admit his weaknesses, but he was going to have to make her realize just how much trouble he was in. “Except to work on how not to flame out.”
The playful light left her eyes. A frown marred her brow. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve barely days left, Alanna. You can’t see it, but I’m struggling to maintain control of my magic. I’ve been siphoning it off into orbs you can’t see, but it’s dangerous to leave them floating about and it’s too dangerous for me to hold it all at once. My familiar, Lyzander, is guarding the orbs but I think I may have to return to Marylebone early.”
“No!” Alanna flung herself into his arms. “You can’t go.”
“I have to,” he admitted. “I would not put you or your family in danger.”
“But Rosa managed to stay in control right up to the last hour. If she can, then so can you.”
“Rosa isn’t half as powerful as I am. She’s a neophyte and it will take a thousand years at least to get anywhere close to my level. Come on, Alanna. Don’t do this to me. Let me in or let me go before it’s too late.”
• • •
Too late. His words hung like heavy gray clouds between them. She ducked under his arm once again and put distance between them. They were alone in the studio surrounded by all of Gregori’s creature comforts. She walked to the table, plucked a cork from a rosé bottle and filled a glass. Her hand shook so much the drink spilled as she handed it to him. The time had come. But first, a little fortification. She filled another glass and slugged it back in two swift gulps. Her eyes smarted and she coughed as she refilled the glass.
“I don’t know how to find the words,” she admitted and slumped into a chair. “I’ve been mulling them over for days and no matter which way I try to sort them in my head, they all seem so wrong.”
Gregori crouched down before her. He placed his glass on the table and rested his hands on her knees. “One word at a time will do.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“At the beginning.”
“It would be easier if you did that walking thing in my mind.”
Gregori shook his head. “My magic is too erratic and you’re too fragile. I can’t trust myself not to cause permanent damage while in there. The walls you’ve created must be dropped by you only.”
Except for her studio becoming a luxurious apartment each night Alanna hadn’t seen him perform a single spell since their return from Cabasson. “I’m so selfish I didn’t even see how much you’re struggling.”
His smile was gentle. He picked up one of her hands and pressed his lips into her palm. “I ensured you could not see.”
“My sisters and I, we have a circle where we perform our rituals. I’d feel safer if we did this there.” She looked up and gazed out the window. It was growing dark. That would give her three hours to psych herself up, to prepare herself for the inevitable.
Gregori mistook her meaning. “You would feel safer from me within your Circle?”
“Not from you,” Alanna insisted and lifted her hand to cup his cheek, wanting to move the frown between his eyes. “You make me feel safe. Loved. I want to tell you. It’s just … ” her stomach was threatening to rebel.
No. No more hiding. No more prevarication. “I know you don’t want to use your magic, but I want you to create a circle to protect us both. I will tell you everything. I will leave nothing out, but I want your word you will not reveal what you learn to anyone. Not a single soul. Ever.”
Alarm filtered into his aura. He felt it take up residence around his heart. “You are my destiny,” he said despite having misgivings on making such a promise. “I will hold your secret safe in my heart for all eternity.”
Alanna’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “You really do love me.”
His smile was wry. “Have I not shown you every night this week?”
Her face was pale, her eyes stark. “I only hope you’ll still love me tomorrow.”