Dagon paced the floor in his study. Tempest was due to return today, and Sarina and he had yet to reach any sort of understanding about how to handle this delicate and awkward situation. Actually Sarina did not even seem the least bit upset, and he had tried repeatedly to convince himself that she had matters well in hand.
She was after all a wise old witch who knew far more than he. And though she was powerless, she did not lack wisdom, she would know how to cope with her sister. But on that slim chance that things didn’t work out, he wanted to be prepared—and yet how?
He just couldn’t find an answer. How did a three hundred-year-old witch match wits with an ancient witch?
There was simply no answer.
Love.
Dagon stopped his pacing. One answer to all his questions Beatrice had told him. Could it be that simple? Could love combat the spell? It seemed worth a chance, and a chance was all he needed. Somehow, some way, Sarina would be his. He refused to accept otherwise.
He gave a curt nod of his head as if confirming his decision to himself and walked out of the study in search of Sarina.
He found her in the kitchen talking and laughing with Margaret as her hands were busy stirring a batter. “You’re baking.”
She smiled broadly at him. “Apple cinnamon bread. Tempest adores it, and I thought I would make her a loaf.”
“This is your great feat, bread?”
Margaret gave Sarina’s arm a supportive squeeze before quietly leaving the room.
“My sister is wise enough to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, and she would appreciate the fact that I took the time to bake her favorite bread. No great feat but a gift given with love.”
Dagon felt contrite. “I’m sorry.”
Her smile remained. “I understand, but please don’t worry yourself. All will go well.”
He approached her with enthusiasm in his voice. “You have decided on a feat that will appease your sister?”
She extended her lips for a kiss, her hands remaining busy.
He obliged her with a fast peck, and she stopped her stirring and glared at him in disappointment. “You call that a kiss?”
“You call that an answer?”
“You are going to worry yourself senseless.”
“Until this day passes and I find you in my arms permanently, I will worry.”
“And there is nothing I can say that will change that?” she asked.
“Tell me you have settled on a feat that will prove successful,” he said with hope.
Her laughter surprised him. “I can guarantee nothing and you know it.”
She returned to stirring her batter; he sat at the table in a chair opposite her. “I am being foolish, I know it, and yet I cannot stop myself.”
Her voice was comforting. “You are not accustomed to not being in control.”
“You’re right,” he admitted. “I have controlled my life quite nicely until you walked into it and then ...” He threw his hands up in surrender.
She giggled.
“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” he informed her firmly, though a hint of a smile started in the corner of his mouth.
“The easiest way to gain control of one’s life is to let go of control.”
That brought a generous smile to his face. “There’s food for thought.”
“Think on it—it makes more sense than you know.”
“I know that I love you,” he said, his smile turning gentle.
Sarina poured the batter into a loaf pan. “And your love for me will serve me well this day.”
A feeling of calm rushed over Dagon and brought an unexpected sigh to his lips. “You know something you’re not telling me.”
She reached across the table and locked her fingers with his. “Trust me, that’s all I ask of you.”
“You have all the trust and love I can give, dear heart, but know that I will be at your side through it all, and if you should ever be taken away from me, I would search until my dying day to find you.”
“My hero,” she said proudly and leaned across the table to give him more than a mere peck on the lips.
“Now,” he said standing and pushing up the sleeves of his pale gray sweater, “what other treat does your sister favor?”
“You’re going to bake a treat for my sister?” Sarina asked on a laugh.
“Cherry bread,” he said with a nod. “If Ali can bake it, so can I.”
“Do you mean this, Dagon?” Sarina asked seriously.
He walked around the table, his hands gently claiming her waist. “A gift made from love for my sister-in-law to be.”
His sincerity filled Sarina with joy. “Thank you, Tempest would like that.”
“She likes cherry bread?” he asked with a teasing nip to her lips.
She nipped in return. “She respects sincerity.”
“I respect fairness.” His playful nips softened to a brush of their lips.
“Then you two will certainly get along.” Her lips grazed his gently in return.
“I’m counting on it.” He kissed her then, full and hard, and they both understood this need to cling, to reinforce their love, their strength, their commitment to each other.
And it was with laughter and teasing that they baked bread together and prepared for nightfall and Tempest’s arrival.
Sarina wore all black; Dagon was dressed in complete white. They walked together to a large open area on the castle grounds. Normally one could view the distant hills and the woods in their entire splendor, but it was dusk and an eerie gray covered the surrounding area, and the hills and woods appeared large shadows that stared with suspicion at the lone couple.
“I will speak to your sister first,” he said, his hand gripping hers tightly. “There is something I wish to say.”
She nodded, anxious for her sister’s arrival and eager for this to end.
The wind came first, though it did not touch them. It swirled in great fury, a faint light beginning to grow in the center.
“She does love to make an entrance,” Dagon said and moved to stand protectively in front of her, their hands remaining joined.
His breath caught when he saw her. He had thought perhaps his memory had played tricks on him, and he had only imagined her stunning beauty. His memory had not proved accurate... she appeared more beautiful than last he saw her.
And the pale yellow of her flowing dress gave her reddish-blond hair the appearance of soft flames that flickered around her. This time her slipper-covered feet touched the earth, and she approached him with confidence.
Sarina stepped out from behind Dagon, to his annoyance, and greeted her sister with a wide smile.
“It is time,” Tempest said and waited.
Dagon stepped forward, and Tempest raised an annoyed brow.
“I wish to speak with you first,” he said.
“I am not in a hurry, have your say, but—” she said with a tone that warned. “Choose your words wisely.”
Dagon smiled then. “That may be difficult, since I find myself deeply in love with your sister and as of late have been more foolish than wise.”
He thought he saw a hint of a smile and proceeded with renewed confidence. “First, I owe you an apology. When I requested an introduction to you, my intentions were to see if we would be compatible lifemates. But then I met Sarina and completely lost my heart, my soul, and my sanity to her. My apologies for not making my original intentions clear.”
Tempest accepted his apology with a curt nod.
Dagon continued. “I foolishly believed that I could control love, that it was mine for the finding. I never realized that true love found you, that it hit you when you least expected it, and arrived in a package that you thought would never interest you. I learned that you can be blind to love just as love can make you blind. And I learned that a love that is rare is one that should be cherished forever.”
Sarina fought to keep tears from falling. She was so very proud of this man she loved.
Dagon took a deep breath and with authority said, “Sarina belongs to me now as I belong to her. She will not be returning with you.”
Her pride for him swelled and her admiration for his courage grew, and she knew Tempest would understand both, though how she would respond was another matter. She did enjoy grandstanding at times.
Lightning split the gray sky so unexpectedly that it caused Sarina and Dagon to jump. Thin crackling spears of light descended in fury on the earth, stabbing the ground around them, causing them to instantly slip into each other’s arms.
“A small demonstration of my abilities,” Tempest said softly. “And so that you know if my sister fails to satisfy the spell, she will be returning with me.”
Dagon moved to step forward, his own anger near to exploding, powerful witch or not.
Sarina’s hand on his arm prevented further steps. “It is my turn.”
He took her chin firmly in his hand. “I will not surrender you. I love you.”
“Trust me,” she whispered and kissed him gently before leaving his side and walking over to face her sister.
“You look as beautiful as ever,” Sarina said to her sister.
Dagon was surprised by the generous smile that touched her face and kept his distance but lingered nearby.
“You possess a distinct beauty of your own, Sarina,” Tempest said, her voice calm and soothing.
“You told me that often enough as I grew.”
“I speak the truth.”
Sarina smiled. “I know that is why your words meant so much to me.”
“It is time, Sarina, time to complete the spell,” Tempest said, her smile reassuring.
Sarina shook her head and Dagon grew upset. Was she about to tell her sister that she had no feat to perform? He waited, his breath caught in his throat.
Sarina spoke with confidence as she circled her sister slowly. “When first you cast the spell, you upset me. I could not understand your anger toward me. I meant no harm in my prediction. I only wished to help you and I foolishly believed you wished to hurt me.”
She stepped to the side of Tempest, keeping her sister and Dagon in her sight. “It was only recently I realized the reason for your spell and that my prediction precipitated your reaction. And that your reaction was brought on by your love for me.”
Tempest nodded knowingly. “I always knew you to be wise.”
“And you knew it was my wisdom that would settle this spell and not my powers—that is why you stripped me of them. Isn’t it?”
Again Tempest nodded. “I knew your wisdom would never fail you.”
“You have that much confidence in me?” Sarina asked with tearful eyes.
“I have that much love for you,” Tempest said proudly.
“Then, dear sister, it is time for me to perform my best feat.”
Tempest extended her hands out before her. “Surpass my powers, Sarina, and demonstrate for me your best feat.”
Sarina looked to Dagon and smiled with delight, then turned to her sister and with tears of joy announced, “I will give birth to Dagon’s son in the summer.”
Dagon felt the breath knocked out of him and rushed to Sarina’s side, swinging her up into his arms and holding her tightly to him. “A son? You’re going to have my son?”
She nodded, much too tearful to speak.
He kissed her. “I love you! Damn, but I love you, witch.”
“My blessings to you both,” Tempest said sincerely, “and my blessings to your son.”
Dagon lowered Sarina to the ground, though kept his arm firmly around her waist. “Thank you. Your blessings mean much to me.”
“You will treat her well.” It was an order Tempest meant to be obeyed.
Dagon took no offense, for the demand was issued with love. “Always, I will always love and protect her.”
“I welcome you to our family,” Tempest said and held her hand out to him.
He accepted her offer of friendship and was startled by the peace, calm, and love that washed over him when their hands embraced.
“Thank you. I am proud to be part of it.”
Tempest looked to Sarina and waved her hand over her. “Your powers are now fully restored, and it is time for me to go.” She took a step back.
“No, wait,” Sarina said anxiously and turned to Dagon. “Please give me a few moments alone with my sister.”
He nodded and stepped back into the shadows to wait.
Sarina rushed up to her sister, hugging her, and then taking her hand. “We have a wedding to plan.”
“You wish my help?” She seemed surprised.
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? I want it to be special, and only you would be able to help me make it so.”
Tempest squeezed her hand. “You were right, my spell was never meant to hurt but to help you. When you told me of his return and I remembered how very much I loved him, I realized that you had never allowed yourself to know true love. And I worried that you would forever lock yourself away, and while my own love had brought me pain, it had still left me with joyous memories I would never wish to surrender. I wanted you to experience such a love.”
“And the feat—”
Tempest shook her head. “Love, Sarina, simply love, and you even surpassed that with your news of a son created from a rare love. So simple and yet so magical.”
“You will be there for his birth? I will have no other tend me,” Sarina insisted.
“You’d better not.”
Both sisters laughed and hugged.
“Thank you, Tempest, for giving me Dagon.”
“I did not give him to you. Love brought both of you together.”
“It wasn’t until I stopped looking that I found him.”
“Then you discovered the secret,” she said softly. “You can chase after nothing; it must come freely or you will never find it.”
Sarina kissed her sister’s cheek. “I’m so glad that you’re my sister.”
Tempest laughed softly, though a tear filled her eye.
“You have no idea how delighted I was when Mother and Father had you. I had so wanted a sister.”
“You didn’t mind them plopping me in your care and taking off on their adventures?”
“I pestered Mother and Father until she agreed to let me care for you. After all, they were much too busy on their adventures to give you a proper upbringing. Now go, your witch grows impatient and his body grows needy.”
“Tempest!” Sarina said on a giggle.
“He is a good witch, I like him.”
“I am so glad to hear you say that and, oh,” Sarina said with excitement, “you must stop by the castle before you leave. I have two loaves of apple cinnamon bread I made for you, and Dagon baked you two loaves of cherry bread.”
Tempest grinned. “A man that is not afraid to bake! Now I really like him.”
Sarina squeezed her sister’s hand she held. “I want to help you, Tempest, you are going to need it.”
Tempest shook her head and slowly withdrew her hand.
“It is too late. I knew this time would come, and even you with your tremendous powers of sight cannot tell me of the outcome.”
Sarina sadly shook her head. “No, I cannot, but I can tell you that Dagon and I will be there to help you. Sydney, Ali, and Sebastian, too, they are good friends. You are not alone.”
“I appreciate that and perhaps—”she faltered in her speech, her sister’s love and concern giving her hope—”perhaps all will turn out well. Now give me another hug and go to your lifemate, he is anxious. And I will stop at the castle kitchen and pay a visit with Margaret before I leave and collect my gifts. I will also take time to discuss the wedding with her. The menu is important, and she is an exceptional cook.”
They hugged tightly, holding on to each other as if reluctant to let go until finally they separated and with a gush of wind and swirl of light Tempest vanished.
Dagon joined her where she stood looking up at the night sky. “I like my future sister-in-law.”
“I’m glad to hear that, because she likes you.”
“Really?” he asked as he took her hand and they walked back to the castle.
“She was delighted that you baked her cherry bread.”
“The bread came out good, didn’t it? She’ll like it, won’t she?”
Sarina smiled, happiness filling her heart. “She’ll love it, and she even talked about our wedding. She’s going to help me plan it.”
“Whatever you want, dear heart, is fine with me—as long as it is soon.”
“I thought February. That will give my sister and me time to plan.”
“Ali’s going to insist on helping.”
“I’d love her help. Actually I was thinking of asking her. Can we call them now?” she asked anxiously, tugging him along toward the castle.
“I had other ideas in mind.”
“Will I like them?” she asked teasingly.
“I guarantee it.”
“Good,” she said and released his hand to run ahead. “Then we’ll call Ali and Sebastian first, and then we’ll tend to what’s on your mind.”
He chased after her, taking flight to catch her. He had forgotten her powers were restored, and with a whoosh of wind she disappeared before his eyes. Damn, but this was going to take getting used to.
Later that night after making love slow and easy, they sat in bed sipping hot cider and talking.
“A son,” he said, his hand splaying over her naked stomach. “I can’t believe we’re going to have a son.”
“Who will probably have his hands full with Ali and Sebastian’s daughter.” Sarina giggled.
“Damn,” Dagon muttered. “I should have realized that you were pregnant.”
“Why?”
“Sydney mentioned to me that our child would grow with Ali and Sebastian’s child. When Ali informed us of her pregnancy, I should have known yours would follow.”
“Actually,” Sarina said, placing her mug of hot cider on the nightstand beside Dagon’s, “our son is due before Ali and Sebastian’s daughter.”
“You kept your pregnancy from me?” he asked, his disappointment evident.
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t realize I was pregnant. I didn’t even think about it or think about taking precautions.”
She playfully slapped his naked chest. “You didn’t either.”
“What was the point? I knew I loved you and that I wanted you for a lifemate. What difference did it make if you got pregnant? We would wed regardless.”
“Positive were you?”
“Absolutely,” he insisted with a mushy smack of his lips to hers.
She wiped at the remnants of his wet kiss with the back of her hand. “You do realize our wedding will be attended by many.”
“Because of your sister?”
“Yes, there are many who will come to pay their respects and honor her presence and of course request favors.”
“What favors?”
“Tempest will be generous with her skills on our wedding to honor our joining.”
Dagon shook his head. “I will allow no one to disturb her or make demands of her in my home.”
“But—”
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “No buts—that is the way it will be. She is your sister and will enjoy the day, and I will make certain all of the guests are aware of this before they accept the invitation.”
Sarina cuddled against him. “I can tell she will favor you.”
He hugged her to him. “I heard you ask her to tend you when you deliver our son.”
“I would trust no other.”
“She will see to your care, then?” he asked, knowing her sister possessed the skills necessary to make her delivery easy and as painless as possible. And he did not want to see her suffer, for he would surely suffer along with her.
“Of course, she would let no other tend me.”
“A wedding and a birth,” he said joyously. “It will be an exciting year.”
Sarina ran her hand over his firm chest. “I told my sister that we’ll be there for her if she needed our help.”
“You worry about her?”
She nodded, looking up at him. “I don’t want to see her hurt. And I fear that his return will cause her pain.”
“Then we will see that she doesn’t suffer,” he reassured her.
She smiled and planted a mouthy kiss on his lips. “My hero.”
“With your powers restored, you may not require my hero services any longer,” he said, sounding disappointed.
She stared at him as if stunned. “You will always be my hero.”
“Even though I no longer need to rescue you?”
“You never know,” she said with a glint to her eye.
He laughed and gathered her more closely to him.
She snuggled contentedly against him when suddenly she sprang out of his arms. “I almost forgot. I have something for you.”
She hurried off the bed, rushing to a wooden oak chest near the window. She retrieved a small tin box and rushed back to the bed with it.
He watched her with curious eyes.
She sat on the bed in front of him and opened the tin box. “I saved these. I searched and collected until I had every last piece.”
“Pieces of what?”
The vase I broke when I first began working here. I felt terrible when I realized it was a piece from the reign of James V and a gift at that. I spent hours combing the floor and carpet for every piece, placing them in this tin until my powers were restored and I could then safely restore the vase for you.”
“Sarina,” he said, reaching out to her, but she pulled back.
“No, this is something that is important to me and that I must do. You have no idea how difficult it was for me without my powers. It wasn’t until I came here that things changed and I realized that I could cope if necessary without my energy. After all, I had my sight, not for myself but for others. I learned so much while here—most important, I learned the true meaning of love.”
Dagon leaned over the small tin and kissed her. “I’m glad you showed up at my doorstep. But I always wondered why you really chose Rasmus Castle.”
Sarina laughed. “Mrs. MacDougal suggested it to me. She had heard that a position was open and I had created havoc at her castle and I think she was trying to get rid of me in the nicest way possible.”
“So she gave you a glowing recommendation and went on an extended vacation.”
Sarina nodded, still laughing.
“Did she know who your sister was?” he asked, anxious to make all the pieces of the puzzle fit.
She nodded, “I was at my wits’ end and Tempest instructed me to go to the MacDougals. I am sure she will be relieved to receive an invitation to our wedding.”
“She’ll probably take the credit for bringing us together.”
“In a way she did,” Sarina said. “Now let me demonstrate a small display of my powers.”
Dagon looked at her with a gleam of suspicion in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, surprised by his skeptical response.
He shook his head as if just realizing himself. “I now know how Sebastian feels around Ali—inadequate and vulnerable.”
Sarina giggled. “Sebastian does not feel that way. He has powers over Ali that has nothing to do with magic, and he uses them wisely as a witch would.”
He leaned toward her, his long dark hair spilling down over his shoulders and his handsome face alight with sensuality.
“Are you telling me I have powers over you that surpass your own?”
She giggled and pushed at his naked chest, stopping his slow advance. “That is a given.”
“That is a relief,” he teased and stole a quick kiss.
“Don’t you want your present?” she asked with a petulant pout.
“Is it the gift you wish to give me or your powers you wish to demonstrate?”
“A little of both,” she admitted.
“Dazzle me,” he commanded and leaned back against the mound of pillows.
She rubbed her hands together and chewed on her bottom lip in anticipation, then with pointed finger she directed the ceramic pieces to take flight and they did. They swirled up in a circle, round and round, searching for the right connection, the right piece to the massive puzzle, until in a flourish of wonder and magic the antique vase floated intact in the air before Dagon’s eyes.
“I’m impressed,” he told her and reached out and carefully took hold of the floral etched vase, placing it on the nightstand beside the bed. He then pulled her into his arms, and she sighed with the pleasure of being wrapped in his warmth and love.
“I am no longer a clumsy witch.”
Dagon cupped her face in his hands. “I wouldn’t have cared if you destroyed this whole castle as long as no harm ever came to you. I could not imagine life without you, Sarina. I love you so very much.”
She flung herself across him, wanting to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him senseless, but in her haste she misjudged the distance, and her hand sent the newly repaired vase flying through the air to crash into a million pieces on the floor.
She looked at him, stunned speechless, and he began to laugh. “My bumbling witch.”
Her laughter joined his, and they spilled into each other’s arms, their lips and hands reaching out intimately for each other so they could once again make magic.
Read on for an excerpt from Magical Memories—book three of the Wyrrd Witch series