“I am sure we can find something.”
She grinned and kissed him softly. “I am sure we can. Now, get some rest because tomorrow we ask Melwiss to do the deed, so to speak.”
“Are you sure you want to rush?”
“I want to meet you skin to skin and know that there is no possibility of pain with the pleasure just from touching. Also, I might end up with a tail, and I want to take it for a spin.”
He looked at her with wide eyes. “I hadn’t thought of that either.”
She laughed and cuddled close to him. “It is a good thing you are pretty.”
He smacked her butt, and they settled in for a good night’s sleep.
Melwiss was grinning and biting the head off a chocolate rabbit.
They were standing at the water’s edge, and Melwiss had decided that she wanted to make a bit of a speech.
“Roman, you are taking my spiritual sister to be your wife. You will need to be strong, compassionate, and transport her where she needs to go. She needs someone who can hold her when she is exhausted but make her laugh in the morning. Her life has been hard, and it will not get easier as time goes on mated to you. She will straddle two worlds, and time will tell whether she will be accepted.”
Melwiss straightened. “Now, will you give all that you are and all that you will be to her?”
He smiled. “I will.”
“Excellent. Now, Kenzi, you are closer than blood to me. He is pretty, strong, has a good sense of humour, and is patient. Are you willing to walk two worlds with him and bring your little ones up in an uncertain position?”
Kenzi sighed. “I am. My beast agrees. We can take anything that will come at us.”
“Good. Well, will you give all that you are and all that you will be to him?”
“I will.”
“Great. Andy, hold my chocolate bunny.”
Andy grinned and held the confection while Melwiss held out her hands. Kenzi got to hold the one with less chocolate on it.
The balance took place slowly, power and her beast leeched out and circled in Melwiss. Roman was feeling the same if his slumped posture was any indication.
“I equal the power and balance the lives.” Melwiss’s words were a soft whisper.
Power flowed back through the grip, and Kenzi felt the strength that Roman’s magic was bringing to her. Light flared and pulsed, finally settling in them with a decidedly un-traumatic feel.
“Thank you, Melwiss.”
She hugged her friend and looked at her mate. “What kind of changes are in me?”
He chuckled. “You have a lock of blue hair.”
“You have two locks of white.”
She grinned. “We got off lucky.”
He looked to Melwiss and inclined his head. “It was far more skill than luck.”
Melwiss reclaimed her bunny and continued to gnaw at it. “Well, go and consummate the ceremony. It will seal the power levels.”
Kenzi was about to run off with her mate, but she paused and went to Andy. She whispered in his ear, and he nodded in surprise.
Winking, she returned to her mate.
“What was that about?” Roman lifted her in his arms and walked them back to the tower.
“I just asked him to watch over Melwiss. She isn’t the only one who can file for a mating authorization. If she wants him, she can have him.” Kenzi sighed and draped an arm around his neck.
He gave her a sober look. “Are you worried about your future?”
“Nope. It is tied to yours, and I have marketable skills. If I take some time off and have a few kids, it won’t be the end of the world. If no other shaman comes to notice, they will come to me, and if not, I will be happy with what life gives me.”
He sighed. “Tell me about the kids again?”
She laughed. “I think you are going to have to do your part. Let the future take care of itself. Today, there is you, me, and my beast, and she has already had her turn.”
He laughed all the way up the steps, and they were still smiling when they twined together on the bed. The future was going to take care of itself; the present was far more enthralling.
Author’s Note
After a very long wait, Andy gets his mate in Wood Be Magic. I think the title gives away his mate if you missed my super-secret signals.
Zenina Masters
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because of the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
New Moon Howl Page 6