by Dakota Trace
“I know.”
Rand jerked when his mother and father came rushing into the room.
"How long have you been like this?" Mica grabbed Rand’s shoulder and gave him a small shake.
“All day." Rand clenched his hands to try and stop the trembling.
"You’re almost out of control, Rand. We need to get your wedding over now."
Turning to his wife, he gave quick orders.
161
"Aria, get Gracie and her parents. Take them to the chapel. We have to perform the ceremony now."
"But what about our guests and the Court?"
Rand’s question was a valid one.
"We'll have a private ceremony in our chapel and video tape it. Then we'll broadcast it later tonight. The mezclar will wait no longer."
* * * *
Olivia was surprised when Queen Aria stormed into the room and looked around wildly for Gracie. "Where is she? We’ve got to do this now.” Aria rushed around, picking up the veil laying across the bed and the bouquet of Earth Orchids sitting beside it.
"In the bathroom." Aria knocked briskly on the door. "Gracie?" There was no response from behind the door. “We don’t have time for this.” Using a spell to unlock the door, she hurried in. Gracie was huddled in the corner, sitting on a vanity chair, trembling violently.
“Oh for love of Mica! Mica, send Jonathan to Gracie's quarters.”
“Now what's wrong? Please tell me Gracie hasn’t run off again. I’ll tan her ass this time if she has.”
“No, no! Gracie’s in even worse shape than our son. I need someone to help me get her to the chapel.”
“All right, love, Jonathan's on his way.”
“Fine and tell him to hurry! Has the official from the Wizardry Institute arrived yet?”
“Yes, just a few moments ago.”
162
“Then get him ready, she can’t marry Rand without her official rating.”
* * * *
After Mica sent Jonathan to help Aria, he and Rand met with the official who’d tested Gracie. “Thank you for being early, Mr. Carson. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ve had to rush our original time table.”
Mr. Carson took in the tremors shaking Rand. “Understood. The mezclar doesn’t care about your carefully laid plans or schedules. I’ve got the documentation right here.
Do you have the sacred scrolls?”
Colin nodded and handed them to the official.
“Good. This won’t take long.” Mr. Carson opened his own scroll and with a quill made a mark on the lower corner of it. Then he handed the quill to Mica. Taking it, Mica added his own mark. Finally the quill was passed to Rand.
Taking it with shaking fingers, he signed, without even verifying what his chosen’s power rating was. At this point, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter what rating she has as long as her ass is in front of the altar with me.”
“Boy, you’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t. What’ll you tell your chosen
when she asks you what her rating is? You know traditionally you’re supposed to
tell her just before you complete the bonding.”
A growl erupted from his chest.
Mr. Carson, who’d been in the process of rolling up the scrolls, paused.
“Give them to me.” Rand held out a shaking hand.
163
Without a word, Mr. Carson handed them back to him. Unrolling them once more, he focused the best he could on the scrolls.
“Just as I thought a perfect match.” He handed them back to the official.
Mica and Colin exchanged looks. A perfect ten was rare in the world of Venus but to have two members in the royal family with that highest ranking boded well for the future.
“I think we’re done here. Thank you. Mr. Carson.” Mica took Rand’s arm to guide him. “Let’s go wait in the chapel for Gracie.”
* * * *
When Jonathan, Queen Aria, Gracie and her parents arrived in the chapel, King Mica had the priest and Rand waiting at the front of it. Colin wrapped his hand around his daughter's waist and slowly guided her up to the altar. The priest watched as the king's advisor guided his trembling daughter to the altar.
In the many years I’ve been performing these ceremonies I don’t think I’ve ever seen a couple as far gone as these two.
“Is everything ready?” Mica’s soft whisper barely registered.
Colin nodded. “We'll tape it and then broadcast it later.”
Turning to Jonathan, the priest held his hand out.
"Do you have the required items?"
Jonathan stepped forward. "Yes."
"Good. Then we’re ready to proceed with this marriage."
Colin stepped forward with Gracie. Standing between them, he joined Gracie and Rand’s hands and held them in his own as was customary. On his right, a gasp escaped his daughter while to his left, a growl rolled out of Rand’s chest.
164
"I know," Colin whispered softly enough that the vid cams wouldn't pick up his comment. "Just for a moment," he promised them.
"We have come here today to join these two in Holy Royal matrimony. The duties Rand and Gracie have chosen to take on have been determined through much reflection and have been predestined through the ages. These duties require special sacrifice and special bonds between the man and woman. Who gives this woman to this man?" the priest asked.
"I do." Colin’s voice was loud and clear.
"And who gives this man to this woman?"
"I do." Queen Aria was standing at her husband’s side.
"May I have the bindings?" The priest turned to Jonathan. On silent feet, he moved forward and handed the delicate looking bindings to the priest. "I bless these bindings to hold and join Gracie to Rand, and Rand to Gracie." The priest’s tone was solemn.
Taking the binding the priest interwove it around both of their joined hands.
Gracie gasped as she felt the binding settle in place. Now, there was no way for her to escape. “What am I doing? I can’t go through with this!”
“Relax, sweetheart, Rand will never hurt you.”
“Calm down, girl. This is meant to be.”
“ I don't think I can handle this!”
“Ruzac and Zara have all the faith in the world in us, Wildcat, or they’d have never committed their spirits to us.”
Fear raced over Gracie.
“I don’t want you. Let me go, Rand!”
165
“Like hell I will. I’ve waited too long for you. You want this as much as I do. I can feel how hot you’re burning. I can feel your body readying itself for mine. Lying to yourself or me isn’t going to change anything.”
“I’ll fight you!”
“Go ahead, Wildcat. I look forward to it.”
“Damn it, Rand! Let me go!”
“Never.”
Colin felt the sudden tension grip his daughter. Whatever was going on between his daughter and Rand was coming to a head, and he had a feeling his stubborn daughter was mounting her final defense.
“Quit fighting him, Gracie,” Colin whispered in his daughter’s ear.
"Turn and face each other." Turning, Gracie glared at her husband-to-be.
“That’s right, Wildcat. Get angry with me. Under all that anger is a desire so hot you'll burn with me until we both rise from the ashes. Damned if I don’t want you under me. I want to kiss those magnificent breasts and then roll over and have you ride my cock while I nibble on those dark nipples.
“Stop it!” Gracie’s body trembled as the burn increased.
“I'm not going to stop until I’ve planted a babe or three in your sexy little belly, Grace Ann.”
"Gracie, to show his utmost faith and trust, Rand is going to allow you to free his hair for his kingdom to see. I know you’re aware of the significance of this gesture. No wizard is allowed to wear their hair free until after they have bonded with their chosen.
Rand, please kneel in front of your bride.�
�
166
Rand dropped to his knees and knelt in front of Gracie. She could feel his gaze focused on her stomach and mound.
“Stop it!”
Warring with herself, she stared at the tie at the nape of Rand's neck.
“Release it, sweetheart.”
“I’m afraid.”
“ Please, Gracie. I've longed to feel your nimble fingers run through my hair.”
Her will weakened, she fumbled but finally managed to free his hair. Running her fingers through as she would her own, her knees almost gave out when the heat poured over her, adding to the already vicious burning inside her.
Rand inhaled sharply as the heat flowed from her to him. Clenching his fingers in the fabric of her dress, he fought the need to take her down and mount her.
"You may stand, Prince Rand.”
At first he didn’t hear the priest until the order was repeated. Finally Jonathan moved forward and helped him to his feet. Seeing the need, the priest rushed the rest of the ceremony.
“May I have the amulets?" Quickly Colin and Queen Aria stepped forward with them.
"The amulet has always been a symbol of each wizard's or witch's power. In exchanging these amulets, Rand and Gracie are giving each other control over their power and sentient power to one another. Once they’re exchanged, the two sentient powers will once more merge as one and be a guiding light for both Rand and Gracie."
"Place this over Gracie's head and repeat after me." He handed the amulet to Rand.
Taking it with trembling hands which Jonathan helped guide, he held it over Gracie’s 167
head. "I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever." The priest waited for Rand.
"I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever." As he spoke each word, Rand felt them echoing through his heart and for once soothing his aggressive sentient power. Rand could feel Ruzac trembling inside him.
“Steady, boy. I know you have the control to see this through.”
Buoyed by Ruzac’s words, he lowered his amulet over Gracie's head and settled it gently against her bosom.
The priest smiled softly and then handed Gracie's amulet to her. "Gracie, it's now your turn. Place this amulet over Rand's head and repeat after me. I, Grace Anne, entrust this man with my heart, my soul and powers. To hold and protect forever."
Gracie panicked and would’ve darted away from Rand and the minster if Zara hadn’t chosen to step in. For the first and only time Gracie could remember, Zara took control of her body.
“Zara, what are you doing?”
“Since you don’t have enough courage to face your fear by yourself, I’ll be the
guiding force and do it for you.”
“Don’t do this to me!” Gracie hoped her plea would strike a chord with Zara. Then she found out why Zara had been such a powerful and respected queen.
“I’ll stand no more for your foolishness, Grace Anne! You’ll take what it’s so
obvious you want.”
168
Gracie trembled under the fierce anger of her sentient spirit. Before she could protest again, Zara took control of her voice and began the vow.
"I, Grace Anne, entrust this man with my heart, my soul, and powers. To hold and protect forever."
Tears escaped the corners of her eyes, and Gracie realized, while Zara had indeed started the vow, she herself had taken control back and finished it.
She expected to see triumph in Rand’s eyes. Instead she saw only happiness and intense desire before he bowed his head and leaned down enough so she could place her amulet on him.
“At last. You did good, sweetheart.” Zara’s praise warmed Gracie’s heart.
“And now you’re mine!” Ruzac’s voice boomed inside of both Gracie and Rand, followed by Zara’s squeal.
“For the love of Mica, what have we done?”
Gracie’s whisper washed over Rand.
“The only possible thing we could. Let them work it out. They’ll eventually calm down.” Rand’s own whisper held a hint of humor.
The priest’s words of completion spilled over the couple.
"I now declare Rand and Grace Anne are as one in Holy Royal matrimony. What I have joined together let no man or wizard ever part."
“Besides, Wildcat, I have better things to do than worry about our bickering sentient powers.”
“And what’s that?”
“Our bonding. I’m tired of being a virgin.”
169
This time it was Gracie who squealed when Rand hoisted her over his shoulder and strode from the chapel.
170
Chapter Nine
Ignoring the small fists hitting his back, Rand continued through the maze of hallways until he was poised on the threshold of his suite. Pulling her off his shoulder, he turned her in his arms. Pressing her between the closed door and his own body, he dipped his head to hers. Taking her mouth with a kiss meant to devastate her senses, he swallowed her protest.
“Mine!”
With her pressed between the door and his hard body there was no escape for her.
Even as the thought crossed her mind, she felt the disapproval of their sentient powers.
“When are you going to stop fighting this, girl? It’s done now. His amulet is
around your neck. Grow up and accept your role.”
“Get the hell outta my head, Ruzac. If I wanted your opinion I’d ask for it! And don’t even bother with yours, Zara.”
“Temper, temper, Wildcat.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “And damned if I don’t find it sexier than hell.”
She jumped when he nibbled on the tendon on the side of her sensitive neck and slid a muscular thigh between her legs.
“Stop that!” Squirming, she tried to avoid the hot caress of his tongue.
“Never, Wildcat. I want to feel every inch of you draped across me. I’ve been dreaming of it for years. I need to feel you claiming what’s yours and no others. Tell me you want the same thing, Gracie. Tell me you’ve hungered for it as long as I.”
171
“I’ll never tell.” A low moan escaped her when his thumb rubbed over the beaded nipple pressing against the silk and lace of her gown.
“Going to be stubborn to the end, Wildcat?” Holding her tight with their joined hands, he opened the door behind her. Stepping into the darkened room, he whispered a spell against her lips. A startled moan filled the room when she became aware of how tightly their naked bodies were pressed together.
“Over…load…” Tipping her head back, she pressed her breasts against the hard plane of his chest.
“Shh, it’ll be fine, sweetheart. Just relax. Rand has the training to bring you
through the completion of the bonding. Trust him and everything will be fine.”
“What about you? How is this going to…”
“She’ll be fine, Wildcat. In this, she is the master, just as one day you shall be. She’ll guide Ruzac through their merging, as I guide you.”
“Our merging will mimic yours in reverse, girl. While on the physical plane I
held the power, in the afterlife Zara ultimately holds it.” The docility of Ruzac surprised her. “Where has Ruzac gone and who’s taken his place?”
“After the completion he’ll return to his normal self, Wildcat. I’m tired of talking, I need to claim you and I fear I can’t wait any longer.” He lifted her onto the bed and followed her down, bracing his considerable weight with his arm.
"Damn it, Rand!" The burn deepened and she felt the spring wind tighter inside her.
Even with temptation of the pleasure she knew would be the result, she hate the idea of the mezclar being the cause. Tensing, she fought it. It wouldn't take much to send her 172
over the edge and she was angry she had no control over her body. Damn mezclar! I can’t do this! He doesn’t want me. It’s only because of the mezclar. This isn’t re
al.
"No, not ‘damn mezclar’, Gracie. Damn you and your stubborn pride. I'm going to show you once and for all, how much I’ve always wanted and will continue to want you until we go to our grave and beyond. When our bonding is complete, you’ll know how my body aches to be inside yours. We’ll be one and you’ll never again doubt how much I need you." Nipping the side of her neck, he cupped her swollen breasts in the palms of his hands. “Your mine. You’ve always been mine. No other will ever have you.”
"Aggressive ‘til the end.” Her back left the bed when he sucked her nipple into his mouth, hard and deep. “Mmm." The sound teased her captured flesh. Crying out, she buried her free hand in his long hair. Darting his tongue around the hard nub, he nudged her closer to the completion of their bonding.
"Stop!" She jerked on his hair when she realized how precarious her position was.
"Why?" He switched his attention to her other nipple.
"Because I won’t let you use this against me!"
Rand released her nipple with a slight popping sound before lifting his head to stare at her.
“Excuse me? Did you just dare accuse me of using your body against you?”
“What have you done, Grace Anne?”
Before she could think of a suitable reply for Zara, Rand shook her.
“Damn it! Do you think I’ve any control over our reaction to each other, Wildcat?
Everything you feel is returned to me in two-fold!” Taking their joined hands, he slid them between their bodies. She cried out when her fingers brushed over his cock and 173
felt the wetness at its tip then felt her own answering wetness against their joined hands.
“This is us! We’re meant to join. Whether you like it or not, our bodies have known for years, and I’ll wait no longer to claim what is mine!”
“Yours?” Anger warred with the deep desire to give him everything he asked for.
Only fear of the power he’d have over her held her back.