Blessedly Bound

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “I'd not be grumpy if you and that sheriff would leave my boy alone, and don't you be assuming we 'all' loved Lizzy,” Trisha said, not even looking up from her knitting.

  “Easy, Trisha, now's not the best time,” Pat said, and reached over, patting Gwen's hand.

  “I'm sorry, your son is?” Gwen asked.

  Trisha kept knitting as she spoke. “Mike's my boy. Smartest boy in town. Best looking, too. He is a good boy, don't know nothing about killing.”

  “Oh, at the library, yes, very handsome.” Gwen couldn't understand why her visiting him made him upset enough to tell his mother. Mel suggested it after all. Mother's boys, she thought, that explains his temperament.

  “Smart too,” Trisha said, in a defiant tone.

  Kathy came in, winked at Gwen, and sat down. “Of course, we all agree Mike is the smartest, most handsome bachelor in town. Did they show you the pattern, sweetie?”

  Gwen shook her head, no.

  Kathy rolled her eyes. “Okay we have the festival coming up.”

  “Mel said to ask you about the auction,” Gwen said.

  Kathy laughed. “Yes, we are making a blanket to auction for the soup kitchen. Everyone has been making squares, and I will sew them all together. I'm afraid we are running later than usual and still have six squares unassigned.”

  Kathy got up and retrieved a box that had some completed squares. “These are the done ones. This is one Lizzy made.” She handed a pink square with a white heart in the middle to Gwen. “This one too.” Kathy handed her another square.

  Gwen held the squares and fought back tears. As she rubbed the fabrics between her fingers her lips twitched.

  Kathy stood behind her and rubbed her back.

  “I can make squares quickly,” Gwen said, when she felt more composed.

  “Look here,” Kathy said, and showed her the graph of the remaining squares. “Which did you want to start tonight?”

  “Let me see the chart for this one.” Gwen pointed to the one that would go opposite to Lizzy's heart square.

  “Perfect, I'll get the chart and yarn for that one.” Kathy walked back to the shelf and grabbed the supplies.

  While everyone knitted, Gwen listened to them chat. She learned that the festival accounted for twenty percent of the town income each year, the paper boy had a knack for hitting puddles, and Pat and Pam found a notice on their door that their neighbor complained about their barking dog. There also seemed to be an issue with the trashcans not being set upright on trash day. It made Gwen happy to hear about normal problems. It even amused her that each time Trisha opened her mouth, she either complained, or praised Mike.

  When the night wound down, Gwen took three of the squares and supplies while Pat, Pam and Linda each took one of the other three. Trisha said she had too much to do at home. Everyone hugged, gave air kisses, and left with promises to see Gwen at the remembrance.

  Gwen hung behind to buy some needles and more yarn after everyone left. Kathy gave Gwen her cellphone number in case she needed anything before the remembrance.

  “It's going to be okay sweetheart. Mel and I will be there early to help set up. Sebastian already called with the final numbers, and we have tables and whatnot.”

  “Thank you,” Gwen said, and hugged her before she got in her truck.

  L ewis perched on the gazebo railing. Sebastian stood beside him, his eyes scanned the lake. Since they were both familiars they did not need Lewis to shift for them to communicate. Lewis tried to stay in his raven form so he could use all his magic to keep Fannie at bay. He still didn't care for Sebastian, but he did get the feeling that if anyone could help him protect Gwen, it was him.

  “It seems a strange coincidence that you trained under Fannie and came to live next door to where Lizzy ran to for sanctuary,” Lewis said.

  “I've considered that. I know the fates have a sense of humor, but I don't think it was coincidence either. Whatever role Fannie envisioned I might play in helping her get her hands on Winnie, didn't happen. She has underestimated my will many times.”

  “You want revenge on her for something? Did she have anything to do with your last witch?”

  Sebastian pressed his lips together. “She did. My revenge is not important. I am not a vengeful soul. Gwen is what matters now.”

  “But I thought it was the undead.”

  “Yes, it's more complicated. Being what you are, you know that magical creatures often work together when it suits them.”

  Lewis felt shifting vibrations come from Sebastian. “I promised to leave that to you and I will. What do you have in mind for Gwen?”

  “First, she needs a friend. I will be that. She needs a mentor. You should be that. She can face Fannie. I promise you that. I would never suggest anything I thought she couldn't handle. If you need a mentor, I can be that as well.”

  “But Fannie is strong. Have you felt her power recently?”

  Sebastian turned to the bird and watched him while he pondered what exactly Lewis promised her. “I know what Fannie can do. Why do you imagine she never made contact with Lizzy or Winnie's guides?”

  “I… she wasn't owed?”

  “She was owed. That is why she took Winnie after Gwen was born, as I warned she would.” He rubbed his fingers together while he thought. “She didn't fear Winnie or Lizzy.”

  “She doesn't fear Gwen.”

  Sebastian turned to him and looked at him, shocked he hadn't realized at least that much. “Yes, she does. Do you really think she needs you as a power boost? Why do you think she would link with you?”

  “To keep an eye on us. Keep tabs on my promises.” The raven stared at Sebastian with his black eyes.

  “No, she knows against Gwen, she loses. She has seen it in her nasty juju rituals. She knows her end will be at Gwen's hands, and she is scared. That is why we can't rely on her waiting for Gwen to have the next generation. She wants Gwen dead before her visions come to pass.”

  “But why link with me, why chase Gwen? Gwen wouldn't even know her, wouldn't chase her.”

  “If Gwen faces her, counting on your boost and that goes to Fannie, what then? A shock and misstep, something Gwen doesn't see coming. Imagine the heartbreak Gwen would have, finding out when she needed you most that you belonged to that woman. The woman who killed her mother.”

  Lewis felt like his whole world came crashing down. “How could I not see that?” he asked more to himself. “Can I make this right?”

  “I'm not sure how to undo what she did with you. I can link with Gwen, the boost would be great, more than enough to counter what could happen to Gwen emotionally.”

  “She's my witch. You can't do that. I don't want her to do something like that. It was awful. To make the link, we had to sacrifice…”

  Sebastian cleared his throat and waved his hand. “Stop. I don't want to know who or what you sacrificed. I can make a charmed bond. Nothing deep like what you did. No sacrifices, nothing that dark. It can be removed after Fannie is gone.”

  “A charm? Like what you gave me? No real link?”

  Sebastian sighed. “I don't want your witch. Not like that.”

  Lewis considered his options. 'Not like that,' didn't escape him. “Can we not tell her why? Can I please have time to think of how to undo this? I don't want to lose her trust, or her love.”

  Sebastian frowned. “I don't want to lie to her, ever. It goes against who I am.”

  “Can you just not volunteer it? Like with your secret. I will lie.”

  “She may forgive whatever you have done, but if you keep this lying between you, her forgiveness will run out.” He looked back at Lewis.

  “Please, can I trust you?”

  His eyes closed for a long moment. “You want to know if I am trustworthy and I am to prove this by lying?”

  “Just let me talk to her. I will suggest you and her, and the charms. I will suggest the lessons, and make plausible reasons that don't involve what I did.”

  Sebastian pressed h
is lips and nibbled the edge of his bottom lip while he thought.

  He could feel the desperation in Lewis to keep his deeds covered. He also knew they wouldn't stay buried. “If she asks.”

  “Cross that bridge when we get there.”

  “And we are a 'we' now?” Sebastian asked and then huffed.

  “If you hurt her with your magic lessons or dirty blood.”

  Sebastian almost laughed at how quickly the small truce was already reduced back to threats. “She needs to know about my 'dirty blood' before any connection is made. Full consent will be needed.”

  “If you tell her that, she will never want to link with you. She won't even want to look at you again. You are a monster remember?”

  “You will find things are not that black and white. I will tell her what I am, after tomorrow night. When I feel she is ready, not before.” The sadness that always lingered in his eyes deepened.

  “Suit yourself, I would suggest you not at all.”

  “I would think as soon as her mind is not so distracted she will sense it anyway. Her senses are keen.”

  Lewis changed tones and with an almost childlike innocence asked, “Have you ever trained an elemental witch?”

  “No, Gwen is the first I have ever seen. It is something magical just to be near her.” His mind easily drifted to how her presence felt and he smiled as the memories danced across his thoughts.

  “You feel that, when she is near?” Lewis asked.

  “Of course I do. I am sure anything magical she gets close to feels it as well.”

  “Did you know she will be able to call more than one?”

  “Yes, a rare and beautiful treasure.” Sebastian's eyes sparkled when he thought about her power.

  Lewis felt a mix of pride and trepidation. “Fannie will know if she starts commanding any of the elements.”

  “Yes, she will. It won't matter.” Sebastian looked behind them. He let his senses reach out and felt the approaching magic. “Gwen is almost home, shall we?”

  “What are we doing?”

  A warm smile formed on his face. “Tonight? You are going to sit with her, listen to her tell you about yarn and things like that. I am going to paint.”

  “Paint?” Lewis asked, sounding baffled.

  “Yes, I told you not to worry. I will paint and make sure things are ready for tomorrow. More intense things are coming, enjoy the rest while you can. We still have a killer to be wary of. One thing at a time. I've lost my best friend and would enjoy a night to reflect before I say goodbye.”

  A fter they left the lake, Lewis went to the house. He stood by the roaring fire and pushed out as happy a vibration as he could.

  “Lewis, hello.” It startled her to see him waiting on her.

  “How was your night?” He took her bags and set them by the couch.

  She watched him with narrowed eyes. “Good, you are acting weird. What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. I just wanted us to have a nice night.”

  “I see. Let me get a coffee.” She walked to the kitchen to start a pot. “What is up, really?”

  He joined her in the kitchen. “Nothing. I love you and I haven't been acting like it. Tell me about your night.”

  She cut her eyes at him in exaggerated disbelief. Even though she didn't know why he acted so attentive, she didn't fell any malice or dishonesty. She relaxed, sipped her coffee, and told him about her night. She decided not to ask about why he stayed gone so long. She knew he would lie and didn't want that to ruin the night.

  Chapter Eleven

  T he warmth of sun shining on Gwen's face made her smile as she drove toward the lake. Sebastian arranged everything, but wasn't able to be there to help with the setup. He told her he would arrive before things got underway just after dark. She wondered what he kept his days so busy with, but more than that, looked forward to the comfort of his presence.

  She parked and got out of the truck.

  Mel and Kathy rushed over to greet her with hugs and kind words.

  “Sweetie, I had the band boys set up the food tables just there.” Mel pointed toward tables just to the right of the fire pit.

  “Perfect,” Gwen said, surprised by how small her own voice sounded.

  Kathy smiled at her in a way that told her she looked as worn out as she felt.

  Gwen didn't realize just how emotionally drained facing the day made her until she stood there trying to think of what needed to be done. “The extra chairs you wanted are in my truck.” Gwen turned to start unloading.

  In no time, the three ladies arranged the remaining chairs. The band ran through their sound checks in front of the fire.

  It surprised Gwen how much it warmed the area.

  Just when she started to feel like she wanted to run home, she felt Lewis wrap himself around her thoughts. She looked up to see him watching her, perched on a tree that hung over the lake. She smiled over to him and thanked him silently. He whispered his love to her mind and she took comfort from the warmth she felt from inside.

  As cars started to arrive, she joined Kathy who introduced her to the short, round, balding preacher. She spoke to Father George on the phone, but didn't picture him quite like he actually appeared. Regardless of his size, his friendly eyes and voice gave her a lot of comfort.

  Gwen stood at the back of the chairs along with Father George, Kathy, and Mel, who stayed close for support and greeted people as they arrived. All the kind words and tender handshakes became a blur as she started to feel overwhelmed again.

  As the night fell, she felt like the darkness would suffocate her.

  The air around her changed, her despair seemed to ease. Her eyes drew to a tall older man who approached in long, graceful strides.

  He put out familiar energy that tugged at her. His hair was pulled back in a neat gray ponytail peppered with streaks of brown. When his eyes locked on hers and she stared into those deep-blue pools she held her breath. He told her he needed to glamour his age since people knew him for many years, but she never imagined such a drastic effect. He aged well. Even appearing to be late in his sixties, she found him gorgeous.

  He said a few words to Father George and then hugged Kathy and Mel before sliding between Kathy and Gwen. When he took her hand in his, she felt her tension melt away.

  “Sorry to not be here sooner,” he whispered. His nearness tickled her senses.

  She didn't say anything, but squeezed his hand instead.

  Once everyone arrived and took a seat, Sebastian walked with Gwen to the front center seats. He stayed close, his arm protectively over her shoulder.

  Each time she started to feel overwhelmed, a warmth radiated from him and she felt her emotions ease.

  He agreed to let her experience the grief she needed to, but he also promised to not let it overcome her. Both promises were kept.

  When she looked at him she could see sadness behind his eyes. Some of the sadness he took from her, but she knew he mourned the loss of the special friendship he shared with Lizzy. She sat a little closer and used the technique he taught her to let the comfort she took from him wash over them both.

  When he felt her share the peace with him, he cocked his head and arched an eyebrow while smiling at her. Trained or not, he found her magnificent.

  She got up and said a few prepared words. There was a numb feeling as she said her formal goodbye to the grandmother who she never got the chance to know.

  A few others spoke and when Sebastian did, every one wept. Gwen heard the emotion in his voice, and saw the pain in his eyes.

  Lewis told her before that they felt things differently, deeper, and she wished she knew some way she could help him.

  Once the services concluded, things shifted and music started. Everyone helped fold chairs and people started eating, and dancing.

  Mel walked over to Gwen and Sebastian and smiled at him as her eyes took him in. She boldly asked him to dance and Gwen stepped back. She grinned as the two swayed together, moving toward th
e dancing couples. The happiness in the air soothed her.

  Gwen made her way over to the food tables and munched on some cheese and vegetables while she watched everyone enjoying themselves. It seemed surreal to her as she stood there, with friends surrounding her, and a home in the distance.

  She didn't even realize that while she munched, she walked back to the gazebo. Her eyes locked on the photo and the box that contained Lizzy's remains.

  Now that the majority of the people were in the area by the band, a chill filled the air. She tugged the shawl she wore tight around her shoulders. The feeling of the finality of things wrapped around her and sunk in. Her eyes filled with tears and she openly sobbed.

  She barely started to cry when she heard thunder crack in the distance. Seconds later, she felt Sebastian rapidly nearing.

  He stood behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

  She let him pull some grief away before she turned to look at him. “I need to feel this.”

  “Of course, and when the celebration concludes I will stay with you while you cry it out. However, no one here needs to get stormed on, nor do they need to see the display that is likely to happen.”

  “Did I do that? The thunder, and the other night with the snow?”

  He nodded and held her too him. “So much sadness, it breaks my heart.”

  “But how?” she asked. “I'm still just a seer.”

  “You are…” he started to say, but stopped when he sensed someone else walking toward them.

  Kathy walked up. “You two okay?” She looked at the embrace and sadness in both of their expressions.

  “Sure.” Gwen turned and accepted Kathy's open arms. “Why don't you and Sebastian have a dance. I need a minute; I'll be right there.”

  “You sure.” He looked at her with concern evident in his eyes.

  She nodded and watched as they walked away. Once alone, she eyed the picture closer. She could see happiness in the eyes. If she believed what Sebastian told her about Lizzy, she would want her to have a good time.