Marked For Magic

by Daisy Banks

  Cassandra smiled again with a nod. “I think, Mage, people only need to see you together to know. Will you stay here until Yule or return to your tower? Tara, what of you? Would you wish to continue your studies with me here or return with the Mage?”

  “Tara will come home, I hope. I do not wish to live any other way than with her beside me, but, of course, the choice is hers.” He slipped his arm around her.

  “I will go home, Cassandra, if you have no need of me, as long as I can come back to see you, Tab, and Cecile.”

  “Of course you may come and see us. Come and study some days should you wish. You can return whenever you want.” Cassandra patted her hand. “Now, I have a small gift for you. While you were gone, I came upon this, and thought it suitable.” Cassandra opened the small pouch she wore at her waist and took out a pendent on a silver chain. She handed it to Tara, who held it up to the light. “A symbol of what you have become, my dear, of who you now are.”

  He smiled at the colors of the moonstone reflected in the afternoon sun, a translucent shade of blue with a sliver of the crescent moon shimmering in one corner of the stone. “Here, allow me.” He took the necklace from her hand, and draping it around her smooth throat, fixed the clasp under her hair.

  She lifted her palm and covered the stone. “Thank you, Cassandra, it’s beautiful.” Tara leaned across and kissed Cassandra’s cheek.

  “You have my gratitude and that of the girls. I will not tell them the entire tale if you don’t mind. I think they would be frightened and angry, and neither emotion will help them grow. When will you go back to the tower?”

  “Tomorrow, if you are sure you have no need of either of us.”

  “Of course, Mage, you have done all that could have been asked. We have more than enough herbals, I am certain. Tonight, in your honor, we will feast if I can persuade the kitchen to produce enough.” She smiled. “You will join us?”

  “For a time, yes,” he nodded, and once more Tara’s small palm rested in his. She put her other hand to her mouth and yawned, taking on the sleepy kitten look that always entranced him.

  “Yes, I am sorry,” Cassandra said. “You must both still be tired. Go and rest, and I will send Tab to call you when it is time to dress and come down to the hall. I am so proud of you, my dear.” Cassandra moved from her seat and gave Tara a hug. She turned to Thabit and brushed a light kiss on his cheek. “Go and rest well,” she whispered to him before she left.

  He turned to Tara, who now wore an enticing, impish, small smile. “You are becoming a very skilful little witch.”

  Her answering giggle was a delight. He scooped her up into his arms. His body thrilling with anticipation, he covered her mouth, and their first afternoon kiss began.

  Epilogue

  “Tara, keep still. If you don’t, I’ll never get these laces done.” Tab kissed her cheek. “I can’t understand it. The gown seems smaller, and we were all certain it was perfect.”

  She did try to still her fidgets and trembles, but couldn’t help her smile. Only Thabit knew the reason she had changed shape in the last month, and he was, like her, happy about it.

  Gray eyes widening with a smile, Cassandra grasped her hand. “Is it so? A babe?”

  She nodded, and Tab and Cecile shrieked at the news.

  Cassandra pulled her into a hug. “When will the child be born?”

  “Early autumn, I think. When the leaves are ready to fall, perhaps a little before.”

  “You will send for me and the girls when you need us, won’t you?” Cassandra stood back, offering her a huge smile before she leaned in to kiss her cheek.

  “Yes, I think it will be best if you help. I don’t want Thabit to deliver the infant I think he would be too worried about me.”

  Cassandra hugged her again, and made way for Cecile and Tab, who smothered her in their embraces.

  “Well, we’d best finish dressing,” Tab said. “This handfasting best be done properly.”

  All of them laughed, and Tab pulled on the laces of the gown. The ribbons ran down her spine from her neck to her hips, pulling the gown tight about her. The bodice clung, and because her breasts had begun to swell with the coming child, the soft, silky fabric strained. When she stroked over a fold of the smooth skirt, the pale, iridescent lilac shimmered. Tab and Cecile had spent hours embroidering the skirt. They had covered triangular sections from the hem to her hips with tiny slivers of mother of pearl.

  Like the bracelet she still wore, sections of the gown reflected the light. The embroidered love knots around the hem and panels, at the wrists, and around the scooped neckline, must have taken her friends many hours of work.

  “You will be the most beautiful bride the castle has ever seen, my dear.” Cassandra rearranged two tiny stalks of lavender stems in the chaplet she had made.

  Tara grabbed Cecile’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Until it’s time for the next.”

  “I know. I’m so excited. I can’t wait. You don’t mind they will announce it formally tonight?” Cecile asked.

  “Of course not, it’s a wonderful idea. Your handfasting will be an event for all to look forward to next year. Though, I might have to bring the babe with us.”

  Cecile kissed her cheek. “I do hope so. That would be lovely.”

  “I’ll be bridesmaid again then,” Tab said with a sigh.

  “I’ll comb your hair, Tara and put on the flowers, and you girls both best hurry, the morning wears away,” Cassandra said.

  While Cecile and Tab hurried off to dress, Cassandra combed slowly through Tara’s long loose strands.

  “The last perfect touch, my dear,” Cassandra whispered, and placed the flower chaplet made with intertwined laurel and ivy leaves, decorated with winter heather and dried lavender.

  Cecile and Tab returned wearing velvet trimmed gowns of twilight blue. Tab’s eyes sparkled, as Cassandra crossed the room to the long oak coffer beneath the window and lifted the lid. “Here is our gift to help keep you warm outside during the ceremony.”

  Tara glanced at them with a raised eyebrow. What is this?

  Cassandra took out a long length of lush, blue velvet, and shook out the folds of a cape, the edges and hood decorated with snowy white swans down. “This is our surprise for you.” She draped the heavy cape around Tara’s shoulders.

  Joyful tears sprang to her eyes. Today, she was sure would be full of such tears. She clasped Cassandra’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough, I truly can’t.”

  “Nonsense, it is only right this day you look what you are, both priestess and woman, and the person who we all love.” Cassandra embraced her again before looking around at Tab and Cecile. “Now, are we all ready?”

  She wiped the tears away while Cassandra checked the gowns Tab and Cecile wore as they turned around for her approval.

  “Yes, you all look beautiful. There is time for you to have a cup of wine perhaps. I will go down and make sure everyone is ready for your arrival. I’ll send a boy to fetch you when it’s time.” Cassandra left, and Cecile poured wine for the three of them.

  Nin accepted the silvered cup and took a sip. “I don’t know why, but my stomach is full of butterflies.”

  Cecile and Tab laughed at her. “Perhaps it’s because of the babe, or of course, it could be because you’re about to be handfasted to the Mage in front of half the people of the land,” Tab said.

  “Yes, the symptoms might have to do with those things,” she said and laughed.

  A knock at the door startled her. Cecile took her cup from her and arranged the hood of the cloak so the flower wreath showed beneath the curls of swans down. Tab folded the front panels back, so the loveliness of the shimmering gown showed, too.

  “Now, are you ready?” Tab’s smile shone.

  She bit her lip. “Yes, as ready as I ever could be.”

  They followed the boy out into the glistening, snow-covered gardens. She took a deep breath of air that tasted crisp and s
harp. Pathways wound through mounds of snow. The swept ground was still frosted from the dawn.

  Music from three harps thrummed sweet and soft. The gathered crowd all turned toward them. Ropes of pliable evergreen boughs split the crowd into two groups. Sighs sounded at her approach.

  She glanced back at Cecile and Tab, who smiled as they paced behind her.

  The walk through the people seemed endless, and flashes of her memories with Thabit filled her mind. Never would she be able to say which one was best, from their first walk in the forest to the joy they shared in their bed.

  Finally, she neared the fountain, silent today, its waters frozen to crystal spears and drops. Close by, beneath a bough trimmed white awning, Thabit stood with the priest and priestess.

  His gaze met hers, and the distance between them dissolved. Peace settled in her heart. Her steps grew lighter, and his love beckoned her toward him.

  Today, he looked more beautiful than he ever had. His new, yew green, velvet robe, was decorated in gold with the bold swirling designs he enjoyed. His dark hair gleamed, and the tawny feather hung from the thong holding his hair.

  Everything else paled in significance when her gaze locked on him, his face alight with love, his smile shining only for her. They could have been alone together in the chill of the afternoon sunshine.

  “My heart is yours, my radiant star.” His thought lifted her smile. He reached out for her hand as she approached to sighs and ahhs from the crowd, and kissed her palm before the ceremony began.

  “Today, good people, we come together to witness the union of Thabit and Tara, mage and priestess, man and woman, servants of the gods.” The words echoed to the crowd.

  She hardly heard the priestess, for she lost herself looking into Thabit’s gaze.

  “Thabit and Tara, you have chosen to take on a permanent union, one to last through this lifetime and into the realms beyond our own. You have both done so freely.”

  “With all my heart,” Thabit replied.

  “My love?” He prompted her response.

  “With all my heart,” she answered.

  “You have chosen each other, and now you may exchange your vows before all.” The priestess’s smile was wide.

  “I gift to you my love. I will share my life with you willingly in the hope of giving you joy.” His vows echoed to her as though from far away.

  She took a deep breath before she responded. “My choice is you over all others. My heart is my gift to you. My life, I willingly share with you, our love a blessing from the gods.” Her voice rang clear in the gardens, but only said a fraction of what was in her heart.

  “Your vows will be represented in our world by the symbol of the rings you have each chosen to wear.” The priestess eyed Thabit, as the priest handed over an empty, green velvet-lined basket. A dazzle of rainbow colors engulfed them all, spread soft like a cloud about them.

  The priestess moved forward, the basket now containing their rings. Silver sparkled, reflecting the winter sun.

  “For you, my Tara. My love will always be yours.”

  Thabit’s love spiraled around her. She held his sweet thought within and waited until it settled in her mind. He had gifted her a memory to treasure for the rest of her days.

  He reached out and picked up the smaller of the star-patterned rings, slipped it onto her finger, and bent to take her lips with his.

  When he moved his mouth from hers, she took his ring from the basket and put it on his finger. His hand stayed in hers as she reached up and kissed him.

  The priestess moved forward and bound their wrists together with a green silk ribbon. “Together you are bound to each other, in this realm and all others. You have made the choice to remain as one, and as one may you live until the end of your days.” Her voice carried out to the crowd, and there were a few early cheers.

  The silk was soft, and Thabit’s fingers interlaced with hers. He lifted their joined hands and kissed her finger where the smooth ring shone.

  “Until the end of my days.”

  “I will be yours until then and beyond.” She trembled, and he put his free arm around her.

  “You leave this place as one. May light cheer your days, may warmth fill your hearts, and the gods give their blessing on the path you have chosen.”

  She glanced up at the priestess’s final words, and turned her head to meet Thabit’s lips as he sought hers. Cheers followed the collective sigh from the crowd, and the sounds echoed as if from another world. Everything else had disappeared with the sweetness of his kiss.

  The priestess gave the blessing to the gathered crowd, and the priest closed the ceremony. Thabit’s eyes gleamed dark as winter holly, and he swept her into his arms. He spun around to face all those who watched, and in answer to the crowd’s demand, he kissed her again.

  Only when he released her mouth and slid her feet to the ground, did the wintry landscape shift back into focus. Rollo’s parents, who officiated, beamed and kissed them in congratulation. Cassandra dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief, her face lit with a loving smile.

  When she glanced behind, Cecile stood sheltered in Rollo’s long cloak. Tab beamed at her. The innocent looking three rushed toward her and Thabit, and laughed as they threw the first of many handfuls of dried rose petals.

  The sky snowed dried flowers. The crowd surged forward and threw their share of the blossoms. Flower petals landed soft and gentle on her upturned face, and laughing, Thabit shook his head to dislodge them from his hair.

  When the petal shower ended, he picked out those lodged in the swans down of her cape and the lavender headdress before he bent down to kiss her again.

  A barrage of hugs from their friends swamped them. Lord Farel slapped Thabit on the back and leaned across to press a kiss on her cheek. Thabit winked at her over his lordship’s shoulder, and she stifled a giggle.

  The troops from the garrison mingled with the many refugees. Even some folk from her own village were part of the crowd. Her aunt and cousin Lettie wept into colorful kerchiefs and waved at her.

  Thabit lifted her hand to kiss her palm. “Shall we allow them to feast now?” He traced his forefinger over her cheek.

  “Yes, they’ll enjoy it.”

  “Thabit and Tara.” Lord Farel’s voice boomed in salute to them, and the bevy of servants circulated wine. The people all took up his words.

  When the crowd seemed to have cheered themselves hoarse, Cassandra urged her and Thabit to the front of the line of people who headed for the feast in the hall. Harps played as they walked, and guests threw more petals so they stepped on a carpet of flowers.

  They entered the great hall. Thabit turned to her with a grin. “Time to light the candles, my love.”

  Hundreds of candles waited, perhaps near a thousand—candles in sconces, candles in holders, candles in the many wrought metal chandeliers.

  “Me, Thabit?” she asked.

  “Of course, today only you.”

  Her hand in his, she concentrated until the power swelled through her before she sent it spinning out into the room.

  A satisfied cry sounded behind her, and she opened her eyes to a room awash with golden light. She glanced over her shoulder. The crowd smiled.

  “See, my love. All of them will know how wonderful you are,” Thabit whispered before he led her down the long hall towards the dais, where today the top table was set for them, Cassandra, and Lord Farel.

  Lavender, laurel, and dried purple pansies had been chosen to dress the table and made a dark contrast to the snowy white linen and bright silver goblets. The priest and priestess sat with them, too, and furthest down from her seat, Rollo took his chair next to Cecile, their place at the high table a mark on the announcement of their joining.

  Rows of tables stood ready for villagers and members of the garrison who would join the feast. Pages and other servants made their way down the hall to serve from platters piled high with bread, meat, and sauces. Soups a
nd pottage, stews and broths had all been prepared. Dried fruits and honey had been set the length of each table.

  The musicians played while the people ate and drank flagons of ale from a huge vat standing at the end of the hall.

  “Thabit?” she asked as they broke the sweet, white bread and ate. “How did the castle prepare so much? I thought food was in short supply?”

  Cassandra, who sat beside her, gave a smile. “We had a little assistance.”

  “You?” Tara asked Thabit.

  “Not at all, much of it is a timely gift from a Hasenite ambassador.” He grinned at her.

  “It seems they wish for negotiations and access to the potions we made during the fever.” Cassandra sat back in her seat with a satisfied grin.

  “There will be no more wars?”

  “Perhaps for a while,” Thabit said.

  “This is wonderful news.” She nudged him with her elbow.

  “I’m not so sure, when it has come as such a surprise. You didn’t foresee the end to their hostilities. Nor did I. Neither did Lady Cassandra. ” He arched an eyebrow. “I’ll wait until I have a clearer picture of events before I express my enthusiasm.”

  “There are times, Thabit, when you wait much too long.”

  At her tone, Cassandra nodded to her, Lord Farel paused with his spoon half-way to his lips, and Thabit’s mouth dropped. She blushed hot, for she hadn’t meant to speak her mind. Her lip caught between her teeth, she put the wine cup down, and turned to him.

  “We will discuss your opinion, later.”

  “Oh, good, I can hardly wait.” This time her words were private between them.

  His smile spread, and his eyes filled with the desire she so wanted to see.

  After the meal ended, one of the servants called for silence for Lord Farel to speak. Cheers greeted his announcement of Cecile and Rollo’s handfasting the following year. She and Thabit stood to applaud the couple who, hand in hand, bowed before the crowd.

  The musicians played loud enough to wake those who might have been sleepy after so much food. She and Thabit danced, and breathless with laughter, joined the linked line of people who looped through the hall, through the corridors, out into the frosty grounds, and back again.