Destiny nodded her head. "Your question to us is?"
"Am I falling in love with a killer? Did he kill the high priestess?"
The fates all looked at each other and leaned back in their seats. "Would it matter if he was a killer?"
"Of course," Petunia said, thinking how could she love a man who would murder another?
"But you are planning on battling with Kaine and killing him," Aura said.
Petunia took a deep breath and released it to settle her nerves and calm the rage that consumed her like a cancer. "To avenge my sister Ianthe's death. He raped her and because he was not her mate, she died. And then he killed my mother."
Anger rose inside her chest, creating an ache at the thought of what that evil warlock had done to her family. "No one deserves more to die than Kaine."
"If Jaqarg killed the high priestess, shouldn't he deserve to die?"
Their comments only confused her more, not giving her the clarity she came seeking. You couldn't compare Jaqarg and Kaine, they were different men and yet...
"We don't know if Jaqarg killed the healer. The man is decent and honorable, I can't imagine him murdering anyone," Petunia defended the alien she loved.
They gazed at her. Fortune reached out and touched her hand. "If you kill Kaine, won't you also be a murderer? Wouldn't you deserve to die?"
Her heart pounded in her chest creating an ache. "Kaine hurt people I love. He killed my mother and sister."
"Then you would both be considered murderers. Why are you upset about falling in love with a killer if you're about to become one yourself?"
The words were like a slap to Petunia's face. Stunned, she stared at Destiny, Petunia's mind reeling with anger. "What about the people I love? Their lives meant something to me. What about them?"
Picking up her hand, Destiny gazed sympathetically in her eyes. "What happened to your sister, an innocent is inexcusable. Your poor mother reacted to the loss of her child, causing her to lose her own life. You, dear Petunia, you need to learn from their mistakes and let the gods handle Kaine's punishment."
"So I should act like it's okay to kill my family and Kaine gets away with their murders."
"I didn't say that. I said learn from their mistakes. Kaine will receive his just in due time. Not in your time, but God's time."
Why had she come here? Closing her eyes, she wished she had kept her doubts to herself. Their questions gave her cause to reconsider. Was she making a mistake by fighting Kaine. She came to hear about Jaqarg not to question her decision regarding fighting the warlock.
"Did Jaqarg kill the high priestess?" Petunia asked one final time, not ready to give up her conflict with Kaine, but needing to understand her warrior.
"What do you think?" Aura replied, her eyes glowing with an iridescence.
"I don't know. That's why I'm here," she replied, her voice coming out more harsh than she intended, her frustration building.
"Look inward and trust your instincts," Fortune said. "Jaqarg is a good man, but even good people do evil deeds."
All three women stood and Petunia knew that was her hint to leave. The fates had told her all they were willing to share. And left her more perplexed.
"Go in peace, Petunia," Destiny said.
"All will be clear soon," Aura said.
"Choose your own destiny," Fortune responded.
The door closed behind her and Petunia stood on the porch more uncertain than ever.
Jaqarg threw a right punch and Petunia deftly stepped out of the way, disappeared only to reappear and give him a kick to the back of his legs taking him down.
"Nice," he said, knowing she was much stronger today.
"Try the flip," he said.
Watching her concentrate, she hurled herself into the air and landed on her back with a groan.
"Better, but you need more self-confidence. Trust yourself. Launch your body. You've almost got the flip down."
"I'm not certain I'm going to live through this move. What if I fall on my neck?"
"We'll get you a neck brace. Now, a little more propulsion and you'll be flipping through the air. Let's try again, but this time, when you land, come up and strike me."
Trying again, she launched herself and this time, she landed on her feet, wobbly, but was unable to hit him.
"You're getting it."
They sparred for several more moments. Each day, she got better and better. Now when she fought, at least she had the capability to defend herself. This morning when he awakened with her missing from the bed, terror gripped him that today she would meet Kaine and he wouldn't be there to protect her.
When she returned, his bubbly witch seemed distant and moody and more introspective than he was accustomed to. And then she suggested they train.
Finally, he held up a hand. "I need a break."
She smiled. "Wow, I didn't have to cry uncle first."
"Cry uncle? What is this?"
"Whenever you want someone to stop whatever they're doing to you, you say uncle."
He pulled her into his arms. "You didn't cry uncle last night."
Dipping her head, she glanced up at him shyly, her emerald eyes shimmering. "Why would I? I enjoyed what we did last night."
Warmth spread through him and his penis hardened. "We can do that again anytime you're ready."
"This afternoon I have a class to teach."
"Oh," he said disappointed. "Where did you go this morning?"
"Out," she said, not telling him what he wanted to learn.
Where she went was none of his business, but until this fight with Kaine was over, he would be informed of her location at all times. Sneaking out before dawn and keeping her whereabouts secret, made his job that much harder.
"I feared you were off fighting Kaine today. When will you meet him?"
"Whenever he shows up, that's when we skirmish."
Staring at her, she seemed uncertain, like she questioned her decision to challenge the warlock. He realized she'd never told him why they were at odds. After the last match, he concluded they would duel to the end. But what made her so determined to kill the warlock?
"Why are you feuding with him. What would make a bubbly witch seek to kick a powerful warlock's ass?" he asked, watching her as she took a sip of water from a nearby container.
Her eyes narrowed and hate for Kaine radiated from her. Clenching her fists, he took a deep breath and released it slowly.
"Kaine was my teacher. A young girl, I trusted and admired him," she said swallowing. Tears welled up in her eyes. "One day while I was gone, he came to our home and raped my sister. What he did killed her. Then my mother sought revenge for my sister's death and his witchcraft slayed her. Two of my family members are dead because of this evil warlock.”
Someone she believed would never harm anyone she loved had destroyed her family. Had the teacher stabbed Ianthe silencing her forever? Rape was a heinous deed that left scars, but something about her story he didn't quite understand, but seeing how upset she became talking about the past, he couldn't press her for details.
"My mother was so furious, she sought him out, and they sparred. Only good didn't triumph over evil that day. She's told me herself, she let her anger get the better of her and her emotions took control. In the end, she lost her battle." Sighing she released a long breath.
"And you could be next," he said softly.
How did their justice system allow a warlock to pick an altercation with an older witch and live to fight again? Kaine raped and killed her sister. Now Kaine and Petunia would meet to clash for revenge. What a barbaric society.
"No," she denied.
"Now you want to avenge their deaths. You're going to spar with him because of what he did to your sister and mother."
Probably to the death of one of them. Neither Kaine or Petunia would be left unscathed by their actions.
"Yes," she hissed. "I'm going to work to keep my rage at bay, but it's the hardest thing I've ever done."
; "Don't you fear that if you kill him everyone will think of you as a murderer?"
Glancing at him, her emerald eyes flashed with a red tint and that let him know he made her angry. To protect himself, he'd been forced to end an opponent’s life in battle and afterwards, he often wondered if there could have been any other way.
Taking a life was not easy and wouldn't give the vengeance sought.
"Why is it that soldiers are not considered murderers, but if I fight a duel, people will label me a killer? Call me what you want, but what he did to my family can never be repaid."
Jaqarg worried even more for her now when he realized why she was determined to end the warlock's life. Even though she would do her best to control her emotions, they were raw and unchecked and her rage could lead her into a dangerous situation. A place where she died.
"Don't forget that soldiers often have grief for what they've done." He sighed. "At the meeting, let me be your second. I won't interfere as long as he fights fairly."
Walking across the room, he came to push a tendril of hair away from her face. "I'm worried. You are my witch and I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Don't worry. This fight is mine and I'm going to win. Then I'm going to kill him."
Chapter 8
Later that evening, Petunia sat outside, waiting for Jaqarg to finish his shower. Watching the stars, she thought about what the fates had told her. Shimmering before her in the darkness, her mother appeared.
"You've been avoiding me," she said, her tone flat.
Petunia nodded. "I needed some time to think. I was hurt you kept the reason you were killed from me," Petunia replied, staring at her mother her chest aching. Every time she saw her was a reminder of how much Kaine had taken.
"When you have children, you'll understand. You were my sweet, innocent child who I didn't want to fear mating. Kaine's evil had done enough damage and I wanted to protect you as much as possible," she said, settling into a chair next to Petunia. "Look at the kids in your class. Would you want to tell them their sister had been raped?"
Petunia shuddered wanting to shield those young lives from the hate in the world. "No. If you thought hearing how his magic overpowered you would make me want to forget fighting him, you're wrong. Learning he forced himself on Ianthe makes me want to cut out his wicked heart and feed it to the sparrows."
A painful sigh escaped her mother's lips. "That's how I felt. That rage is what drove me to make miscalculated decisions. The fury blinded me and I fought stupidly, which he used to his advantage. If you're going to go through with this, then you must be strong and use your emotions wisely. Do not let your desire for revenge lead you to make bad choices."
A wolf cried out in the darkness, calling for a mate, making Petunia yearn for Jaqarg. What would she do when he left? Glancing at her mother, she should reassure her, but she couldn't. She'd lost her own life and a daughter, and Petunia understood why her mother felt nervous.
Petunia had a healthy respect for Kaine that had her nerves tingling with apprehension.
"I'm going to try not to let him rile me into doing something stupid and rash," she said, thinking about her visit with the fates. "I called on the fates."
There was silence.
"They warned me killing Kaine would label me as a murderer. That I would be no better than him. That I should put this battle behind me and walk away."
"And what did you decide?"
"Why should Kaine get away with murdering my family. That monster took advantage of his position to come into our home, brutalize my sister, and kill my mother. Why is he free to roam the earth while the two of you live in the underworld?"
The sound of crickets and animals scurrying through the brushes filled the night air. The hooting of an owl, the rustle of a rabbit nearby, the chirping of a cricket. A lightning bug flew by lighting the sky, the glow flittering as it hurried through the dark.
"The underworld is not a bad place. But I don't want your life to be cut short trying to avenge ours. I want to see you happy with a mate by your side, and eventually, your children scampering around the yard. I long to see you and Daisy and Zinnia all back together, in love, your bellies rounded with babies. I want you to experience a long life free of tragedy and heartache."
Pain gripped her chest and she knew her mother loved her and only wanted the best - but how could she forgive the man who had taken so much from her.
"Jaqarg has been teaching me defensive moves. He's been training me not to react to my emotions, but instead to think logically and methodically and use my intelligence to outsmart Kaine."
A sigh escaped her mother's lips and she hung her head. "Jaqarg sounds like he cares for you and is concerned about your safety."
"He is."
Petunia truly believed he cared for her, but he'd not mentioned the word love. Maybe on his planet they didn't promise each other forever or even the next day. Maybe they didn't write sonnets about love or break hearts.
"He hasn't been able to convince you not to fight Kaine?"
“No, we will fight for the right to live," Petunia said. Determined to end Kaine's cruel life, she could not back down, but wished Jaqarg would say he loved her before the battle she might not survive.
"You won't see me, but I'll be watching over you. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe," her mother said. "I don't want to lose another of my daughters to that evil warlock."
"Ah, about watching over me. You might want to limit your viewing in the bedroom."
As she stared at Petunia, her mother's eyes widened. "Oh, great Merlin. You've mated with the alien. Please tell me you checked him out in the mirror first."
"Yes, I did. His handsome face reflected in the glass."
A warm glow spread around her and she felt her mother hugging her. "I'm so happy for you. Does he know he is your mate?"
Petunia squirmed a little. She wasn't convinced he understood the significance of mating. "I'm not sure. He's called me his mate, but I'm not certain he knows what it really means for the Blanchet witches."
"Petunia! Why haven't you told him?" her mother asked, voice rising, her body shimmering in undulating waves that let Petunia know she was angry.
"No time," she said with a shrug. "He'll figure it out soon enough."
"Petunia, I swear, if I weren't dead already, you would be the death of me. As his mate, you must explain to him what it means when he takes a Blanchet witch."
What could she say? There hadn't been a good time for him to learn the full details and for a while she was upset he would be leaving.
Now, it appeared he would remain here, but for how long? And would he stay when he learned they were mates for life? Or would he run back to his planet?
Two days later, Petunia was amazed at how they seemed to have fallen into a routine. During the day, they were busy sparring or teaching and at night they made love. Every day, she felt herself falling deeper and deeper in love with Jaqarg and that frightened her.
There had been no commitments from either of them. At any moment, a spaceship could land and he would disappear from her life permanently.
And that thought was like a knife to her heart, leaving her love gushing all over the ground.
He didn't say anything about forever. He didn't say the word love. But then again, on his planet they didn’t pledge their hearts for the rest of their life. Even with children, it was only until they were older and then they were free to seek pleasure.
Jaqarg would be pledged to her heart forever.
And still the fact he was accused of murder hung like a noose above them, just waiting for the right moment to slip. They were in a holding pattern, one where her love grew deeper while she waited for him to catch up.
After speaking to her mother, she'd decided to accept each day as a blessing. She was still here and so was Jaqarg, but the peace could disappear at any second. Or worse, she could die fighting Kaine.
Every day together was a gift and yet a dark cloud loomed over t
hem waiting to descend.
"My communication device is needing recharged and nothing here to recharge it with. So I'm going to go to the hardware store and see if there is anything I can use to make a charger. Will you be all right?"
Since their joining, the alien had stuck to her like hot glue. While she knew he worried about her, they couldn't be together all the time. His communicator was his lifeline to his friend Stryhn who promised to keep him informed about the investigation.
"It shouldn't take me long to find the parts. Then I'll meet you at school."
Smiling, she walked over and kissed him on the lips. "Have I told you how much you make my life a better place?"
Frowning, he stared at her. "No. What brought this on?"
"Oh, maybe the fact you woke me up this morning, kissing my neck, my back, and sliding your fingers into me."
A grin spread across his face. "You're welcome."
"What's it like on your planet? What happens when two people do what we're doing?"
She couldn't use the word love, because what if he didn't understand what that feeling meant here on earth? Back on Bierilla, the military had tried to eradicate all emotions from his face, but what about his heart? Did he care for her at all?
"We don't marry. Some people pledge forever to one another and procreate, but warriors...normally contact a merchant and they supply a vessel - a lovely specimen who handles all our physical needs."
"Oh great, every planet has hookers."
"Hookers?" he said a confused expression, gathering between his brows.
"Yeah, you know, a whore."
Laughing his eyes twinkling with merriment. "That word the translator understood. Yes, we have whores."
Pulling her to him, he kissed her on the lips, his tongue running along her bottom lip, causing her to squirm. "Now be careful and I'll catch up with you, just as soon as I find the parts I need."
As she walked out the door, she blew him a kiss. On her way to school, she couldn't help but think how her life had changed in the last two weeks. And when he left, how would anyone else compare to Jaqarg of Bierilla?
Magic, New Mexico: Touch of Deceit (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Magic Mirror Book 2) Page 8