living covenant 03 - eternal covenant

by Amanda M. Lee

  “Because I don’t get sick unless it’s from alcohol, and I’ve been violently ill twice after you delivered food to our house,” I replied. “Now … spill.”

  “First, I have no need to poison you,” Pemberley said. “No matter how attractive I find your fiancé, I’m not an idiot. It’s clear he’s besotted with you … and then some. Secondly, even if I thought I had a chance, I wouldn’t poison you. I’d cast a spell on you and make you leave him.”

  I stilled, surprised by the admission. “Are you a witch?”

  “That’s a little stereotypical,” Pemberley said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do I look like a witch?”

  The bottom of his pants were wide enough to suggest a dress if I used my imagination. I got what he was saying, though. “Oh, I’m sorry, what’s a male witch called?” I asked. “A warlock. Are you a warlock?”

  “I don’t mean the word ‘witch’ is stereotypical,” Pemberley shot back. “I mean that you would naturally assume I was a witch. Witches are so … pedestrian. I’m much more than a witch.”

  “Is that good or bad?” I asked, confused.

  “I have no idea,” Aric replied.

  “Let’s have a chat, shall we?” Pemberley said, directing us toward the round couch. “I think we need to clear the air.”

  “That sounds great.”

  “Would anyone like some tea?” Pemberley frowned at our twin looks of disgust. “I guess that’s a no since you think I’m poisoning you. Okay. No tea.”

  Everyone sat on the couch, Aric putting himself between Pemberley and me in case the man made a move. I was more worried about him making a move on Aric, but I wisely kept that tidbit to myself.

  “For starters, I didn’t realize you were magical until I met you,” Pemberley said, choosing his words carefully. “When Helen and Nancy came into the shop, I realized Helen was a wolf right away. There was something … different … about Nancy. I couldn’t put my finger on what, though.”

  “So you know about the paranormal world?” Aric asked. “How?”

  “I’m a sprite.”

  He said that as though it should mean something. “Well, I know you’re not a can of soda,” I said. “Isn’t a sprite like a … .” I muted the end of the sentence. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t allowed to say “fairy” given the overarching scenario.

  “I’m a fairy,” Pemberley announced.

  Whew! I’m glad he said it. Now I won’t look like such a troll when I repeat it. “You’re a fairy? Where are your wings?”

  “Zoe,” Aric warned, his voice low. “I don’t think you’re supposed to say things like that.”

  I snorted. “When has that ever stopped me?”

  “You have a point,” Aric said, resigned. “Where are your wings?”

  “They’re here,” Pemberley said, shifting his back. “You can’t see them because I’m from another plane of existence. The wings aren’t visible here.”

  “If you’re from another plane, what are you doing here?” Aric asked. “How did you even get here?”

  “There are numerous portals from one plane to the next,” Pemberley explained. “I used one five years ago after a visit from my cousins. They came to this world years ago and loved it. They spoke about endless possibilities over here, and I was dying to leave my world.”

  “I’ll bet it’s boring if you have nothing to do but live in a mushroom,” I said.

  “Zoe!” Aric shook his head. “That’s just … .”

  “I didn’t live in a mushroom,” Pemberley said, smirking. “I lived in a house. It was surrounded by mushrooms, though.”

  Something occurred to me. “Fairy rings. You lived in a fairy ring. That’s the portal you used, isn’t it?”

  “How do you know about fairy rings?” Pemberley asked, surprised.

  “I … ran into a guy once who sucked me through one,” I answered. “His name was … Bob.”

  “Was that his real name?” Pemberley was dubious.

  “No, but I can’t remember his real name for anything, so I called him Bob.”

  “I’m sure he was thrilled with that,” Pemberley said, chuckling. “In my world fairy rings are used for transport, and we have to maintain them. My cousins, Naida and Nixie, moved between worlds quite often before relocating to this one permanently. They had such wonderful stories that I couldn’t help but want to visit.”

  That was interesting.

  “When I realized that I could be more than a fairy ring warden over here, I decided to move,” Pemberley continued. “Nixie and Naida helped me open my shop. I’ve always been enamored with the idea of love, so starting my own wedding consulting business seemed a good fit. I’ve been here ever since.”

  “Are you trapped here?” I asked.

  Pemberley shook his head. “I can go back if I wish, but I don’t wish it. My mother comes to visit once a year. That’s quite enough home for me.”

  “I hear that,” I said. I was completely and utterly fascinated. “When did you realize what I was?”

  “When you zapped the wolf with your magic,” Pemberley replied. “Actually, it was about an hour after that. I was confused when that happened. I knew what I saw, but you seemed adamant about keeping it quiet. Then I remembered a story I heard about a magical mage and her soul mate, who happened to be a wolf. The paranormal world is atwitter with gossip about you, young lady. When I saw your abilities, I figured you were the source of the rumors.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Aric asked. “If we knew you were magical, it would have saved us a lot of crap.”

  “I wasn’t sure how you would take it,” Pemberley answered. “You seemed uncomfortable with my … attention.”

  “That’s because I’m not gay,” Aric charged.

  “In my world there is no such thing as gay or straight,” Pemberley explained. “There is only love and attraction. You’re a beautiful specimen of the human form. I couldn’t help but be … intrigued.”

  “Ha, ha,” I said, laughing. “You are a beautiful specimen, though.” It took me a moment to realize what Pemberley hadn’t said. “Hey, wait a second. Does that mean I’m not a beautiful specimen?”

  “On the contrary, you’re quite lovely,” Pemberley said. “You’re not my type, though. You’re also mouthy as hell and hate the finer things in life. Your idea of a wedding, my dear, is nothing short of a travesty. You’ll break both of your mothers’ hearts if you’re not careful.”

  “What about my heart?” I challenged. “I am the bride, after all.”

  “You have a point,” Pemberley conceded. “I didn’t mean to trample your feelings. I thought for sure you would embrace the new wedding ideas. I think I was probably wrong on that front. You’re lovely … and complicated.”

  “She’s definitely that,” Aric said. “If you haven’t been poisoning Zoe – and you’re not out to get her powers – why has she been getting sick?”

  “I can’t answer that question,” Pemberley said. “I would suggest it’s her eating habits, but that didn’t go over well last time.”

  “What about the three wolves running around the area?” I asked. I wasn’t quite ready to dismiss him as a suspect. “Are you in cahoots with them?”

  “My dear, I am not interested in the politics of wolf or man,” Pemberley said. “I’m happiest here, making dreams come true.”

  “But … .” That couldn’t be it. We were missing something. “Why did I get sick after you fed me?”

  “I honestly don’t know,” Pemberley said. “I can feel danger circling the two of you, but it’s not close yet. I keep trying to pinpoint it, but whatever stalks you is evasive. I even put up a barrier to track people coming and going in your yard, but whoever took it down is powerful.”

  Oh, whoops! That explained a few things. “I took it down,” I admitted.

  “Why?”

  “We didn’t know what it was,” Aric answered. “We thought someone was trying to track us so they could isolate us in the woods. We didn
’t realize it was you.”

  “How did you even discover it?” Pemberley asked. “It was barely in this world. You shouldn’t have been able to see it.”

  “Paris felt it first,” I answered. “When she told us where it was we knew where to look. I kind of messed around with it and it blew.”

  “You are extraordinary,” Pemberley said, shaking his head. “I doubt even you realize how powerful you are. The barrier was merely an alarm system. It wasn’t meant to cause harm. I feel something hiding in the shadows, but I can’t figure out what it is. It feels bigger than it should, as if it’s more than one person.”

  “So you don’t want to hurt us?” I asked.

  “I want you to have the happiest day of your life,” Pemberley answered. “That’s my purpose in this world. That’s all I want.”

  I glanced at Aric. “Do you believe him?”

  “That’s a better question for you,” Aric said. “Can you sense whether he’s lying to us?”

  I shook my head. “He doesn’t feel like a liar.”

  “I’m not,” Pemberley said. “Other than hiding my identity, I’ve never told a lie.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll let you live then,” Aric said, tugging his hand through his hair. “Dammit! I thought we were finally getting somewhere. We still don’t know why you’ve been getting sick.”

  “What about the totem?” I asked. “Did you put the totem up by the river?”

  “I have no need for a totem,” Pemberley responded. “That’s not how my magic works.”

  “That has to be the wolves,” I said. “They’re working with someone else magical. We just don’t know who yet.”

  “Would you be able to recognize another magical being if you saw them in person?” Aric asked.

  Pemberley nodded. “I recognized your friend Paris as a witch. I recognized James as a wolf and Ted as a fallen mage. Ted and Nancy have very little power, but remnants remain. They were harder for me to figure out, but I’ve met full mages before so it eventually clicked.”

  “I think we should keep him on the wedding,” I said, tapping my chin as my mind worked overtime. “He might be able to help us.”

  “Are you sure?” Aric asked. “He’s been ruining everything. What if you’re getting sick because you’re so upset about the wedding changes?”

  The thought hadn’t occurred to me. “Well, I guess we’ll have to take it one step at a time,” I said. “Now that everyone has laid their cards on the table, I have an idea about how to fix all of that.”

  “And what is that?” Pemberley asked.

  The smile I graced him with was mischievous.

  “Oh, I’m afraid,” Aric said, shaking his head. “That smile cannot mean good things.”

  He had no idea.

  18

  Eighteen

  “I’m so glad everything worked out,” Helen said, beaming at Pemberley as we walked across the open expanse of the back yard. It was dark, but the flood lights Aric insisted on installing for my safety illuminated almost everything. “I knew you couldn’t be evil.”

  “I’m definitely not evil,” Pemberley said, winking at me. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

  “Don’t look at me when you say things like that,” Aric ordered. “I don’t like it.”

  “You’ll live, handsome,” Pemberley said, unperturbed by Aric’s attitude. “So, I was thinking we could have magical table settings. Since everything is out in the open now, I think we can go for broke on this wedding and set up something that will make everyone happy.”

  “Wait a second,” I said. “Is everyone coming aware of magic? What about James’ political buddies?”

  “We’re going to uninvite them,” Pemberley answered, taking everyone by surprise, especially Helen.

  “We are?” Helen asked. “Does James know this?”

  “I’ll talk to him and explain the new reality,” Pemberley said. “You need to be aware of the new reality, too.”

  “I’m not going to like this, am I?” Helen asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Probably not,” Pemberley conceded. “The fact remains that this is Zoe and Aric’s wedding. They should get the final say.”

  “That’s not what you said when we approached you and pointed out what was happening,” Helen argued.

  “That was before I realized Zoe actually wanted what she wanted,” Pemberley clarified. “The truth is, when you told me Zoe and Aric’s plans, I assumed money was an issue. I thought they were trying to do things on the cheap, and that’s how everything turned into such a fiasco.”

  “Hey!” I was offended … I think.

  “Dear, you’re lovely and smart,” Pemberley said, patting my arm. “You have atrocious taste in everything but men, though. You can’t have everything.”

  I turned to Aric for support. “Are you going to let him talk to me that way?”

  “I look good in this scenario, so I’m letting it go,” Aric said.

  “What’s going to happen now?” Helen asked.

  “Zoe deserves the wedding she wants,” Pemberley replied. “I don’t think she has to get everything her heart desires for every moment of her life, but in this she does. It’s her wedding.”

  Helen wasn’t giving in without a fight. “What about us? What about what we want?”

  “Zoe is willing to compromise on certain things,” Pemberley supplied. “We had a long talk this afternoon. You’re getting better food – although Zoe still isn’t convinced I haven’t been trying to poison her – and she’s getting a deejay.

  “We’re going to put tables all over the yard,” he continued. “She doesn’t want a tent. There will be nice linens and a little … magic … to brighten up the place.”

  “I guess that doesn’t sound horrible,” Helen conceded. “What about the dress?”

  “The dress is being replaced,” Pemberley answered, causing me to scowl. “In fact, Aric picked out a dress when Zoe was going through the bridesmaid catalogs this afternoon.”

  “What?” I turned quickly. “You picked out my dress?”

  “I think you’re going to like it,” Aric said, grinning. “I know I like it. It’s what I always dreamed of you wearing when we finally got to this part of our lives.”

  “But … is it as wide as it is tall?” I was terrified.

  “No.”

  “Will it make noise when I walk?” I asked.

  “Maybe a little,” Aric said. “You’re going to look like the dream, Zoe. Have a little faith in me.”

  I had more faith in Aric than I’d ever had in anyone, but this was something I wasn’t sure I could handle. “I won’t look … weird … right?”

  “You’re going to look like the most beautiful bride in the world,” Pemberley countered. “I have a little magic of my own, my dear. I’ve seen what you’ll look like in that dress. Trust me. You’re going to be the prettiest bride in all the land.”

  “She already is,” Aric said, reaching out to snag my hand. “Now she’s going to be a happy bride, too.”

  “But, Aric,” Helen protested, “Nancy and I have done so much work. I’m not sure James will accept changing the guest list at this late juncture.”

  “He doesn’t have a choice,” Aric said. “Zoe and I want a small wedding. We want to be open about who and what we are. This isn’t Dad’s wedding. It’s not a political rally. It’s our event, and we want it small.”

  “Fine,” Helen said, crossing her arms over her chest and giving in. “I’d better like this dress.”

  “And it better not have a tiara,” I added, causing Aric to grin.

  “No tiara,” Aric confirmed. “Everything else is an upgrade over the dress you picked, though. You’re going to have to deal with it. I want my dream bride.”

  “This just bites,” I muttered. “I … .”

  I didn’t get a chance to finish my complaint because Aric’s phone picked that moment to ring. I recognized the theme song from Game of Thrones right away.

&n
bsp; “What is that?” Pemberley asked.

  “Someone tripped the wards,” Aric said, his face grim as he turned to scan the yard. “Someone is here.”

  Paris and Kelsey raced to the deck above us, James and my father close on their heels.

  “Do you see anything?” James asked, peering into the gloom.

  “No,” Aric replied, moving closer to the woods. “I can’t smell anything either. The breeze is blowing in the opposite direction.”

  “That might be on purpose,” James called down. “Maybe everyone should get inside.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Aric said, reaching for my arm. “Move, Zoe.”

  I jerked my arm away, taking another step toward the trees. Something familiar brushed against my mind, and while it didn’t fit like Aric’s mind did when we connected, I knew who was in the woods.

  “Zoe!” Aric roared, moving behind me. “What are you doing?”

  I waited until our guest moved from the tree line and crossed the threshold of the yard, smiling at the familiar tan features and the long dark hair. The man’s face split into a sardonic smile when he saw me, and Aric’s shoulders slumped.

  “Of course,” Aric muttered, disgustedly shaking his head. “Why am I even surprised?”

  “I think you like being a worrywart, wolf,” Rafael said, locking gazes with me. “I see I got here just in time. You’re still single, right?”

  I raced to Rafael and threw my arms around him, giving him a hug I knew would irk both Aric and him. “I knew you would come!”

  “I wouldn’t miss your wedding to the world’s most annoying wolf for anything in the world, little mage,” Rafael said, winking at Aric for emphasis. “It appears I’m early, though. Also, did you know bitten wolves have been traipsing through the woods and watching you?”

  “You sure know how to make an entrance, man,” Aric said, shaking his head. “Come inside. We have a lot to catch you up on.”

  “I can’t wait,” Rafael said, smiling as I led him toward the house.

  “Well, well, well,” Pemberley said, looking Rafael up and down as he passed. “You’re very … flowery … aren’t you?”