Taking back forever and a day

by Marcy Lynn

  Just a moment. The cocoon of warm gentle peace wrapped around her.

  His hands slid from her back to either side of her face, tilting it up towards his. He leaned forward, causing her breath to hitch.

  “We belong together. Always.”

  The smell of him, the taste of him suddenly became enriched. She felt an upsurge of needing him to be closer; her mouth lifting the rest of the way to press against his. She dared to let hope stay for just a little while longer. Maybe it could work out that she could help her family and still have the man she loved? Maybe they could both atone for the past.

  “Would you go with me then?” His arms tighten possessively around her, pulling her into his warmth. It was the first time she’d considered his help. She’d wanted to atone on her own but maybe… “Would you go with me to Istland? To find Meagan?”

  “Yes, but order of events.” Derek said without hesitation. “We will get married,” He said kissing her after each word. “We will stay on our island until the winds change and I promise, we’ll go North and send word to your father.”

  “Why not now? The longer we wait the harder it will be to sort through the volcano aftermath.”

  “Wind. After it blows right way, I’ll take you.”

  She still wasn’t sure. But Elanor wouldn’t argue it any longer. How could she deny their belonging together? She nodded her head after a moment. “Alright- I think… that’s all reasonable.”

  “Then you will marry me?”

  Despite the fear and anxiety nagging at the back of her thoughts; the thrill of him wanting to be with her over powered it for now. He accepted her for all she was. If the accident hadn’t happened, she’d have been with him without time apart. There was still a piece of the deep sadness she felt left unsaid. But the yearning for the life he had built and his loving expression had crumbled some of her resolve. Through the turmoil of thoughts her conscience was only eased by the fact that it wouldn’t change anything. They were already matched for life. A piece of paper from the seeker world would only change her surname. And if it convinced him to go back North with her…then she would still be helping Meagan. And maybe- that would be enough?

  “Yes.” She said.

  “Get your dress on and I’ll come collect you when you’re done.” His lips pressed against hers in one last lingering kiss before he headed for the door. The knot dropped from her throat to her stomach, lying there heavily. Her heart jumped in rhythm when Derek stopped at the door. He seemed to be pondering something, making her body tense ready for it.

  He glanced over his shoulder. “And Ela, from now on, when we make our bets swimming… It’s going to be standard knowledge that you’re not allowed to use your magic skills.” She shook her head at him though laughing because she knew he was serious. Elanor’s laughter faded as the knowledge came to her that she’d have to do whatever she could still to find a way back.

  Even leaving him again if it came to that.

  Chapter twenty-three

  A hot stillness lay heavy in the air with hints of sweet scents.

  Soft sounds muffled through the building’s half opened door as Derek and the other two men talked. His hand brushed her bare arm letting her know he knew she was present and- his lawful wife. All it had took had been ink, some paper and as Derek put it, favor money. The papers signed and the money exchanged made her his wife in the eyes of the Inglish King. It did seem almost comical to think that it mattered so much to him since neither really was favored by their fathers’ court and country. Her being a witch. Him being on the cusp of out right piracy, well, smuggler. Still, she couldn’t deny that the little girl inside of her that had fallen in love with the idea that marrying Derek in both realms was delighted beyond silencing.

  They were truly married by all faiths and laws, both by man and nature.

  Elanor smiled wide, felt the flush of giddiness on her cheeks. Laughter erupted from the men and though she had no idea what had been just said she laughed right along with them. Derek’s hand clasped her elbow guiding her from the building back into the market.

  “Well, Wife, what would you like to buy for our wedding day present?”

  “How about some pottery?” She could hardly hold back the teasing light that shined with the happy glow of the day. He didn’t miss it giving her a side long glance before looking around distrustful she were about to hex him or some such. “To replace the ones broken the other day hmm?” She said wrapping her hands around his arm as they looked through the little booths all lined together in the market. Merry Meeting Market, someone had made a play on words. She almost grimaced at the appearance; the unsmiling faces of the attending booths, loud arguing market goers. It looked anything but merry there. Her eyes drifted over the wares of each booth, slowly passing each. He pointed to a booth nearby with pottery and a wash of realization came over her. They were buying items for their home.

  “Those are very pretty.” She didn’t wait for him while gliding over to that booth, remarkable craftsmanship. A sun kissed dark elderly woman stood behind its low wooden counter watching with warm brown eyes. Elanor gave her a friendly smile. “Good day, these are lovely wares. Did you make them?” Like Zo she didn’t speak but used her head to communicate a nod. Elanor didn’t mind since she was used to it. Unlike the first time she’d met the older man. The pottery had been finely done, bowls and pitchers lined neatly. Their patterns were beautiful.

  Realizing she’d broken a few things Elanor realized they’d need to replace almost a whole set. With a guilty teasing expression turned to Derek while biting her lower lip, “I think those there will look lovely in the kitchen?” Derek’s eyes lingered on her mouth making her skin prickly with pleasure.

  “They? Count in your head how many you smashed, did you?” He said raising his eyes.

  Sheepishly she laughed. “I am sorry for that. You know I don’t go about breaking things in fits, normally.” He gave her a grin that made little flutters play against her ribs. More and more his charms melted down the walls she’d put up. Today, it seemed natural to be happy and light. The invisible web of love and attraction keeping them connected closer than ever in these moments.

  “I’ve long forgiven you for that. As I hope you have me.” His large hand gestured to the booth again. “Buy whatever will warm the cockles of your heart, my dear.”

  Elanor felt herself nearly grinning wider, sharing it with the elder woman behind the booth’s counter. “Could I have those three just there?” Her hand gesturing with an extended index finger. The elderly lady lifted the large bowl and then the smaller bowl to place closer to Elanor. When she lifted the pitcher, that was when Elanor realized her aging had taken its toll. The woman trembled from lifting each object but more so when the pitcher was placed near to the bowls with a clank. Luckily there hadn’t been a chip but even if there had Elanor nor Derek, she believed, would have mentioned it. Instead, the compassion Elanor felt mirrored silently in Derek’s face. The three were relatively alone at least at the booth and so without asking she took the coin from Derek to pay the elder woman herself. A healing spell wouldn’t last forever but it would at least give some relief.

  She hadn’t ever casted in public. Not once in her life.

  Teagan had always pressed the limits set down by her parents. The rest did small things that would go unnoticed but not Elanor. She feared being caught back then. But she felt compassion for the woman standing there now. Derek stood behind her and that made her feel safe. Though Elanor hadn’t ever used a healing spell; some where deep inside her, she just knew it would work. In fact, that was the reason she had so much guilt. Had she been there when the accident happen; she may have been able to heal them all.

  Once she’d channeled enough water energy into her own hands, the coins were exchanged but Elanor didn’t release the wrap of her fingers.

  Surprise widen the woman’s warm dark brown eyes as they looked into Elanor’s. A kindly smile offered as the healing light passed between them. She
may never have done this before still a vibrant knowledge that it would work told her to believe it. When the spell had finished, Elanor pulled her hands back allowing them to slowly drop to her sides.

  The woman blinked and finally after being stunned by the action, smiled.

  “Thank you, these are beautiful.” A slight upturn of the wrinkles at the corners of the older woman’s mouth made Elanor smile wider. Derek no doubt confused but knowing better than to ask and draw attention, lifted the two bowls stacked carefully together. “We best be going. I told everyone we’d be shipping off straight away.”

  Lifting the pitcher Elanor followed as he turned to push through the small crowd off to the side. When they were out of ear shot of anyone he asked, “What did you do?” Leaning closer to his arm so no one would over hear she whispered. “A healing spell to make her fingers and maybe her bones feel a little better.” It was then the realization that she’d done magic in public again without thinking of the problems it could make for her. A quick look over her shoulder, darting a glance to see if anyone followed. Hopefully the woman wouldn’t tell anyone?

  “What a brave magical burde you are.” He said reading her mind, grinning.

  Elanor gave a half smile almost sheepish that he knew she’d started to worry. Too late now in any case. A deep breath of air pulled into her lungs before letting it out slowly as she followed Derek. He seemed to make her feel at ease and safe. Even without the protection of the island.

  “I don’t know who you’re talking about Mate, push off.” Her attention shifted to just ahead at the dock hearing a familiar voice. Caspin stood squaring off with three other men and the body posture didn’t make her feel as though it were a polite conversation.

  “Elanor.” Her name came as a warning. Derek set the bowls down where she’d stopped; then walked over to meet with his first mate. Fear bubbled up into her chest. A fourth had also joined the men as Derek gotten there and now it seemed four against two.

  “We know you’re harboring two slaves. Their Master has hired us to return ‘em.”

  “Only free people on my ship.” Derek said dryly as he joined the small crowd.

  “We know about you, Captin’. Heard all about you and yours, having free slaves somewheres around these parts.”

  “That, is a stupid remark. Either they’re free or they’re slave, yeah?” Again, Derek’s tone dry but she could see his back muscles beneath the shirt flexing as though preparing to move. Stepp came up along side her making her jump a little. He seemed as frighten and as unsure what he should do, as her. Her heart leapt into her throat when it became clear with his step towards them as to what he decided.

  “No, please stay with me Stepp.” Her hushed whisper hurried. “I don’t want to be left alone.” Her protective side showing, if he went over there no doubt the rough looking men would view him as the weakest of the three. And men like that always went for what they knew they could attack.

  “Alright, Miss. Don’t worry. I have my knife and I’ll protect you.” His voice sounding a bit more confident as he watched the scene unfold. The voices were getting louder and the vulgar language got worse. All clear signs to Elanor that this would end in a physical fight. She knew that both Derek and Caspin could handle themselves but against four anyone would be challenged.

  “Give us the bitch and the child or-” A crack of skin hitting skin silenced any other words that were about to be said. Caspin’s fist hit the man’s face; shoving the rest of the words back down the throat of the rogue. A flurry of fists and bodies moving instantly made it seem like there were many more men there than in reality. Her fingers gripped the pitcher until the white of her knuckles shown. The energy building so quickly in her chest that Elanor had a hard time holding it back like a wild caged animal. She made herself watch though the landing blow Derek took made her empathic mind cringe. She could feel it as though she’d been physically hit herself.

  But not all of the men it seemed knew how to fight; the two that had come along just stood there as the other four went at each other. Elanor gave Stepp a worried glance and tried to think of a way to help. She wasn’t much of a fighter herself but the magic being drawn from it all could easily finish the fight. Another grunt of contact had her placing the pitcher down on the ground.

  “No Miss, don’t go over there. Captain will gut me if you get hurt.”

  She knew he was right and the little twinge of fear that someone would see her preform magic were fading fast because of it. She watched as the fight only grew in intensity. Her teeth sunk into the soft pillow of her lower lip until she tasted blood. A raging battle in her own her mind. Anger started to crawl up from the pit of fear and clenched tight.

  She wasn’t helpless.

  She was powerful and had the means to help her husband.

  She shouldn’t just be standing there watching. Fear be damned.

  All at once she could see how to help him just by believing. The fight had started on the dock, it’s wobbly planks weren’t the best footing for any of them. Each time a forceful blow or push would make a rocking of the wood and a sloshing of water below.

  “Stepp,” She turned abruptly to the younger man and shoved the pitcher into his unexpected arms. “Get the bowls as well and be ready to follow quickly.” Elanor didn’t explain anymore than that, hoping he’d just do as she said. Energy unlike anything she’d felt before tingled through her fingers and the rest of her body. Even her scalp tingled. She didn’t need it for direction or intent. Soft words hummed off her lips calling to the Goddess, the Mother of all, to help her aim true and not harm Derek or Caspin. As soon as the dock naturally rocked and water sloshed again, she released the spell to make the water reach a height to spiral around the other men, yanking all four of them into the water with cannonball splashes.

  Both Derek and Caspin stood in stark shock looking down at the men flailing their arms. Elanor moved in a hurried succession of foot steps passing them by and only glancing back to see if Stepp had listen. He had- and quickly it seemed since he followed on her heels.

  “Ela!” Derek said breathlessly once all of them were on deck. “That was, that…”

  “I know! I just couldn’t watch anymore.” Darting glances at Derek, Caspin and Stepp. Her stomach clenched painfully waiting for their reaction.

  “That was-” Derek tried again.

  “That was bloody brilliant! Spit it out man! She just saved our arses!” Caspin laughed and grabbed her joyfully into a tight hug. “Elanor, thank you for helping. When I saw that knife-”

  Elanor nearly swallowed her tongue in a gasp. “There was a knife?” .

  “Whoa, whoa, we’re all safe now. Let’s focus on getting out of here and how we’re going to avoid them following us to the Island.” Derek said.

  “Oh! I- didn’t even think of that.” Elanor followed him back on deck, touching her flushed cheeks. Derek’s blue eyes stare deep into hers when he stood still instead of heading for the wheel. His hand raised to touch the side of her face and her hand. “You were brilliant.” Her heart flipped as he leaned to brush his lips against hers. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She wanted to saying something funny or teasing but the profound moment took words from her. She’d preformed magic, helped them and the world didn’t come down on her head. But she knew right then and there, even if it had she would have done anything to keep Derek from being hurt.

  She loved him deeply. Always would.

  She watched him and Caspin move to the upper deck before giving Stepp a smile. “Will you help me put those away in the cabin where they won’t get broken?” This pottery had made it out of a fight thankfully; they’d only had it a few hours now. Perhaps it would be a curse for them not being able to keep pottery. She took the steps, heart racing as Derek’s crew moved quickly to set the ship sailing.

  “Don’t worry Miss, Captain is going to get us out of here just fine.”

  “But they can’t get out of the harbor fast enough though
, can they?” Elanor asked. “We’ll be within telescope sight all the way to the reef?”

  “There’s enough wind and its cloudy.” Stepp said looking up towards the sky. “Might be enough.” He didn’t sound so sure and she didn’t feel very confident herself. She may have been away from the sea for a few years but she hadn’t forgotten how a ship moves in the water and what it took. Elanor squinted her eyes trying to focus the other ship that had started out of the harbor right behind them. She couldn’t make out the crew working but the ship itself was gliding as well as theirs.

  “Do you think they’ll attack?” She asked Derek coming upon him at the helm.

  “Not in the harbor.” The grimace on his face wasn’t an expression she’d ever seen. She knew suddenly that he was preparing himself for the fight that was coming. Her gaze left him to pan around the ship seeing the crew physically doing so.

  “You’re going to take them on!” She exclaimed. “Derek…”

  “Ela, it’s not just Lea and Breeze we’re protecting.” He took one hand off the wheel to do a wide spread gesture to his ship. “They’ve all got something to lose if these bounty hunters find the Island. I left my father’s business because I hated the way human beings were being treated.” His grip tighten on the wheel, forcefully he finished. “Now that they’re changing the laws in the Colonies, they,” He jerked his head towards the other ship. “won’t be the last to try this. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose those I call family to these bastards following us now.” Elanor moved to him and pressed her cheek against his shoulder while her arms slide around him. It would be the first time she dared to show softness towards him without his making the first move. His release of pent up air loudly filled her ears. He moved like lightning tucking her into the wheel and crushing a kiss to mouth. Her lips were soft and warm after the passionate exchange. He didn’t let her out of the cage of his arms on either side of her as he held the wheel and she made no motion just yet to move. Again her head leaned into him, resting her cheek against his chest.