Approval swept through the ranks and Lilith dared to feel encouraged.
“I ask you only to bless their match,” Dritta continued, her tone turning authoritative once more. “And to forgo any retaliation for defying destiny, given the extenuating circumstances in this case.”
She gave Sebastian a dark glance. “Even I was wrong about that one.”
The council nodded, they closed their eyes. Dritta closed her fist and Lilith held her breath. She gripped Mitch’s hand tightly, knowing that whichever way the vote went, there could not be another.
“What’s happening?” he asked in an undertone.
“They’re voting. Their thoughts will conjure a ball in Dritta’s hand that shows the majority.” Lilith met Mitch’s concerned gaze. “White is the one we want.”
“Is there any appeal?” he asked, ever the practical one.
Lilith shook her head. “The council stands by their decisions, for all eternity.”
Mitch frowned, heaved a sigh and frowned. “I don’t suppose you could come up with a little spell?”
“Not here. We’ve already done all the magick we can do.”
In that moment, Dritta turned, her clenched fist held high. “It is done,” she declared, then faced Lilith and Mitch. Lilith held her breath, Mitch’s fingers tightened over hers.
When Dritta slowly opened her hand, the result of the vote was cradled in her palm.
It was a white ball.
Lilith gasped with delight, then pivoted to fling her arms around Mitch’s neck. “They said yes!” she cried and Mitch swung her into his arms, laughing as he caught her against him. He kissed Lilith on the end of the nose, then put her down and inclined his head to both Dritta and the council.
“I thank you all for this,” he said simply. “But we still have one problem.” And Mitch indicated the frozen Sebastian.
“The spell won’t last long,” murmured Dritta. “It fades even now.”
“We’ll have to decide what to do with him.”
“Definitely a penance is due.” The greybeard seemed to think everyone should pay for something.
An elegant young witch slipped out of her seat and crossed the floor, circling Sebastian as she gave him a thorough appraisal. “But he has a certain roguish appeal,” she conceded with a wicked smile. “I could make something of him.”
“More toads,” murmured the greybeard wearily.
The witch fired a glance across the hall so hot that it flashed like a laser. It bore right into the arm of the greybeard’s seat. He flinched as steam rose from the resulting hole. The greybeard took a deep breath and seemed to grow in place, but Dritta lifted her hands.
“Enough of your bickering! Save your thunderbolts for later.” The wizard slumped reluctantly, muttering audibly to his neighbor that Dritta was not being fair.
The witch tossed her hair and patted Sebastian’s rump proprietarily. “I’ll take him.”
“Not yet,” Dritta insisted. “He must pay for his failure to keep his word before he becomes your toy.” She pursed her lips. “He must learn about love, because that is what he disrespected the most.”
Mitch cleared his throat and all gazes turned to him. “If you don’t mind the input of a mortal, I have an idea.”
Dritta’s eyes gleamed, and the council members leaned forward. “Tell us!” they cried.
Mitch did, his idea so brilliant that Lilith couldn’t stop her laughter. It was just too perfect – and passed council approval with ease.
A vivid blue brew was bubbling and ready when Dritta finally snapped her fingers under Sebastian’s nose. He blinked, flexed his muscles, and relaxed his posture. He looked around, then rolled his eyes and groaned.
“Oh, no,” he muttered. “Not again.”
“Oh, yes,” Dritta declared and gripped the back of his neck. The lovely young witch sidled up beside Sebastian and gave him a thorough kiss. When she stepped back, he tried to follow her, but Dritta’s grip prevented that.
“Hurry back,” the witch purred, then lifted the blue potion.
Sebastian’s nose twitched. He seemed to guess what she intended to do with the noxious-looking liquid. He tried to retreat, but Dritta held him firmly in place. He grimaced when he got a whiff of the brew, but the witch pinched his nose shut.
She tipped the long vial, and Sebastian struggled furiously.
He held his breath.
He closed his eyes.
He took a sip.
And he disappeared in a blinding flash of orange light.
*
Kurt nearly drove his truck into the ditch when this guy just appeared in the passenger seat beside him.
Okay, it was early. He’d been out drinking the night before and had spent most of the night entangled in some redhead’s legs. He hadn’t had that much sleep.
But this tall, foreign-looking guy in macho leather definitely hadn’t been invited into Kurt’s truck.
And his sudden appearance nearly made Kurt swerve off the highway. “Jesus Christ!”
The man shook his head, then grabbed the wheel to steady it. “No,” he said tightly. “You’ve got me confused with someone else.”
Kurt was still rattled. ‘How did you get in here? I’m doing a hundred and twenty clicks!”
“Get used to it,” the man said grimly.
“Get the hell out of my truck!”
The man shook his head. “Won’t help. You’re stuck with me, Kurt MacEwen, although neither one of us has to like it.”
That this guy knew his name was even more creepy. What had he been drinking? “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about love.”
“No offense, but you’re hardly my type.” Kurt looked the intruder in the eye. “I’m a straight shooter, all the way.”
“You and me both,” the man agreed with a sudden smile. “But then, they said we’d think exactly the same.”
“They?”
“The people who sent me here. Don’t even ask for details. You won’t believe the story.” The man straightened. “Hell, I didn’t believe until I saw them myself.”
A wacko. He had a wacko in his truck. The day was just getting better and better. “So, do you always see people that other people can’t see?” Kurt demanded skeptically as he took his exit. “Or do you just hear them?”
To his surprise, the intruder snatched at his collar and once again nearly compelled him off the road. “Listen,” the man hissed. “I’ve got a job to do here and I don’t want to do it any more than you want to be a part of it. But no one’s giving us a choice.” He gave Kurt’s collar a shake, then released him, sitting back in his seat like a big ruffled cat. “You want to get rid of me – you just get the job done.”
“What job?” The light at the end of the ramp had turned green and somebody was honking behind him, but Kurt didn’t drive on. He was staring at this guy, unable to shake the sense that this was really important.
The guy’s lips tweaked as though he had just thought of a private joke. “You’ve got to learn to fall in love. You’ve got to make a commitment to one woman for the rest of your life.”
“Yeah, right.” Kurt snorted and stepped on the gas. “You’re wasting your time, man. That’s never going to happen.”
“Oh, I say it will,” the man murmured silkily. “Because I don’t get out of this until you do just that, and I’m not feeling inclined to take no for an answer.”
But Kurt had had enough. He pulled over to the curb, slammed the truck into park, leaned across the guy, and opened the door. “Get your ass out of my truck.”
But the man smiled coldly and showed no intention of moving. He was a big guy, tall and lean, probably even stronger than he looked. And there was a determination in his eyes that made even Kurt think twice about crossing him.
Kurt, after all, was a lover, not a fighter.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the intruder said smoothly. “You see, I’m going to find you, no matter
where you go.” He calmly recited Kurt’s address and phone number, and Kurt felt a sudden chill. “And don’t worry, I can outsmart any lock. The fact is, if I’m not in a good mood about things, well, you might not like the results.”
“You’re threatening me!”
“No, I’m promising you. I want this done, and I want it done soon. If you’re going to buck me on it, well” – the man’s cold smile broadened – “I might get vengeful.” He poked a finger in Kurt’s chest.
Kurt sat back in his seat with a thump. He shoved a hand through his hair and looked sidelong at his companion. “So, you just show up in my truck, threaten me, and insist you’re going to plant yourself in my life…unless I fall in love?”
“That would be it.” The man closed the door and offered Kurt his hand. “Sebastian. I suggest we keep this short and simple.”
Kurt shook his hand, not certain what else to do. “I just have to fall in love with a woman to get rid of you.”
“Exactly.”
Kurt pursed his lips. “I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you don’t’ just pick some babe up off the street and fall in love with her. Or maybe you would, I don’t know, but it’s not my style.”
“Your style is get in and get out, I know that,” Sebastian snapped. “And there’s no need to worry about the woman in question.” He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. “I just happen to have Isabel’s name and address right here.”
“What?”
“Just drive,” Sebastian instructed. “I understand this Isabel thinks about men in the same way we think about women. It could be quite interesting. She could be quite interesting.” He smiled again. “I just might give you a run for your money.”
Kurt floored it and the truck leapt back into the stream of traffic. He was always ready for a challenge.
“She’d better be cute,” he said grimly.
“On the contrary,” Sebastian countered with poorly concealed amusement. “You’d better hope that she thinks you’re cute.” He stretched his legs, looking long and lean and very masculine, then smiled that smug smile that made Kurt want to deck him.
That settled it. Kurt was going to beat this bastard at his own game, one way or the other.
Even if he had to fall in love with some Isabel to do it.
*
As soon as Sebastian was gone, Dritta led Mitch and Lilith before the council. They turned to face each other, right hand clasping right, left clasping left, the crossing of their arms making the same figure eight that Lilith had made with her cards.
The mark of infinity, the sign of a timeless love circling back over and over again. This was her destiny; this was her fate; this was the man she’d find time and again. Lilith smiled into Mitch’s eyes as they pledged their love to each other before a multitude of witnesses.
“And now,” Dritta said, “you may kiss the bride.”
Mitch did exactly that.
When Lilith opened her eyes, they were standing alone in her living room. Although there was no sign of Sebastian, the sky was the same hue of early-morning gray.
It was as though they had never been gone at all.
Except that there was an envelope on the mantle that hadn’t been there before. Lilith crossed the room, and tore open the envelope, smiling when she saw its contents.
It was the last card of the higher arcane.
“Mitch, they’ve given us The World!”
He grinned and strode in pursuit, taking the card from her hands and flicking it back on to her table. “No,” Mitch said, his eyes bright and his voice low. “They’re telling us that we already have it.”
And this time, without an audience, he really kissed her.
Lilith was only too happy to kiss him back.
*
21
The World
New Year’s Eve
It was going to be a beautiful wedding.
Andrea had clearly spared no expense on the black tie fête planned to mark her fourth taking of marital vows. Nigel, to his credit, insisted that this would be Andrea’s last trip to the altar and Lilith loved how the older woman giggled at that.
In fact, they were quite the couple, obviously completely taken with each other and bent on making each other happy. Nigel was a perfect gentleman, dapper and diplomatic, always ready with a word to make everyone smile. He could dance like a dream and Andrea just glowed in his presence. This shipboard romance showed no signs of limping back to port.
Even Mitch conceded that he couldn’t have picked a better man for Andrea himself.
To the astonishment of everyone - except Mitch and Lilith - Kurt and the intern Isabel from Mitch’s paper had become a devoted couple. They were so smitten with each other that Andrea had invited them to the wedding, making more than one comment about Kurt finally finding his match. There were rumors of a ring being in the offing for Valentine’s Day.
Jen would be the only flower girl for her Nana’s wedding, a role that delighted her no end. Lilith had picked up the rose petals after three practice sessions, then declared enough was enough and stored the basket high. Jason had marched up and down the living room with the lacey pillow for the rings until Lilith pronounced his pacing was right, although he had yet to be trusted with the jewelry itself. Mitch had the rings in safekeeping.
Jen looked like a little angel in her pink taffeta dress. There were clusters of silk ribbon roses in myriad shades of pink stitched along the bodice, chosen to match the real flowers ordered for the wedding. A lace-edged petticoat held out the full skirt and Jen was so smitten with that frilly petticoat that she willingly showed it to anyone.
Mitch had rolled his eyes the first time Jen did this and called it a bad omen of the future.
Jason was less thrilled with his miniature tuxedo with its emerald jacquard vest. He made a great show of sticking out his tongue as though he were asphyxiating when Mitch knotted the tie. They both looked cute as could be, though, and ought to be able to stay that way at least until the end of the ceremony.
The wind was sending snowflakes against the windows and the children were downstairs, when Mitch’s reflection loomed behind Lilith’s own in their bedroom mirror. He was perfectly turned out in his tux, his wavy hair combed to some sort of order, a smile curving his firm lips.
Lilith’s heart made the little flutter at the sight of Mitch that she sincerely hoped would never stop. “Need help with that zipper?” he asked, and Lilith nodded mutely. The black and white of his tux complemented the deep ruby red of her evening dress, the garnet rose on Mitch’s lapel marking them as a couple.
Lilith liked that.
“You’ll outshine the bride,” Mitch teased in a low voice, taking his time with the zipper, then running a leisurely fingertip across her bare shoulders. His golden eyes gleamed when Lilith caught her breath, the warmth of his fingertip meandered down her spine. “Have I mentioned that this is a very sexy dress, Mrs. Davison?”
“About forty times,” Lilith admitted with a smile. “Today.”
“Then, let’s make it forty-one,” Mitch breathed. “I like your hair up - it leaves lots of neck free for nibbling.” He caught her shoulders in the strength of his hands and as Lilith watched in the mirror, bent to kiss her nape.
His breath and the gentleness of his touch made Lilith shiver, but she straightened deliberately. “If you’re going to do that all night, I’ll have to wear a jacket.”
“Mmm, then I’ll have to behave,” Mitch murmured, showing no immediate intention of doing so. His hands slid around her waist, his kisses ambled closer to her earlobe. Lilith was trapped between his hips and the dresser and didn’t really want to escape. “Is it all right with you if I fantasize about the matron of honor during the ceremonies?”
Lilith laughed. “Fair enough. I’ll be thinking about taking off the best man’s tux.”
Mitch’s eyes glinted with mischief as he met her gaze in the mirror. “With your teeth?”
Lilith pivoted in his emb
race and looped her arms around his neck. “It could be arranged,” she whispered, then stretched to kiss him.
Mitch was every bit as delicious as he had been that very first time. Lilith loved the taste of him and the smell of him; she loved going to sleep in his arms and waking up with their legs tangled together. She liked living together and laughing together, cooking together and raising the kids together. They had sold her house, Lilith more than ready for the challenge of rescuing another, and Mitch good naturedly lugged paint and stripped ancient wallpaper at her command.
Maybe one day they’d have more children, or maybe that wasn’t destined to be. Lilith didn’t care. She was happy and she knew from the light in his eyes that Mitch was happy, too.
It was more than enough. All that good stuff, Mitch had once called it - and this certainly was good.
Long moments later, Mitch lifted his head and stepped away. “Ready?”
“This is as good as it gets,” Lilith said with a smile. She touched up her lipstick and dropped it into her evening bag, then turned to find that Mitch had conjured a small blue gift box tied with a white satin ribbon.
“Maybe you need just one more thing,” he suggested softly.
Lilith looked from the box to him. “What’s that?”
Mitch shrugged. “You’ll have to open it to find out.”
Clearly he wasn’t going to give her any hints. Curious, Lilith accepted the box and untied the ribbon. She opened the lid to find two matched gold rings - one big, one smaller - nestled in the deep blue velvet lining.
“They look like wedding rings, old ones.” Lilith looked questioningly to Mitch, who stepped closer.
With gentle fingers, he lifted the pair of rings from the box and his smile faded. “They were my parents’ rings,” he admitted, his voice unusually husky. “Andrea gave them to me the other day.”
“She must have thought you’d want them as a memento,” Lilith suggested, not expecting Mitch to look up so quickly.
Time Travel Romances Boxed Set Page 134