Enchanted Magic

by T. M. Cromer

  “Why? Because you want to try to possess his body, too? Maybe steal some of his magic to destroy more lives? Because you haven’t done enough? Haven’t hurt your son and granddaughter to the max?” She curled her hands into fists and huffed out a breath.

  Isolde’s breathtaking face froze in a cold, hard mask of indifference, but her eyes gave her away. They weren’t flat and full of madness as they had been the other time Mackenzie encountered her in the garden. They were tortured and shimmered with tears.

  In a sick way, Mackenzie wanted to go to her and offer comfort.

  “Mack.” Nathanial’s hand tightened over hers. “She’s not possessed by the Evil here.”

  “What?” She looked back and forth between them. “What are you saying? And where did it go?”

  Before he could answer, a flash of gold filled the clearing, and Sabrina joined them. Her large obsidian eyes were curious as she looked around her.

  It felt as if Mackenzie’s heart cracked in two the second Sabrina arrived here. Six was too young to die. She should’ve been able to run around like a normal child. To play games and cause trouble. To grow up and fall in love. To have many more years of a loving family surrounding her.

  Isolde knelt and held out her arms. “Come here, child.”

  Mackenzie ripped her hand out of Nathanial’s and rushed forward, placing herself between grandmother and granddaughter. “You don’t touch her! You don’t…” The words caught in her throat. “Three lives! You… you took three… lives!”

  She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as the wretched sobs wracked her body. Her own family would be okay now, but the idea that Sabrina, that beautiful innocent little soul, was a casualty was too much to bear.

  Oddly, it was Sabrina who took charge of the moment. She approached Mackenzie and patted her on the crown of her head. “Don’t cry, Mack. It’s not over. You’ll come back to play with me soon.”

  Mackenzie lifted her face to stare into the wise eyes in front of her. “I don’t understand.”

  Sabrina smiled and used her sleeve to wipe the moisture from Mackenzie’s cheeks. “You and me. We’ll still be friends and play in the garden.”

  “Oh, honey, I want that very much, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “GiGi and Papa will heal your body. It’s what they do.”

  “How do you know about GiGi and Papa?”

  Sabrina giggled and patted her shoulder like the old soul she was. “I know everything, Mack. Like you.”

  “She has the second sight, Ms. Thorne.”

  “Drake. My last name is now Drake,” Mackenzie snapped at Isolde. “Something else you robbed me of.”

  “You will live with Cousin Baz and be my friend, Mack,” Sabrina assured her. “And we’ll make leaf dragons and dancing elephants any time we want.”

  “I would love nothing more.” She hugged the girl tight and choked back the tidal wave of grief. “That is a beautiful dream, sweetie.”

  Nathanial stepped forward. “Not a dream, child. She can make it happen as soon as Damian and GiGi heal you.”

  Mackenzie drew back and stared from one knowing face to the other. “I still don’t understand. She’s with us here. In the Otherworld. We’re…” She covered Sabrina’s ears. “…dead.”

  A sparkling glow lit the girl’s eyes, and her smile blossomed, making her the picture of mischievous intent. “I can still hear you, Mack.”

  Unable to help herself, Mackenzie hugged her tight and laughed. “Your father was right. You’re a little beastie.”

  Sabrina cocked her head as if to listen. “I have to go now. Papa’s calling me back.”

  Isolde rose to her feet and slowly approached. “You’ll tell him I’m sorry for all the pain I caused him? For being a horrid mother?”

  Sabrina rushed over to embrace her. “He knows, Grandmother.” She pulled away to approach Nathanial and held up her arms for him to lift her. When her face was level with his, she hugged his neck tightly. “Thank you for saving me, Grandpa Nate.”

  “You’re welcome, my dear. Tell your father I love him and if I had to do it all over again, I would. Tell Evie, I’ll see her soon.” His voice was gruff, but Mackenzie knew it covered his deep emotion, his undying love for his wife and adopted son.

  “I will. I promise.”

  “Good. I’ll have our home ready and our boys here to greet her. You make sure she knows that, too.”

  Sabrina patted his cheek. “Papa’s calling me.”

  “Then you must go, child.”

  “Wait!” Isolde gripped her sleeve, her eyes hungrily scanning Sabrina’s face. “I would never have let it hurt you, darling girl. Just as I couldn’t let it hurt him.”

  “I know.”

  “Damian must salt and burn the body in the tomb. He must also shatter the ruby stone of the necklace. The one buried with me.”

  Sabrina nodded slowly, as if processing all she had to remember. Just like before, a gold light flared bright, blinding them to everything for the time it took her soul to return to the earthly plane.

  “Does this mean I’m the only one of the three of us going back?” Mackenzie asked softly. “Did I interpret her words correctly?”

  “It appears so,” Isolde said, equally as soft. She put on a brave face and lifted her chin. “I’ll be here to face whatever punishment Isis and Set have for me. Nathanial will see it’s carried out. And you, my lovely Mackenzie, will return home to live out your days in harmony if Sabrina’s prediction is correct.”

  As they waited for whatever came next, Mackenzie thought about the events leading them to this moment and tried to recall all the premonitions she’d had. She tried to process everything, but her mind still seemed cloudy.

  “Isolde.”

  The Enchantress turned from her place down by the river. “Yes, dear?”

  “The vision of me holding a knife to Sebastian’s chest—that incident never took place. Did you implant that thought?”

  “No. You truly had the premonition, and it did happen. On your wedding night. I possessed your body while you were sleeping. But you were too strong. Your love for Sebastian unwavering.” She smiled, and it was tinged with deep sadness. “I’ve never experienced a love like that.” She shook her head and met Mackenzie’s stare. “You fought me and won that night. I honestly don’t know why you don’t remember.”

  “Because a woman’s special day shouldn’t be marred with horror or strife,” Isis said from behind Mackenzie.

  The three of them bowed their heads, offering their respect to the Goddess and God who entered the clearing.

  Mackenzie’s mind was reeling from all she’d learned in the last few minutes. “You took the memory away, Exalted One?”

  “I had Evelyn do it while you slept.”

  “I see.” Her irritation spiked. “Enchantress, Goddess, Guardian. You all like to play with the rest of us as if we aren’t living, feeling human beings, but mere pawns on your damned chessboard. Did you ever think I might have needed that bit of pertinent information?”

  The kohl-lined, sky-blue eyes of the Goddess narrowed, and Mackenzie knew a moment of unease. Here she was, reprimanding Isis, when she should be minding her tongue and expressing gratitude she’d found favor with her. The Goddess had been kind enough to bestow on her a lovely memory of her wedding day, and Mackenzie had just spat on that favor.

  “I’m sorry, Exalted One. Forgive me, please.”

  “No.”

  Mackenzie’s heart dropped like a stone to the pit of her stomach. Great, she’d just screwed the pooch. Next stop, the Underworld, where she’d live in fiery hell for eternity.

  “No, you are correct, beloved. Too many times we play games with the lives of mortals.” Isis tilted Mackenzie’s chin up to meet her steady gaze. The Goddess’s eyes were thoughtful as they studied her. “You were right to speak up. To remind me to give free will to my chosen ones. There is nothing to forgive.”

  “Thank you for your kindness to
my granddaughter, Exalted One,” Nathanial said with feeling. “She’ll remember this and be more mindful of her tongue in the future.”

  Isis laughed and crossed to pat his chest. “You’re very much like Alastair, aren’t you?”

  A cheeky grin flashed across his face. “He’s very much like me. After all, I was born first.”

  She tossed back her long black hair and gave him an arch look, but there was no denying the affectionate gleam in her eyes or the slight smirk on her full lips. “Charming scoundrels, the both of you.”

  “Truth,” Mackenzie agreed. She sent a warm, loving smile toward Nathanial. “But we love them for it.”

  “Truth,” Isis repeated as she faced Mackenzie. “Enough time has passed. You must return, beloved.”

  “Thank you for this chance.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. You and Sebastian Drake have one more trial to face.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  “Doesn’t it, though?”

  Chapter 29

  From his study, Sebastian watched Mackenzie as she played tag with Sabrina Dethridge and Spring in the lower garden just off the terrace. The sight was bittersweet. Seeing Mackenzie laugh, the joy in her compelling blue eyes, brought him both gladness and pain. Gladness that she’d lived to draw a breath and play. Sadness because she’d come out of the battle vastly different from who she’d been before.

  Alastair stood next to him, observing his family at play. “From all accounts, once a witch has been possessed then subsequently exorcised, she’ll never be normal again. Her mind is broken.”

  His grim expression burned itself into Sebastian’s mind. Mackenzie would never again be the woman he’d met and fallen in love with. She was like a broken doll, and her mental capacity was that of a small child. It would take a miracle to restore her back to the functioning adult she once was. And although in the magical community a lot of things were possible, miracles were always in short supply due to the fickleness of the gods and goddesses.

  “What do you suggest I do?” Sebastian asked raggedly.

  “I don’t know, son. We can make her comfortable at my estate. She’ll want for nothing.”

  “She’s my wife.” He rubbed a hand over his heart.

  Alastair remained silent, allowing Sebastian to decide the best course of action.

  He released a harsh breath. Interacting with her every day for the last month had been pure torture and would continue to be. There would be no way for him to tease her, cuddle her, or make love to her as he once had. It would be vile and the lowest sort of low to take advantage of her mental state. The mere thought of intimacy with her like this left him cold and sick to his stomach. Yes, she possessed the sexy body of an adult, but in her mind, she wasn’t, and this new situation was as undesirable as standing naked in a frozen pond. It had the same effect, leaving him numb, without any desire to touch her at all.

  Whether she stayed or if he were to send her back to the Thornes, he would remain celibate. He wouldn’t betray his marriage vows by taking a lover on the side. It seemed Sebastian was destined to exist in a lonely half-life. How ironic that he’d found the one person to ease his solitary existence, and now she was off-limits because of her condition.

  He turned desperate eyes to face Alastair. “Do you think Isis would intervene?”

  “She hasn’t answered my request for an interview.” His gravelly voice spoke of Alastair’s worry on that score. Rarely did Isis not appear for her favorite human.

  “I’ll care for her as I’ve promised. Should anything happen to me, I’ll entrust her well-being back to you.” Sebastian rubbed his thumbs across his burning eyes.

  “Drake.”

  Alastair’s severe tone told him he wasn’t going to like what came next.

  “What?” he snapped.

  “You don’t owe her anything. You were married for all of a minute.”

  “Would she leave me?” Sebastian shook his head. “I’ll tell you now, she wouldn’t.”

  Silence filled the space between them as he struggled with what to do.

  “It’s funny because she understood me better in the short time we were together than anyone. Even the woman I grew up with and was engaged to didn’t know me like Mack did.” He closed his eyes against the stinging moisture building behind his lids. “I love her, Alastair. I love her so bloody much. Why did this happen?”

  “I don’t have any answers for you, son.” Alastair surprised him with a hug, and Sebastian fought the desire to weep like a small boy in a father’s arms. After a long moment, the older man released him with a pat on the back. Grave eyes met his. “I’ll let the rest of the family know she’s staying here. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  Sebastian swallowed past the lump lodged in his throat and looked back through the glass to the garden below. Mackenzie laughed in delight and clapped her hands as Spring magically produced a yellow daisy.

  Alastair cleared his throat. “Her powers will need to be bound. She’s still a Thorne, and as such, has unlimited magic. She may not understand the consequences should she get angry at someone. It’s also possible she could be dangerous should her mind deteriorate further.”

  Sebastian cast Alastair a sharp glance. He hadn’t thought of her indulging in a child’s temper tantrum, but the possibility existed.

  A few heartbeats passed in which he studied her lovely face. “What do we tell the outside world? She’s a public figure. I can’t imagine she can just drop off the face of the earth after a career like hers.”

  “A news release of an accidental death would be best. She must remain hidden at all costs from this point forward.”

  “Like a dirty family secret,” Sebastian ground out. He fisted his hand against the glass and hit it lightly, wishing he could punch his balled-up fist through it and every other window in this miserable place.

  “You needn’t say she’s passed. You can put out the tale of a stroke or brain trauma.” Alastair gripped his shoulder and squeezed. “The choice is yours. You’ll be the one who deals with the fallout.”

  “Goddess, this is impossible!” Sebastian swore long and loud. With a hard scrub of his face, he turned from the beautiful and heart-wrenching view of the two stunning women and the girl laughing in the garden. “Should a member from each of our families perform the binding ceremony together? If I unexpectedly pass first, the binding will stay in place, and vice versa.”

  “It’s a wise decision.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  Their gazes locked, and Sebastian was the first to look away. Those shrewd eyes of his missed nothing, and it was disconcerting as hell.

  “I’ll go find a spell from our grimoire. Feel free to make yourself at home, sir.”

  “I already have a foolproof spell, but I’d be grateful if you could round up the ingredients and find us a safe space to cast.”

  “Of course. I’ll meet you in the solarium at half past.” He didn’t wait for Alastair’s response. He couldn’t. The air was too thick in this room, and he needed to be outside—in the garden—breathing the same sweet air as his wife. If that was all he could have, he’d take it.

  “Sebastian.”

  He paused in his escape but didn’t turn. “Yes?”

  “For what it’s worth, son, I’m so sorry.”

  “I know. Me, too.”

  “She truly loved you, you know. From the moment she saw you, according to GiGi. Mack only pretended disinterest because she didn’t want to make it easy for me to matchmake the two of you. Apparently, she wanted you to fall in love without interference.”

  Mackenzie had said much the same thing on their wedding night. Pain unfurled in Sebastian’s chest and made it difficult to inhale. If warlocks could have heart attacks, he’d swear that’s what he was experiencing now. Hands clenched, Sebastian gave a single, sharp nod and fled. He could run as fast and as long as he wished, but he’d never outrun the demons that would forever be his closest companion
s.

  Ducking into the solarium, he dropped to his knees and let out the sobs that had been building. His body convulsed as he tried to muffle the sound. Goddess, he loved his wife. More than he’d ever thought possible to love anyone.

  “Why?” he cried. “Why did it have to be her?”

  He didn’t know how long he sat there, hugging the frilly pillow from the settee, nor did he care. When he heard the click of the door opening and shutting, he swiped a hand over his face and placed the pillow back on the sofa. Before he could stand, Mackenzie knelt in front of him. She gently touched his puffy, still-damp lids and traced her fingertips along his face.

  He recoiled from her touch. This was a familiar gesture of his old Mack. A lead in to a kiss or caress. But this Mackenzie in front of him wouldn’t know how the memory affected him.

  “Why are you crying, Baz?”

  In her child-like innocence, she broke his heart all over again. He tried to smile, but failed miserably. “I’m sad, Mack.”

  She tilted her head, and with wide-eyed curiosity, she studied his face. “Why?”

  “Someone I love very much has gone away. I miss her.”

  “She’ll come back.”

  The confidence in her voice almost made him lash out in his anger and hurt. Sebastian wanted to shout and tell her she knew nothing. He bit his tongue against an outburst.

  “No, love. She won’t.”

  “She will! I know it,” Mackenzie insisted. “Leo will help her.”

  “Leo’s passed on, Mack.” He shoved back his frustration along with the pain associated with losing Nathaniel and Evie, who had joined him in the afterlife shortly after his death. “He’s beyond helping anyone now.”

  At first her face crumbled, but then she gave him a look of pity and began to braid her hair. “You’re wrong. You’ll see.”

  “I truly wish I were, love.” They sat in silence for a moment as Sebastian worked through the explanation he wanted to give her regarding the upcoming ceremony.