Aerial Magic (Witch Guardian Romance Book 2) Page 3

  “Oh, well my magic should work. If I can cool the metal enough it should break, right?” Elise slipped off her sweater and wrapped it around Owen’s shoe. “I don’t want to freeze your foot,” she explained. “Are you ready?”

  Owen nodded and took her hand. “I’ll try to give you some of my strength.” She amazed him. Already she had sheltered him from kidnappers, and now she’d try to free him.

  §

  Elise felt the familiar tingles of energy running up her arm and into her chest from his touch. Her heart beat faster. She took a deep breath and began. “North wind blow, cold like snow; icy crystals form and grow. Wind so strong, break this bond. Earthly bane no longer harm.”

  Feeling her magic rising in answer to her summons, Elise leaned over and blew with all her might on the metal cuff. Sparkles of ice solidified around its surface, crystals growing and spreading until the entire band was covered. Her stiletto heel in hand, she slammed it on the cuff. The frozen metal shattered, falling to the floor.

  “I did it!” She looked at Owen.

  “That you did. Well done.” Owen pulled her sweater from his shoe and handed it to her. He rotated his ankle several times then carefully stood. Once erect, he reached out and helped Elise from the floor.

  “What I don’t understand is why they didn’t nullify our powers. Why lock us up if they knew we would escape?” Owen asked.

  “I don’t know. If you had been Curtis Brant, you could have melted the cuff off. You might have been burned, but most Fire Masters can stand the flames. Perhaps our abductors are incompetent.”

  “If Rhaim is in charge, then I doubt that’s true. I remember him to be a crafty fellow. We know he wanted Brant, but he got us instead. So does he know I wore a disguise and am really a fae guardian? I suspect he has an agenda for us. Could he perhaps want us to escape? Have you tried to port out of here?”

  “I don’t want to leave you.” Was he trying to get rid of her?

  “All right, I’ll try, though I doubt I will be successful.”

  “You’d leave me?” Elise couldn’t believe it.

  “Silly woman, I think the room is shielded. If I’m wrong you can port out after me.”

  Feeling foolish, Elise nodded. She should have thought of that. “Oh, right. Where will you go?”

  “I don’t know very many places. England has changed much since the time of King Arthur. I’ll try to port to Mabel’s apartment. I’ve been staying with her.”

  “Okay, I’ll follow you.” Elise gritted her teeth, willing back anger. Why did it bother her that he stayed with Mabel? They were both Averys and probably related.

  §

  Owen nodded and closed his eyes, picturing the small space Mabel called her own in this century. He reached with his magic and could almost feel the energetic imprint of the portal hidden in her bedroom. He said the port spell under his breath. Nothing happened. He tried again, pulling on his magic, sparkling dust began to fill the air around him. The particles fell against his skin. He repeated the spell. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes and sighed.

  Elise kneeled on the floor picking up the dust particles lying on the ground. She glanced up at him, her eyes wide. A punch of lust hit him.

  “Fairy dust. It really exists. Do you know what I could sell this for? I can’t believe it.”

  Owen shook his head. He needed to stop letting her distract him. “Stop fooling around, woman. Move, I’ll have to destroy the dust. I don’t want our captors to know I’m actually Fae.”

  Elise frowned at him and dusted off her hands. “I guess I didn’t think of that.” She moved toward the door. A flash of hurt in her eyes immediately made him want to take her into his arms, instead he called the element of fire; fire like the passion this frail human with a single look caused to engulf him.

  Owen swept out his hands and flames licked his fingers. He moved his arms over the ground and each particle of dust burst into ash and then was gone. “That takes care of that. Now, you try to port. It could be there is iron ore in the walls and I can’t get out. But that wouldn’t stop you. If you do port, you can gather the Guardians and come back for me.”

  Elise nodded and closed her eyes. Owen felt her magic gather. His answered and a breeze blew around them. He stared in awe as her aura blazed, shining with golden rays. She was so beautiful, his Destined One. His, if he would only reach out and bind their magic together.

  He shook his head. No, why should he give up his lands, his castle, his immortality, and his wealth, for this little slip of a girl? He’d been alive for centuries. He carried more magic in his little finger than this human woman would ever know. He didn’t need a mate, or children. He didn’t need anyone.

  He frowned, remembering how she healed him. How she broke the cuff from his ankle, the cuff that would have slowly poisoned and killed him. How she refused to leave him… Who did he really have in his life that he cared about? Only his familiar, Hirael. Perhaps bonding with Elise wouldn’t be such a bad thing, if he didn’t have so much to lose.

  He caught her gaze. She looked sad. Could she possibly guess what he’d been thinking? Impossible.

  “I can’t port out, either. The room must be shielded as you said.” Elise wrung her hands.

  His heart jumped in response, his need to comfort her, overwhelming. He reached for her and noticed the torn stockings and her bloodied knees. He knelt in front of her. “You’re injured, little healer. Why didn’t you attend yourself? Are you hurt anywhere else? Did those men treat you badly?” Owen remembered the human women from his past. How easily they were broken, and how men often violated their innocence. If the kidnappers touched her in such a way, he would curse them to slow and painful deaths. No one would escape his wrath.

  “They were a little rough, throwing me into this cell with you and hitting me with a sleeping spell. I didn’t think to heal myself, the wounds are minor.”

  Owen ran his hands up the back of her legs, needing to touch her. She shivered. Then he placed his hands over her knees and let his energy flow into her cuts and bruises. Elise was too good, always thinking of others. A healer to the core. She needed someone to care for her, treasure her. He watched carefully as the cuts closed and the bruises faded to nothing. When he finished, he surprised himself when he leaned forward and kissed each knee as if she were a child. “There now, losinen. All better.”

  He stood to face her. A spark of warmth centered in his cold heart as he gazed into her blue eyes, azure like the sky of a spring morning. He reached for her, watching her face as his hand circled her nape and drew her closer. Her gaze filled with longing, her eyes darkened as he lowered his head and feathered her lips with kisses. Lust struck him with her taste. He wanted her, but he refused to do more than lightly touch her lips with his. She tasted sweet and light, like her spirit.

  “I’m sorry you got caught up in this. I don’t like to see you in harm’s way,” he said.

  “The magic chose me as a Guardian. I may be just a healer, but I’ve seen my share of battles.” She lifted her chin, looking so determined.

  “That wouldn’t be the case if you were mine. I would lock you away and keep you safe.” Humans were easily broken.

  “Owen, I’m not a bauble you can put on a shelf or lock away for safe keeping. I’m a woman.” His woman.

  “I’ve seen whole villages slaughtered when I was here last. Don’t tell me you can’t be broken. Even with my magic, I couldn’t save them all. This world’s time isn’t much different with car bombs and guns. Humans can be so inventive while killing each other.” He shook his head when the thought brought a wave of sadness with it.

  “I won’t argue with you, Owen. I wish you’d see me as your partner and less as a burden that needs to be looked after.”

  “Not a burden, losinen.” Owen ran his fingers over her cheek loving the feel of her. “A treasure. Now, let’s see how far this shielding goes. Can you summon something to you? Try something small. Food perhaps?”

  “There
is a basket of fruit on the counter in my kitchen.”

  “Good. Try to bring it to you.”

  Elise once more closed her eyes and called her magic. Owen felt the pull of his Destined One and reached for her hand. Her magic grew stronger with his touch. A sudden flash of light, and on the floor sat a fruit basket. He scooped up the wicker handle. Lifting an apple, he offered the red produce to Elise. “You did it. I thought that might work. Whoever our captors are, they don’t want us to starve.”

  “That’s strange, the bananas are all brown. I bought them yesterday.”

  “These oranges seem a bit old as well. Where did you buy this fruit?” Owen asked.

  “At the local market, I’ve never purchased old fruit there before. What else do you think we can summon?”

  “After we eat, we can do some experimenting. I don’t want either one of us to become so weak we can’t fight if attacked.”

  “Do you think that’s a possibility? Why would they hurt us?”

  “You are very naïve, losinen. We’ve already been attacked. I fear Rhaim knows I’m not Brant. Why else would he put the iron cuff on me?” Owen picked through the fruit in the basket, putting the brown bananas aside.

  “I don’t know. What do you think he has planned?”

  “Nothing good, I assure you. Remember he is the head of a blood cult. They kill for the magic high it gives them. Here eat another apple. They seem to be okay.” Owen handed Elise the second apple, a green one this time.

  “What about you? Aren’t you hungry?”

  “Yes. Give me the apple core. I think a little magic is in order. Can you summon a couple of mirrors or something that will reflect light?” Owen took the core Elise held out to him and placed it in his pocket.

  “There are several mirrors in my apartment.”

  “Good, bring them to us.” Owen smiled with satisfaction as two large mirrors appeared on the ground. He carried one to the door, positioning it to bounce the light into their cell. Then he took the second mirror and concentrated the light to puddle on the ground inches from the door. Seeing the dirt floored cell was easier, but more depressing.

  Owen took out the apple core and retrieved the seeds from the center. Kneeling, he dug a hole in the ground near where the light shone and buried the seeds. If they were lucky, no one would have thought to shield the cell from nature’s own power. Holding his hands over the ground, he began to intone.

  §

  Owen leaned over the seeds chanting in a language Elise didn’t recognize. Soon the whole room reverberated with his lovely baritone voice. Sparkles of fairy dust once more filled the air around him. His aura grew brighter, surrounding him in a soft rainbow glow.

  Elise gasped when the small green shoot burst through the soil. Owen continued to vocalize. A small rain cloud appeared and watered the small plant. As Owen stood and stepped back, the shoot turned into a tree trunk and then branches appeared. They spread, pushing against the door and ceiling of their cell. Roots caused the dirt to rise and open around the bottom of the trunk. A creaking sound came from the door.

  Next leaves sprung from the branches and flowers bloomed. The limbs continued to grow longer and thicker. Elise stepped back out of the way. The air smelled sweet as the blossoms fell to the ground and small apples formed. Those too were caught in the spell and grew larger and redder.

  A loud ripping noise filled the air as the branches wedged against the door. One of the limbs bent the metal bars causing a high pitched screech. Elise covered her ears. When the first apple fell from the tree, the door stood in pieces.

  Owen picked up the apple. After shining its surface on his shirt, he bit into the thin ruby skin. “Wonderful. Now this is a fresh piece of fruit. Are you still hungry? I can pick one for you.”

  “That was amazing. I’ve never seen anyone grow a mature tree. Some of our Earth Witches help start seeds, but they never grow the whole plant.” Elise ran her fingers over the bark of the tree.

  “One witch cannot grow a whole tree, unless they are an Avery and can control all elements. You need water and light, as well as the earth to feed and nurture the plant. I suppose one Earth witch with a bucket of water, outside on a sunny day could do it. It would be a start and stop process as she grew the tree, making sure to water it along the growth cycle. Joseph of Arimathea grew his thorn tree in a similar fashion.” Owen pushed on the broken piece of the door and it fell away from the cell opening. He peered into the hallway.

  “You’re saying, he was an Avery?” Owen was a fountain of information. What else could she learn from him?

  Owen waved one hand over the fairy dust on the ground and it once more burned and disappeared. “A Fae, yes. At that time there were many of us on Earth. Your world was a trading zone, a neutral territory, if you will. Many dimensions had portals connected to Earth and their people came here to barter. After the Helen of Troy debacle, the Destined One mandate was put into place. A destined pair may not be separated or tampered with. It’s a law still in effect in all dimensions and worlds that have beings with humanoid form.”

  He motioned her to follow him into a long hall of cells doors. Elise peeked in the room across from them. It was empty.

  “There are beings without humanoid form?” Elise asked, her voice lowered in case a guard was near.

  “Of course, and beings that have more than one form. Your lycan friends are one that still calls Earth their home.” Owen walked confidently down the aisle, waiting for her to check each chamber. They continued to be empty.

  “Have you been to other worlds?” Elise couldn’t imagine such a thing. Did all the magic worlds listed in the ancient texts actually exist? Were there worlds full of dragons, mermaids, and unicorns?

  “Elise, to me this is another world. I understand that you mean besides Earth though. The answer is yes, but not for over a thousand years.”

  She bit her lip and lowered her eyes. Great goddess, he was old.

  “What is it, losinen? What did I say that bothered you?”

  “I keep forgetting our age difference. How could I be chosen as your Destined One?”

  “I’ve asked that question myself since our meeting. Legend says the Destined One is chosen by fate and magic. It can never be the wrong person no matter the age difference. Still, there is free will. You don’t have to bond with your Destined One.” Not bond?

  “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to bond with your perfect mate. To have children if for no other reason.” Elise longed for the day she had a family of her own. A husband to share her life with and a baby in her arms.

  “You are being naïve, again. You can have sex and make babies without bonding to your Destined One. It has happened before, and will again, I’m sure.”

  Is that what Owen wanted? “You don’t want to bond with me.”

  §

  Elise made it a statement, not a question. He wasn’t sure how to answer without hurting her, something he found hard to do. If he didn’t leave Elise soon, he might not be able to. He paused outside another cell door so Elise could check inside. He didn’t hear anyone near, but if someone was unconscious, as he’d been when first arriving in the dungeon, he could be mistaken.

  “Think about my life. I have a castle, wealth, standing, a library full of knowledge, magic to help me if I need it, and I can live forever.” He didn’t want Elise to think it was anything personal keeping him from bonding with her. For a human, she was perfect.

  “What a cold and self-centered life you live. Those are just material things. Love is what matters in a person’s life. Love is what makes a person feel fulfilled. If we get out of here, I want you to give me a child. Then you can leave, hide in your luxurious non-ending world and forget I exist. If you won’t give me your love, give me a little one to love.”

  Owen stood mute. His overwhelming response when near her made him think about seducing his Destined One. But to leave her with child seemed wrong. He’d think about her request, but as she so rightly clarified
, they had to get out of here first. The hall ended at a large solid wooden door. Locked.

  Chapter Three

  Owen thought for a moment and then simply knocked on the door. A key rattled in the lock. The door slowly opened and a bear of a man came into view, Taser in hand. “What the hell is this?”

  Owen threw a quick punch to the man’s face and followed with one to his gut. The Taser fell to the floor. The man tried to fight back, hitting Owen a glancing blow. Owen called on his Fae speed and dexterity. Two more clouts, and game over. The man fell to the floor.

  Elise hurried to Owen. “Are you all right? Your lip is bleeding.” She laid her finger over his mouth and warmth surrounded the area on his face as she healed him.

  “I’m fine, losinen. Quick, get the keys out of the door.”

  They locked the man in the dungeon and searched the darkened room until they found a set of stairs. Owen took the lead as they climbed.

  When they reached the upper level, they came to a hallway. A window at one end revealed the sun shining on a green expanse of lawn ending in a line of trees.

  Voices came from their side. With nowhere to go, Owen took Elise’s hand and headed down the long corridor toward the voices. As they reached a set of open double doors, Elise pointed to a line of hooks holding black hooded robes. Owen handed her one to put on. He did the same and pulled up the hood, motioning to Elise to copy him.

  Two men ported into the hallway in front of them. Owen stiffened and grabbed Elise’s arm. They never looked at Owen or Elise as they took two robes and slipped them on before entering the doorway.

  “If anything goes wrong, port out and get help,” Owen whispered to Elise. If he could find the Red Wizard, he could get this quest done.

  They peeked through the entrance and saw a long room with rich mahogany paneling. Red velvet chairs lined the sides. Robed figures stood around a central dais in small clusters. Near the door, a table stood covered with a rainbow of colored pills along with lines of white powder. Everyone conversed with others near them. No one even glanced at Owen and Elise as they entered the chamber.