Ryan felt Brandy follow the same path but did not see what caused him to react.
“Please come forth…”
An image formed across from them, a woman with long dark hair pulled back by a ribbon. Her eyes reminded him of Ethan’s. Ryan looked at James and watched his mouth open in surprise.
“Cassandra? Cassandra Broderick?” Ethan asked, his voice wobbling with nerves.
Her head tilted before giving Ethan a single nod. “I am.”
Brandy gasped and raised her fingertips to her mouth.
Cassandra turned, noticing everyone in the room for the first time. The edges to her eyes creased, and her lips tipped into a smile. “My grandchildren,” she whispered in awe. “Why have I been summoned?” she asked, directing her attention to Ethan.
Brandy scrambled off his lap and moved to Ethan’s side. “Hi—”
“Ah,” Cassandra said and raised a hand toward Brandy’s stomach.
Ryan pushed off the couch and barely managed to stop himself from drawing her back into his arms.
Cassandra’s eyes flashed to his and widened. “It was never our intention to hurt Suzanna. You two have done what those before you have failed.”
“The curse?” Brandy whispered, and he could hear hope mixed with fear.
“Yes, my child. A new beginning for our family.” Cassandra stepped closer to Brandy and Ryan and offered them each a hand. When they took hold of hers, she layered them one over the other, and Ryan pulled his free. “Do you not wish to accept my blessing?”
Ryan wanted it more than the woman would ever know. Before he could answer, she continued.
“You are bonded. Why do you not wish to claim her as yours?”
“I do, but she’s not ready,” he whispered.
Brandy turned toward him, confusion clear on her face. “What’s going on, Rye? What is she talking about?”
He opened his mouth to answer when Ethan spoke. “I think she wants to perform a handfasting.”
Chapter 34
“A what?” Junior asked.
Brandy had heard the term before in books, but having her great-whatever-grandmother mention it was something different altogether. “A handfasting… like a wedding?”
“For witches it is,” Ryan whispered. “You’re not ready—”
“Your daughter grows within you. How are you not ready?” Cassandra asked. Her confusion mirrored the same that Brandy had experienced a moment before.
Her brain tried to catch up with what was going on.
“She’s too young!” Carter snapped. “This is all absurd!”
Cassandra shot him a bored expression before chuckling. “Love is the most absurd of all the emotions. When you find your mate, you will feel like the biggest fool. Now… I ask you,” she said, and their eyes met. “My time is limited. Do you wish to claim your mate?”
Ryan squeezed her hand. “You’re not ready. We’re not in any rush.”
Brandy’s heart pounded against her breastbone, but the steady thumping slowed as she stared into his eyes. His eyes were filled with hope, love, and promises of a future together. The events of the weeks that had passed since they met were ridiculous to say the least. And yet, he was the calm in the storm. Brandy knew in her heart of hearts he was it. She would do anything for him and their child, and there was no doubt in her mind or heart that he, too, would do anything for them.
“Would you be okay with an official ceremony later, so Peter and anyone else we want can be there too?” she whispered and pulled his hand to hers and Cassandra’s.
His eyes widened with happiness. “Only if you’re absolutely sure.”
Her lips tipped up, and her heart threatened to burst with love. “You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
