She whispered another spell into the air to calm her nerves. Now her biggest challenge was getting through tonight’s activities without drawing suspicion.
Morgan swept the curtain aside to gain a better view of the gardens and the participants. She and her sisters had used a summoning spell to call all available male Wizards to the festival. If the plan were to succeed, they needed as many as possible under their spell. The first phase had worked. More were gathered below than expected.
She should be excited at the prospect of waves of orgasms, each more powerful than the last. However, instead of feeling aroused, she’d broken out with bright red, splotchy spots. Creams helped, but the nerves causing the condition remained. Female Wizards were not allowed to fall in love with their partners during the Fertility Festivals. They were told that male Wizards were incapable of love, and the result would only bring heartache and despair. But she had fallen in love with Rowan, the father of her child, and even after he left her, she had never stopped loving him.
Emotional love was forbidden by the Grey Council, the governing body of the Wizards, and their human counterparts, the Talons. For that reason, powerful glamour spells were cast to assure the male Wizards never knew the identity of their lovers.
Would she be able to detach long enough to do what was needed? She must. She was the only female Wizard powerful enough to enchant Rowan. They needed Rowan, and the other male Wizards, under a spell-like sleep if their plan was to work. The fate of her sister Wizards and the children depended on her success.
She reasoned that if she concentrated on what he’d become, a loyal commander of the Talons and Grey Council, and thus her enemy, she could remain focused. He’d made his choice. Now it was her turn to make hers.
“Do you see the man you've chosen?”
Morgan tensed as she turned toward the young female Wizard who’d spoken. This was Zephra’s first time in the position to choose a mate for the festival. Wide-eyed, eager, and flushed with excitement, Zephra was eighteen, tall, slender, with blonde hair that curled under at the ends. The older female Wizards had felt it unwise to bring the younger ones into their confidence until the last moment. There were too many lives at stake.
Zephra sighed dramatically. “I knew I’d have a challenging time choosing. They are all magnificent. A representative from the Grey Council told me that I could select a different man each night. Is that true? I thought multiple partners were discouraged, as the focus of the festival was to find a compatible match, with the hope of becoming pregnant?”
Morgan balled her fists at her side. Although becoming with child was the key reason female Wizards participated in the festival, whoever had instructed Zephra was mistaken regarding the need for multiple partners. “Did you inform Caitlin?”
“I couldn’t find her.” Zephra turned to talk with another female Wizard as Morgan fought for control over her rising temper.
Matters were worse than she and her sisters thought. Caitlin should have been consulted over Zephra’s preparation for the festival. Why was the Grey Council interfering? It went against centuries-old customs and rules.
While a male Wizard and the outside world might view this festival as an excuse to satisfy sexual fantasies, this was serious business. The only reason for multiple partners was if a female disapproved of the temperament of her first choice, found their powers lacking, or discovered a flaw she did not want passed on to her children. Knowing how to select a partner for the festival should have been included in Zephra’s training.
What was happening with the education of female Wizards? Caitlin was right to worry. Critical lessons were being neglected. The need to escape the control of the Grey Council increased. Their plan had to work.
Silence hung in the air like a heavy fog. Morgan slid a glance toward Zephra. In that moment, that split second of time, the secret unspoken horror shared by all female Wizards was exposed. After a successful birth, many, including herself, secretly used protection against pregnancy during Bealtaine.
After Morgan was forced to give away her son, she feared she would not survive the pain again. There were times when she suspected it was the reason she was still alive. The more children a woman had, the younger she died. It was believed their hearts couldn’t bear the pain of loss. Morgan did not know where her son was, nor if he was happy or sad, alive or dead, or if he’d forgiven her or still cursed her for not fighting harder to keep him. Worse yet, for not telling him the identity of his father.
Morgan blinked away the gathering moisture and lifted her chin. She must stay focused. She motioned for Zephra’s attention. “Choosing a male Wizard as your partner for the festival takes a great deal of thought. Outward appearance is only one of the factors.”
Zephra lowered her voice to an excited whisper. Her face flushed bright red. “Is it true their skills as a lover are a major consideration?”
Caught off guard by the direct question, Morgan laughed aloud. The sudden outburst was like the release of tumbling water over smooth river rocks. It helped to restore her balance, but it caused many to cast her disapproving glances. This was a sacred time. Normally, only hushed and reverent whispers were allowed. Morgan disagreed, believing humor would help the younger female Wizards overcome their apprehensions.
Morgan smiled. “I asked my instructor the same thing. The fifth degree of male Wizardry is Master of Pleasuring a Woman. However, not all Wizards honor their responsibility. If their skill is lacking, or they are abusive or lack control, we call into question not only their intent at Bealtaine, but their commitment to their other degrees. Knowing how we feel, and that a negative report will spread, a serious male Wizard will take the role of a skilled lover seriously. The answer, is yes, Zephra, a skilled lover is a major consideration.”
Zephra paused, her thoughtful expression a mirror of her inner growing awareness. “I have another question. Other than his reputation as a lover, how do you choose a mate for the festival?”
Morgan was impressed with the young woman’s curiosity and thirst for information, but it was tragic, too, how lacking Zephra’s training had been. The Grey Council had assured Caitlin that they were providing competent teachers. Clearly that was not the case. Were other areas also overlooked? What about spell work. Power Recognition. Power Implementation… Was it possible that keeping female Water Wizards ignorant of their potential deliberate? But why?
Morgan smiled through her unease, trying to infuse life into her expression so as not to worry Zephra. “It is important to realize, when choosing a mate for the festival, that more than outward appearance needs to be considered. You must consider the male Wizard’s power, and whether it will best compliment your own. For example, female Wizards have power over water, but in addition, some of us can also shift and change the thoughts of others, like a river has the ability to alter its course. If that is the case, joining with an Air Wizard will enhance those characteristics in your child. Other female Wizards are powerful healers, bringing life and hope where before there was illnessand decay. For them, an Earth Wizard would be an excellent choice.
“When you are unsure, a Fire Wizard is always advised, because of his strength of will and integrity. A select few female Wizards possess all of the gifts I’ve mentioned. For them the choice is more complicated.”
Zephra edged closer and whispered, “Like you?”
There was wisdom behind the young woman’s eyes. Had Zephra heard the rumors? Few suspected the extent of Morgan’s powers. In fact, her mother had made her vow she would keep their secret. The lie had become easy with years of practice, but Morgan struggled with the deception.
Her question forgotten, Zephra peered through the opening again, and a smile fluttered over her expression. “If it were me, with your seniority, I know who I’d choose. I’d choose one of the Dragon Brothers. Rowan and Stryker are considered the most powerful of the Fire Wizards.”
“Few would argue. In the end, they are still just men.” Morgan forced the air in and out of her lungs in an attempt to appear unconcerned. The mere mention of the Fire Wizard heated the air around her with anticipation. There were times in the past when she’d believed he was immune to her spells and only pretended that she had enchanted him.
Zephra sighed. “But men, indeed. They are so different from each other, but each possesses a banked sexuality which smolders under the surface. No wonder they’re Fire Wizards. I’ll bet sex with them is hot.”
Morgan laughed nervously at the obvious connection and the ring of truth. “Hot” was an understatement. “So I’ve heard,” Morgan whispered under her breath. Only a select few knew of her connection to the Dragon Brothers.
