“Hagan is a good and honorable man and I’m thrilled to be his partner in this quest.I pray we’re both spared but especially Hagan because he shouldn’t be punished to serve our adversary’s ego.”She took a deep breath.“Love can’t be forced.It’s a gift and I’m honored beyond words to accept.”Was that enough?Were there better words?Why wasn’t there a ritual with set speeches for this kind of thing?Disjointed thoughts filled her head, chief among them the sheer unreality of the entire evening and this scene in particular.Believe, I have to believe for this to work.As Cheline reverted to chanting in whatever the archaic language was, Amellia stole a glance at Hagan.He was grim, jaw clenched, muscle twitching but turned to brush a kiss across her lips.
Imperiously Cheline held out her hand for the wand which Amellia passed back, nearly dropping the massive piece of wood.Voice rising, holding the staff up to the heavens, her aunt shouted, “I call for the element of fire to join the others which have been gathered this night.Let the magic rise to the skies and do battle with the evil forces overshadowing my friends.”
Thunder rumbled and lightning jumped from cloud to cloud above.
Cheline pointed the jewel atop her staff at the contents of the makeshift altar now and a miniature bolt of lightning arced from the gem to the bowl, setting the liquid ablaze.The flames were transparent sheets of color—green, ocean blue, pearlescent—rising several feet from the container and burning fiercely.
Amellia caught a whiff of the rancid smell from the fog and checked the perimeter of the garden.Sure enough tendrils were drifting into the space like snakes seeking prey.She clung to Hagan, not at all confident this ad hoc ceremony was going to work, terrified now.Cheline was tense and on edge as if waiting for something although she kept eyeing the flames.She drew complicated patterns in the air with her staff, the jewel emitting light more brilliant than any handlamp and forcing the fog to recoil where it came too close.
Overhead the thunder increased in intensity and suddenly a bolt of pure energy flowed from the sky, striking the altar.Amellia was thrown to the ground, Hagan landing on top of her, shielding her.She couldn’t see what had happened to Cheline.Wind spiraled like a cyclone in the small space and Hagan dug in with his claws, holding tight to Amellia with his tail.
Mawkhens screamed and Amellia squirmed against his hold until she had a clear view of the altar.A flock of giant birds was pouring from the silver bowl as if it had become a portal, rising into the sky like avenging furies and driving the encroaching fog back with their powerful wings.Like a multicolored fountain a column of water rose from the center of the silver bowl.Amellia caught the fresh salt scent of the ocean even though they were many miles inland and filled her lungs with the clean air gratefully.A pearl easily a hundred times the size of the one Hagan had harvested was poised in the exact center of the water as if resting on a pedestal.
“The sun is up,” Hagan said directly into her ear.“I love you, Amellia.”
“I love you too,” she said, kissing him.If they were going to die, she was going to pass from the world with a peaceful heart, surrounded by love.
The pearl had stopped rising, being now above the trees in the garden.As the sun’s first rays touched the iridescent surface, the gem exploded, light and music pouring from it, swirling like a centrifuge and spreading.The illumination was blinding, as if the sun had come to the planet’s surface.Amellia had to close her eyes against the power of the elements and felt herself being lifted into the air, wrapped in Hagan’s arms.
“Hang on tight,” he said.
As if they were wearing antigrav gear, they rose together until they were directly over the altar, standing on thin air in the middle of the water.
“You are free,” said a voice emanating from everywhere and nowhere and maybe just in Amellia’s head.“The curse is broken.”
While the echoes faded, she and Hagan tumbled to the lawn, which felt as soft as a pillow underneath her and she experienced no pain.Sitting up, leaning on Hagan, she gawked at the altar, which was now a twisted, blackened remnant.
Dazed, she rubbed her forehead and pushed her disheveled hair off her face.I might think I’d dreamed the whole thing except for the ashes in front of me.
The day had dawned, rosy and full of promise and she and Hagan were still alive.
There was no sign of the fog and the air was clean and fresh.Amellia’s clothes were soaking wet but dampness was the least of her worries.Throwing her arms around Hagan’s neck, she kissed him with pent-up urgency and he responded with equal fervor and passion.
She broke the kiss off and surveyed the garden frantically.“Where’s Cheline?What happened to my aunt?”
Hagan clambered to his feet and pulled her up.“I pray she’s taken no harm in the course of all this curse breaking.She was magnificent.”
“Thank you very much.It’s been a long time since I had to dig so deep and call upon the powers to such an extent.”
Her aunt’s voice was as strong as ever and carried a triumphant note.Amellia wheeled to find Cheline standing on the patio at the edge of the grass.When did she find time to change?Gone were the elaborate robes, there was no sign of the heavy staff and her aunt was her everyday self in a neat denim skirt and tunic.
“Unless you’re planning to stay in the garden all day, come inside and have a cup of coffee before you leave,” Cheline invited, adding a beckoning gesture.“I do have a shop to open and appointments to keep.Can’t lie around and be lazy like some people.”
“I’m calling in sick today,” Amellia said defiantly as she and Hagan made their way to where her aunt stood.“There’s no way I’m going to deal with Maintenance and messages and meetings after the night we had.”
“As you please, none of my business.”Cheline led them inside, taking them to a cozy kitchenette at the rear of the store, where she already had the rare and expensive beverage brewing.She set out three heavy mugs and poured them each a generous serving.
Hagan took a deep breath of the aroma from his cup.“I can’t thank you enough for what you did last night,” he said to Cheline.“I owe you not only my thanks but any payment you choose to levy.My House is among the oldest and richest on Zackmarune.”
Tilting her head, Cheline sipped her coffee as she plopped down on a stool.“No, I think I’m good.It was a grand battle and I thoroughly enjoyed wading into it.I’ve kept my access to the power.Besides, Amellia is my favorite relative so in the future if you can avoid embroiling her in any more curses, I’ll be satisfied.Take good care of my girl.”
“There will be no more curses, I can assure both of you ladies on that point.I’ll be sending several messages to my home world today and will be most emphatic.”The tip of Hagan’s tail tapped on the floor, echoing his emotion.
“The curse may have rebounded on the one who purchased it,” Cheline said mildly, opening a container full of donuts.“Care for one?”
“The magic could affect her all the way from here?”Amellia asked in disbelief.“I mean, the curse she launched at us had to be delivered in a box.”
Looking smug, Cheline brushed powdered sugar off her lip.“I believe the spirits of this world were highly insulted anyone would dare such a thing.By the way, we need to set up appointments for you to take lessons.”
