The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch by dakota trace Page B

sleep, while you can. I’ll resist as long as I
    can, but be prepared for a hot and bothered Rand to show up in the early
    morning.”
    Rolling over, she tried to ease into meditative sleep. As usual she examined her power as she slipped into the first ring. She could already see the obvious connection between her sentient power and Rand’s. I wonder what other changes will occur once we’re fully bonded. As she navigated the inner rings of the ritual, she became more relaxed until she came to the final inner ring. When, instead of accepting her into its embrace, it remained closed. Gracie frustrated - questioned Zara.
    “Why is it closed?”
    104
     
    “It’ll remain closed until you accept your chosen. Now that you’ve begun the
    bonding, the inner circle of introspection will never again allow you to enter
    without your chosen at your side.”
    “Wonderful!” Rolling over to face the open window, she watched the stars come out one by one.
    * * * *
     
    When dawn arrived the next morning, Gracie was standing in front of the window, watching the sun begin its ascent in the cloudless sky. She’d tried to sleep but erotic dreams had woken her several times during the night. Each time Zara had apologized and swore to try to hold on a bit longer, and each time it had taken even longer to drift back off with her body drenched in sweat and tight need. “It’s time to come home, Wildcat. I hope you’ve gotten it worked out in your head because,” Rand stepped into the room and slammed the door behind him. "…It's you or no one."
    Drinking in his presence as if she’d been gone for a year rather than just a day, she noticed how rough he looked. It looked like he’d pulled an ‘all-nighter’.
    “You cheated, Rand.” She turned back towards the window.
    Stopping inches from her, his voice was tight. “Really? How do you figure?”
    “You promised you wouldn’t come after me until dawn. The sun is just now peaking over the horizon. You had to have left the palace nearly four hours ago to reach me.
    You left long before dawn.”
    105

    "You left me no choice. Neither you nor Zara showed any mercy. Once you merged with me last night, Ruzac offered none either. I could’ve resisted the first time, Wildcat, but after the fourth merge, I was nearly out of my mind.”
    "You mean every time I dreamed I was…" Her face reddened.
    "Yes. I tried sparring with Jonathan. Hell I even woke Dad up after the second one and he walked the floor with me. When each one became more intense, I left with Jonathan and had him drive me here. Do you realize the accidents I would’ve caused if I’d driven myself when you had your third dream?”
    She shook her head.
    “Letting me tie you to the bed and eat to my heart’s content nearly had me spilling in my pants like an untried youth.”
    When she moaned softly and reached towards him, he stepped back quickly. "Don't touch me, Wildcat. I’m at the end of my tether here.”
    “ This was why I left, Zara. It’s uncontrollable. I’ve no pride because if he’d let me I would drop to my knees right now and blow him, especially if I thought it would tempt him into taking me before that damn ceremony.”
    “I know. It’s scary but I promise you it’ll be all right. You’ll come through this
    just as every other chosen pair has.”
    “But the question is: will I come through with my pride and sense of self-esteem still intact?”
    A knock at the door and Rand letting the person in, had her looking over her shoulder to see Jonathan.
    “Where one goes, so does the other. I see you’re no worse for wear, Jonathan.”
    106
     
    “No, it seems the little witch who disabled me also made sure I was healed before I awoke. Rather thoughtful of you, Gracie.”
    “I can be at times.”
    “I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll never again underestimate you.”
    “It’d be a wise idea. Smartass!”
    “Are you ready to go, Wildcat?” Rand looked around the room for any bag she might’ve