A Late Summer Bloom (25 page)

Jacques
LaFeoure
stood behind the warlock,
taking him by surprise. It was the first time she glimpsed fear in the eyes of
such evil. He raised his gleaming sword, but Zacharias was too fast. He laughed
when Jacques sliced at the air. “You will not win, Jacques. You do not believe
yourself worthy of saving your brother’s soul. And for that I must not fight,
but run. Keeping you on your toes is what I live for. I’ll never let you catch
me, traveler.”

Out from the trees stepped an army of warlocks. Zacharias snickered.
“That should keep you busy.”

While the travelers made their presence known, dropping from the trees,
emerging from the brush, Cecily shouted to Jacques. “Go after him. Don’t let
him get away. Not this time. We can hold them. I will protect our daughter.
Go!”

No words were said, but the look that passed between them was enough
for Cecily. When he dashed away, she knew she had his forgiveness and prayed to
the gods he would return to see Giselle to the throne. And then it was time.
Warlocks closed in on them from all sides, while travelers and witches stood
side by side to rid their sacred woods of evil.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Warlocks surrounded the travelers while the covens converged on the
woods. A hushed silence fell over the battleground. Surrounded by her coven,
Giselle moved fluidly toward the fight. She batted her long lashes, nodding to
Julien, giving him the sign he needed to make the first strike.

Julien raised his sword, along with Simon and others who came to fight.
Charging toward the warlocks, a bloody fight imminent, Giselle stood silent,
unruffled. She chanted in a slow rhythmic manner, claiming the words from an
untapped portion of her brain. Meditating further, Giselle used the
visualization of the night blooming cactus opening up, as the ancient words
spilled from her intellect.

The first blood came when Simon attacked without mercy. Blood-curdling
sounds echoed in the night as one warlock after another met its end. Giselle
stood still as the fighting raged on and on. Blue flames arose from the ground,
licking her feet. Steady while she called forth nature’s wrath, Giselle watched
the air around her swirl like a vacuum. The insects joined the fight, attacking
with malice. At long last, the roots of the trees hailed victorious, their
branches fighting alongside the travelers. Giselle stood in the middle of a
tunnel of wind, unable to be touched as she witnessed the greatest power of all
time.
Her own.

****

Percy fought beside Julien, keeping vigil as Giselle wielded her power.
Julien and Percy looked at the sight before them. Neither could question her
authenticity. She was the true queen to the royals. Percy held the warlocks
back as Julien took pleasure in the killing. With nature as their ultimate
weapon, after some time, the warlocks stopped coming. The sounds of the death
throes as they disintegrated into rotting flesh became nil, and an eerie
silence befell the woods. Giselle stood steadfast, still chanting, while Julien
thanked him for his support in battle.

Percy jerked his chin in Giselle’s direction. “She is the real thing.
What a beautiful sight.”

Julien nodded his acknowledgement. “Yes. She is beautiful.”

“You should marry.”

He cocked his head in response. “But she is a queen, she must marry a
royal.”

“You
are
a royal, Julien.”

“My family holds a prestigious place in the coven, but I can assure you,
my blood is not that of a royal.”

Percy placed his hand on his shoulder. “Every witch is encouraged to
mate with many different men. It is acceptable amongst our kind. What I’m
trying to say is—you are my son.”

Julien’s eyes widened as he examined the man before him. “That was the
real reason you looked at me the way you did when we met. It wasn’t all about
Joyal
, was it?”

“It wasn’t. Although what happened to
Joyal
pains me, I was thinking about you, my son. Thousands of souls were released
this night because of your bravery. I am proud of you. And I want you to know,
I was unaware of your existence. Your mother told me when your family came
seeking sanctuary in Cottonwood Landing. She knew I would have wanted you here,
behind me acting as head of the royals, but she didn’t want this life for you.”

“That certainly explains a lot.”

“Whatever it is you two decide to do, know that love
holds no boundaries which we cannot cross.”

“And what of your love, father? Do you have a love?”

“That is a story for another time, my boy. Come. Let us gather our queen
and celebrate our victory.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Cecily stood near a gazebo, not far from the entrance to Cottonwood
Landing. Safe inside its borders, she knew no warlock would stir tonight. She
smiled to herself, knowing her actions helped defeat the growing threat to the
covens and humans alike. No longer wearing the pendant around her neck, she
felt free for the first time in years. But her heart felt like it was in a
prison.

Tonight in the woods, seeing Jacques stirred her mind and the memories
flooded back. The love she felt all those years ago filled her with hope for a
new beginning. And Cecily prayed forgiveness would help her move forward and
usher in a new chapter in her life. She decided to stay by Giselle’s side as long
as her daughter needed her. Staying hidden from a life she should have been
proud of was no longer an option.

The incessant worrying for Jacques consumed her as she looked up to the
moon. She called upon its essence and prayed for a miracle. He had waited
hundreds of years to free his brother’s soul and she knew, if he were
unsuccessful this night, he would continue the search until the end of his
days. But Cecily would set free the anger and resentment she harbored all those
years. It did nothing but stoke her bitterness.

When she heard a familiar voice reach out of the darkness, she strained
her eyes to see who called for her. The moon was full and white and pure. It
guided her path when she left the gazebo in search of the voice.
Jacques?
When he appeared at the gates
to Cottonwood Landing, her heart soared and her belly fluttered like that of a
young girl.

As he was escorted to her by the royal guard, she watched him with
impatience. Something was different. Her mind raced, trying to unravel what she
was feeling. Had he lost his battle with Zacharias and this man before her was
an imposter? No. It couldn’t be. He would not have been able to get through the
gates. Cecily struggled with the possibility. She yelled out for the watcher.
“Colt.
Colt, come quickly.”

Cecily narrowed her weary eyes when Jacques got closer. He looked
different, yet she was unable to figure out exactly what had changed.

Colt approached her. “You called, ma’am?”

She pointed toward Jacques. “Yes Colt. Can you tell me if his aura is
clean?”

Jacques stopped just shy of the steps leading up to the porch where
Cecily waited. Colt smiled. “Why yes, ma’am. That is Jacques
LaFeoure
and his aura is quite bright. But he does look
about twenty year’s older.”

Cecily tilted her head. “He does, doesn’t he?”

“I think I’ll excuse myself now, ma’am, unless there is something else
you need.”

Cecily waved him away without taking her eyes from Jacques. “No. That
will be all, Colt. Thank you.”

Jacques made his way up the steps toward her, stopping inches from
where she stood. Cecily dismissed the guard while noticing the gray flecks
scattered throughout Jacques’ dark hair. He had wrinkles, mostly at the corners
of his eyes and mouth. He looked older, yet distinguished and if it were
possible, even
more good-looking
. Her breath hitched
in her throat and her heart beat so loud she thought it would burst through her
chest.

“You look wonderful. Were you successful in hunting Zacharias?”

“Yes.” He said proudly.

“I’m happy for you. I ... I never meant for things to turn out this
way.”

He got closer, putting his finger to her lips. “
Shh
.
It no longer matters. Listen to me say the words I said long ago that still
hold truth today. I love you, Cecily, and I want us to be together.”

“You—you want to stay with me? I don’t understand? You’re a traveler.
How can you stay with me?”

“I went to the master. Let’s just say, he has given me a leave of
absence.”

Cecily shook her head, unable to believe him. A traveler was always
needed and his return to the master would constantly be in her mind. Her lip
trembled.
“For how long?
I mean, how long do we have?”

“A few decades I suppose. No more than fifty years.” Jacques wrapped
his arms around her waist. “I asked the master to age me twenty-two years so
you and I would be on an even playing field.”

Cecily’s body tingled everywhere, a feeling she hadn’t felt in years.
The yearning to be touched overwhelmed her senses.
“An even
playing field?
For what?”
She smiled.

“Oh, I think you have an idea. You and I have a lot of lost time to
make up for and I plan on getting every second’s worth. I love you. You and
Giselle are my life. We will marry immediately.”

She pulled away, teasingly she scolded him. “You could ask, you know.”

“Asking means there is an opportunity for you to say no. I will not
have it.” He tilted up her chin and kissed her so deep, Cecily felt her toes
curl.

****

In an opulent bedroom, with windows draped in gauzy lace and a round
bed covered with silken sheets, Giselle lay cradled in Julien’s arms. She woke
up tired and with her head heavy, like a lead balloon. She dreamily stretched
her arms over her head and smelled the musky scent of her beloved. She smiled
at him. “I remember.
Every detail.
And we beat them.”

“Yes we did, Little Witch. You were extraordinary. But the war isn’t
over. I’m afraid it’s just beginning.”

Her eyes cast downward, she agreed. “Yes. I know.”

“Travelers are so few in number.”

“I know that, too.”

When their eyes met, she knew he would leave her and he was trying hard
to find a way to tell her. “You will need to marry. Continue your bloodline.”

She sat up. Looking deep into his eyes, she caressed his cheek. “I want
to marry you. There is no one else.”

He offered her a sad smile. “I will be hunting
Judias
and many others. I will be away from you constantly. You need to procreate and
often. This shouldn’t be acceptable to you.”

“But it is.”

“My love for you is such that I would move mountains to marry you. But
you have obligations. And after tonight, I realize I have mine.”

“Killing warlocks is your true calling now?”

“I believe the covens need travelers.
Hundreds more.
But I also believe travelers can be family men. If we can orchestrate it
better, unwilling to trade one for the other, the armies could be limitless.”

“But you cannot have hundreds of immortals running around. It would
upset the balance. Witches would grow old while their husbands remain
youthful.”

“I understand that. I will ask the master for this undertaking. If we
can convince a traveler to fight and still allow him to pursue a family we
might convince them to stay. And if you are willing to marry me, you could set
the example. I will remain a traveler and—a royal.”

Giselle’s eyes widened. “Royal?
You?”

Julien laughed. “Yes. Percy is my father, my blood kin. That makes me a
royal.”

She moved her body on top of his, straddling him. Suddenly her heart
felt light. Better.

“Then let us procreate.”

“And what of our marriage?”

“Yes, Julien Beaumont. Marry you, I will.”

As they kissed deep, Giselle pulled away and stared at him. She
realized this was the vision she had since before meeting him. She and
Julien,
just like this.

“What is it, Little Witch?”

“I saw my future, Julien. It is with you, right here, right now. I believe
if we make love tonight, I will become pregnant.”

Julien froze at her words and she noticed the change in his demeanor.
When he looked into her eyes, she noticed his tears. “It would be my honor and
the greatest gift you could ever bestow upon me.”

Giselle whispered. “Then what are you waiting for?”

Julien’s lips brushed over hers. “What else did you see in this vision
of yours?”

“Mm.
Let me show you.” And when they kissed, together, they sealed the
deal.

****

Hours later, Giselle stood on the balcony outside her room in
Cottonwood Landing. Julien pulled her into his arms for one last embrace. When
their lips met, the salty taste of her tears, mixed with a passionate love, told
him of her unwillingness to live life without him. When they breathlessly broke
their kiss, Giselle wiped away her tears and smiled for him.