Spiritbound (14 page)

Silent tears dampened Grace’s cheeks. Closing her own eyes, Elena’s presence filled her up, cocooned her in joy. Those dark tendrils of shame and anger dropped away and Grace could once again touch hope and love.

Another set of arms embraced them. Elvira. Her mother sobbed as she caressed their heads, soothed their unruly hair.

‘My girls. Oh, my girls. Thank the goddess.’

An hour or so later they let each other go. Elvira held out her arms. ‘Forgive me.’

Grace’s smile teased her face. ‘Mother, there’s nothing to forgive. You didn’t know Declan’s mother would bring it up.’

‘I should’ve predicted it. What kind of witch am I?’

Grace shook her head. ‘Out of practice with that lot. They have been in the UK for a long time.’

Elvira looked up, her eyes widening slightly. ‘You’re right. I am out of practice.’ She looked her up and down. ‘I think a shower for you and then a hot meal.’

Grace nodded. ‘Okay, but—’

‘You don’t want to go out.’ She nodded. ‘Take your time. I’ll go and cook something. Stroganoff maybe, although I can’t make it as well as you.’ She lifted herself off the bed and headed for the door.

‘About Declan.’

Elvira paused and looked back over her shoulder. ‘Yes.’

‘It was never a joining, Mother. He won’t come back. Not after what happened.’

‘I have a confession to make. I banned him from the house.’

Grace jolted her head back. ‘Including in the house wards?’ Being one of the folk, he could come to their house without permission as Elvira was on the council.

Elvira tilted her head to the side and grinned. ‘Not quite made it to the wards yet.’

Grace was certain Declan would never come back, not in the same way. But maybe in a month or two when she got over their break-up, she’d be able to meet him as an acquaintance.

‘Don’t bother going to any trouble on my account. He won’t be back. Not after that hysterical display.’

Her mother winked. ‘If you say so, dear. You were rather impressive.’

Declan arrived home later than expected. He’d been training the adult folk for a month now. Word had it that Grace Riordon hadn’t left her house in all that time. Couldn’t leave her house due to some illness. When he’d run into Elena, he’d been assured that everything was okay and that it was nothing serious. Grace needed time; that was all.

Elena had accepted an invitation to have coffee with him. It didn’t escape Declan’s notice that there were three witches who took seats in the café after they sat down. He was still hot property apparently.
Still being stalked
.

‘You should join my course. It will be good for you.’

‘Yes, I know I should, but I’m really enjoying these craft lessons I’m doing. I feel my goal to look after myself, financially and otherwise, is getting closer. The time conflicts.’

‘Look, okay. How about I give you one-on-one tuition?’

Elena shrugged. ‘That’s a great idea, but where? Home isn’t really appropriate right now.’

Declan thought about his place and considered it wasn’t worth the hassle with his parents. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll get back to you.’

‘Thank you.’

They sat in companionable silence, sipping coffee, each thoughtful.

Suddenly, Elena squeezed his hand. He started, realising he’d been distracted for some minutes. Elena’s coffee cup was empty. ‘I’ve got to head off now. Take care.’ Her gaze travelled around the café, noting the other witches. She turned and smirked at him.

‘They are persistent.’

He nodded. ‘Catch you later. I’ll let you know about those lessons.’

After, Declan ordered more coffee and ignored his fan club. It was past seven before he received an urgent hail from his father.
Where are you? We had a dinner tonight. Special, you know. Your mother went to a lot of trouble
.

Sorry, I’ll be there shortly
.

Declan rolled his eyes. That’s right, his parents had invited Danila over for a family meal. He was being offered up on a plate to the witch they most admired. Pity Danila was a shallow creature with a nasty streak. He hadn’t forgotten how she’d tried to get Grace into trouble by sneaking that ugly blouse into her bag.

The food had been laid out by the time he’d arrived home and washed up. ‘Sorry for being late.’ Danila simpered at him as he took his seat. ‘You look stunning, tonight, Danila.’

He had to admit she had gone to a lot of trouble. She was tastefully made up, her hair curled so it fell invitingly around her shoulders and down her back. Her halter dress appeared to be staying on with a bow. It was a floral dress in blues and greens, and did nothing to enhance her slight figure.

‘Good to see you again. You are so hard to find.’ She leaned down, giving him a healthy view of her breasts through the gap in the top of her dress. Deliberate, he thought.

‘I’m not hard to find. You saw me at battle class tonight.’

‘That’s not what I meant. You’re not easy to get alone.’

Declan lifted a mocking eyebrow. ‘I’m not a battle mage for nothing. Excuse me.’ He leaned over and skewered some meat.

Danila faced him a little longer and then leaned back to start her own meal. ‘Just vegetables for me, if you don’t mind, Dee.’

Declan paused and without lifting his head caught his father’s eye.
Dee?
He sent a quick message.

Yes, they got cosy earlier
, was his father’s response.

Declan didn’t miss the way his father’s cheeks reddened.
So he damn well should be embarrassed, trying to match-make
. He’d explained his position to his father. He’d thought it was agreed upon. How many ways could you say ‘no matchmaking’?

With a grunt, Declan kept on filling his plate. Danila was making a fuss and providing herself with a small serving. He rolled his eyes. He preferred women with appetites and with figures that could cope with some rough handling. Danila had arms like sticks.

The food was good and once his hunger was assuaged, his mood mellowed a bit. His mother kept up a running dialogue with Danila, offering to show her pictures of him when he was young. Declan didn’t bite when Danila said she was dying to see them.

After dessert, they went into the lounge room. The conversation sagged. Declan wasn’t interested and the sound of his mother raving about him, his looks and his accomplishments, made him grit his teeth. What was she doing? Trying to sell him off to the highest bidder? He was perfectly capable of finding his own woman if he wanted one.

Eventually, he cracked under pressure. ‘Mum. Mum! Can you stop? I’m sure Danila has heard enough about me. Why don’t we talk about her?’

His mother stiffened. ‘I’m only trying to help.’

‘I don’t need help. Neither does Danila.’

‘I don’t mind the help, Dee.’ But she giggled and that did the trick.

‘Stop calling her that,’ Declan snapped.

His mother sucked in a breath. ‘Oh my dear. I feel faint. Please help me.’ His mother began a slow glide to the floor. His father caught her, soothed her as she moaned loudly.

‘Come on, dear. You need to lie down. You’ve been slaving in the house all day. No, no, don’t mind him. He’s moody. He’ll apologise later, you’ll see.’

Declan resisted muttering under his breath. Despite losing his patience, she was his mother and he loved her and tolerated her foibles to a high degree. He was reluctant to acknowledge some deeper issue, as Elvira had suggested.

His father led his mother to their room, which left Declan sitting alone with Danila.

He shrugged, avoiding meeting her eyes. ‘Well, I’m sorry about that. I put a bit of a damper on the evening. Should I show you out?’

Danila coughed and he looked at her. She smiled and sat back on the easy chair she was sitting in. ‘I wasn’t thinking of leaving just yet. But it’s a lovely night. Perhaps a stroll in the backyard would be nice. I believe the jasmine is in blossom. I was out there earlier for the tour.’

Declan chewed the inside of his cheek. They had a very small suburban garden. His parents were not into it at all. Their dream garden was the one they’d focus on when they retired. But he’d already upset one woman that evening so he bowed her ahead of him and followed her outside.

It was a three-quarter moon and despite Sydney’s pollution, it provided sufficient light to see Danila. ‘Not much out here to see,’ he said, casting his gaze around the yard. A few shadowy lumps of bushes were all that could be seen.

‘What about this?’

He turned back. In the glow of the backlight, Danila stood with her dress undone and pooled around her feet. She wore no underwear. ‘Danila…’

She stepped in close, picked up his right hand and placed it on her breast. She groaned with feigned pleasure. Surely, she realised he could tell she was faking it.

‘Oh Declan.’ She threw her head back, eyes closed. ‘Just the feel of you touching me is turning me on.’ Her voice was low and husky. ‘Take me now. Be my first love.’

Declan rolled his eyes and pinched her nipple.

‘Ow.’ She opened her eyes and glared at him.

‘You know I’m not interested in being your first love, which is an out-and-out lie. I can smell the human you were screwing before you got here. Put your dress on. You’re wasting time with me.’

‘I haven’t been with a human.’

‘Really? Then who were you screwing in the bushes before battle class this evening? I get there an hour beforehand to meditate and practice. However, I had trouble concentrating because of your chosen root’s mating noises.’

She crouched to bring up her dress. ‘You’re a real bastard, Declan Mallory,’ she said with feeling as she fumbled with the ties of her dress.

‘Yes, I really am.’

‘We could have been great.’ She tried to do up her dress but the halter dropped, exposing her breasts. ‘You could have enjoyed these.’

He was feeling pretty nasty at that moment, really wanting to be left alone. ‘I’ve had better.’

With a cry, she turned and ran into the house, yelling up a storm. He heard his father’s deeper tones, concern evident in his voice. He wouldn’t be surprised if Danila accused him of rape.

Declan lowered himself onto the back step, letting the cool fingers of night air calm his hot temper. He’d had better than Danila. He’d had better than all the others who kept flinging themselves at him. He’d had Grace.

***

‘You look lovely, Grace,’ her mother said when she appeared in the lounge room, dressed formally for the joining feast. Fern Primscomb had snared Ambrose Fullworth, and that was cause for celebration.

Actually, it was an excuse to get her out of the house and after six weeks or so of moping, Grace needed air. She was sufficiently restored to meet Declan Mallory again, with more indifference than previously.

No gossip had reached her. Both Elvira and Elena had not bothered even to mention his name, let alone who he might be dating or joining with. There were plenty of candidates. She had to move beyond that.

‘Wow, that looks fab!’ Elena said as she came in. ‘Cream does suit your complexion, and those pleats make you look like a depiction of the goddess.’

Grace twirled, liking how the skirt flared out. The gold chain under the breast of the empire line did make her appear like something of the goddess. Her dark hair had been elaborately curled and threaded through and clipped up high, giving her neck a longer line. She looked ready to face the world, and more importantly, ready to face Declan and his family.

‘Come along, girls. Time to make an entrance.’ Elvira was full of energy and excitement. She always did get a buzz out of coven events. Grace and Elena, less so. Mostly because there wasn’t much to look at in the warlock stakes, and if there was, there were too many other girls to compete with.

Elena had coupled with a few humans—young, lusty males who she sent packing after a short time. It didn’t work out, having to hide half her life. With a wry smile, Grace realised that they both had issues with the opposite sex.

Both of them shared a sense of unworthiness, though coming from different sources. Then again, they both had the same relatives. In order not to upset herself, Grace changed the direction of her thoughts. There was no point in thinking about events she had no control over, no point regretting a past that was long gone.

Elvira drove them to the community hall where the joining feast was to be held. The ride was smooth in Elvira’s new car, a sleek midnight-blue Commodore. There was a moment of apprehension when Grace heard the sounds of laughter coming from the hall as she opened the car door. She closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself to face people again.

Her mother expected more from Grace than cringing before her peers and embarrassing her in front of the coven, of which she’d worked hard to be one of the leaders. Grace tightened the laces on her emotions and climbed out of the car.

Once in the hall, the bubble and crash of noise and people was overwhelming at first. Grace tried not to appear chickenhearted, even though she kept behind her mother as she threaded her way through the crowd, searching for her cronies.

Elena slipped her arm through hers and led her off to a corner before Elvira had reached her goal—a group of coven council members. ‘We don’t want to get stuck with that lot. We’d never get away.’

With a laugh, Grace patted Elena’s hand. ‘You’re right. I forgot about that technicality.’ With Elena sheltering her from view, she stood in the corner, looking at the crowd but not actually seeing it. ‘You think you can score me a drink?’

‘Sure, I think sparkling wine tonight. I’m feeling bubbly and happy because well…just because.’

Grace grinned at her and waved her away. ‘Hurry, I need that drink.’ When Elena disappeared into the crowd, Grace composed herself, trying not to meet anybody’s eye. She was here, but not socialising. Being there was enough effort for one evening.

A familiar voice reached her.

‘Grace?’ Declan walked up to her. ‘You look amazing.’

Grace didn’t want to look into his eyes so she kept her gaze lowered. ‘Thank you.’ She hoped he would go away, hoped Elena would come back quickly.

Declan didn’t walk away as she’d expected he would. She lifted her head and saw him studying her, a smile on his face, genuine interest in his gaze.