The Silver Rose (31 page)

“If we had waited — ” Aden spoke for the first time since everybody important in his life had arrived at the circle, “ — I'd never have crafted the silver rose. Maybe everything happened this way because it was meant to?”

“True enough,” Anton acknowledged. “But your road would have been less rocky. It was always intended for you both to bind your magic with each other. The Fates knew it, but you would not be told. Young. Impulsive. Blind to the truth.

“We knew Lydia would be reborn. She's done so several times, each time her potential increasing. And then she was born again and named Rosa Greenwood. We have watched you since birth, Rosa,” Anton revealed. “Reading the signs, hoping it was finally time to reunite you both.” Anton smiled broadly, his face creasing into lines. His belly chugged, and he clapped his hands while bellowing, “I love happy endings.”

A glimmer of liquid filled the corner of one of Eleisha's eyes. “As do I, my love.”

Leonardo clasped Sophia's hand as tears cascaded down his wife's cheeks. “We have our son back, and now it seems we will have a new daughter as well.”

Stunned, Aden turned to the one stabilizing influence he truly trusted. Rosa. “It seems our past and present have collided. We have a chance at a future together. That was why I choose to surrender my immortality. So I can stay here in Raven's Creek and live a mortal life with you.”

“Aden!” Rosa laughed, cupped his cheeks, and turned his face to hers so that she had his full attention. “Listen to me. You don't need to give up a single thing.” She had the urge to clonk him on the head with his rose, but kissed him soundly instead. “I've been to Marylebone. I've been Called.” She turned to Anton. “The offer is still valid, I take it?”

“It is. But — ” Anton took another peek at his watch, “ — you'd better make it snappy. You've not yet formally bound your magic. Unless that happens, you won't be going anywhere.”

“Rosa is to be immortal?” Aden was slow in catching on.

“Yes.” Anton beamed. “In order to receive all, one must be prepared to give up everything. Rosa's final lesson for Mastership.”

“I can remain with Marylebone?”

“Well, duh!” Alanna's voice rang loud and clear. Beth whacked her arm. “Hush!” Everyone erupted into laughter. For once, no one disagreed with Rosa's fiery sister.

“Your lesson, Aden,” Anton enlightened everyone, “was redemption. You gave your all for Marylebone. You were prepared to give up all for love. All debts to Marylebone are paid. All lessons are learned.”

Rosa didn't believe she could be anymore fulfilled than she felt right now. Aden was hers. She was his. How could it possibly get any better? “Will you bind your magic with me?” she asked softly, a light flush creeping into her cheeks. “For eternity?”

Aden brushed a kiss to her heated skin. “It seems you knew best right from the very beginning. I give you my heart. It was yours weeks ago. I give you my love. I give you my magic. I will bind with you for eternity.”

• • •

Stars glimmered, their sparkle lighting the inky sky. The sound of happy chatter filled the night lit brightly with the magic, a mixture of magical creatures including fairies and fiery dragons. Close friends and family surrounded Rosa and Aden as they stood, clutching the rose between them.

Anton unleashed a coil of silver rope, winding it about Aden and Rosa's wrists. His voice boomed strong and sure as he continued to wind the rope into a figure eight while reciting three times, “Marylebone Coven binds Rosa Greenwood and Aden Dragunis for all eternity. Magic strong and pure flows freely between them, balancing and earthing each other.”

The silver rope shimmered, tightening about their wrists, changing color, melding into their auras, merging the two and creating a permanent link nothing but death would break.

Aden's eyes misted over as he recited the formal words between witch and warlock. “Rosa, I bind myself to thee. I am one with you.”

Filled with an indescribable joy, Rosa did not hesitate. “Aden, I bind myself to thee. I am one with you.”

And then the silver rope was gone, visible only to Rosa and Aden. Anton sung out in a loud commanding voice, “Two souls now as one.” And everyone clapped, cheered and chanted in unison, “Two souls now as one.”

“It is done,” Anton boomed, and he chuckled in delight. “I'm so good I can hardly stand myself.” And then he broke the circle so everyone could congratulate the happy couple.

Rosa looked into Aden's eyes and there it was. Her future, looking right back at her, filled with laughter, children, dragons. An eternity of happiness. “Who could ask for more?” Mindless of everyone watching, she kissed him breathless.

“I certainly couldn't,” he told her when he eventually came up for air. “I have everything I want. Everything I will ever need. I have you my love. I have you.”

As a child Rowena May O'Sullivan dreamed of becoming a writer. She also dreamed of becoming an actress, a ballerina, singer, hairdresser, an adventurer, a gypsy, you get the picture. Walking and reading at the same time was another passion until she fell down a manhole while doing so. Her only thought, save the book! In order to fulfill her dreams, she eventually returned to her first desire, writing. At least that way she could create stories and become any heroine she wanted without actually endangering herself. Although Rowena has travelled the world she chooses to live in the very beautiful New Zealand where she was born.

She is currently working on Alanna and Gregori's story,
The Jade Dragon
.

Learn more about Rowena at:
www.rowenamayosullivan.com
and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RowenaMayOSullivan
.

In the mood for more Crimson Romance?

Check out
Of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
by Micah Persell
at
CrimsonRomance.com
.