'I'm good,' he a.s.sured, squinting and then opening his eyes and glaring at the plant in the corner, ahead of squinting again.

I climbed from the bath and threw on my robe. 'Tell me what is amiss with you?' I carefully avoided the gla.s.s to get to his side.

'That plant is glowing.' He pointed to it.

I looked at the healthy specimen and saw that its light-body was very prominent. 'Yes, it is,' I confirmed, 'but usually I would be the only one to notice.' I walked toward the candlelight and away from Devere. 'And what about me?'

'Oh, my Lord.' He shielded his eyes with one hand. 'Colours! You look like an angel!'

He collapsed onto his knees, not out of reverence or awe but from lack of stability.

I rushed back to his side and knelt to address him. 'I gather that this is not a normal byproduct of s.e.xual relations?' At this, Devere laughed and shook his head. 'I'm so sorry,' I said.

'Don't be sorry,' he was quick to say. 'I feel amazing...as if I've connected with something divine within myself that I never even knew was there.'

I frowned, bemused. 'But it was you who pleasured me.' I might have understood this transformation had it been the other way around...or mutual elation?

'I admit I am baffled. Each time we've kissed I've felt an inkling of an awakening. I have had lovers in the past,' he confessed a little shyly, 'and I know how euphoric intimate relations can be.'

This came as no surprise to me. Judging from that little seduction, he knew exactly how to please a woman.

'But this...' He breathed deeply, so overcome that I feared he might pa.s.s out. 'Wow! I feel like I've just been shot into the cosmos.'

I looked to the smashed bottle and gla.s.ses. 'If I caused them to levitate-'

'Well, I can a.s.sure you that I didn't,' Devere said with amus.e.m.e.nt.

I c.o.c.ked an eyebrow to accept his point. 'Then my psychic energy was stimulated by my arousal, and being so close to me, perhaps some of it transferred and was absorbed by you.'

'Like a chemical chain reaction?' Devere was beginning to see where I was coming from.

'Yes, exactly.'

'I can honestly say that I could feel energy emanating from you.' He pulled me onto his lap. 'It felt every bit as empowering as it obviously was.'

'Not really what you bargained for when taking a wife, I suspect?' It was scary to imagine how inheriting my talents in adulthood would affect a psychic novice; I suspected it could be a very adverse and overwhelming experience indeed. 'I'll understand completely if this is just too weird for you.'

'I love weird. I love you.'

I hugged him for the rea.s.surance, thinking that any other man would have disowned me, or had me committed. 'That is well, Mr Devere, for it seems I am falling in love with you too.'

We slept that night, and the next day Devere was like a child walking around in an entirely new world. During the carriage ride that marked the final leg of our journey to the Chateau de Vere, my travelling companion was wide-eyed and full of questions. His new talent of seeing etheric energy had not ebbed at all and he marvelled at everything he saw-and everyone! Whirling chakra centres, auric hues, light-bodies, and elemental beings: it was all incredibly fascinating for him. Subsequently, Devere was doubly excited about our liaison this night; I'd opened the door to another world and he was more than ready to step right into that new dimension.

It was wonderful to finally arrive at the chateau. The stately country manor had fallen out of the hands of the Devere family late last century. The place had been looted and gutted during the Revolution, and then fully restored after the fall of Napoleon. This was where Lady Charlotte had been basing herself before she'd been my governess and I could tell she'd had a hand in the refurbishment of the structure. The artworks were strong with hidden esoteric content, and the decoration of the chateau reflected the harmony and beauty of the Dowager Countess herself.

It was also a real blessing to be coming to a stop for a while and to have accommodation of our own. All the way here we'd been somebody's guests by arrangement, but this night we dined only with our brothers and sisters and it was a very merry meal. Everyone was in such fine spirits that no one noticed that my husband was observing everything a little oddly, nor that he was in an especially expansive mood.

When dessert was polished off, Lord Devere posed a poignant question. 'So, shall we adjourn to the drawing room?' Everyone went silent and looked at someone else to make the decision. 'Or are we all so weary from our journey that we are ready to retire at this unfashionably early hour?'

The ensuing laughter and garbled confessions of fatigue indicated a unanimous response to the latter suggestion.

Once it was agreed, Devere and I wasted no time in bidding all goodnight. We raced each other up the staircase and, at the top, he swept me up to carry me into our quarters. We encountered Nanny Beat in our boudoir, stoking up the fire. She was quick to rise, bid us goodnight and make an exit. She knew as well as I did that my monthly dilemma was over and that tonight I would lose my virtue.

'I'm quite sure she's psychic too,' Devere uttered with good humour as he watched Nanny close the door behind her and he continued into the bedroom.

'Just observant,' I a.s.sured him.

Although the bed was turned down, Devere laid me on the lounge chair in front of the fire and then sat on the floor beside me. 'Are you apprehensive?'

How could he ask after our previous pa.s.sionate encounter? 'I am far more concerned about how you will survive this union...for myself, I am determined.' I lured him to a long and luscious kiss.

My b.r.e.a.s.t.s were bypa.s.sed altogether this night. His hand was already clearing a trail through my petticoats, up my inner thigh and straight to the site of my elation yesterday. His lips left mine, though I barely noticed until his mouth, and the kisses therefrom, replaced his fingers in the exploration of my most private places and his hands were thus at leisure to part his target wide. I died and went to heaven in that moment-that powerful place inside myself, deep and dark like an abyss, and yet full of cosmic promise and my own infinite possibilities. The pleasure in my body eventually drew me back to my conscious self; the physical sensation was so intense, but release was imminent.

Devere emerged from my skirts and slid himself between my open legs. We made eye contact and it was plain that he was off in his own little world too. I hoped that I would make this experience as pleasurable for him as he was making it for me.

Unlike the day before, Devere proceeded with painstaking care and by the time he was fully inside me, we both collapsed into rapture at once. The mirror over the fireplace shattered and various pictures and ornaments around the room came crashing to the floor.

I would have laughed if I hadn't been so otherwise emotionally detained. 'I can see we are going to have to nail down our bedroom furniture.' I kissed Devere's neck.

He chuckled, but as he'd yet to recoup his sensibilities he didn't raise himself.

'Are you still with me, Devere?' I brushed the blond curls from his face, hoping to find his eyes.

'Only just.' He drew a deep breath, and attempted to stir himself from his euphoria.

'Shall I help you over to the bed?' I did hope that was not going to be the end of our fun and games this evening.

The suggestion made him smile. 'How about I help you?' He rose to meet the challenge and swept me up with him.

By the time the candles and the fire in our room were burning low, Devere was unconscious and I found myself alone and wide awake. I was lying beside him, admiring his beauty as he slept. His light-body was ablaze with activity, so clearly our physical relations had triggered some energetic reaction in him-the spinning vortexes of his subtle body whirled ever faster. My eyes became transfixed on his third eye area as the energy centre there pulsed silver and faded to indigo by the time the life force was absorbed by the coiling serpent of his kundalini. I wondered how he fared and a vision filled my eyes.

The imposing fellow who had confronted Lord Hamilton over his marriage to me was addressing me directly. Your personal power will only be realised upon her pleasure. Your personal power will only be realised upon her pleasure.

I sat up, startled from my concentration as I realised this was Devere's memory. 'He lied,' I muttered under my breath, unable to believe it. Don't be hasty, Don't be hasty, I warned myself, recalling how Lady Charlotte had advised me not to doubt my husband's devotion to me. I relaxed onto the bed beside him, to regain my focus. Once I was calmer, the impression of the unknown gentleman returned. I warned myself, recalling how Lady Charlotte had advised me not to doubt my husband's devotion to me. I relaxed onto the bed beside him, to regain my focus. Once I was calmer, the impression of the unknown gentleman returned.

Keep her safe, Devere, he instructed sternly. he instructed sternly. Learn about her, learn from her and keep me posted. If you can please this woman, you will become a very powerful man indeed. And, with any luck, you'll have many, many adept offspring. Learn about her, learn from her and keep me posted. If you can please this woman, you will become a very powerful man indeed. And, with any luck, you'll have many, many adept offspring.

Tears were rolling down my face for I'd always considered that Devere's love was too good to be true. How do you know this man? How do you know this man? I queried his subconscious directly, and I perceived something then that I did not expect. I queried his subconscious directly, and I perceived something then that I did not expect.

It was Lady Charlotte, just as I'd seen her in Devere's memory that night at Hartsford Manor. Speaking to me from her quiet corner, the oracle had my undivided attention, even though I was vaguely aware that someone else had entered the room in which she sat. And to better prepare the way for this woman coming into your life, you might want to speak with this gentleman. And to better prepare the way for this woman coming into your life, you might want to speak with this gentleman.

I turned and there he was. He had a little more hair and was minus a few pounds, but this was definitely the fellow who had threatened Lord Hamilton.

'Not only did Devere lie to me about that man, but they have a long acquaintance!'

I had grabbed my treasure stone and summoned Albray to the boudoir, so I could pour out my woes to him.

'What if Devere had a hand in killing Lord Hereford?'

We never established without a doubt that Lord Hereford was murdered, my knight suggested in a reasoned and calm tone. my knight suggested in a reasoned and calm tone.

'Even Lady Charlotte seems to have had more of a hand in manipulating my destiny than I had otherwise imagined...can I trust no one?'

You can trust me, Albray stated consolingly, although I was not really listening. Albray stated consolingly, although I was not really listening.

I was furious when I thought about my intimate encounters with Mr Devere over the past few days. 'Learn from me, protect me, please me...Oooooh!'

Do you want to wake him up? This was Albray's way of suggesting that I turn my temper down. This was Albray's way of suggesting that I turn my temper down.

I waved off his concern. 'I think my energies have exhausted him.' Which reminded me...'Is there anything in this Star-Fire lore regarding my talents rubbing off on those close to me?'

Truly? Albray seemed intrigued but not entirely surprised. Albray seemed intrigued but not entirely surprised. Devere has had an awakening? Devere has had an awakening?

I a.s.sumed Albray would know this, as I understood we were psychically linked. When I queried this with him I was informed that we were only telepathically linked when I was wearing my charm on my person, and for the past few days I'd placed the stone in the red book for safe cartage. 'You sound as if you suspected our relationship might empower him.'

Not exactly, he said defensively. he said defensively. But there was a legend known to my order which claimed that the ambrosia of immortality, Amrita, was released from the reproductive glands of a Grail princess when she was awakened by her prince. But there was a legend known to my order which claimed that the ambrosia of immortality, Amrita, was released from the reproductive glands of a Grail princess when she was awakened by her prince.

'Devere is not my prince!' I protested, growing angrier by the second.

Amrita then triggers a similar secretion in the prostate gland of the said prince .. . Albray ignored my dramatics... Albray ignored my dramatics...whereupon he is endowed with greater powers of awareness, perception and intuition. This awakening is known as the quickening.

'You could have mentioned this before I married Devere! If he becomes adept enough, he might be able to read my mind. If my husband ever found out about my secret inheritance, my one chance at independence and true freedom would be thwarted!' Not to mention what might happen if Hamilton's treasure ended up in the wrong hands.

The ambrosia was supposedly to the mutual benefit of both parties, Albray added, hoping this information might ease my panic. Albray added, hoping this information might ease my panic.

'So this chemical reaction, Amrita, has enhanced my natural ability also?' Albray nodded, and I considered that it might explain the floating furniture. I looked to the leather pouch on the table that contained my travel papers and, no sooner had I wished it, than they had flown into my possession. I gasped at the achievement.

Good Lord! Lord! Albray was impressed as well. Albray was impressed as well.

'And n.o.body knows about this little development,' I said, with a new confidence, slipping the leather binder into my hand. I smiled, chuffed.

You wish to depart, my lady? Albray knew my mind. Albray knew my mind.

'Yes...but Devere and his order will surely pursue me.'

I think we could lose him with a few days head start...a good sleeping spell ought to do the trick.

'You know a sleeping spell?' I was stunned. He didn't seem the type for spells.

No, he confessed, he confessed, but I can introduce you to a dead gypsy witch who does. but I can introduce you to a dead gypsy witch who does.

Chiara was an amazing spirit, full of information about all things mystical. Her price for acceding to my request was that she might ask a return favour of me once I made it to Italy, to which I agreed.

The sleeping spell should be easy enough for you to perform, she told me in her own tongue, mainly Italian. She was dressed as though she'd just come from washing the clothes and she kept wiping her hands on her ap.r.o.n. she told me in her own tongue, mainly Italian. She was dressed as though she'd just come from washing the clothes and she kept wiping her hands on her ap.r.o.n.

'How about a forget-me-altogether spell?' I suggested an even better idea.

The jolly round woman laughed and said emphatically, You are a Grail princess! You are a Grail princess! She became deadly serious. This She became deadly serious. This boy...he never forgets you. boy...he never forgets you.

I didn't like the sound of that prophecy, so I avoided seeking any further information on that score. 'Did Albray tell you about my bloodline?'

There was no need. If Albray answered your request for protection and knowledge, then it must be so.

'And you are sure this spell will work?' It seemed so simple.

I know my craft, she a.s.sured me in a way that indicated I had not caused offence. she a.s.sured me in a way that indicated I had not caused offence. Your ancestors are very powerful spirits. You shouldn't be afraid to summon them to your aid. They will come, you will see. Your ancestors are very powerful spirits. You shouldn't be afraid to summon them to your aid. They will come, you will see.

'What do you know of my ancestry, Chiara?'

Ah... she waved off the notion of pursuing that topic. she waved off the notion of pursuing that topic. Many, many things. But Albray is the historian .. . I just do spells. Many, many things. But Albray is the historian .. . I just do spells.

I wrote Devere a letter as instructed, and placed a lock of his hair inside, as well as some thread from his clothes and a copy of my incantation. I sealed the envelope. 'Sweet dreams, Mr Devere.'

Two days head start was the maximum time I could secure without risk of physically harming my subject. Although feeling betrayed, I could not bring myself to hate the man I'd grown so fond of, and I was sorry that his love was not as true as I felt mine was.

I gazed at my sleeping husband and wondered aloud. 'How can it be that his treachery is not evident in his light-body?'

Because only conflict registers, Albray explained. Albray explained. If Mr Devere feels he has been doing the right thing, then he does not carry any guilt or remorse, and there is no dis-ease within him to cause blockages and shadows. If Mr Devere feels he has been doing the right thing, then he does not carry any guilt or remorse, and there is no dis-ease within him to cause blockages and shadows.

'I see.' It did make sense and it also made me angry. How little I must figure in his heart. His ego must be huge if he could believe he had done me no harm with his lies.

Holding the envelope above his sleeping body, I recited the spell Chiara had helped me develop to suit my intent.

Women of my blood from whence my essence flowed, lend me your charms, to create a deep repose.

This man I wish to sleep, I appeal you, make it so, until twice the moon does come and go.