"And is it believed that he will seek out your sister?"

"Many believe he will; I know he will."

"You saw his return?" Dagon asked.

"Clearly and he is not far away."

"He has already returned to Mother Earth?"

"He has been here for some time and grows restless," she said with a concern to her voice that worried Dagon.

"Has he learned anything?"

She sadly shook her head. "Nothing, but he continues to search, and that is a good sign."

"What did you tell your sister of his return?"

Her sigh was heavy, her burden obvious. "I told her that he had incarnated and the two of them would soon be forced to face their fates."

"And she did not take well to your prediction?"

"I was foolish to tell her."

Dagon slipped an arm around her and drew her close. "You wanted to protect her."

"But perhaps it would have been wiser to remain silent."

"She is better off knowing," he insisted.

"Tempest thinks not and released her fury on me."

"Exactly what did she do?"

Sarina moved out of his arms and stood, needing to pace, which she did in front of him as she explained. "She flew into a rage, similar to the one tonight. Wind and fire are her friends, forever by her side, and when her temper flares, so do the elements. Her spell was fast and furious, the wind wrapping tightly around me as she issued forth the cast."

"Tell me the spell," Dagon urged, needing to hear it so that he could determine what they would face.

Sarina recited it clearly and with the melodious voice of a skilled caster. "You dare to predict my fate; for this I cast a spell of wait; your witch's powers will dwindle with time; until you are loved by one of our kind; magical moments you must share; and he must proclaim a love that is rare; when all this is complete, you-my dear sister-must perform your best feat!"

Concentrating on the spell, he slowly stood, preventing her from pacing by coming to stand in front of her. "Until this spell is completely satisfied, you lack your powers?"

She nodded with a worried smiled.

He worried but kept his concerns to himself, chasing them from his thoughts so she would not sense them. They needed a break from this chaotic madness, and he would see that they had it. He scooped her up into his arms and centered his thoughts on her naked in his bed. "I have a spell of my own I wish to cast."

Her worried smile eased and she nuzzled his neck. "And what is it?"

He murmured in her ear. "It's a spell without words."

She moved her lips to meet his and whispered, "Show me."

Twenty-eight.

It was a long and lazy joining, a coming together of souls uniting in love. Dagon undressed himself first, refusing to allow her to remove her clothes. Undressing her, he insisted, was part of the pleasure. And he did it with deliberate slowness.

He first removed the pins from her hair. He wanted it free and flowing around her face, framing her beauty. He then worked her wool dress up and over the curves and mounds it tenaciously clung to. A black lace bra and bikini panties greeted him, and he smiled with eager antic.i.p.ation as his hands reached out to caress the black lace that cupped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s so intimately.

He ran an anxious finger over the swirl of lace, teasing the nipple to a hard inviting pebble that he could slip between his lips into his mouth for his teeth to nip and torment. And she responded as he knew she would, melting against him and moaning her desire.

His hands stroked the narrow curve of her waist, moving over her hips to snuggle between her legs, which she eagerly parted for him. His fingers trailed over the veil of black lace that prevented further intimacy, and he smiled as his mouth continued to feed on her pert nipples and his fingers proceeded to invade the lace.

With deliberate laziness he slipped a finger beneath the thin material and teased the already sensitive flesh to chaotic senselessness. Her warm liquid spilled into his hand, and he shivered at the invitation she presented. Her skin was warm, her scent alluring, and he, hard and ready to take the plunge. But he wanted more this time. Where before they had shared magical moments, he wanted this to be a magical loving that they both would remember in the years to come.

With one snap he released her bra, and with anxious hands he picked her up and lowered her to the bed, divesting her of the black panties that invited him with the scent of her.

She reached out for him, but he pushed her hands away. He needed to taste her, to drink deep of her flavor and satisfy the l.u.s.ty quench that ached inside him.

Sarina gripped the bedposts and arched her body when his tongue invaded her with a sharpness that shocked and pleasured her. He had tasted her many times before, and he had always pleased her but never, never with the intensity he now displayed.

He went deep, making her shudder with each forceful thrust, and his fingers followed suit teasing the small budding flesh that was certain to bring her to a furious climax.

But he refused to allow her release. Each time she teetered near the edge, he snapped her back, extending her pleasure, intensifying her need, and whispering his intentions.

She begged and pleaded and he promised, he swore he would let her climax, insisted she do so, and then he would torment her again and again, until again her pleas softly echoed in the room.

Finally he kept his promise and with a scream of pleasure and her body surging in an arc on the bed, her hands gripping frantically to the sheets, he made her come in a burst of startlingly light and shuddering climax. His name resounded repeatedly on her lips and when she thought it over, he moved over her, his body claiming hers in a soft intimacy that had her melting against him.

How could she want more when he had so thoroughly satisfied her, and yet she ached for him to fill her with the strength of him, and she moved her naked, damp body against his in invitation.

Dagon worried his need was too great, his desire too strong, and he didn't wish to hurt her, and yet his overwhelming need had him locking his fingers tightly with hers as he slipped comfortably over her body, licking his way up and over her highly sensitive skin, to circle her swelling b.r.e.a.s.t.s with a teasing tongue and claim her hard nipples with a rough bite that had her wincing with pleasure.

His own need had been held in check far too long, and sliding a leg down hers he parted her for himself. He penetrated her with a sudden sharpness that had her calling out his name.

He was frantic in his need for her, his rhythm was forceful, his thrusts deep, and his love potent. He felt the heat of her wrap around him and tighten with every plunge, and he sank more deeply within her.

Reason vanished, time stood still, and only they existed, only their driving love and their need to unite and become one forever and always. This was magic in its purest form, this was the light of life, the continuing cycle, and together they rode to breathtaking heights and shattered, spiraling to earth in a maddening descent.

"Dagon," Sarina said on a satisfied sigh and wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding her tightly to him, never wanting him to leave her.

He in turn relished the snug heat of her intimately cradling him and never wanted to part from her. They remained wrapped around each other, kissing lightly, whispering softly, and repeatedly declaring their love for each other until finally their damp bodies protested with the shivers.

Dagon immediately secured them beneath the covers, tucking her in his arms. "Warm enough."

"Your arms never fail to warm or protect me. And," she said with a playful nip to his chin, "I like your wordless spell."

"Then we will practice it often."

"I am at your mercy," she volunteered.

Her words caused his worry to surface. "Speaking of mercy, your sister seemed to lack it when casting the spell on you. I realize that I, actually my love for you, has fulfilled part of the spell, but it has yet to be completed, and she did set a time limit."

"The last of the spell calls for me to perform my best feat, which means I must outshine my sister's magic or all is lost."

He hoisted her over him so that she could stretch out full upon him, and he rested his arms around her waist and asked the one question that troubled him. "If your own skills remain dormant how could you possibly succeed?"

He felt her sigh against his chest. "I have asked myself the same question time and time again."

"Do you think she never intended for you to break the spell?"

Sarina raised her head to look at him and to his surprise she wore a smile. "Though it may not seem it, Tempest has a big heart and would never cause hurt or harm to anyone."

"Then answer me this," he said with obvious worry. "What are the consequences if you fail to fulfill this spell?"

Her smile faded, his concern grew, and her answer came reluctantly. "I must forfeit my love and return with her."

He swiftly lifted her off him and onto her back, leaning over her with a look so terribly lethal that it frightened her.

His voice was sharp, his tone adamant. "You think I will allow this?"

Sadly she admitted, "You have no choice."

"No choice?" he all but screamed.

Sarina raised a tender hand to his face. "Her powers far surpa.s.s yours."

"You expect me to accept this?"

"I expect you to understand."

His laugh was more of a sneer. "Understand that I am to relinquish the woman I love because her sister cast a selfish spell?"

Her hand fell away. "Tempest is not selfish."

"Perhaps you should take a better look at your sister."

"She does nothing without reason."

"And she had good reason to cast a vindictive spell," he insisted.

"I don't believe that."

He looked at her incredulously and shook his head. " Perhaps then you have an explanation."

"She was upset and gave no thought to her actions."

"Then she can d.a.m.n well erase the spell."

"I don't think she will do that."

Her soft blue eyes damp with tears prevented any further outburst from him, and he leaned his forehead to hers. "I love you, Sarina, and I don't intend to lose you. Somehow we will find a way out of this."

She found his lips and kissed him softly. "But promise me that you will not grow upset if you cannot rescue me from this dilemma."

A low rumbling laugh followed his smile. "Heroes always rescue maidens in distress."

She giggled. "I think you have the wrong time period."

"A hero is a hero no matter the place or time."

She draped her arms around his neck. "Then there is nothing to fear. You will save me."

"Always, Sarina," he said on a whisper. "I will always save you, on that you have nothing to fear."

Her hands slipped down along his back, and her smile was sly and suggestive. "Then let me reward you now for your gallantry."

Dagon left Sarina sleeping contentedly the next morning. It was early, dawn had barely risen, and though he had slept barely four hours, he was wide awake and eager to greet the day. There was much to do and much to consider, and his first consideration was that he needed advice from people who possessed more powerful skills than his.

He had always thought his energy superior to many witches and on many occasions that proved to be true, but now-now he felt inadequate to help Sarina. And he did not like the feeling.

A hero never failed in his duties to protect, and he had not failed her to this point, but then the rescues had been simple. This rescue was not, and he would seek whatever a.s.sistance necessary to make certain the spell was fulfilled.

The castle was quiet as he descended the steps to the dining room, and he thought of the many years he had spent here. There were some troublesome years, times when he had to hide his abilities and be careful whom he called friend. And times when he watched the innocent suffer because of ignorance. Through those dark times he had always remained true to his heritage, and it had hurt him and so many other witches to watch their heritage be defiled and labeled evil.

To avoid persecution they had to remain silent and endure the degradation of their beliefs. But in their silence they grew strong, and in the ensuing years mortals began to discover the light, slowly, one by one, and things continued to change for the better. And it would be here in this promising new world were his children would grow and flourish, if he could rescue Sarina.

He simply could not understand why her sister would cast such a damaging spell. If what Sarina said of Tempest was true, that she would hurt or harm no one, which actually was the way of the witch, why then cast this spell?

Dagon entered the dining room with a shake of his head.

"Tempest has that effect on people," Sydney said with a smile from where she sat at the table. "Come, have coffee and talk with me, for I depart soon."

A hefty sigh followed Dagon to the table. He leaned over and kissed Sydney's cheek before taking his seat at the head of the table. "Just when I need you the most, you leave me."

She patted his hand in rea.s.surance. "Confidence in yourself was something you never lacked."

"I never went up against the Ancient One."

"But it is not you who will face her."

"You're wrong," he said firmly. "Sarina and I are one. What one faces, so does the other."

Sydney smiled, pleased by his response. "Then between the both of you failure is impossible."