Grace O'Connor spun around happily, showing her mother, her prom dress. It was a full skirted affair with off the shoulder sleeves in a pale blue. When she had first seen it in the window of store she knew that it was everything that she could have asked for.

"It's lovely, dear." Her mother said affectionately. "You will knock his socks off."

"Mother!" Gracie protested "How many times do I have to remind you that Rand is going with me as a friend? He'll be expected to marry a princess one day. He's not looking for a serious relationship. I'm a safe date to take to the prom."

"So you say, my love. But don't forget the prophesy."

"Aw, Mother. I can't believe that you believe something that Auntie Clara told you when I was but a few minutes old?"

"Auntie Clara has always been right, sweetheart. She says that you will find your true mate during the final dance of the prom."

"Yes, I know but you keep forgetting that this is Rand's prom, not mine."

"But it would be if you wanted it to. You have more than enough credits to graduate this year."

Before Gracie could comeback with a suitable argument, the door bell rang. Spinning, she rushed to the door. "I'll get it." She hollered to her father.

"No you won't, Grace O'Connor. Prince or no prince, your young man is going to go through the same traditions as any other young man on the night of his prom. Including the uncomfortable conversion with his date's father. Go wait with you mother." Colin told his daughter.

"Oh, Daddy. I'm not his date." She protested as her father opened the door. Standing on the doorstep was Prince Randall Carthwright.

"Really?" Colin asked his daughter over his shoulder. "Shall I ask him?" At her embarrassed flush, he turned back to Rand. "Well, young man. Is my daughter your date for the prom?" Colin asked with a devilish gleam in his eyes.

"Yes, sir." Rand replied, trying to catch a glimpse of Gracie.

"See there Grace, it's settled. You are his date. Quit trying to fool yourself into believing anything different." Turning back towards the Prince, Colin shook the hand that Rand had extended to him.

"How are you this evening, sir." Rand asked very solemnly.

"Good, young man. I suppose you would like to see my daughter?" Colin asked him dryly.

"Yes, Sir." Rand said with a twinkle in his eye. The mock formality between them was just that. He had called Colin, Uncle Colin since his boyhood.

"Well, come in then." Colin said with laughter in his voice.

"Yes, sir." Rand replied as he crossed the threshold. Any amusement Rand had been feeling disappeared when he caught sight of Gracie.

"Damn, you clean up good, Gracie." He said hoarsely. Something inside of him awoke. Frowning slightly he tried to identify the new sensation but was distracted when Gracie stepped forward with a flower to pin on his lapel. Looking down he saw that it was one of her prized orchids from her garden.

"I thought you might like this." Gracie said with a smile. "I know that most other flowers make you sneeze. But you seem to tolerate these okay."

"Yes, since you enchanted your mother's garden, I've been able to enjoy the flowers without the annoying sneezing."

Later that evening, after they arrived at the prom, amide the usual fanfare that always followed the Prince, Gracie tried to relax. She wasn't use to all the publicity that he took for granted. Usually she would see him at the palace and in private quarters at that. Rand seemed to enjoy the quiet time they shared. With each flash of the reporter's cameras, Gracie withdrew more and more. Gracie thought that it wouldn't be so bad if the cameras didn't come equipped with nosy reporters. One particular reporter went as far as eluding to the fact that every girl and boy lost their virginity on prom night. And if she was planning on breaking the prince in proper. Luckily for the reporter Rand hadn't heard the snide comment that the reporter had said.

When the dancing began, Gracie began to loosen up. She loved dancing and it showed. She danced several fast dances with Rand along with Jonathan, the third musketeer of their group. When the music slowed after several fast dances, Gracie was looking forward to being able to get a glass of cold punch. As she left the floor, she felt a warm hand grasp her elbow. Looking over her shoulder she smiled at Rand.

"You want a drink too?" She asked breathlessly from all the dancing.

"No. You're my date, you get the first slow dance." he said as he drug her back onto the dance floor. After pulling her into his arms, he whispered, "you have to protect me from them."

"Who?" She whispered back.

"The princess and her ladies."

"Get real, Rand. They are harmless and you know it. You can't run from the Princess forever. Eventually one day you will have to marry her. Princes always marry Princesses. But I'll dance with you anyways." She finished as he spun her around.

"Nope. I'll pick my own bride. No princesses for this prince. Maybe I'll marry you Gracie."

"Right." She laughed. "I just can see me marrying the future King. What's wrong with this picture?" She joked, her mind contemplating the idea. It sounded like a daydream come true.

"You laugh now." Rand joked. "Just wait and see."

The rest of the evening flew by like a dream. Somehow she had managed to avoid the worst of the reporters, and had danced most of the night away with Jonathan and Rand. She never realized that none of the other boys approached her.

Then came the time for the crowning of the King and Queen of the prom. It didn't surprise her when they choose Rand and Princess Deanna. Standing along the edge of the crowd she noticed how perfect they looked together. When they took their spin around the dance floor, Gracie decided that Rand wasn't for her. As much as she wanted it to be so, he was destined for bigger and better things than his father's adviser's daughter. But she made a vow to enjoy the rest of her night. After the end of the school year Rand would be going off to college and she wouldn't be seeing much of him.

When they called for the last dance of the night, Rand collected Gracie from Jonathan and pulled her back out onto the nearly deserted dance floor. She never saw the look of hatred that Princess Deanna, shot her way. But it wouldn't have surprised her. She had butted heads with the arrogant princess earlier in the ladies bathroom. The princess had made some comment about Rand taking her out of pity. She had let it roll off her back and went back out to dance with Rand. She was going to enjoy every last moment she had with him.

As the music started he smiled softly and pulled her close as they started to move. "Have a good time tonight, Gracie?'

"Yes."

"Good." He replied as he pulled her even closer. All night, he had been trying to figure out what had stirred earlier tonight when he picked her up. The same sensation had swept through him every time he had gotten within touching distance of Gracie. It had finally come to him as he pulled her closer to him as they danced. MINE!

The revelation cause him stumble against Gracie. After he nearly stepped on her toe, he told himself to get a grip on himself. As the lights grew dimmer, he looked down at his best friend. He had never thought that his mate would be so close at hand. She was so young as he was. His mind whirling he tried to take in the complications this revelation was going to cause. He had to give them both time. Staring down at the top of her head he decided to wait until they were both out of school before claiming her.

NO, MINE, the inner voice shrieked.

Eventually, he soothed it.

Just then Gracie lifted her head to look at him. He stared like a starving man at her soft lips. What he wouldn't give to steal a kiss from her. Leaning down he gave her every opportunity to pull back. Just as his lips started to brush against hers, the spotlight landed on them. His head shot up with surprise.

When Gracie pulled back he looked back at her. Just in time to see a bolt of lightening come from Princess Deanna. Turning in unison they both projected a shield to protect themselves. Rand growled angrily and pulled Gracie closer to him.

"You alright?" He asked harshly.

"Yes" When Rand released her, she smiled almost sadly at him. "I guess your Princess is a bit jealous."

"She's not mine!" Rand said hotly. "You are!"

"Yes, I am. Jealous that she will one day take my place. " She replied deliberately ignoring the undercurrents she could feel flowing between them. She knew that she wanted to be his to the deepest part of her being. But she was to proud to throw herself at him, like every other woman that came into contact with him. It was just a moment out of time. She wouldn't let him make any claims in this moment. Maybe never.

Rand and Jonathan pulled away from Gracie's house after dropping her off. Sitting beside his other best friend, Rand stared rather moodily at the ceiling of the limo.

"You want to talk about it." Jonathan asked as he loosened his tie.

"She's the one." Rand said without looking over at him.

"I suspected as much." Jonathan said "And after your powers intertwined on the dance floor it was pretty much a dead giveaway."

"What!" Rand exclaimed looking over at Jonathan with shock on his face.

"Yes. That shield that you two threw up could have withstood a nuclear bomb instead of a little measly lightening bolt that Princess Deanna tried to throw at you."

"So what do I do?"

"Does she realize it yet?"

"I told her that she was but she didn't

take me seriously."

"Well, it's either bide your time or bring her kicking and screaming into your world."

High Wizard's Castle, Ten Years Later

Rand watched as the young woman exited the room with her head held high. Grace O'Connor was not the most striking woman, that he had ever met but she had captured his attention none the less. If he had not known her well, he never would have guessed that the news of her betrothal to him had shocked or upset her. As the heir to his father's people, the courtship process had been long and very detailed. Grace had not even wanted her name to be placed on the long list of eligible women that could be a possible mate.

Rand had personally seen to it; that her name would be placed at the top of his personal list. Grace and he had gone to school together. The attraction on his part had been immediate. She was a strong-willed and powered witch. And according to his advisors she was a perfect match for him, power to power, and most importantly socially. She was the daughter of his father's best friend and advisor, Collin O'Connor.

But with his blessing also came a warning; "My daughter may be talented and sophisticated, but never forget that she has Irish blood flowing in her veins." And it looked as if Rand was going learn how to sooth his beloved's ruffled feathers.

"Guess it's never to soon to start." Rand said after he thanked his father and Colin for their help in the betrothal." Then he turned and followed Grace out of the room. The King and Colin watched him leave.

"What strong children, those two will have." The king said.

"If they don't kill each other first." Colin replied.

**************************************************

Rand found Grace standing beside the fountain in the Royal Gardens. She was sitting on the edge of the fountain, gazing at the down at the gold coins that were scattered across the bottom of the fountain. When she heard him approach, she glanced up.

"You know, Rand , I use to come here with my father and toss coins in and make the craziest wishes. Some of them would come true and some wouldn't. But at eight , I was still innocent enough to hope that wishes would come true." Grace said with a note of wistfulness.

"I did the same thing." Rand reminded softly. "As long as I can remember, Gracie, we've been as close as two peas in a pod." Rand moved closer to her and sat down next to her on the ledge.

"And you knew that I didn't want to be considered as your wife. Yet you still insisted upon having me." She said softly with a glare in her eyes.

"And you never told me why." Rand replied.

"There are personal reasons, Rand. We have been friends for years." She said looking at him.

"Which will make our marriage even stronger." Rand said quietly.

"It just doesn't feel right. We've been friends for so long, that making the jump to a full partnership

and marriage, seems near impossible." She protested.

"You know, I think that you are hiding something from me, Gracie. This talk of our being friends as having an ill effect on our marriage is covering up the real issue. So what gives?" Rand asked as he edged closer to her.

"I resent the fact that I have no say in this marriage. Your father and mine in their infinite wisdom, decided that this was the best thing for both of us. Yes, I understand that socially and magically we are compatible. But marriage is much more than social obligations and magical duties. There are two living, breathing, people in this. They have needs, wants, and desires. Which they didn't factor into this decision. This is the year 2113, not 1913. I would have thought that we would have made some progress in this." Gracie continued.

"So you're concerned about your needs, wants, and desires being attended to. Surely you know that I'll be more than happy to see to any need, want, or desire you have." Rand said huskily. Reaching out he gently grasped her hand and edged her closer until there was no marble separating them. Grace pulled her hand free and stood up.

"This is not the time to be joking, Rand. This is a serious issue. There has not been as much as a spark of attraction between us. How are we to fulfill the primary duty as a royal couple; produce a heir for your father." She started to pace back in forth in front of him. She couldn't believe that her life had come to this. There was a grain of truth in what she was telling him. She knew that Rand looked at her as if she were a younger sister.

It didn't matter that she found him to be the sexiest thing that she had ever set her eyes on. His family had been generous with the genes that they had given him. From his ebony hair that he kept pulled back with a black thong, to his broad shoulders and towering presence, he was the poster child for Prince Charming. But the attraction wasn't mutual and she was to proud to throw herself at him, when it was clear that he wasn't interested in that way.

When she turned to face him again, she almost ran directly into him. When he put his arms out to steady her, she looked up at him. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this close to him. After the incident in high school, she had learned to keep her distance from the Prince. That is what she kept telling herself anyway. He was the Prince and not for her. Now with this scheme that their fathers had cooked up, how was she going to be able to keep her distance?

Rand watched Grace and could almost see the wheels turning in her head. She was a quick thinker and rapidly processed everything around her. It would only be a few moments before she realized that she was safely snuggled in his arms. It had been years since he had gotten this close to her. In fact looking back it had been the final dance at their high school prom.

He had almost kissed her at the end of the dance if it hadn't been for the strobe light that they had shone on him. He was use to having things like that happen but it had broken the spell that had been woven around them. But that was the past and soon he would have every right to kiss her. He just needed to stay one step ahead of her until the ring was on her finger. Then he would have all the time in the world to court his lovely wife.

Grace realized that Rand had her wrapped his arms the moment before he started lowering his head. Immediately she started to squirm away.

"Hold still, Gracie. I am not going to hurt you." He reassured her with a smile.

"Rand, let me go. I don't know what are trying to prove." She said as her face began to flush.

"You said some nonsense about there not being any sparks between us. How do you know that there isn't any?" He asked quietly.

"I didn't say that there wasn't any sparks, I said that there is no mutual attraction between us. There's a big difference, Rand . Something that is one-sided just won't work. So we'll just have to tell our fathers' that there has been an error in the selection process and have another woman chosen." She said as she continued to try and wiggle free. She had forgotten how strong he was.

"If you don't quit wiggling, you are going to find out exactly how attractive I find you." He said huskily. She immediately froze. "That's better. You are saying that any attraction that might between us is one-sided? Correct? Well, then you are saying that you aren't attracted to me?"

"Quit fooling around, Your Highness." She whispered. "I don't find this amusing. I'll file a petition in the morning to see this undone."

"Your Highness?" Rand repeated slowly. "You haven't called me that since we met in grade school. This must really be upsetting. Believe me Gracie, I am not kidding around at all about us suiting." Releasing her, he turned back towards the fountain and rubbed the back of his neck. "Gracie, I don't know where you got the idea that I don't find you attractive. I've been hot for you since our senior year in high school." When there was no response, he swung back around to find her gone. "Great. That really helped your case, Romeo." He muttered to himself. "I'll just have to try a different tactic."

The East Gardens

On the far side of the court yard, two figures watched the prince toss a coin into the fountain.

"What do you think of his new bride?" The one asked the other.

"I don't think she'll be a problem. I've checked it out. She doesn't want to be his bride. She's been in the process of becoming an advisor to the king. What a joke. Who has ever heard of a woman filling the position of advisor? They stopped that practice years ago."

"Do you think that she could be turned to helping us?"

"It's a possibility. I'll continue to dig. Maybe I can find something on her to "persuade" her to our way of thinking." The figure glanced at his watch. "I have some unfinished business to complete. I'll report later."

Later that night, Grace let herself into the suite that had been assigned since she had been selected as Rand's bride. After she managed to give Rand the slip, she spent the rest of the afternoon in the palace library, searching for a loop hole in the antiquated courtship laws. So far she had not found any. It looked as if Rand had her cornered for the time being. She was very well trained in the laws of her country due to her dream of following in her father's footsteps and becoming an advisor to the king. But it didn't look as if that would be happening in the near future.

"No, only my father would try to marry me off to the future King." She said aloud.

"Of course, Dad wants you to marry Rand." Spinning around Grace saw her sister sitting on the couch.

"Hi, Patience." Grace said as she went over and sat down next to her.

"Round one, didn't go in your favor did it?" Patience asked.

"Neither did round two." Grace replied. "What am I going to do, Patience?"

"Are you sure that it won't work out?"

"Oh, Patience. I don't see how it will. I've been his friend for so long and I've seen the women that he has gone through. That's why I decided back in school not to pursue any kind of relationship with him. I didn't think that I could handle watching him walk away when he got bored. But being married there is no way to just walk away. In the royal marriages, there is no divorce. It's part of the Royal Law and that's why there's such a long courtship process."

"Why, Gracie, it sound s like you are in love with him." Patience said slowly.

"I've been half in love with him since my freshman year in high school."

"When did you fall the rest of the way?" Patience wanted to know.

"Somewhere between the start of the dance and the end of it." Grace replied.

"Gracie!!! You know what that means???" She asked excitedly.

"Now don't you start about that prophesy nonsense again." Grace groaned.

"You know it's true, Gracie. You just don't want to admit it." Before Patience could go any further, the telephone next to the couch rang. Grace quickly picked up the receiver to stall her sister.

"Hello."

"Gracie, that wasn't very nice." Rand's warm voice said in her ear.

"Rand. I wasn't expecting you to call."

"We have unfinished business to take care of. There are few misconceptions that need to be corrected." Rand paused for a moment. "Since you've been avoiding me at all costs, I guess I'll be seeing you in your dreams."

"Don't!" Gracie protested. In a dream state there was no way to fool, lie or deceive the one that you were with. That's why not many wizards or witches attempted to communicate in that fashion. Grace and Rand had both practiced on each other in college to prepare themselves for what they thought would be a future partnership like their fathers. At least that was what Rand had told Grace when he had broached the subject of trying it. Now she wondered if that was the true reason that he had wanted to practice.

"Sweet Dreams, Gracie. I'll see you tonight." Rand said huskily as he hung up the phone.

"Damn." She said as she hung up the phone.

"That didn't go as well as you hoped." Patience observed.

"No. I'm in for a long night. Do you want to stay and keep me company?" Gracie asked.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not going to sleep any time soon." Grace said wearily.

"I told you all that practice would come back to haunt you. You're the one that let him into your dreams in the first place." When she started protest, Patience stopped her. "I know, you said that it was practice for Rand and you were hoping to follow in Dad's footsteps. And now he's using it to woo you. That's just classic."

"Thanks. My sister is laughing at me." Grace just shook her head. This was quite a pickle she had gotten into. "I'm twenty-eight years old, I have a best friend who wants to marry me, and a sister who just thinks it is hilarious."

"Don't forget that you have your final wizardry exams to take. That's if you still want to take them."

"Oh, I'll take them. And I'll pass them with flying colors. That way when I finally talk Rand out of this betrothal, I still can hold a spot on his cabinet." Grace stated.

"Well, the best of luck." Patience said. "I won't be able to keep you company tonight, Gracie. I have a date tonight. Jonathan finally asked me out. We're going to La Chez, uptown."

"You're going uptown with Rand's best friend?"

"Yeah, I've only been trying to catch his attention for the last six months."

"Well, have fun." Grace said as her sister walked out her door.

Patience and Jonathan were shown to their seats, shortly after they arrived at La Chez. After sitting down and ordering their drinks, they cut to the heart of the matter.

"You called this meeting. So what are we going to do?" Patience asked as she took a sip of her wine. Jonathan waited for the waiter to leave. After he left, he looked her straight in the eye and said "We're going to play cupid."

"We are? Who's the lucky couple?"

" First Rand and you sister." Jonathan said after taking a long swallow of his wine. "Believe it or not Rand actually asked for help. He wants this marriage to work. As a matter of fact, he has had a thing for her since high school."

"Has he?"

"Yes, but he's was buying time. He wanted to be sure that she was ready. He has foreseen that their future will be very passionate but dangerous."

"So that's why he asked to be paired with her through out school."

"Yes, he wanted it to be second nature for them to communicate."

"Yes, I heard from her about it before I left her. Something about not sleeping."

Patience said as her salad arrived. She wasn't surprised when Jonathan laughed.

"So that's his tactic. Let's hope they have sweet dreams." He said after the waiter had left to get the main course.

"Do you think it is very difficult to sustain that type of communication." Patience asked.

"If both parties are receptive to it, no it's not difficult in the least. But if one party is not then it will take a tremendous amount of concentration on the others part." Jonathan replied after the waiter set down his entree.

"Does it take a certain amount of magic?" Patience asked.

"For receptive dreaming, no. A low level witch or wizard can accomplish it. But to a resistant dreaming it takes a high level witch or wizard. Say a level eight to ten." He explained.

"So what happens if the person has no power or magic, can they still have this type of dreaming?" Patience asked.

"Yes. I keep forgetting that you have no power, Patience. You are such a capable woman."

"Don't feel sorry for me, Jonathan. I may not have any magical powers but I have other strengths. But it is nice to know that I can still participate in some things that are magical. I'll just have to find someone with magic to assist me." Jonathan's fork paused midway to his mouth. Slowly he lowered it back to his plate.

"Who are planning on asking to help you with this?" Jonathan asked softly.

"I haven't any particular wizard in mind, I guess." Patience said unsure in the sudden change in his demeanor.

"Well, when you do decide, let me know." Jonathan said as he continued to eat.

"Why?"

"Because I want to be on the top of your list."

"Really. What level are your magic powers, Jonathan?"

"Level nine." He said in a dead pan voice. "More than adequate for dream merging."

Gracie's bedroom

Grace yawned and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. The digital display read 1:07 am. She usually was sleeping by this time of the morning. But since she was studying for her final exams, she was keeping later hours. That's what she kept telling herself. It had nothing to do with the fact that Rand was just waiting for her to fall asleep. Beside her clock the telephone started to jingle softly. Groaning inwardly she debated on wether or not to answer it. If she didn't he would surely come to her suite to make sure nothing had happened to her. After the fifth ring she snatched it up.

"No, I am not asleep yet." she said without waiting for the standard greetings.

"Well, I can see that." Her sister's voice said. "I thought I would check in with you. I just got home. I had a wonderful yet unusual evening with Jonathan. We're going to do it again, next week. He doesn't hold my being non-magical against me. He really is a sweet man. And very informative. We had a long talk about dream merging. It sounds like fun. But in order to do it you have to have magic."

"Oh, sis. You could have asked me about that. Hopefully Jonathan explained to you that you can receive dream merging just not initiate them."

"Yes he explained that to me. He even offered to be the one to do it."

"Patience! You lucky little devil. Jonathan is very selective to who he dream merges with. I've only done it once with him. And it was entirely by accident. Rand was trying to see if he could merge with two wizards at the same time."

"Did it work?"

"Yes it did. But it can give you a headache if you try to hold it to long."

At the same moment, Rand and Jonathan were discussing the same subject in Rand's private wing of the castle.

"She actually said that she was going to find a wizard to initiate her in dream merging?" Rand asked. Somehow it didn't surprise him that Grace's sister had wanted to experiment with dream merging. Gracie had been very receptive to it.

"Yes, she did. I told her that if she was looking, that I would be happy to help her."

"I see that you are laying your trap very carefully."

"Yes, I am. By the time Patience realizes what is going on, I don't want her to have anywhere to run. My Patience is definitely related to Grace. They both believe that marriage is not for them. My plan is to strike when Patience is occupied with you and Grace. I'll sneak under her defenses."

"Your strategy has more tact to it than mine does." Rand said "Lets hope that both of them work."

"When are you going to visit her?" Jonathan asked.

"In about another hour, Gracie's defenses will be at their lowest point. She will be more susceptible to my dream merge. I know from school that between the hours of two and three are the hardest for her to stay awake."

"Rand you've tested off the charts when you took your final exams. I would think that a dream merge would be easy for you, no matter who the other person is."

"Yes but I don't want to take something by force that she would simply give me if I ask the correct way."

"That's why, you are next in line for the throne. Always thinking."

****************************************

When Grace had hung the phone up from talking with her sister it was after two am, and she was very sleepy. This was the worst time of night for her. This is when Rand would, more than likely make his move. If only she could make herself more alert. Yawning again, she flipped the covers off her legs and walked to the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror, she winced. There were huge bags under her eyes. Maybe she should go to sleep and face him. r she could try to be the aggressor and attempt to dream merge with him. Going back to her bed, she climbed back in and got comfortable. Then drawing a deep breath she sent her mind out to find his.

Rand was still in his library after Jonathan left when he felt the first brushes of what he recognized as a dream merge. He was awake so this surprised him. Curious, he opened his mind to see who was trying to merge with him. He was very surprised when he realized that it was Grace who initiated the merge.

"Gracie, I didn't expect this." Rand said softly as they met in the middle of the physic plane.

"What unfinished business, do we need to resolve, Rand. I am getting tired."

"So you figured that you would make the first move and have the upper hand so to speak."

"You know me to well, Your highness."

"Gracie, you know that really annoys me when you call me that."

"The unfinished business?" She reminded him.

"Ah, yes this unfinished business. It seems that you have got it in your head that I don't find you attractive. And vice versa. I am wagering that there is enough heat between the two of us that we will set the room on fire."

"I doubt that. I won't marry someone who will end up pitying me."

"Christ the last thing I'd ever do is pity you? In the end it will be me asking you to take pity on me."

"Really," She replied , "now why would I ever want to take pity on you?"

"Because I've wanted you for almost twelve years now. And you know that I can't lie in this state."

"Yes that is true." Grace said softly.

"I know it is." Rand said huskily as he pulled her back into his arms. Lowering his head he gave her every chance to back out of the kiss. When she didn't , he lowered his head the rest of the way and claimed her soft lips as his own. But neither were prepared for the sparks that flew when they met. With a deep groan ringing in his chest, he pulled her tighter against him. She answered with a soft moan. When her lips parted he took advantage of the moment and slowly slid his tongue out to met hers. More sparks flew in their dream world. When he would have brought his hand up to caress her breast she suddenly disappeared from his mind.

Rand's Study

"Damn." Rand muttered as he glanced down at the tent in the front of his pants. "I wonder what happened. I better call her and make sure she is okay." Reaching for the phone, he dialed her number. As he waited for it to ring, he couldn't stop thinking about their shared kiss.

Gracie's bedroom

Gracie laid back against her pillows, breathing raggedly. That had to be the most intensive experience that she had ever had. It was so good that she lost her focus and had slipped out of the mind merge. The telephone rang by her beside once again. This time she knew that it would be him. Picking up the receiver she held it to her ear.

"Are you alright, Gracie?" Rand asked his voice hoarse with desire.

"Yes. I am sorry that I woke you." She said, "I know what a busy schedule you keep."

"That's the funny part, Gracie. When you connected with me, Hell, even throughout the merge I was awake."

"How did that happen?" Gracie asked.

"I am not sure. Our connection must be very strong." Rand said.

"Maybe it was all the practicing we did in school. Which reminds me, why did you insist on practicing dream merging with me. I was two years behind you in school. Surely there was other people you could have practiced with." Gracie asked as she wrapped the cord around her finger.

"Because you were the only one I wanted to practice on." Rand said easily. "I had heard that making love on the physic plane was intense."

"Rand!!!" Gracie gasped.

"I am being honest with you Gracie. Don't ever doubt the strength of my attraction to you."

"I never would have even thought that you found me attractive. You never gave any indication that you wanted me."

"I was waiting for you to grow up. I want a woman who can handle a man's desire, not a young girl who will be overwhelmed."

'Who is to say that I wouldn't be overwhelmed now? I do not have the experience that most woman my age would have."

"I know, Gracie. I know. But I have prepared myself for that. You are more than enough woman now to handle the man in me. Ten years ago it would have overwhelmed both of us. It won't now, Gracie. Both of us have more control."

"I don't know Rand. I lost the connection because I lost control."

"Sweetheart, you and I did the impossible. We met on the physic plane without either one of us slumbering. Wait until we try it when we're asleep. I'll bet that neither one of us will lose the connection until we are both sated."

"You wish." Gracie said. "You keep forgetting that I won't marry you. I'll find a loop hole somewhere."

"Keep looking Gracie. When you realize that there is no way out, I'll be waiting. Sweet dreams, Gracie. I hope yours will be as sweet as mine."

Another Room of the Castle

The man in the communications room, smiled at the exchange that he had just heard between Rand and Gracie. The woman was very resistant to Rand's advances. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. But the question was, what could he hold out as a carrot to lure the staid beauty away from Rand. He was sure that she was sincere about not wanting to marry Rand but he knew from his sources that Grace O' Connor was a very loyal friend of the prince. He would just have to continue to wait and it would eventually present its self.

Gracie awoke the following morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. When she rolled over she saw that there was a single rose laying on the pillow next to her head. Smiling softly she reached for the flower.

"Dare, I hope that smile is for me." Rand asked from the open french doors.

"How did you get in here?" She asked as she scrambled to sit up. Pulling the covers up around her, she noticed that he was freshly shaven. Last night he had a dark shadow along his jaw.

"Easy. I just walked along the balcony until I reached your doors." Rand said as he pushed off the doorframe.

"You're room is next to mine?" She squeaked.

"A little farther down, we just happen to share the balcony. Makes it much easier to see one another without the whole household knowing what is going on." Sitting down on the edge of the bed he effectively trapped her against the headboard.

"What are you doing?" She asked, nervously.

"Greeting, my betrothed." Leaning in he brushed his lips against hers gently. As before the sparks flew between them. She let out a small gasp. He ran the tip of his tongue across her lower lip. He felt her lower lip quiver. As he explored further into her moist mouth, her arms came up from her sides to slowly wrap around his neck. A groan ripped from his chest. The heat was increasing. But he wasn't ready yet for it to explode. Easing back from the kiss, he nibbled on her lower lip. "Good morning," he whispered against her lips as he brushed another kiss across them. The clearing of Emma's throat, let Rand and Gracie know that they were no longer alone.

"Your Highness." Emma said as she curtsied.

"Good Morning, Emma. Take care of my Gracie." He said as he slowly rose from the edge of the bed. "I'll see you at breakfast, sweetheart." Then he was gone. Gracie sat there with a dazed expression on her face until Emma went over to her closet and opened it.

"Watch shall you wear today, my lady?" Emma asked as she started to flip through the clothes hanging there.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Emma? I can dress myself. There is no need to wait on me hand and foot."

"I know, my lady. But it my job to make sure that you have everything that you need." Emma replied.

"Tell you what, Emma. Leave the everyday dressing to me and you can help me dress for tomorrow's night's gala. I will definitely need help with the gown that has been picked out for me. Plus I'll need help with my hair."

"You have yourself a deal, my lady."

"Good, after breakfast, you could be a great deal of help to me if you'll help me with all this correspondence that seems to keep arriving." Gracie said with a smile.

"Very good. I will see you directly after breakfast."

"Thank you Emma." Throwing back the covers, she jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom and a hot shower. She needed it to wake up this morning.

*************************************************************

Rand was sitting at the breakfast table when Gracie walked in. Rising from his seat, he waited for her to be seated. As the servant poured her a cup of coffee, he watched her spread her napkin across her lap. He waited for her to speak. But she seemed content to sip her coffee and nibble on her toast.

"Nothing to say, sweetheart? Surely I didn't shock you so much that you have become mute."

"Nothing to comment on. I still have the same position as I had yesterday and I assume that you are holding to the same position that you have held for the last six months. I can't see you changing your mind overnight."

"You are right, Grace. If anything last night supports my decision that you will make me the perfect wife."

"Because we connected with out slumber?" She asked softly, always aware that the servants lingered near by.

"There's that. But the chemistry between us is unique." He said as he sipped his coffee.

"You have proven that there is a small amount of chemistry between us." He paused as he lifted his fork to his mouth. After taking a bite of his out of his omelet, he slowly chewed it. He couldn't believe that she understated their attraction.

"Just remember, Gracie, that challenging me in this way, will lead to things that you are not quite ready for." His stated in a low voice.

"I do believe I have a ton of correspondence to answer, Your Highness." Grace replied softly, before excusing herself from the dining room. When she neared the door, it swung shut in front of her. "Still insisting on having your way, I see." She commented without turning around. She could feel him moving across the room towards her. It never cease to amaze her that she could always tell when he was near. She stilled as she felt him stop just inches from her. She knew that he was waiting for her to turn and face him. It had always been that way. She never could hide from him; as a point he had never let her.

"Gracie, look at me." He said softly. "We can stay like this as long as you like. My father might wonder what's keeping me, but he was a young man once with a new bride. I am sure that he will be very understanding."

"This is your choice, Rand. I have many pressing things to attend to. Believe me I have no intentions of keeping you from your appointment with your dad."

"Then turn around and talk to me, Gracie. I won't ever accept you walking away from me." He whispered into her ear. Immediately gooseflesh ran down the length of her neck and arms.

"No." She whispered. She could feel the warmth of his breath on the side of her neck.

"Fine, I can find better uses for my mouth than talking." He whispered. It was all she could do to not jump out of her skin when he slowly ran his mouth down the side of her neck. Then he returned to the shell of her ear to slowly explore its curves. This time she couldn't help but gasp softly. He made a murmur of approval. His arms slowly crept around her waist to pull her back against him. He couldn't resist leaving a small hickey on the side of her neck. She squirmed trying to get closer to him. Groaning he spun her around and fastened his mouth to hers before she could so much as utter a protest. Without prelude, his tongue shot out to intertwine with hers. Pulling her closer, he couldn't help but rock his hips against hers. When he finally lifted his head, they were both gasping for breath.

"Much better." He said huskily. "I think I need to go take a cold shower, Gracie. You pack one helluva punch ." He laid his head against the top of hers. He could feel the slight tremors that were shaking her frame. "You are one tempting woman, and if I didn't have to meet my father in the next half hour, I would lock the door and have you on top of the diningroom table. Maybe we'll have to try it after we get married." He slowly released her but held on to her hands. When she still didn't look at him, he slowly lifted her chin. He still could see the desire burning in her eyes along with the anger that had just gripped her.

"You have a lot of nerve. You have taken my right to chose my own husband, had it decreed that I am to marry you, and now you tell me that you plan on screwing me on the royal dining table!!!" She said angrily. Her eyes were sparking. And Rand couldn't help but smile. Even when she was riled up, she was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

"I'd love to screw you, as you put it, any time and anywhere. I won't deny that, Gracie. Passion is part of strong marriage. Along with communication. And that's something that we will both share in our marriage. Do not doubt me, Gracie, I did not select you upon a whim. There was much consideration to be had. Our future will depend upon it. Now, I really should leave to meet my father." He said as he released the spell on the door. As she started through it, he stopped her.

"Remember what I said Gracie. I won't ever accept you shutting me out or walking away from me."

**********************************************************************************

Grace and Patience met at the small restaurant outside of the palace. Grace smiled at the waiter as he left to get their drinks. She soothed the napkin in her lap. Then toyed with the silverware next to the plate. Patience finally placed a hand on top of hers. Grace finally looked up at her younger sister. A blush stole across her face.

"Gracie. Tell me what happened. You are blushing like a young school girl."

"I'll tell you what happened. My betrothed decided to show at this stage in the courtship that he does find me attractive. Something along the lines of throwing me on top of the dining table." She replied angrily "I don't know what makes me more angry about this courtship. The thought that he picked me after careful consideration and consultation with his advisors or the oh by the way, I do find you very tempting but I have to meet my father in half an hour."

"Oh, Gracie. He didn't tell you that!" Patience exclaimed. The conversation halted as the waiter delivered their order.

"Yes, a variation of that. But enough about that. I need to have a quiet dinner without his Royal Highness being the main focus of the conversation. How were your dreams last night? Did anyone try to visit them?" Gracie teased her sister.

"No, damn it. He didn't take the hint. I guess I'll have to just write him a letter to spell it out for him." Patience said with a chuckle. "Seriously, sis, I don't know what I would do with him if he did appear in my dreams."

"Anything that he'll let you." Gracie said with a laugh.

***********************************************************************************

After his meeting with his father, Rand went in search of his betrothed. And amazingly enough she was nowhere to be found. When he spotted her maid Emma, he stopped her.

"Emma, where is her ladyship?" He asked after the maid finished curtsying to him. It seemed like such an outdated tradition, but everyone had been bowing and curtsying to him for as long as he could remember.

"She went to have lunch with her sister, Your Highness." Emma said politely. "Said that she would be back before afternoon tea."

"Thank you, Emma." Rand said politely. Turning he walked back down to his study, where he found his father still sitting by the fire.

"Dad, I figured that you had more pressing matters to attend to." Rand said as he sat down in the chair across from him.

"I do have other matters to attend to but I somehow knew that you were going to need me more than the decorating committee for your wedding will at this moment." Mica replied as he closed the book that he had been browsing through. "What kind of problem is Gracie giving you?"

"How did you know that it is Gracie?" Rand asked, shocked that his dad could read him that well.

"I once too, was betrothed, and your mother gave me a run for my money. As a matter of fact, my father sat down and spoke with me about the problems I was having. So what kind of problem is

Gracie giving you?"

"She is angry about being considered as my wife. I don't know how to explain it Dad. We went to school together. She had this dream of becoming the first woman advisor to the king. I knew better. You know me, I have been having the dreams and visions about Gracie's and I's future for a long time. She wasn't my advisor in those dreams. She was my wife. How could I tell her that becoming my advisor was never going to happen? So I decided to not say anything to her, to let her finish her schooling and take her wizard exam. But the attraction was always there. She has been thinking that I didn't desire her, that the only reason that I am consenting to this marriage is because you and Colin approved the match."

"Have you told her that you want her?"

"Yeah, I have. But she is so stubborn. I've even started to show her-"

"You what!! Please tell me that you haven't consummated your wedding vows." His dad nearly shouted.

"No, Dad. I haven't. I may not always believe in all of our traditions but I would not break this one. She will come to our marriage bed untouched.. I just have given her a few kisses."

"Alright then. I understand the royal law that requires both partners to come to the marriage bed untouched is a difficult tradition to follow. But it doesn't have to be a burden. Have you developed a strong bond with her?"

"Yeah, Dad. A really strong bond. Last night we managed to dream merge with both of us still awake. It takes a lot of concentration but it can be done."

"Son, remember the law states that both of you are to be physically untouched. It says nothing about what happens in your dreams. Seduce her, woo her while she slumbers. It will soften her towards you when she awakes."

"But that is taking advantage of her. I still say that instead of taking , asking will get me better results with her. She is a strong woman, and she is already angry about the betrothal not being her choice."

"I don't mean invade her dreams and then demand sex. Use the time that you spend together towards that end. You'll get to know her better and keep her on the edge of desire. She will more than welcome you into her bed when the time comes. Believe me the studies that we go through as young princes does work. And with the extra time that you have given her, you both will have more control over the first time, than you would if you would have told her twelve years ago."

"How did you know about that?" Rand asked mildly surprised.

"I saw the way the two of you moved together across that dance floor. If that light wouldn't have hit you at that precise moment, the destiny that you share would have started right there." Mica replied. Leaning over he placed a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "Hang in there. She will come around. It was foreseen that you and she would be together. We will need your strength and her cunning to protect us."

"Man, it can be a bitch, to have the inner vision, can't it." Rand replied.

"Yes it can, but it also has it rewards, son. I was there to see the birth of every one of you children. I wouldn't have missed that for anything. You'll to deal with it. I have faith in you."

***********************************************************************

Grace came into the dining hall, with the memories of the morning lingering in her mind. She hoped that she could keep a calm facade when she was seated beside Rand. After being seated, she decided that acting normal would be the best thing to do. Anger had not worked, shutting him out had not worked, so lets try a little normalcy and see what happens, she thought.

"Good evening, Rand." She murmured as she accepted the goblet of water from the attendant. "How did everything go with your father?"

"Very good, in fact." He replied. He wasn't sure what to make of her new mood.

"Does that mean that you didn't end up in a big fight over the issues?" She asked looking at him for the first time. He seemed a little puzzled by the change in her mood. She smiled softly to reassure him. "I don't stay angry for long, Rand. It takes to much energy."

"Does that mean you are going to cease fighting our coming nuptials?" He asked in surprise.

"Don't be silly, Rand. I still don't like the fact that the decision was taken out of my hands. But when have I ever stayed mad at you? We have been friends for many years. You are to good of friend to let this come between us. I am tired of fighting with you. You realize that you have been forcing this issue for almost six months?"

He just smiled at her and took her hand. Raising it to his mouth he placed a small kiss to the palm of her hand. "I too tire of fighting with you, Gracie. Shall we enjoy our meal together?" When she smiled and nodded, he felt a surge of warmth in his chest.

*************************************************************************

Patience paced back and forth in front of the phone. She had left several messages on Jonathan's voice mail. But he still had not returned her phone call. It was times like this she wished she had just a little magic. She could wish herself to his side and see him.

***************************************************************

Jonathan entered his apartment and noticed that the phone was softly glowing. Sighing he wondered if he had the gumption to listen to his former mistress bitch at him for terminating their agreement. For the last several months he had found himself thinking about another woman when he was with her. And after his dinner with Patience last night he decided that he wasn't going to a substitute any longer. She had finally shown a spark of interest. It was time for the courtship to begin. He may not have Rand's inner vision but he had know for many years that Patience was the one for him. Almost as long as Rand had know that Gracie would one day be his. Just as he decided to ignore the unanswered voice mails the phone rang again. Swearing softly under his breath, he picked the phone up.

"What?" He barked, expecting Karen to be on the other end of the phone.

"That's a fine way to answer your phone, Jonathan. I've been trying to reach you since after lunch.

As hard as ever to track down, I see." Patience said dryly.

"Patience. I wasn't expecting to hear from you. Please tell me that you're not cancelling our dinner date." He said. Inwardly he cursed himself. He really should have looked at the caller id before answering the phone.

"No. I was calling to let you know the latest development between Rand and Gracie. It seems that he really pissed her off this time."

"Oh, great!" Jonathan sighed as he squeezed the bridge of his nose. "What did he do this time?"

Sometimes his friend could be a true idiot. Especially when it came to Gracie.

"She said something about him telling her that he wanted to screw her but unfortunately he had to leave to meet with King Mica." She replied hotly.

"Before you get your panties in a twist, Patti, let me explain something. Have you ever heard about the Royal Law?"

"No, I can't say that I have." Patience remarked.

"Not many have. It is a law that has been around forever, all our Royals to follow it. Those that are

aware of it don't realize that it is still being practiced. Most of our people would have a hard time believing it. The law states that any royal that wishes to marry must stay pure until the marriage bed."

"So you're trying to tell me that Rand has never had a woman?" Patience couldn't help but laugh.

"Please tell me that you're joking. I have a hard time believing that. Rand has had so many different women that I have lost count."

"I know it seems like it is a hard thing to believe. But I swear to you that it is the truth. Rand has been educated in those matters but has yet to put any of that knowledge to use." Jonathan explained. "The only reason that I know is because we are best friends and I have helped him find woman companionship that would understand how the law works. He has escorted many women to different functions. But he has never done so much as kissed another woman in passion. Like I told you before he has had a thing for her since high school. For him no other will do, she is the only one that he wants."

"So what you are saying is that even if he didn't have that meeting with King Mica, nothing further would have happened?" She asked as what he had told her sunk in. Then another thought struck her. "What about Grace? Does she have to be pure also?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. He has to wait until they are married before he can 'screw' her. Although I can't say that I can see him using that particular word in the same sentence. The word screw is not something that he'll ever do to your sister. He has always spoke of it as being intimate or making love." He replied thinking back to the first time that Rand had told him that he had realized that Grace was the one.

"Well, that sheds a bit of light on the subject." She murmured. "Are you going to answer my other question?"

"Other question? Oh, yeah. Of course. She is to be as pure as he." Jonathan replied.

"Does she realize this?"

"I don't know. But I know Rand has made sure that every wizard that has even glanced at her was made aware of his claim. As much as your sister had her nose in a book, I doubted she even noticed the lack of attention."

"Let's hope that she never becomes aware of that fact, Jonathan." Patience said quietly. "I don't want to be there. But someone does have to tell her about the Royal Law. I am surprised that she doesn't already know about it."

"She may have read something about it but like most assumed that it was no longer in use." Jonathan replied. "I will mention it to Rand. Let him be the one to tell her about it."

"I agree. She can get hacked at him ." Patience agreed. Suddenly her stomach growled. She laughed.

"Was that your stomach I heard?" Jonathan asked quietly.

"Yep. Sorry I guess it's a little after my dinner time."

"You haven't had supper yet?" He asked.

"No, not yet. I'll probably just order some pizza." Patience replied.

"Mind some company?" He asked her softly

"No, I would love some." She replied.

***************************************************************

Rand and Grace walked through the gardens after their supper. It felt good to do something that was as natural as breathing to both of them. Even when they were fighting, they were still friends. Which never ceased to amaze Grace. Rand was holding her hand as they walked down the darken path. It seemed odd to her that they were walking together like two teenagers at their age. But it was still a wonderful feeling. One that she intended to enjoy for a short while before the war continued about their upcoming nuptials Stopping next to gazebo, Rand tipped her face towards him.

"You know Gracie you are a very beautiful woman. I still don't know how you could doubt your attractiveness. I am going to love being married to you." He said softly.

"And you are full of it, Your Highness." She scolded softly. "But I don't want to fight tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough to argue that fact."

"Who says that we have to argue, Gracie. Why not let nature take its course." He asked.

"If I let nature takes it's course, Rand you will see that we will always be best of friends but that it'll

be a very disastrous marriage."

"Well, let me decide if that's the kind of marriage that I want." He replied

"I still think that I will be better suited as an advisor than a wife. I never intended on marrying anyone, Rand."

"And why not?" He asked.

"Because the one man that I wanted to marry, wasn't interested and even if he had been I never would have fit into his world."

"Really." Rand said anger creeping up on him. "And this man, when did you find time to meet him? You've been so wrapped up in your studies that you barely surfaced to eat, let alone go out and date someone."

"Suffice to say, Rand, that is not relevant at this time and even if it was it would be none of your business. You are my friend, not my lover, boy-friend, or husband. And that issue is in the past. The distant past."

"How long ago, Gracie? How strong is this man's hold on you? How long will I have to fight his memory to take his place?" Rand asked in an almost resigned voice.

"Twelve years ago, Rand. And he has no hold on me. As far as replacing his memory. I have room for both if I need it." She replied. It was time to change this conversation before her best friend got to close to the truth.

The East Gardens

The man standing behind the bushes, smiled widely. He finally found the way to lure Grace away from the Prince. All he had to do was find the man that had stolen her heart so long ago. He could tell that she still had affection for that man. All he had to do was convince the man to help him. The girl wouldn't have a choice. She would fly to her former love and leave the Prince weakened. The Prince was going to find out how much a weakness his affection for the advisor's daughter was going to become. Then when the time was right he would strike.

Grace took two weeks to lull Rand into a false sense of belief before renewing her request for an annulment of their betrothal. She still had not found any footing upon the reviewing the laws governing the Royal Law of Marriage. She had read the law forwards, backwards, and even sideways and still no hope of being freed, unless, Rand would call it off. Which didn't seem even like a possibility. He was insistent about marrying her.

Which he reminded her nightly. She didn't know which was worse. Being with him during the day or having him invade her dreams at night. It was almost midnight. She glanced at the clock. She was tired but was reluctant about going to sleep. But if she didn't slumber soon, Rand would walk the short distance across their shared balcony and check on her. He would have his time each night. Either in the dream state or physical. He had made it apparent that he didn't care which. So it was her choice. Did she wish to be seduced physically or mentally? Sighing she flipped over on her side and reached up and shut the light off.

Rand stood outside of Gracie's room on the balcony. He watched the light turn off. He had wondered how many times he would have to wait upon her. She seemed to fight a little more each night, instead becoming more receptive to his advances.

He was trying to go slowly and woo her as his father had advised but it was difficult to ask instead of take. His every instinct was to take her and keep her close to him. He wanted her in his bed and arms every night. This betrothal would never end.

Sighing, he pushed off the railing and walked towards her door. Laying his hand upon the handle he whispered the spell to unlock the french doors. Turning the handle, he was surprised when it did budge. Gazing through the gauzy fabric covering the doors, he could see her laying in her bed. Smiling slightly he entered her dreams.

Gracie felt the moment that Rand choose to enter her dreams. It was like there was an electrical charge filling the air. She wasn't surprised when she felt him kiss the nape of her neck. She was still laying upon her bed.

"Nice trick, Gracie. You'll have to teach me how to do that." He said as he wrapped his arms around her. With a sigh of relief he pulled her deeper into his embrace. As she squirmed against him, he tightened his arms. "Hold still, Gracie."

"Let go of me." Gracie replied through gritted teeth.

"Why? You'll have to get use to it. I intend to hold you every night after we get married."

"How many times do I have to tell you, Rand. I don't want to get married. Pick another woman."

"No other will do. It's your destiny Gracie. I've know since high school."

"What!" She gasped. Sitting up, she managed to break his hold. "What do you mean you've known since high school."

"Just what I said," Rand replied as he watched her pace back and forth. He wasn't surprised at her reaction but the sooner that she accepted her part in his life the quicker they could forge their union. Their time was short.

"Then why did you let me think that I could be your advisor?" Gracie asked hotly. "All that training was for nothing. I have studied for the last ten years to become your advisor. When were you going to tell me, Your Highness? After I completed my Wizard Exam?"

"That's enough Gracie!" Rand said angrily "I have done nothing but give you time. In all rights I should have claimed you after we graduated high school. I gave you time. I knew that you weren't ready. The extra training that you have gotten will heed us both well. There are rough times ahead of us. I have seen it. For the sake of our country we have to be united. As my wife, you will have more influence on me than any mere advisor would. And make no mistake Gracie, in two weeks we will be wed. There is no other for me. I won't call off our wedding. There are no loopholes in the Royal Law." He stood and turned to leave her. Then stopped. "And Gracie, you will take your Wizard Exam. Then we will be married. Sleep well, for when we wed you won't be getting much sleep." Then he disappeared.

********************************************

The next morning, Gracie went in search of her mother. Surely her mother would have some kind of advice for her. Before she could find her mother she found Queen Aria.

"Good morning, Queen Aria." Quickly she curtsied to the queen.

"Good morning, Lady Grace. And how many times have I told you that you do not need to bow to me, Grace. You are soon to be my daughter. And I couldn't have picked a more perfect person for my son. Rand has chosen well." Motioning for her to sit, the queen sat down across from her.

"I wish that I could be as happy as everyone else is. But I can't help but think that Rand is to sophisticated and experienced for someone like me. I have very limited social experience to draw upon. I know as a future queen there is plenty of social obligations to see to. I will be like a fish out of water. I had planned on being behind the scenes, not in the lime light."

"Relax, Gracie. These thing s can be taught. You are a smart witch. I have faith in you. Have you ever wondered why the next King and Queen are chosen so early? Mica and I plan upon being around for a long time to come. I know that we plan to retire in a few months but both Mica and I will be there to help both Rand and you. We will be a fountain of knowledge for you to draw from. Don't fret about it Gracie. I have no doubt in your ability to be queen." Queen Aria said softly with great affection.

"Well that's one issue that is easy enough to resolve. But what do I do about my lack of experience in lovemaking? I have no practical knowledge at all of men. As a matter of fact I have never had a lover. I have read plenty of books on the subject, when I thought that I might have a chance at having a relationship. When I realized that it wasn't my fate, I put those books away. So, I feel I am not suited to have one with the next king. And Rand will be much more experienced in this area. I do not want to be found lacking."

"I see that no one has bothered to inform you about the Royal Law." The queen said softly. Standing up she motioned for Grace to follow her. "Come with me Gracie. This subject is best discussed in private."

***********************************************

After the queen had made Gracie comfortable in her private sitting room, she left for a few short minutes to let her husband know that she wasn't to be disturbed for a period of time.

"What's going on, my love?" Mica asked as he pulled his wife into his arms.

"Our future daughter is concerned about her lack of experience. I am going to ease her fears. She is a wonderful woman but for some reason, Rand has failed to explain the Royal Law to her."

"Now, Aria. You know that Rand is suppose to explain the law to her. On the night of their wedding. It is tradition." He said sternly.

"I know. I am not going to go into details about this. I am merely going to give her some advice so she isn't sitting on pins and needles on her wedding night."

***********************************************

When she returned to her sitting room, she found Grace curled up asleep next to her son. Smiling softly she greeted him.

"Good morning Rand."

"Morning, Mom." Rand replied softly. Gently he caressed Gracie's hair.

"Did you let her sleep last night?" His mother asked him as she sat down in the chair across from the love seat that they occupied.

"I didn't keep her up all night, Mom. But I wager that she didn't sleep any better than I did."

"You slept separate?"

"Yes. Mom. She didn't want me there. She was very angry with me when I disengaged our connection."

"Then why would she have not slept?"

"Our powers have already intertwined. It is uncomfortable for both of us to rest properly without holding the merge."

"How has that already started?"

"They intertwined on the night of our prom."

"Was she aware of this?"

"No. I have been holding the merge for both of us. But I wasn't feeling very charitable last night when I left." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "She is going to fight me to the end, I fear. She doesn't realize the bond between us. I may have waited for her. Gave her the extra time that she deserves but I couldn't be away from her. I still had to have her in my life. I still visited her in the deep of the night. Not that she will recall those dreams. I entered softly and left the same way. I wanted to give her the dream that she's been chasing since junior high." In his lap, Gracie stirred and snuggled deeper into him.

"Are you holding the merge now?" His mother asked in awe.

"Yes. I've learned to do many things Mom and still hold our merge. It has almost become second nature to me."

"And you haven't explained to her how the mind merge is held and why?"

"No. I haven't."

"Why not?"

"Because if I did I wasn't sure that I would be able to keep it a simple merge and not take it farther. Even the first time that I attempted to do it I had Jonathan. I didn't trust myself to let it go with just the merge the first time."

"And the first time that you attempted this was the night of your prom?"

"Yes. I'm a quick study. I learned how to control the urges quickly, so she wouldn't realize the true meaning behind the mind merge."

"That may come back to haunt you."

"I know. But it was imperative that I give her that extra time."

"I know. I spoke with her earlier. She is concerned about becoming your wife, Rand. I won't lie about that. I am sure that she has told you about that. I eased her fears about the social end of becoming queen but I feel that her biggest fear lies in intimacy I have not told her anything that you should tell her but she does need some reassurance. She is unaware of the Royal Law or doesn't believe that it is still practiced."

"I know. I will clarify that after we are wed. I do not want any more reasons for her reluctance to grow."

*********************************************

Gracie woke slowly. She had been waiting for the Queen to return. Dear Lord, she had fallen asleep. How embarrassing! As she went to sit up, she felt the warmth that was wrapped around her. It was very familiar to her. Groaning silently she turned her head. And saw that her intended was sleeping just as soundly as she had been. She smiled softly. He was indeed an attractive man. Being married to him would not be a hardship if all she had to do was watch him. But unfortunately that wasn't all that marriage entailed.

Watching him sleep she wondered what he dreamed about at night. Then a slow smile came across her face. She could easily find out about his dreams. Just then he groaned deep in his throat. She couldn't resist. He had felt that it was his right to invade her sleep every night. Then surely she had the same rights to his.

Tentatively she tried to initiate the dream merge. She wasn't use to starting the merge. He was the one that always reached first. Breathing deeply she concentrated on matching her heartbeat with his. It was the only way that she knew how to connect with him. At first she was surprised that she succeed. She found him in his bedroom. She could hear soft gasps and purrs of pleasure coming from his bed.

Curiosity ran through her. Walking over the edge of the bed she was unprepared for what she saw. Rand was having a very erotic dream and it seemed that she was being an active participant. The moment that she saw her own dazed eyes, she became the woman laying under Rand.

In his sleep, Rand immediately knew that it was no longer just a dream on his part. Somehow Gracie had managed to initiate a mind merge. And he was certain that she did not realize that she had. He was poised on the edge of claiming his lover when she entered his dream. Swearing under his breath he stiffened his will.

"Oh Christ, Gracie." He groaned as he fought with his body. He could pet and hold her as much as he wanted in the dream world but he couldn't consummate their union while in the throes of a mind merge. The physical consummation had to come first. It just had to. Tradition demanded it. He nearly had it under control when she arched under him.

Gracie was unprepared for the onslaught of pleasure that took hold of her when she replaced the dream Gracie. She was bombarded with instant pleasure and heat. Dear Lord the heat was intense. It felt as if her skin was going to burst if she didn't find relief.

Instinct had her arching up against him. He groaned low in his throat as his great willpower started to unravel. Grasping her hips in his hands he fought to control her frantic movements.

"No, Gracie, not like this. I can't do it like this. The other has to come first. It just has to." He groaned as she withered against him.

"Please." She begged wrapping her legs around his waist even tighter. Groaning with despair and pleasure, he rolled them over until she was straddling his waist. Reaching up he ran his hands through her hair and pulled her down to lock their mouths together. After several moments of intense kissing he broke their kiss to drag in a deep breath of air. She pulled his hands down her body until they rest over her breasts. Pressing them to her aching flesh she moved her hips against the hard male body under her.

Rand was barely hanging on by a thread. Gracie didn't realize that she was in the grip of ritualistic mating fever, the mezclar , but he was quite aware of it. And knew that no matter what pleasure he gave her it wouldn't be enough without the ritual words binding them together, heart, body, and soul.

She would be able to climax but not find any real release until they were fully merged. What she was attempting to find, shouldn't be done until the dawning of the new moon before their vows were spoken. She would not be able to sustain the constant pressure of the mezclar for more than the forty-eight hours that was traditional.

He had been told by his father when he asked that his own mother had nearly raped her new husband before the forty-eight hours were up. How was he going to find the strength to stop his beautiful Gracie when she wasn't fighting him but responding to him fully.

Knowing that it was going to hurt like hell to stop, he groaned and pushed her off him. Rolling over the edge of the bed, he sat up and braced his head with his hands. Drawing in deep breaths he felt her moving behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. She was sitting up with the blanket pulled up to her chin against the head board. Raking a hand through his already tousled hair, he turned to face her. She was still breathing as fast as he was.

"You picked a fine time to try and merge with me, mi reina ."

"What was that?" She asked.

"The mezclar. You accidently triggered it." He said roughly.

"What is that? I don't know what you're talking about and how did I almost trigger it?"

"I might as well tell you. The mezclar is a ritualistic mating that you and I will go through. It starts with the rise of the new moon before our wedding and reaches it's peak on our wedding night."

"You've gotta be kidding." With a flip of her wrist she conjured her clothes out of the air.

"No. When you mind merged with me you accidently triggered it. It can not happen until the new moon."

"Why?" She asked as she felt the desire to throbbing through her veins.

"Because you won't last until the ceremony. It's just the way that it works. I am going to have my hands full if this is any indication. I want you like hell, Gracie. But I won't start this ritual until the time is right. It's the way that it has to be."

"And if I push?" She asked, softly. Maybe this was the way out of their marriage.

"You'll be miserable for the next two weeks, Gracie. And I'll be tired. I will make you climax again and again and it still won't be enough. And we'll still get married. And if we make it back down the aisle without both of us tearing each others clothes off it will be a miracle. So don't push me on this, Gracie. I want you to take your Wizard Exam and Placement. For your sake, so you will know that you are more to me than just my wife. That I cherish all parts of you. Even those that are frustrating."

"And if I don't choose to participate in this mezclar?"

"You won't have a choice, Gracie. What you felt just now is not even a tenth of what you'll feel when the new moon rises and the ritual begins. Neither one of us will be able to stop it from starting. The mezclar is that strong. And our chemistry is just as strong. There's no way to stop it now."

"Great. Another decision taken out of my hands. You are the most arrogant and stubborn man I have ever met."

"And you are the bossiest and sexiest woman that I have ever met." He returned as she disappeared from his dream. "That's probably why I love you." He whispered as the scent of her lingered behind.

************************************************

Rand stood in the doorway of Gracie's bathroom. She was laying in the tub, enjoying a bubble bath. Or trying to, he assumed, by the way that she was fidgeting she wasn't succeeding. And the bubbles looked as if they were almost gone. If he was a little less honorable he would walk over and drag her out of the tub and have his way with her.

It had only been two days since their close call with the mezclar. The chemistry that had flared up between them had not lessened during that time. The dreams were coming more and more frequently. He was having them several times a night opposed to once a week. He wasn't sure how he was going to survive until their wedding. It was still ten days away. Maybe he needed to have a long talk with his father. He might have some ideas about dealing with this situation. But first he wanted a kiss from his soon to be wife.

Walking across the short distance to the tub, he knelt down next to it. Even though her eyes were closed, he knew the moment that she knew that he was near. She stilled suddenly and then slowly opened her eyes. Before she could protest his actions he leaned in and captured her soft lips under his. Without as much as a protest she let herself be drug into his kiss.

Somewhere midway through the kiss she raised

her arms to clasp them around his neck. A soft groan escaped his throat. He knew he was tempting fate but could not resist the temptation of her mouth. Struggling for control of his senses, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

"Soon, Gracie, soon." He whispered. "We'll be together soon." He rose quickly and before she could protest, he was gone. With a moan, she slid under the water. This torture had to stop.

**************************************

The man hurried to the edge of the gardens, where he had promised to meet his boss. He knew that his boss would be angry about being kept waiting, but he had a devil of time ditching Jonathan, the king's best friend. He had just been assigned to him before the wedding plans started and Jonathan was a demanding task master. He expected hard work and wouldn't settle for less. He had a ready apology on his lips when he entered the gazebo. The other man stepped out of the shadows.

"You're late." He told the man.

"I know, sorry. Couldn't be avoided." He whined.

"How is the progress going on finding her lover?"

"Slow. I'm checking her school records right now. But it's gotta be done discretely or it'll raise to many red flags. I started at her high school, but it also could have been in college but don't worry I'll find him." he assured him.

"Let's hope you do."

***********************************************

Jonathan lifted Patience out of his car with care. They had a wonderful evening together. They had met and went out to dinner, followed by a musical. Patience had fallen asleep in the car during the forty minute drive back to her house. As she snuggled closer to him he stifled a groan. He had resisted temptation again and again since he had decided to pursue her. He was waiting for her to give him a clear sign that she was ready to take their budding relationship to the next level. As he walked up her walk, she mumbled in her sleep. He froze when he heard his name. She murmured it again and pressed her lips against his neck before dropping into a deeper sleep.

Pausing at her door, he whispered the spell to unlock the door. Pushing it open with a sigh he carried her back to her bedroom. Muttering another spell, the blankets on her bed slid down to the foot a bed. Depositing her on the pristine sheets, she was a sight that would surely haunt him the rest of the night. Covering her up, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Soon, Patience, we'll be together." Turning he left. Opening her eyes, Patience, smiled.

"Sooner than you think, Jonathan." Turning over she snuggled into the bed.

**********************************************

Standing in the open doorway, Jonathan barely heard her words. But hear them he did. A slow smile crossed his face. He waited patiently for her to drop into a deeper slumber, then he initiate the dream merge.

**********************************************

Patience was unaware at the first that he was in her dream until she felt a warm body behind her. Rolling over she gazed into Jonathan's warm hazel eyes.

"How?" She whispered. Not really sure if it was real or if she were merely dreaming.

"Shh." He whispered before capturing her lips with his. As the kiss deepened, she groaned softly and wrapped her arms around him. He pulled her deeper into his embrace.

As the dream progressed, their clothes disappeared. Soon he was worshiping her tender breasts with damp kisses. She arched invitingly under him when he pulled her hardened nipple into his mouth. Suckling softly he listened to her soft groans. Patience ran her fingers through his damp hair . He growled with pleasure. She would soon come to realize that he loved having his hair played with.

In fact if she would find that if she timed it right it would drive him over the edge. Letting her nipple slip from his mouth he trailed kisses back up her torso to capture her mouth again. As the kiss flew out of control again, she wrapped her legs around his waist and ground her mound against him.

Anchoring her hips he tried to draw out their pleasure. "Not so fast, little one. We'll get there. No rush." He whispered against her lips before catching the lobe of her ear between his teeth. Nibbling softly he was very satisfied with her response to his advances.

Eventually she decided that it was time for her to force the issue. She shifted enough under him to get into position. He growled again and attempted to pull her back under him. With a quick move of her legs she managed to flip him onto his back.

He chuckled softly. She wanted to play rough, huh? Grasping her waist he rolled her back under him. And once again pinned her down against the bed.

Laughing, softly she arch her eyebrow as if to say, you think that will hold me? With another expert move that her sister had taught her she managed to pin him under her again. Before she could gloat , he flipped her over, this time onto her stomach.

Immediately she got up on her hands and knees. Leaning over her he pinned her down.

"My favorite position. How'd you know?" He whispered into her ear before he nibbled on her shoulder. Before she could protest, he entered her from behind and sank himself to the hilt. Both of them groaned raggedly.

"Oh god." She groaned as the sensations rocked through her body.

"God has nothing to do with this, little one. I do." He said between gritted teeth as he began to move.

Before long, they were both covered with sweat. Just as they neared the peak, Jonathan's pager started to vibrate. "Christ, not now." He groaned. Knowing that he was going to have to answer the summons, he reached under her and placed his hand over her pleasure point and expertly stroked it. Immediately she reached completion. She arched back against him and exploded.

Gasping raggedly, he tried to pull away from her. He had to answer the summons. He didn't want to stop, he was so close. He didn't know if he had to will power to leave when he was this close. But he had to try. Pushing himself upright he attempted to withdraw, but he was not prepared for her to follow him. She arched her back and lifted her arms behind her to twine them around his neck. When she did she slid her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and toyed with them. And that was all that it took. He growled deep in his chest before grabbing her hips and locking her to him as he exploded violently. Growling he thrust himself repeatedly into her softness until the last tremor shook him and left him sated from his head to his toes.

*************************************************

Standing in the doorway, Jonathan gasped harshly. That was more intense than anything that he had ever experienced. Reaching down he reluctantly he checked his pager. It didn't surprise him to see Rand's number in the display screen.

"Rand, you have the worst timing. "

"Thank you." Jonathan gaze immediately flew to the bed. Patience was sitting up amongst the rumpled blankets. Walking swiftly to her side, he leaned down and kissed her.

"It was my pleasure."

"I know."

"I'm sorry I have to go now. His Highness beckons."

"I know." As he started to leave she stopped him. "Jonathan, you might want to change your pants before meeting Rand. It might be a little embarrassing." Glancing down he saw the large wet spot on the front of his pants.

"Next time, little one. I won't have any spots to worry about."

"Really."

"Yeah. I love the dream merge but I want the real thing. And I plan on having it."

The next morning, Gracie paced back and forth nervously. Today was the day of her Wizard Exam. She was nervous and on edge. Rand watched her pace for a few minutes before realizing that she needed something to distract her. Softly whispering the spell, he watched as a gentle breeze filled the small area that he created around her. The breeze caressed her face. Stopping she smiled softly and turned fully into the gentle breeze. He could remember the first time that he had created this breeze for her. Gracie had instantly been hooked on it. Although most wizards could create breezes such as this, the stronger wizards's breezes tended to carry the wizards personality. For a few more minutes Grace lingered in the breeze. She felt much calmer now. She should leave the breeze now. She knew that Rand could hold this breeze for long amounts of time but it wasn't fair to him. Turning she got ready to move out of the breeze when to her surprise, Rand joined her in the small area that he had created to contain the breeze.

"Rand?" She questioned, surprise in eyes.

"Hush," He said softly and pulled her in his arms. They remained locked together until a knock on the door jarred them. Sighing he released the breeze before answering the summons. "Better?" Wordlessly she nodded. "Go get em' Gracie." He said softly as the official from the Wizard Exam Registry entered the room.

While Gracie took her Wizard's Exam, Rand went in search of his father. He found him sitting in his mother's withdrawing room. His mother sat, cuddled up next to her husband. Rand smiled softly at the picture that his parents made. They had been in love as long as he could remember. Their marriage was what he hoped to achieve with Gracie. Not to say that his parents hadn't ever fought. But in the end they loved each other to much to let their differences come between them.

His father glanced up from the book that he had been reading.

"Rand, son, what's wrong?" Mica asked with concern. His son's aura was turbulent at the moment. "I need to talk to you." Rand said as he walked over to the chair that faced the couch. Sitting down, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. His mother stirred. Glancing up at her husband, she debated on leaving to give her husband and son privacy. Stirring, she went to stand. Rand immediately motioned her sit back down. "Stay, Mother. I could use a woman's view, too." Settling back down, she waited for him to compose his thoughts. Finally he sighed. "How do you tell when the mezclar has started?"

His father paused as he thought back on his courting days, then answered. "The frequency and intensity of the dreams became more frequent and stronger. It came to the point that they were all I could focus on just before the wedding. It was very distracting. It was difficult not to kidnap your mother and lock the door and throw away the key. " Mica said as he held his wife a little tighter.

"And it's suppose to start during the full moon, correct?"

"Yes, in our history it has always started on the full moon."

"Then why has it already started?" Rand asked, in a frustrated voice.

His father sat up straight. "What?"

"It's started. It is only getting stronger. And I can't figure out what triggered it."

"Did Grace initiate the mind merge?" His mother asked.

"Yes."

"When?"

"The same day that you spoke with her about the social duties of the queen." He said.

"I need to talk to Gracie." The queen said as she stood. "I'll be back in a little while."

Rand sat with his father as he watched his mother rush out of the room. "Great." Rand said softly.

"So what do I do now?" Rand asked. His father laughed.

"Son, I don't envy you in the least. Somehow, Gracie has triggered the mezclar and now the only thing to do is resist temptation and survive til your wedding night. I know that the last night before our wedding, I had several dreams that one night. I was never so glad to see your mother walk down the aisle."

"How am I going to survive for another ten days?" He groaned.

"I don't know, son." Mica said softly. Picking up the phone, he dialed Colin's number. Waiting for a moment, he then spoke. "Colin, come to the queen's drawing room. Your daughter has created an issue." He paused and then responded. "She triggered the mezclar."

Cursing softly, the man eavesdropping on the conversion, immediately left his post. Telling his supervisor, he wasn't feeling well, he headed out the door. He had to do something fast. So far he hadn't turned up much on Grace's past love. He was going to devote all his time into finding this man. He wasn't sure what the mezclar was but if it had the king worried enough to call in his advisor, it couldn't be good. It might just be the opportunity that he was searching for.

After Gracie completed her exam, the first person that she wanted to see was her soon to-be husband. Frowning, she wondered when she had finally had accepted that Rand was going to be hers. Then decided that it didn't matter. She was surprised when she saw the queen waiting for her.

"Your majesty. " Gracie said surprised and dropped down into a curtsy.

"Gracie we need to talk. Privately." Nodding she lead the queen into her room.

"Is something wrong?" Gracie asked as shut the door. She loved her queen dearly but she wished that she could see Rand. As if she had spoken out loud, she felt a warm familiar brush of Rand's power flow through her. Smiling softly she sighed. Queen Aria watched her carefully. The nervous energy that had surrounded Gracie had calmed. Her son was indeed strong, she realized. He had responded immediately to Gracie's need. Smiling with approval, she then spoke.

"Has your mother explained the mezclar to you yet?"

"No, but Rand has explained it." Grace said softly. "It's hard to fathom a mating ritual so intense that it takes away all reason."

"Yes, I can imagine that it does boggle the mind. I know I wasn't prepared for it when I was a young bride. Yes, Mica and I had played at love before the wedding; kissing and such. But I was almost overwhelmed when I was in the grips of the mezclar and there seemed to be no end in sight."

"Does it last long?" Gracie asked softly, red flooding her face. When the queen saw her successor's embarrassment she gently drew her into her arms.

"Don't be embarrassed, sweetheart. I know this is new for you. And I am more than willing to help you with these questions. My own future mother helped me the best that she could. So don't be afraid to ask me any questions." Aria reassured her. "Now as far as the length of it, I can tell you that it normally lasts 48 hours on the onset and then can last as long as 72 after the first consummation. This has always been this way to help with the conception of the next heir.

"Almost a week!" Gracie gasped, as the thought of the intense feelings that she had felt during the dream merge came back to her. How was she going to survive that long and not go out of her mind due to all the heat and passion. Immediately her body went molten with desire at the thought of being locked away with Rand for that long. No, she couldn't think like that, she told herself, but her body said, oh, yes you can, I'm more than willing to take him all night, every night.

Gracie, this is not a good line of thought, mi reina. You are driving me crazy.

So, what if I like this line of thought. I want relief.

You'll get relief on our wedding night, Gracie not before.

I want it now. Gracie groaned, I want to be able to kiss you, and caress you and all the other things I've read about.

Knock it off, Gracie. I'm at the end of my rope. Rand ordered, trying not to dwell on the idea of Gracie making love to him.

I don't want to. I'd rather have you knock me up. She whispered darkly, her body overriding her mind's desires. At that moment she didn't care if Rand and her were wrong together. She just needed to have the joining with him that would satisfy her.

Oh, Gracie you shouldn't have done that, Rand groaned, at the thought of spilling his seed deep inside of her. He deliberately sent Gracie the image of them peaking together.

"Oh my." Gracie whispered.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Aria asked as she felt the tension fill Grace's body. When Grace could do nothing but breath raggedly the queen looked surprised. Reaching out for her husband she connected with him. Mica, what is our son doing right now? Tell him to behave.

What's wrong, my love? Mica answered.

Gracie has shut down. She can't even talk. This worries me. It the mezclar is this far out of control they are never going to make it til the ceremony. It's been the 48 hrs since the trigger. I don't know if either of them will be able to hold on.

Christ, I'll handle him.

Rand stilled immediately, when he felt an even more intense desire flood Gracie. He couldn't handle it any more. Abruptly he stood and walked out of the room.

Colin looked at Mica with a question in his eyes.

"Stop him." Mica ordered.

"What?" Colin asked surprised.

"Aria, says that Gracie just shut down. It's the mezclar. They're both ready to over load.

"Aw hell." Colin said as they hurried after Rand.
As before, this story is a continuation of previous chapters and it doesn't stand alone well. Any feedback is welcome.

Rand entered Gracie's rooms without knocking. His mother and Gracie were sitting on the on the love seat. Gracie's head turned the moment he entered the room. Queen Aria could almost see the sparks flying between them. Slowly she rose to greet him and hopefully stall him until Mica could get here.

"Now, son, you need to stop and think." His mother coaxed. "It's not time for your joining." She reminded him gently.

"I don't care." he all but growled, intending to forcibly move his mother, if it meant getting to his beloved.

"Son, please, stop and think about what you are doing." His mother coaxed again. Where was Mica at? she fumed silently. She didn't have the power to stop her son if he choose to over power her. She knew that he wouldn't deliberately hurt her but she would much rather have Mica deal with him.

I'm coming, love, Mica assured his queen. And a few moments later, King Mica and Colin burst into the room.

"Rand!" his father barked. When his son was slow to respond, Mica then realized how far the mezclar had gone. Cursing softly, he strode closer to his son. Then he began to speak to him so softly that only Rand could hear him. "Son, listen to me. I know how hot and how deeply the mezclar burns. I know the temptations of it. It's enough to drive you right out of your mind with desire and the need to claim the other half of your soul. I know this but I also know that you are stronger than this. I know my son. He has the strongest will of any man that I know. I know my son can hang on til the time of the joining. Pull back from the edge. Believe me, it will be well worth all the suffering. In less than two weeks, son, you will be wed and Gracie and you will probably set the whole palace on fire from your consummation. Just hang on. "

Keeping his arm around his son's shoulder he waited til he felt some of the tension leave his son's body. Rand was slowly mastering the wildfire that was flowing through his veins. Just before the last of the tension left Rand's body, the King heard a shout come from the courtyard outside. Glancing out the window he saw that the water in the fountain was bubbling wildly. Looking back at his son, he realized that Rand was projecting all the trapped heat in his blood to the fountain to release it harmlessly. "That's right, son. Get rid of it."

"I'm in control, now, Dad." Rand said softly. "You can let go of me. I promise I won't rape her." Rand said in self disgust. Turning he left without looking at Gracie.

"Rand." Gracie whispered with anguish. She saw nothing but the disgust on Rand's face. She didn't particularly like herself at this particular moment. She had drove him to the point of dishonor. If it hadn't been for King Mica, he would have dishonored himself and his crown. Sighing she stood shakily and left her suite of rooms. A long walk would be the best thing for her. Maybe she should just start walking and not look back, she thought to herself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mica slowly smiled. Colin and he were sitting in the King's Solar, waiting for Jonathan to join them. They needed to discuss how to help his son. The incident today had been to close for comfort. While he was waiting his inner vision had revealed to him a glimpse of the future. His son and new wife would be blessed with a beautiful set of triplets. And soon. Looking at Colin he phrased his next question carefully. "Colin, I don't mean to pry in your personal life but if you could answer me a question, it might be the answer to the dilemma we're in right now."

"Alright"

"When your wife was ovulating, did your dream merges become stronger?"

A dull flush stole over Colin, but he still answered. "Christ yes."

"Is it possible that Gracie is ovulating and with the full moon so near, her body simply overrode the cycle of the moon and jump-started the ritual?"

"I never thought of that. But it is possible. If this is the case how do we keep your son from losing his mind before the wedding? You have foreseen the date of their union a long time ago."

"I don't know. Why don't we ask Jonathan. Aside from Gracie, he is the closest person to Rand. Maybe he'll have a suggestion."

"I think that would be a great idea." Colin replied.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jonathan strode into the King's Solar a short while later. After making his bow to the king and his advisor he waited to see why he had been summoned. King Mica came straight to the point with him. After having the situation explained to him, his brain kicked into gear to find a solution for the problem.

"The only thing I can suggest is making sure that they have a chaperon. I know Rand will try to resist the temptation. He is very honor bound. He wants to do this right and follow the tradition. He told me he was honored to follow in your footsteps, King Mica."

"I know he wants to do it the right way. Colin replied "But how long do you think he will be able to resist her when she is going out of her mind with same desire as he is?" Colin asked.

"I know she is still resistant to the idea of the marriage but I hope he's making progress with her. The only thing that I can see causing problems is if Gracie tries to seduce him before the wedding vows. And with the mezclar have already started she may just try to do that. And I know Rand well, Colin. He has wanted your daughter badly for a number of years. Sometimes so badly that I am surprised he was able to restrain himself."

"Really?" Colin said with a surprised look on his face. "I wasn't aware of his interest in Gracie til it came time to choose a wife for him. She was the first name that he said when we started discussing it."

"The only choice, Colin. He's been in love with her since high school. As a matter of fact they bonded on the dance floor during the senior prom. He won't accept any other than her. He knew that she was the other half of him by the end of that first dance. And nothing has changed for him."

"Well it's a good thing that she passed all the requirements of a future queen then." Colin said dryly.

"Yes." Jonathan said. " So how do we want to work this? I know Rand can only handle having certain people around him 24 hours a day. And we don't want this to leak outside to t he press or anyone else. So I don't think that assigning a guard will work."

"I know. I was hoping that you would be able to do the evenings with him. While I can do the days." King Mica replied. Upon hearing this Jonathan realized that his courtship of Patience was going to be put on hold. But the next thing that the king said surprised him. "I don't want this to interfere with your courtship of Colin's daughter, Jonathan."

"What?" Colin asked surprised.

"Jonathan has been wooing Patience for the last few months. He has been carefully pursuing her. So careful that she probably don't even realize that he's interested, I bet." King Mica said dryly.

"And your intentions towards my daughter?" Colin asked with a frown on his face.

"Relax, Dad." Jonathan said dryly. "My intentions towards your daughter are the same as Rand's. I have know for a long time that Patience is the one for me. But your daughter has tall defenses to climb to even get close to her. She somehow thinks that her not having magic is a negative thing. That no wizard would want her as a mate. But I intend to show her otherwise. And now that, that is settled, we have one more thing to discuss." Jonathan said with a grin on his face.

"What's that?" The king asked.

"Who get's to break the news to Rand that he's gonna have a babysitter?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"How did I get elected to do this?" Jonathan mumbled to himself as he knocked on the door to Rand's suite. He could hear his friend moving around in the room before the door slowly swung open. Jonathan was taken back at the appearance of his friend. Rand's ebony hair stood up at all angles on his head and Jonathan could see the tremors that still racked him. Deciding to take this into his own hands, he threw his arm around his best friend and smiled. "Come on, let's go work off some of this energy. Let's see who is the stronger wizard today." Jonathan challenged as he drug Rand down the hall to the exercise room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rand growled deep in his throat and rolled away from Gracie. Somehow they ended up on the love seat tangled together. Sitting on the edge of the love seat he drew deep breathes into his burning lungs. He didn't dare look at her. It wouldn't take much for him to give in. He was barely hanging on to his control. He could hear Gracie's gasps of pleasure still running through her body. He had given in as far as he could. He had pretty much had kissed her senseless and given her what little pleasure he could without breaking tradition. But his body was telling him, actually it was screaming at him that the kisses weren't enough. He had to join with his mate before he would know any peace. Surging to his feet he paced over to the bar and braced himself against the cool wood. Gracie watched him from the love seat. She was tempted to chase him across the room. If anything the fire was burning brighter inside of her. He had kissed her senseless but instead of dampening the flames it had only succeed in fanning them.

"Rand?" She asked raggedly still trying to catch her breath. "Are you okay?"

"No. But don't worry about it, mi reina Everything will be fine." Rand said hoarsely, not wanting to tell her that he was at the edge of his control. He had a feeling that if he did she would purposely push him over that edge. It would be a glorious coming together but it wouldn't make things any better. In fact the desire would just become stronger. But he knew that she didn't believe that. Behind him he heard the door open then close. Turning he saw that Gracie had gone into the bedchamber of her suite. Pulling in a ragged breath he slowly forced it out, attempting to calm himself. There was a soft knock on the outside door of the suite. After another deep breath, he bid the person to enter. Perhaps it was best if Gracie and him had someone around. Then they wouldn't want to rip each other's clothes off. Right! He sighed with relief when he saw that it was Jonathan.

"Christ, Rand. You've only been in the dream merge for 2 minutes. What did you do? Attack each other the moment that you connected?"

"Damn it, Jonathan, I don't know how much longer I can control this. We can't even been alone in the dream merge without this happening." He said raggedly.

"I know, that's why the King and I are going to be your constant chaperon. As long as one of us is with you, it is going to be hard for you to indulge. Unless you are into exhibitionism. Which I don't think you are." Jonathan replied humorously.

"No, never. This is something that is going to be between Gracie and I. No one else." Rand said as he slowly sipped on the drink that Jonathan had just given him. Slowly the tremors were leaving him. Just when he thought he had it under control, Gracie walked out of the bedroom with nothing but a robe on. Rand took one look and surged to his feet. He had to have her right now, he vowed as the fire ran like lava through his veins. Jonathan swore under his breath and quickly blocked him from going to Gracie.

"Gracie, get out of here." Jonathan said harshly as he moved to block Rand once more when he tried to dart around him.

"Why?" Gracie asked half heartedly as she gazed at Rand. She knew if she could just get around Jonathan, Rand would surely give her what she wanted.

Rand, buddy, come on." Jonathan coaxed, "you know that you can't do this right now. You know you don't wanna do this right now."

"Like hell." Rand growled. "Move, damn it. I don't want to hurt you Jonathan."

"This is me you're talking to, Rand. This is a dream, remember? Don't you remember I am here to help you stay focused? I know you need this connection with her. That you can't function without her. Use me as a buffer, come on buddy, we can beat this. Focus, Rand. I know you are stronger than this." Jonathan said forcefully. He had to get through to his stubborn friend. Seeing that it wasn't going to work, he grabbed Gracie and backed her back into the bedroom. Quickly he set her on the bed and gave her a firm order to stay put. Then he quickly shut the door and locked it behind him.

He knew that the lock wouldn't deter Rand long but every little bit helped. Then he turned to face his best friend. He wasn't surprised when Rand was looming over him. Ducking, he managed to avoid the first punch. But he wasn't so lucky with the second or the third. Cursing himself, he grabbed him and wrestled him to the floor. By the time that he had him calm enough to see reason, a half hour had passed. When Rand finally slumped under him, Jonathan released a sigh of relief. "You okay, buddy?" he asked Rand as he slowly sat up.

"Yes, I think. That was close." Rand said shakily. "If it hadn't been for you, I would have snapped and let both Gracie and I in for more hurt. I've tried to explain to her that it won't satisfy her until we're married. But she won't listen to me."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gracie stood at the edge of the gardens. She tried to concentrate on her escape. After she saw Rand and Jonathan fighting, she realized that she had to leave. Maybe distance would help. Whatever was between her and Rand was growing stronger and stronger. She knew that it wouldn't get any better, it would only get worse. When Jonathan had taken her back into the bedroom, she had realized that she was being selfish and it scared her. She had heard the struggle that Rand and Jonathan were having. And his precious control meant everything to him. She decided then that she needed to distance herself from the situation. So she had hastily scrawled a note for Rand and had gathered a few things and exited the room via the balcony. It was a good thing that she was good at levitating.

After she had safely floated to the ground, she had made her way through the extensive gardens. Now standing on the edge of the gardens, she knew it was time for her to disappear. But every fiber in her being protested the thought of leaving Rand. But she knew she had no other choice. Things were just getting to intense and she had no control left. She couldn't believe that she threw herself at him. She had always promised herself that she would never do that. First and foremost he was her friend. And she knew that he was destined to do great things. She had just hoped to be standing behind him when he did. But she now knew that it was never going to happen. They were at a stalemate. He wouldn't go back to their other relationship and she couldn't go forward to be part of the new relationship that he wanted. It was time for her to leave. She hated running but her back was against the wall. She had no other choice. Whispering a invisibility spell she disappeared into thin air.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rand's head flew up in the study.. Something was not right. Gracie had not come down for breakfast, so his mother had gone looking for her. Then it hit him even before his mother told him about forcing the door open on Gracie's bedroom. Gone! His soul cried.

"No." he grated as he shot back up off the chair where he had been sitting. Pushing past his mother, he strode towards Gracie's room. Of course it was empty. Glancing around he immediately noticed a note laying on the dresser. Picking it up, he debated weather or not to read it. It didn't matter what it said he knew that she was gone and he wasn't going to let her go. Finally he opened it and scanned the contents.

Rand,

Sorry, I had to go. If anything yesterday proved that this is just not right for

either of us. I can't go forward and you won't go back so I guess we are

at an impasse. Best of luck to you in the future. I am sure that my father

will be able to find you a new bride. I was honored that you chose me

but this will be for the best. In the end you will see. Hopefully you will

think of me favorably when it's all said and done.

Grace

"Like Hell." He said harshly. Striding back to the study he told them all simply, "She's gone. But not for long. She's mine. And she's going to stay mine. I'll leave in the next hour." Then he left the room and headed to his solar. Sitting down in front of the fireplace he contemplated on his next step. It was obvious that Gracie was scared. And she was going to try and hide. But she didn't seem to realize that they would never be free of each other. But she was going to get a crash course in it very soon. He decided then that he would not merge with her . She would have to make the connection and probably sooner than later. This time he would let her find out how uncomfortable it was to be apart from him. He had no worries about her being able to care for herself. But she would need the connection just as much as he did.

Ah Gracie, I wish you wouldn't have pushed this. But you will realize that we are meant to be together. Take care, mi reina, until we see each other again. I won't let you go. So you better get use to it. I'm coming for you. The longer I look for you, the angrier I'll be. So why don't you just come home to me? All I want is you. No one else. Come home, my love. He smiled softly and wished he could see the expression on her face when she received his thoughts.

Patience paced across her livingroom. Jonathan had just informed her that Gracie had fled. She couldn't believe that her sister had run from Rand. Her sister was fearless. She had always dared to tread where no woman had gone before.

"I can't believe she ran. How are we suppose to help Rand with her if she has left?" Patience asked as she continued to pace furiously.

"Sweetheart, calm down." Jonathan said soothingly.

"How can you be calm about this. She's gonna bring disaster down upon my mother and father. This is not a small slight. An advisor's daughter does not turn down marriage to the crown prince. It just isn't done. Gracie is lucky that Rand has chosen her. He could have chosen any other witch." She said hotly.

"Yes he could have." Gracie said quietly. "And for the record, Patience I told him to chose another." Patience and Jonathan spun around to see Grace standing in the doorway. When Jonathan reached for the com unit strapped to his waist, Grace frowned.

"I wouldn't do that Jonathan." Grace said more calmly than she felt. "You'll force my hand. You are not going to call him."

"Who do you think I'm going to call, Gracie?" Jonathan asked cautiously.

"Your best friend." Grace said evenly. "And I won't allow that."

"He's your best friend too, Gracie. Don't forget that. Don't ever forget that." Jonathan replied.

"I haven't Jonathan. But he has. He wants more. But I have no more to give." Grace said still watching Jonathan's hand. She just knew he was going to try and alert Rand. It was just a matter of timing.

"You know I have to let him know, Gracie. He has that right." Jonathan coaxed. "He has bond with you, Gracie. There will be no other for him. You know how that works."

"Then he'll just have to unbind himself." Grace said still watching him. Jonathan was torn between alerting Rand via the com unit or simply sending it to him telepathically. He didn't use the telepathic link often. He was a little rusty. Grace watched the wheels turning in Jonathan's head. He was going to alert Rand but it wouldn't be by his com unit she realized. He was going to use another path.

Groaning she whispered an apology before she attacked. Jonathan was totally unprepared for Gracie to attack him. If anyone had ever asked him, he would have swore that Gracie would never hurt him. He was at a disadvantage, he didn't want to hurt her. Rand would never forgive him if he did. Because of this he was taken completely off guard when Gracie kicked his knee cap and shattered it. It had the desired effect. It took him off balance and down to Gracie height. Then she clipped him on the chin. Just before he blacked out he managed to send a fragment of a thought to Rand.

She's here

Patience screamed as she watched Jonathan fall. Turning towards her sister Grace sighed.

"Patience, calm down. He'll be fine."

"I can't believe that you just did that. What ever possessed you to do that?"

"I told him not to Patience. I warned him. You heard me." Grace said tiredly. "Came by to tell you that I'm leaving. I wanted you to hear it personally from me. But as usual you and Jonathan are thicker than thieves. He's a wonderful man, sis. Don't let him get away. I wish you two the utmost happiness." Then she steeled herself. "Good night, Patience." Gracie said as she cast a sleeping spell over her little sister.

Time was of the utmost essence here. She knew that Jonathan had sent out his call to Rand and she was sure that he was on his way. But first she had one more spell to cast before she left. It only took a few moments to perform the healing spell. Patience deserved a whole and fit husband. Not one with a limp. Then she disappeared.

* * * * * * *

Rand stormed into Patience's house. In the livingroom he found both of them sitting on the couch holding their heads.

"I'm sorry Rand. I tried to stop her." Looking at his best friend he saw that Jonathan had a bruise running down the length of his jaw. Gracie, you sure did a number on my best friend. Damn woman I love that feisty side of yours. Just remember, sweetheart, your time is limited. Run as far and fast as you can. You'll only end up running right back to me. When he didn't get an answer he wasn't surprised.

"You okay?" He asked Jonathan.

"Damn, do I have a headache." Jonathan replied. "My knee aches too. But she didn't break it thank God." Rand knelt and felt along his friend's knee. "Hey, now don't you start getting frisky with me." Jonathan joked.

"She did break it, Jonathan. And you're a lucky man. She healed it too. Now you know why I kept telling you to never under estimate her. She can be a deadly foe. She was trained right along side me, Jonathan. Don't ever forget that." He said as he stood up.

"But you can handle her can't you?' Jonathan joked.

"Actually we could actually end up hurting each other. She is my equal in every way, including that particular area. But I trust her not to hurt me. We care to much about each other to let that happen."

"This is why I don't want a wife with powers. I don't want to worry about her trying to kill me during a temper tantrum." The moment the words left Jonathan's mouth, he realized that he had said the wrong thing. He felt Patience go rigid next to him. "Now Patience, honey-" he started.

"Don't!" she hissed. "I swear you have a head full of rocks, Jonathan, to think that only a woman with power could kill you, during a tantrum. And as far as I can tell, she has every right to be pissed off. How would you like it if I had my father order you to marry me without your consent and you have no choice in the matter. This is after he has consulted with your father on the compatibility of our union?"

Jonathan growled and surged to his feet. "I'd beat you to the alter sweetheart."

"I think this is my cue to exit." Rand said dryly. But neither one of them were paying any attention to him. They seemed to be squaring off against each other. He decided to let them work it out. But he couldn't think of a better person for his best friend.

* * * * * * * * * *

Standing outside in his gardens Rand stared up at the stars. He wasn't surprised when his father joined him.

"Hi, Dad."

"How are you holding up, son? I know this has to be difficult for you."

"Yes, but it's going to be just as difficult for her, dad. She doesn't realize the extent of our bond yet. But she will."

"I see, you're going to force her hand."

"No, but the first time she merges with me, I'll have her. And she won't leave my side until the wedding vows are spoken. And maybe not even then." Rand said as he watched the moon rise.

"And how long son are you going to be able to resist the urge to merge with her."

"As long as I have to. And the new moon will be here before long. Neither of us stands a chance against the mezclar once the new moon rises. She's going to come back to me. Or I'll just drag her back. She'll have no choice."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Grace watched as moon rose over head. It was almost full. Somehow she knew that Rand would be watching the same thing as she. She longed to share it with him, but knew the first time that she even brushed against him mentally he would have her. And she knew it. Pushing her hair back from her face she continued to look up at the moon. She was already homesick. And it had nothing to do with where she was at. And to her dismay she knew that home would always be with Rand. Ever since she was a girl she had been tagging along behind him. Damn him anyways! She fumed. He just had to go and change everything. But the changes he has brought are exciting, her inner voice countered. You would love to be intimate with our future king. Let's face your fear here, you are in love with him and have been for a long time. Oh be quiet, she told her inner voice. She was tired of fighting the attraction between her and Rand, tired of fighting the mezclar. Just plain tired.

Turning she walked to the sleeping chamber. Maybe the best thing to do was to put her self in a meditative sleep. Sighing she sat down on the bed. Sitting crossed legged, she attempted to begin the first steps of the meditative sleep. As she slowly focused she became aware of another presence. She didn't need to examine the presence to realize that the presence was Rand's. Examining the connection she realized that somehow, her and Rand's powers were intertwined. Which meant that there was no real way to start the meditative sleep without his help. And if she contacted him to help he would be here in a moment to take her back. Back to the madness and wild desire that seemed to rule both of their lives. So she laid down on the bed and watched the moon slowly make it's way across the sky.

* * * * * * * * * *

When dawn arrived the next morning, Gracie was standing in front of the window, watching the sun begin it's ascent to the cloudless sky. She hadn't gotten much sleep during the night. What little she did get had been plagued by erotic dreams of her intended. When she awoke each time drenched in sweat with her body tight with unfulfilled desire, she would roll over and try to go back to sleep. But since she had left the palace, sleep had been the enemy and a very elusive one at that. As the sun crept higher in the sky, she wondered how Rand was faring. If he had done as she suggested and found another. Since their high school days, Rand had the pick of who he wanted to date.

"Surely my father and his could find another." She said out loud.

"Like hell." Rand said coming from the adjoining room. Walking farther into the room, he shut the door behind him. "It's you or no one." He said stopping inches from her. "I suggest, Gracie that you accept your fate. You and I are getting married in two days."

"How did you find me?" she asked.

"You merged with me last night. Several times in fact. You damn near drove me out of my mind." Rand said huskily.

"You mean every time I dreamed I was-" she asked her face flaming.

"Yes. After the first time. I got up and tracked you here. I damn near had an accident when you merged with me the second time. Dreaming about tying me up and having your way with me when I'm driving is not a good idea, Gracie." When she moaned softly and headed towards him, he stepped back quickly. "Don't touch me, Grace." He told her sternly. She stopped and ducked her head. Embarrassment ran through her. This was why she had left, she fumed. She had no pride and no control of her body. As she turned away she heard a knock on the adjoining door. She heard Rand tell the person to come in. She was not surprised when she heard Jonathan's voice. Those two were near inseparable. Jonathan would probably go on their honeymoon with them, she thought furiously.

Rand watched the tension build in Gracie. Whatever she was thinking was not good. He knew if he pushed any harder she would flee or fight him. Jerking his head towards the door, Rand motioned Jonathan to cover that exit. Walking as close as he dared, he spoke softly.

"Gracie, mi reina, what's wrong? Talk to me." Rand coaxed.

"Wrong? What's wrong!" Gracie said sharply. "Everything is wrong, you ass. I'm tired of being told what I am going to do, when I am going to do it, and who I am going to do with it. I'm tired of not being in control of my body. Whatever the hell you did to me, you can undo, Prince Randall! I didn't ask to be married to you. I didn't ask to participate in the damn, mezclar! Just leave me the hell alone!" Gracie said hotly.

"Now, sweetheart." He soothed, trying to be patient with her.

"Don't you "sweetheart" me! I'm pissed! You can take your offer and stick it where the sun don't shine, your highness. It'll be a cold day in hell before I marry you!"

"Well, then you better done your wedding dress, Gracie, because hell just froze over." Rand said coldly. "I've run out of patience. I don't care what my dad predicted. We're getting married today. To hell with tradition. I'm tired of fighting it. Hope you have booked this room for a week, Gracie. We might be able to leave the bed by then." He growled, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her out of room. Jonathan stood in front of the door and braced himself for the fight of his life. There was no way in hell that he could let them go and get married today. He had promised King Mica that he would bring them both back to be married at the palace.

"Rand, I can't let you do that. I promised your dad that I would-" Jonathan started to say before his best friend landed a punch on his chin. Cursing under his breath, he tried to remain calm. Losing his cool wouldn't help his friend. "Damn that hurt, Rand." Jonathan said. "But I'm still not letting you leave here. Let me take you back to the palace."

"Fuck the palace." he snarled, as he pushed Jonathan away from the door.

"No, fuck this!" Jonathan snarled right back. "This is what I get for being your best friend? You know, your highness, I wish that you two would grow up!"

Turning towards Gracie, he focused his hot gaze on her. "Gracie, you and Rand have been destined to be together for years. Get over it! Rand could have claimed you ten years ago! He knew it, I knew it, the King knew it, your dad knew it. Christ even Princess Deanna knew it. Why else do you think she attacked you!" He said hotly.

Turning to the prince, he added, "And you, Rand, stop acting like a spoiled kid. You will have her soon enough. Don't ruin this for your parents." Jonathan scolded. "Or Gracie's parents at that. They have been waiting just as long to see you two wed. Now, you both will calm down, we'll leave for the palace and in two days I will personally see that you are married. Then you are on your own. I have my future wife to woo." Jonathan finished. Then grabbing both of them he drug them outside to where they had parked Rand's vehicle the night before.

Gracie sighed as in resignation when they arrived back at the palace. How had she ended back up where she had started? She had to accept the fact that she was going to end up married to Rand. But she had to decide how much to give to him. If she gave him her heart and soul, there would be nothing left for herself. Especially since she knew that Rand wouldn't be giving her the same in return.

Opening the car door, she grimaced and walked to the entrance of the palace. Her father stood on the steps waiting for her. He had a frown on his handsome face. She knew that she had embarrassed him by fleeing but if she had to do it over again, she would still do the same thing. Stopping in front of her distant father, she waited for him to speak.

"Grace O'Connor, I'm very disappointed in you." He said quietly.

"I figured as much, Dad." She said calmly, vowing not to explode in front of her father.

"Since when does an O'Connor turn tail and run?" He asked her as he took her arm and led her into the palace.

"I know, Dad, O'Connors stand and fight." She stated as he drew her into his office.

"Then, why did you?" He asked as he sat down at his desk. "Sit." He ordered.

"No, Dad. I don't think I will." Gracie stated. Rubbing the back of her neck, she faced him. And decided it was time to set a few things straight with her domineering father. Walking over to the bar, she pulled out crystal decanter and poured him a finger of scotch. And decided to help herself to one too.

"Gracie, don't you think it's early to be drinking?" Colin asked her.

"No. You want to have this out? Fine. Lets have this out, Dad." She said as she walked back to her father. Handing him his glass she walked over to the floor length windows. Staring out into the gardens, she paused to gather her thoughts.

"Well?" Colin asked as he grew impatient with the silence.

"It is this simple, Dad. I'll marry Rand. I have no choice in this. As usual when the royalty decrees something, it is as good as gospel. But it doesn't mean that I have to be happy about." She stated as turned back to her father. "You know I had never planned on marrying. I was happy just the way I was. I had my studies, a good job, and a best friend that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world."

"Gracie, surely you knew that one day the prophesy would come true?" He said as he watched his daughter pace back and forth in front of him.

"Prophesy. What a joke? Well, the joke is on me this time. In one fell swoop of the pen, Dad, you stole my life from me. You knew how I felt about the prophesy. You could have simply told Rand that I wasn't an suitable candidate to be his bride."

"I won't lie, Gracie. You were the most suitable match for him." Colin said warily, not liking where the conversation was heading.

"Well, lets hope I'm as suitable as you think. You know in this bargain Dad, that I stand to loose more than I could ever hope to gain? My studies are done, my job? I won't be working anymore. And the biggest lose will be my best friend. How the hell, Dad, did you think I could possibly convert my best friend into my husband?" She asked angrily. "Nothing will ever be the same between us."

"Grace!" Her dad protested, coming to his feet.

"Sit down, Dad." She said coldly. "I'll do my duty to the prince. I'll share his bed, and throne. But as for my heart. Well, lets just say, I intend to keep that to myself." She said as she sat the glass down on the edge of his desk. Turning she walked calmly from the room. She didn't even bother to acknowledge the stone faced man, standing by the door.

* * * * * *

Rand stared in disbelief as he watched her slowly climb the stairs. Entering Colin's office, he shut the door behind him.

"Prince Rand." Colin said with a quick nod of his head.

"Do you realize what you done?" He asked as he leaned on Colin's desk.

"Randall, I will speak to my daughter anyway I see fit." Colin said defensively.

"Your daughter will be my wife, Colin. I'm in love her. Next time, before you jump on her, try to put yourself in her place. Right now, she is trying to accept the fact that I won't let her go. She doesn't understand it. Then throw in the burn of the mezclar which is totally alien to her. Hell, even I have problems dealing with the burn and I have been told how it will be." Rand said softly.

"But it's still her duty." Colin said fiercely.

"And duty is not going to be able to prepare her for the reality of our bonding." Rand explained. "And your words of condemnation aren't going to help matters. Do you realize how hard I'm going to have to work now, for her to let me into her heart?" He growled. "Today, Colin, you did me no favors."

* * * * * *

Gracie stood silently on the balcony outside her room. She was so tempted to simply levitate over the rail and disappear again. But she knew herself, and she knew that she would not be able to resist the wild call of the mezclar. Already she was feeling the effects of being around Rand. She knew that he was in the next room. She hungered for the touch of their minds. But Rand had been surprisingly silent since they had returned from the motel. Who would have thought that she would feel so alone?

* * * * * *

Rand stood in the next room. He was deeply aware of her every thought and movement in the room next to him. But as on edge as he was, he knew that he couldn't be trusted. He was ready to say to hell with the formal wedding and take Gracie to the nearest minister. He knew that Jonathan was tired of playing referee between him and Gracie. And lord only knew what his father thought about the whole situation. There was a knock on his door. Turning towards it, he told the person to come in. He was not surprised to see his father stride into the room.

"Pack a bag." the king told him.

"What?" Rand asked wearily.

"You heard me. Grab enough to last you until your wedding."

"Where are we going?"

"Away from here. The only way that you will keep a level head and not attack Gracie is to put some distance between you. So write your Gracie a note and lets get out of here." The king said coaxing his son. "I'll even deliver it for you." he added on.

Sighing, Rand scribbled out a quick note for Gracie before handing it his dad.

"Give me ten minutes to clean up." He told his dad.

* * * * * *

Gracie was still fuming when she received a note from Rand. Dare she open it? It had Rand's familiar chicken scratch on the front. Well, how much worse could it be, she asked herself. After tearing it open, she realized exactly how much worse it could be. Damn that man, she fumed as she headed for his open door.

There was no way in hell he was gonna take off and leave her here by herself.

* * * * * *

Rand was in the shower, when suddenly the shower curtain was ripped back. Turning, he realized that Gracie was not happy about his note. Whatever she was about to say to him, he saw was lodged in her throat.

"What?"

"Damn you." She hissed. "Why do you get leave and I don't?"

"Because of this!" He growled before yanking her into the shower with him clothes and all. Spinning her around he pressed her up against the side of the shower and his hard body. Gracie gasped. He took advantage of it, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth as he ground his hips against hers. When his head finally lifted, he stared down at her. "I'm leaving to keep this from happening."

"Oh." She whispered as her lips throbbed gently from his kiss.

"I'm gonna tell you one time, Gracie. Then I want you to get the hell out of my shower. My dad is taking me away until the wedding. To keep this from happening." He stated firmly, pulling her hand down his hard body he placed it directly on top of his distended manhood. "This is what happens every time I am near you. Hell, even if you're across the room this happens. I can't control it. One of these times, I'm gonna loose my head. So I'm leaving. Now, take that sexy ass of yours back to your room, or I swear to God, I'll take you right here and now." He growled as he stroked her hand across his hard flesh one more time. Then pushing her hand away, He stepped back from her.

"Rand?" She asked, her voice reedy with desire.

"Run." He told her as he took a step towards her.

"I don't want to." She whispered. "Let me do this."

"Gracie?" He gasped as she dropped to her knees in front of him.

"Relax, Rand. You decided you wanted me for your bride. So now you'll have to deal with me." She told him before taking the head of his erection into her moist mouth.

"NO! You can't do this." He growled, lifting her up and wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Why not? I want to." She asked, almost on the verge of tears.

"I'm sorry, Gracie. I just can't." he groaned against the top of her wet hair. "I can't break tradition."

"Damn your tradition." She hissed as she tried to jerk free of his hold.

"Now, calm down!" he told her tensely.

"Let go of me." Gracie hissed between her teeth.

"No. Not til you calm down, damn it." He growled.

"I said let me go." She repeated, squirming and trying to slip away.

"Grace, I swear to god, if you don't stop that right now, I'll do something we'll both regret." He said resisting the urge to shake her.

"Like what? You've taken my freedom, my dream of being your advisor, and your friendship away. What else can you do to me, Rand?!" She shouted at him.

"Damn you!" He growled as he shoved her away from him. "Get the hell out of here!" Stumbling she backed away from him. She had never seen him so angry before.

"Why? So you can run away? So you don't have to deal with me?" She asked hotly. "I'll tell you something, Your Highness, I think you are a coward." She finished. Spinning around on her heel, she stormed out of the shower. As she reached for the door, it slammed shut in her face. A growl came from behind her.

But she had already thrown caution into the wind and was to angry to care if Rand was angry too.

"Who was the one that ran away from me, Grace? Who is the one that has been fighting our nuptials, since the very beginning? Who is the one that triggered the mezclar?" He growled as he pinned her face first against the bathroom door.

"I was." She hissed.

"That's right, Grace. You were. I'm at the end of my rope here and it won't take much to push me over. I'm very close to saying screw it." He growled.

"You're ready to release me then?" She asked almost in tears. "Have I pushed back hard enough, Rand? Will you back off now?" Rand paused and his anger cooled.

"I won't ever back off, Grace." He told her as he gently nipped her shoulder. "You're mine and you'll always be mine. You've been mine for over ten years."

"I'm not an object to own, Rand." She gasped.

"I didn't say you were. I said you were mine. Just as much as I am yours." he said as he nuzzled side of her neck. "We complete each other."

"It's beside the point, Rand. I'll see you in a couple days." She said softly before releasing the spell he had placed on the door.

* * * * * *

Grace stood on her balcony and watched as Rand and King Mica exited the palace grounds. Looking up at the stars that were starting to appear in the night sky, she wondered where to go from here. Today had been the first real fight that she and Rand had ever had.

Should she just continue on as normal? Take advantage of their marriage? The intense sex? She had no doubt it would be. But what was it without love? It looked like it was how she was going to spend the next thirty years. Providing, of course, that the sex didn't fizzle out before then.

"Gracie, are you in here?" Turning, Grace saw her sister standing in the middle of her suite.

"Out here, Patience." She called out. Grace turned back to watch as Rand and his father disappeared from sight. She already felt the tug of loneliness.

I'm coming back, Rand's voice whispered in her head. I'll see you at our wedding, Gracie. You better be there, he finished.

Where else would I be, she asked, you have me bound to you so tight that you couldn't slip a piece of paper between us.

Damn, straight, he chuckled. I'll see you tonight, he whispered.

Maybe, she taunted.

"Everything okay?" Patience asked her as she came to stand beside her.

"No. But only time will tell." She said turning towards her. "How is the thing with Jonathan coming?"

"Slowly, but he's almost there." Patience responded. "Only wish I could initiate the dream merge. He hasn't touched me since that first time. I'd love to be able to surprise him." Grace had a sudden thought.

"You know, Patience, I can help you with that." She said with a smile.

"Really, how?" Patience asked as she stared off into the distance.

"Stay here with me tonight. And we'll attack him together." Gracie said mischievously.

"How?" She asked excitedly.

"Easy. I'll wait until you're asleep. I'll merge with you. Then we'll merge on Jonathan. I've merged with him before, so he'll not fight me. Even if he did, there's still a slim chance I'd win. He won't hurt me." Gracie said teasingly.

"Will he realize I'm there?" Patience asked.

"That's going to be the pleasure of it. I'm gonna drop you right in his bed and then disappear."

"Won't I disappear with you?" She asked.

"No. Once the dream merge is accomplished, he'll take control of it. Then the rest is up to you."

"Can I have him tied to the bed?" Patience joked.

"We'll see. What will you give me?" Gracie teased as she darted back into her room.

"Grace O'Connor. You get back here!" her sister hollered.

* * * * * *

Rand was surprised when they stopped in front of a lab. Looking over at his father he waited for him to explain.

"This is a friend of mine. His father and I go way back. He is going to let us use his cabin until your nuptials." King Mica said as he got out of the car. Rand followed him.

When they walked in the front door, they were greeted by a pretty receptionist. Rand smiled absently at her. She smiled at him before turning to his father.

"Good evening, King Mica. Drew is back in the lab. Go ahead and go back." Alexa said with a nod of her head.

"Thanks, Alexa." He said as he walked down the hall. Rand turned his attention back to the woman sitting behind the desk.

"Known my father for long, Alexa?" He asked pleasantly.

"No, not really. My brother, Drew, petitioned to get a marriage license for himself and an off-worlder. Our father knew yours. Served under him in militia. He had nothing but good things to say about him." She said with a smile.

* * * * * *

King Mica paused before entering the lab. Both scientists were working at their lab desks. When he cleared his throat, the woman glanced up first.

"Hello, King Mica." Grace said softly as she rose to her feet. Walking over to her lover, she tapped Drew on the shoulder. As usual the man was emerged in his work. "Drew, the king is here." She told him.

"Your Highness." Drew said scrambling out of his chair. He made a quick bow to the man. "I have the keys for the cottage right here." He said as he fumbled for the key ring in his pocket. When he couldn't find his ring, he frowned.

"Looking for these?" Grace asked softly with the keys in her hand.

"Yeah, how did you get those?" Drew asked with a smile.

"I locked the apartment this morning. Remember?" She said with laugh. Handing them to him, she wandered back over to her desk and sat back down. Smiling, he nodded as he took the keys to the cottage off his ring. Handing them to the King, he walked over to the door with him.

"Drew, you never introduced me to the lady." Mica said softly.

"Oh yeah. Grace come here." He said over his shoulder. Muttering about interruptions, Grace stood and walked back over to the pair.

"King Mica, this is my bonded, Grace. Grace, this is King Mica. I've petitioned him about getting a marriage license."

"Nice to meet you, Your Highness." Grace said softly.

"Grace, huh?" King Mica chuckled. "You know I'm about to have a new daughter named Grace. We call her Gracie though. But I'm sure you're as delightful as she is." Turning to Drew, he smiled. "Come see me about that petition after Rand gets married, son and we'll see about getting you two married."

"Thank You, your highness." Drew said as the king turned to leave the room.

"No, thank you." When Drew looked bewildered, he added. "For the use of your cottage."

* * * * * *

Later that night, Gracie kneeled next to her sister's sleeping body. It had taken forever for her sister to drop off. The excitement of what she had proposed to do had kept her sister wired. Taking a couple of deep breaths she entered her sister's dream. She walked over and gently shook her.

"Don't wake completely up, sis. I just need you awake enough to follow me." she coaxed her.

"Okay." Patience mumbled and left the bed she was sleeping in.

"Alright, now hang on to me, sis." Grace said before she started blurring the edges of the dream. When the edges went back to normal, they were standing in a dimly lit room. She could hear groans coming from the bed. And so could her sister. Putting her finger to mouth to let her sister know to be quiet, she edged over to Jonathan's side. She was not shocked to see her sister under him. Walking back over to her sister she smiled. Then whispered softly, "Don't worry, sis. He's just having an erotic dream. I had this happen once with Rand. The moment that you lock eyes with the woman over there, you'll become her. So be prepared for the onslaught of sensations." Just then behind her the couple climaxed on the bed. "Or wait til he finishes and go rape him." She whispered. Turning she watched the woman on the bed curl up on top of Jonathan's heaving chest. Just before her sister headed over to the bed, she stopped her.

"Do you still want him tied up?" She asked her.

"Yes." Patience whispered back. With a wave of her hand, Grace made it so.

* * * * * *

"What the hell?" Jonathan growled, when he realized that he was restrained. Then the woman on top of him lifted her head and smiled.

"Hello." She whispered softly and smiled into his shocked face.

"Patience? How?" He gasped as he struggled to free his arms.

"My sister. Thanks, Gracie." she called over her shoulder.

"You're welcome. Have fun." Grace's voice floated over to them, then was gone.

"I can't believe that you are here." Jonathan whispered. "Untie me, Sweetheart." he urged.

"Nope." She said with a chuckle. "I think I like you just the way you are."

"Patience!" He warned.

"This time, it's my turn." She told him as she leaned forward to kiss him.

"Wait..." He protested but was silenced by her mouth covering his. She loved the taste of him, she decided. And it had been too long since she had last tasted him. She sighed with delight as she felt him strain against his bonds.

"Relax, I'm not going to do any thing that you haven't done to me." She whispered in his ear before exploring the inner curves with her tongue. Jonathan gasped as pleasure ran down his spine. If only he could get free.

Patience smiled wickedly as she continued down his throat to the crook of his shoulder. She couldn't resist. She took the skin there in her mouth and started to suck. She smiled happily when Jonathan cursed softly.

"Just remember Patience, turn about is fair play." He growled.

"What do you mean?" she whispered after she lifted her head.

"You have to untie me sometime." He growled in return."Damn it, you better not have left a hickey."

"Whatcha gonna do if I did?" She asked as she slid down his torso.

"Oh, you little minx." He growled as her hair trailed across his stomach. He nearly pulled his arms out of their sockets when he felt her warm mouth envelope his hard cock.

Patience could hardly believe her daring. She would have never dreamed of doing this to Jonathan if her sister hadn't given her the courage to try. He was a very powerful man. One that intimidated her the from the first time she had met him. She had stood in Grace's shadow for so long, she hadn't know how to go about attracting a man of his stature's attention.

Jonathan groaned even louder and pulled harder on his bonds when the little tease between his legs reach up and gently cupped his balls. Damn, he thought, I don't want to come without her. But if she kept up her teasing it would be over before it even began. He sighed with relief when she lifted her wet mouth away from his aching erection.

"Come here." He gasped.

"Why?" she whispered as she slowly stroked him.

"You know why, you little tease." He groaned as she settled herself over his hips and aching cock.

"Damn, I'm already wet." She whispered to him as heat filled her face.

"Let me see." He begged, eyeing her lower torso. "Bring that beautiful pussy up here." She gasped before slowly crawling up his torso to hover over his upper chest.

"There." She whispered. "Can you see it now?"

"Bring it closer." He said with hunger in his eyes. Whimpering she tilted her hips forward so that she was almost straddling his head. "On bring that pussy down here." he ordered. "I wanna taste." Patience did moan this time as she felt his tongue trace the outer edges of her labia. Relaxing her thighs she sank a little closer to his playful tongue.

Jonathan groaned as he buried his tongue in her moist slit. Damn, this woman, that he had chosen, tasted wonderful. He couldn't believe that he had gotten in the predicament with his beautiful Patience but he wasn't going to complain. But he was going to be true to his word. Next time that he saw Patience, she owed him one. And he intended to collect.

Patience could feel her orgasm coming but she didn't want to climax this way. She wanted to be filled full of her lover's hard cock. And with her sister's little gift of bondage she could do exactly as she pleased. And Jonathan's superior strength wouldn't be an issue. Pulling away from his talented mouth she gasped as she teetered on the edge of orgasming. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to regain control of her body.

"Bring that pretty ass back up here." Jonathan growled. "I wasn't finished."

"No." She said as she slid back down his torso. "I want more."

"You little minx." He growled. "Just wait til I get loose."

"Why? Are you going to punish me?" She asked as she positioned herself over him.

"Hell, yes. I'm gonna eat that little pussy until you beg me to stop." He growled as she slowly slid herself down onto his cock. Throwing his head back, he groaned.

"Like that, do you?" she whispered as she fully seated herself on him.

"Hell, yes. Now move that ass." He growled as he lifted his hips off the bedding.

Gasping, she did as he asked and started to move on him slowly. As the pleasure started to race through her body, she quicken the pace. It wouldn't be long now, she thought vaguely, as she continued to bounce up and down on her lover.

Jonathan groaned as he watched her breasts sway each time she lowered herself on him. Damn, he wanted to touch those breasts and lick them.

"Patience, untie me." He growled as he fought against his restraints again.

"Not yet." She muttered as she crept closer to the edge of release.

"Please. I want to hold you." He gasped.

"After." She gasped as her release started to break over her. Leaning down she fastened her mouth on his as her release exploded through her lower body. Jonathan growled into her mouth as he felt her pussy squeeze him tightly. He arched his back and thrust his hips up against hers as he felt his own release approaching. It crashed over him as he felt Patience run her fingers through his hair.

"Son of bitch!" he growled before throwing his head back against the pillow.

"That's it." Patience gasped as she continued to move on his exploding cock. "Fill me full."

When the last of the spasms left them, they laid tangled together. Jonathan was still restrained but he was still basking in the glow of his powerful orgasm. Patience laid across his chest, trying to catch her breath.

"Sweetheart, untie me please." He whispered against her ear. Nodding sleepily she tugged his bonds free before dozing off on top of him.

* * * * * *

Jonathan awakened and sat up in bed. Reaching over for his robe, he shrugged into it and then left the room that he had been assigned at the palace. With Rand's wedding so close, he had decided to stay at the palace to be close. And now he was glad had chosen to stay.

Walking down the hall, he stopped at Gracie's suite of rooms and knocked on her door softly. He wasn't surprised when Gracie answered the door.

"Where is she?" he asked softly.

"In the guest room sleeping." Gracie said with a yawn. "I'm not surprised to see you though."

"I bet not." He said as he stopped in front of the closed door to the guest room. "That wasn't very nice of you, Gracie. Wait til I tell Rand what you've been up too."

Gracie laughed. She could just imagine how that conversation would go.

"Do you think he might find it humorous that you were bested by two women?"

"Like I told your sister, Gracie. Turn about is fair play. Maybe I'll have to do the same to you. Leave you tied to the bed for Rand to find." He said with a grin.

"You can try." She told him.

"That might just be worth the time and effort." Jonathan said before opening the guest room door. "You mind if I crash here? Or do you want me to move her to my room?"

"No, go ahead and crawl in bed with her. I'm sure she'll be happy to find you there when she wakes up."

Gracie shifted restlessly on her bed. There were no sounds coming from her guest room. Which she was thankful for. Crawling off her bed and walking out on her balcony, she stared out at the night sky. She knew that Rand was probably waiting for her. And if he didn't find her soon, he would have someone come and check on her. But she just wasn't tired. She was wound tighter than a seven day clock. The mezclar was in full force and there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it.

* * * * *

Rand paced back and forth in the main area of the cabin that he and his dad had arrived at several hours ago. The mezclar was burning bright and hot tonight. The tightness in his chest and loins had everything to do with the primal urge to claim his mate.

King Mica watched as his son paced the length of the cabin and back again. Rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, he debated on what course of action to take to distract his son.

"Son, have you tried merging with her?" Mica asked.

"Yeah. She's not asleep yet."

"Well, then lets call that best friend of yours and check on her."

"I don't want to wake him if he's already asleep." Rand said softly. "I'll do a dream merge and see if he's still awake." He muttered.

* * * * *

Jonathan had just drifted into a deep slumber, when he felt another presence in his dream. Lifting his head off the pillow, he looked around groggily.

"If that's you, Gracie, go away. I got her right where I want her. So leave us be." He groused.

"Nice way to treat your best friend." Rand said softly from the corner.

"Hey, Rand. Why aren't you pestering your woman?" He asked.

"Cause the little wench isn't asleep yet." Rand said softly not to wake Patience.

"Well, you need to take her in hand. She set me up tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"She entered my dreams and brought Patience along with her."

"You love Patience, so what's the big deal?" Rand asked confused.

"She left me at Patience's mercy. And tied to my own bed to boot." Jonathan told him. Rand couldn't help himself. He started to laugh. "I'm glad that you find this funny." Jonathan growled.

"Yep. Sure do." Rand said before he disappeared from his friends dream.

* * * * *

Rand quietly entered Gracie's dreams. She was sitting on her balcony, staring at the night's stars.

"Took you long time to fall asleep." He told her as he sat down next to her on the ledge. Turning towards him, she smiled.

"Who said anything about being asleep, Rand." She asked him before turning back to the night's sky.

"What are you trying to say? That you aren't sleeping?"

"No, Rand. You are." Grace said softly as she stood up and headed back into her suite.

"So, this is my dream then?" He growled before tackling her from behind.

"Rand!" She gasped as they landed on the floor together. "You know this isn't a good thing, right?" She asked as she rolled over under him.

"Why?" He growled as he started to lower his head to hers.

"Because of the mezclar." She told him. Already she could feel him hardening against her.

"And what if I told you I can control it?" He asked as he leaned down and nibbled on her ear.

"I'd call you a liar. Now get off me." She told him as she pushed at him. Rolling to his side, he let her go reluctantly.

"Jonathan told me, that I should take you in hand." Rand said as he watched her crawl into her bed. Sitting down next to her, he leaning over and ran his hand over her breast.

"Really?" She asked dryly. "Can't imagine why he would tell you that." Gracie said as she drew the covers up as far as his caressing hand. Groaning softly, she pressed her head back against the pillows.

"I suppose that tying him to his bed for Patience, counts as nothing?" Rand asked as he ran his hand over her other breast.

"Oh, I see. Mr Control Freak didn't like the tables being turned on him." She gasped softly as she squirmed under his knowing touch. Rand chuckled.

"Mr Control Freak? Well, I'll admit that does fit him." Rand said humorously. Lying down on his side next to her, he captured her mouth under his. When he finally released her mouth, she was panting.

"We can't do this." She whispered.

"Yes, we can." He growled. "It won't be any worse if I please you this way." He said huskily. "Give me this to live on until we wed." He whispered, gazing into her desire filled eyes.

"Only if I can do the same for you." She said with a moan.

"I can't, Gracie." He said as he rolled onto his back.

"Then you can't have me." She said hotly. "It's equal opportunity, Rand or nothing at all." She rolled over on her side, facing away from him. Rolling over to spoon with her, he draped an arm across her waist.

"Tired, Gracie?" He asked as he laid his head down on her pillow.

"A bit." She sighed.

"Then go to sleep, mi reina. I'll watch over you." He said huskily as her eyes drifted shut.

* * * * *

City of Greenwich

The man walked up to the bar. After giving the bartender his order, he waited for his prey to arrive. He wasn't disappointed when the man arrived a few minutes later. As he walked up to the bar, he smiled charmingly.

"Alexander?" The man asked.

"How do you know my name?" The tall and lanky man asked in surprise.

"I know many things about you, Alexander. I know that you were friends with the Prince's intended. That she helped you convince your lover's parents that he was straight. That she helped you hide the fact that you and Thomas were gay." The man said knowingly.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Alexander asked startled.

"I need you to do me a small favor." The man said. "And unless you want me to expose what I know to Thomas's parents, you will do it." Alexander hung his head in defeat.

"What do you want me to do?" He finally whispered.

"I want you to stop the wedding of Prince Randall and his intended, Grace O'Connor."

"Why?" He asked in confusion.

"Because, Princess Deanna said that if she couldn't have him, no one could." The man said icily.

"This is over jealousy?"

"I love her, and I'll give her anything she wants. Including Prince Rand. So if I have to dishonor Grace O'Connor in the process, so be it." The man said evilly.

* * * * *

Rand sighed with irritation as his father flicked through the channels again. It was only early afternoon, and already the isolation of the cabin was starting to wear on his father and him.

"Dad, lets get out of here." He finally said.

"If I take you back to the castle, Rand. You know what is going to happen." His father said softly. "You and Gracie are going to combust."

"Then at least let's get out of here and go for a hike." Rand said as he paced towards the kitchen area of the cabin.

"Alright, son. Let's go see if we can work some of this nervous energy out of your system." King Mica replied as he shut off the vid screen.

* * * * *

Gracie was sitting in the queen's study, when one of the servants came in. Still pursuing the book on her lap, she bid him to come in.

"What can I do for you?" She asked without taking her attention from the book.

"You have a guest, your highness." Arthur said quietly.

"How many times to I have to ask you to call me Gracie?" she asked as she looked up at him.

"Very well," the man sighed. "Miss Gracie, you have a visitor."

"Who is it, Arthur?" She asked him, pleased that he was starting to unbend a bit. He had immigrated from Earth with his family many years ago but he still held the stiffness of his English father, who had been a butler on his home planet.

"He informed me that he knew you from your days in college. He said his name was Alexander, Miss, but refused to give me his last name. It seems rather unusual if you were to ask me,"

"Well, bring him here, Arthur. And have Emma bring us some refreshments." Gracie requested as she turned her book over in her lap.

In a few moments, Arthur escorted Alexander into the queen's study. Gracie smiled with surprise.

"Alex!" She said as she stood, her book dropping unheeded to the floor.

"Gracie, I heard about your betrothal to the Prince. So I took a chance and decided to come and see you." He said softly.

"And how have you been?" Gracie asked with a smile. "It's been ages since I last saw you." Motioning for him to sit, she waited until he was seated before continuing. "How is Thomas?" She asked referring to his partner.

"Good, Gracie." Alexander said after the maid brought in the refreshments.

"That's great. I'm surprised he didn't come with you." Gracie murmured after she took a sip of her steaming coffee.

"No. Left him at work. But I wanted to come by and congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials. Isn't this what you have always wanted?" Alexander said softly. Gracie looked up, surprised. Lowering her cup, she took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter what I want, Alexander. I have been told that I am going to marry Rand. And an O'Connor always lives up to their word. Even if it's the word of misguided father." She said after placing her cup back on the tray next to her.

* * * * *

Alexander sighed as he entered his house. After spending time in Gracie's presence again, he didn't know if he could do what the man had asked him to do. Gracie was a friend, first and foremost. She had helped him when his emerging sexuality had become a concern for him. She had stood next to him, when he had fallen in love with Thomas. Hell, she had even gone with him to his parent's house and helped him come out about it. She had done everything in her power to help him. And he had taken advantage of it.

Now, this man wanted him to snatch Gracie out from under his own Prince's nose. Just to avenge some scorned pride. But he didn't know if he could handle the fallout from Thomas's parents. And as sure as the two moons rose, Thomas's parents would disown him. He had to do it. He couldn't let Thomas lose the position that he loved in his family firm.

Entering the kitchen, he picked up the phone and dialed the number on the card the man had given him. As he waited for him to answer, a lone tear rolled down his cheek.

* * * * *

Gracie laid on her bed, mindlessly watching the vid screen across the room. She could not get into any of the various offerings. The burn of the mezclar, had her on edge. She had one more day until her wedding. Then the waiting would be over. She knew that once it started it would be out of both her and Rand's control. In her most secret part of her heart, she was rejoicing at the idea of becoming his. But her common sense told her that attraction wasn't going to be enough. She wanted him to love her as much as she did him.

When she heard the clatter of the pebble against her french doors, she stood and walked over to them. She was shocked to see Alexander, standing on the lawn below. She had assumed that it would be Rand.

"Alexander, what are you doing here?" She asked as she walked out on to the balcony.

"I wanted to tell you something." He said restlessly as he shifted from foot to foot.

"What?" She asked as she stopped against the railing.

"I'm so sorry." He said sadly.

"About what?" Gracie asked, not understanding.

"This, Ms O'Connor." A rough voice said from behind her. Gasping, she turned around and saw a shadowed figure of man, just before everything faded to black.

* * * * *

Alexander was still shaken when he let himself back into his home. Everything had gone according to the man's plan. But he now felt lower than a snake because of his part in it.

Thomas came from the living room. Taking one look at his lover, he saw immediately that something wasn't right. Walking to his side, he placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder.

"Feel like talking about it?" He asked. Alexander took a deep breath, then released it. First he shook his head no. But when Thomas caught his gaze, his will crumbled.

"I did something I shouldn't have." He said as tears filled his eyes.

"What?" Thomas asked, immediately concerned. Leading him into the living room, he sat him down on the couch. "Now tell me." He told him. Alexander took a deep breath. Then it all came spilling out of him. The man in the bar. The threat. His visit to the castle. His part in the kidnapping.

At first, Thomas said nothing. Standing, he walked over to the phone. Picking it up, he dialed a number.

"Dad. I'm gay. Alexander is my chosen. Deal with it." He said. Listening for a moment, he continued. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Dad. I'll be by in the morning to clean out my desk." Then he hung up the phone. Walking back over to Alexander, he sat back down next to him. "Next time, talk to me first, Alexander. I love you. My job is nothing with out you. Understand?"

"Yes." Alexander replied.

"Good. Now, lets get a hold of Prince Rand and get his bride back." He told Alexander.

* * * * *

Rand was snoozing on the couch, when his father shook his shoulder. Sitting up he groaned.

"What time is it?" He asked sleepily.

"I just spoke with your mother. We have an issue."

"What's that."

"Gracie is gone."

"Damn it, she ran again?" He growled, as he came to his feet.

"No. Two young men, showed up tonight. With a story about a kidnapping."

"Oh hell, no! Someone did not kidnap my bride." He growled angrily.

"Lets go retrieve her." King Mica said dangerously. "And show them why we are called the Triad of Fire."

As always all feedback is welcome. In the next couple of chapters the story will come to a climax. And the mezclar will finally take place. Hopefully this hasn't upset anyone but I was trying for a longer, more in depth piece of writing. Thanks to everyone that has stuck with me and read each chapter I've posted. A special thank you for those who sent me emails and comments. They have all been very helpful.

King Mica and Rand strode back into the palace with a flurry. Queen Aria met them in the front hall. After kissing both her son and husband hello, she got straight to the point.

"We have two visitors in the study. They came to me with the wild tale of a kidnaping. I have kept them as our guest until you arrived. I knew that you would want to question both of them." She told them as she led them to the study. Before opening the door, she stopped and looked at her son. "Have you tried to merge with Gracie?"

"Yeah, when I first was told. Nothing but blankness. So wherever she is she is knocked out cold. We have to find her." Rand growled as a slight tremor shook his large frame. Looking at her son with concern, she turned and caught her husband's gaze.

"How long has he been like this?"

"Since he went to bed last night." He told her softly. "We have to do something quick. He's not going to be able to control the mezclar much longer. The new moon is too close."

"Let me worry about that." Rand said fiercely. "First, lets find my bride." he said as he opened the door to the study.

* * * * *

When Gracie awoke, her head was throbbing. She was laying down on some kind of bed. Moving slowly, she sat up and tried to shake the cobwebs from her head. Which only lead to more throbbing. Groaning softly, she sat holding her head between her trembling hands.

"Ah, I see that sleeping beauty has awoken." A shrill woman's voice said breaking through her throbbing head. Looking up slowly, Gracie saw a woman about her own age. She looked vaguely familiar but Gracie couldn't quite place her.

"What do you want with me?" Grace asked softly.

"Not a damn thing. It's what you have, that I want."

"What I have? If you want money, I can get you that. I don't have a lot but I do have some." Gracie told the shrill woman.

"Money! Ha! I don't want your money Grace O'Connor. I have plenty of my own." The woman told her. Walking closer, she grasped Gracie's chin and made eye contact with groggy woman.

"What I want is the one thing that you stole from me ten years ago."

"What? I've never stole a damn thing." Gracie protested.

"Really. And I suppose Prince Randall, is nothing?" The woman asked her viciously.

"This is about Rand?" Gracie asked in disbelief.

"It's always been about Rand. And your highhandedness in thinking that you could have a Prince." The woman snarled, releasing her chin. "So what we're going to do is make it so Rand won't be able to marry you."

Gracie could barely believe what she was hearing. Searching the woman's face, she struggled to place her. Then when she spun around and headed to the door, Gracie realized who she was.

"Princess Deanna?"

"Ah, I see the little toadstool has finally remembered who I am." The woman taunted.

"You said something about making it so Rand won't marry me?"

"Yes. He should have been mine." Deanna hissed.

"Good luck. I've tried everything in my power to get out of my betrothal with that man. Only way out is to have him call it off. And he won't. Maybe you'll have better luck than I have."

"Really. I think that I shall be able to convince him. Do you know about the Royal Law, little toadstool?"

"I turned that law inside out." Gracie said hotly. "There's no loopholes in it."

"Ah, but there is." Deanna laughed. "It states in that for a royal to marry both the royal and his or her chosen has to be pure upon their wedding day."

"What? Surely no one continues with that antiquated law." Gracie said softly.

"Oh yes. Your betrothed is still untouched. Despite my numerous attempts to seduce him." Deanna hissed. Then calming herself, she continued, "So the only other option is for you to, shall we say, be soiled. Which my cousin will be more than happy to do." She said referring to the stone faced man that stood behind her.

"Deanna, I never agreed to rape her." Charles protested. "I love you. We're bonded. I can't sleep with her. I can't be with her or any other woman. Just like you can't be with any other man."

"What? You never said anything about that when you asked me to bond with you." she screamed.

"You know the rules of our society, Deanna. You just chose to believe that you were above them." He quietly explained.

"I'm the Princess, I can do anything I want." She cried out.

"Yes, you can. Except sleep with another man." He said calmly.

"Then why did you kidnap her?" Deanna cried.

"Because you asked me to. But in the end, he'll have her back. She's his chosen. They have bonded. But there is nothing that says he doesn't have to suffer first. He hurt you, so in turn I hurt him by stealing his love." Charles explained. Pulling Deanna into his arms he bent and nuzzled her ear. "In the end, it'll end up being Rand and Gracie, and Deanna and Charles. As it was always meant to be." He growled before tugging on her ear lobe.

"But he rejected me." She moaned softly.

"Aye, and drove you into my arms. In away I think I should thank him." He whispered before capturing her lips under his.

"NO!" An anguished voice came from the door way. "She's mine."

Gracie mind whirled at the scene unfolding in front of her. How had her life became so complicated? She recognized the man standing behind Princess Deanna and Charles. She had seen him around the palace before with Jonathan. He was Jonathan's new assistant. What was his name?

"William." Deanna soothed. "I've told you before that you could never have me."

"I betrayed my future king to have you!" He snarled. "I love you. I thought I would have to share you with Rand but not him." He said pointing to Charles.

* * * * *

Rand recognized both men that occupied his mother's study. He and Gracie had gone to school with Alexander and Thomas.

"Alex, Tom." He said in lieu of a greeting. "Tell me what happened to Gracie."

As the story spilled out of Alex, Rand paced back and forth.

Rand He paused.

Gracie, where are you?

I don't know. Please, hurry. She whispered. He was jerked back to the present when his father nudged him. Focusing his attention on the men he listened to the rest of their explanation.

When Alex was finally done explaining, Rand sighed. He was very angry about Alex's part in Gracie's kidnaping but his rational side told him that the man had only acted to protect Thomas.

"Damn it!" He growled, struggling with his anger. Then taking a deep breath, he pushed it aside and turned back to the upset couple. "I know Alex that you felt like you had no choice in the matter. You had to protect Tom...and I commend you on that. Now, lets go and get my Gracie back." He told them.

* * * * *

Gracie sat huddled on the rumpled bed and watched with horror as William came into the room. His once immaculate clothes were now rumpled and stained. He had a wild look in his glazed eyes. And she was certain that it wouldn't bode well for her.

"William." She said softly. "Please. Let me go. I won't tell anyone."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that Gracie." He said sadly, then turned to Princess Deanna. "So there's no hope for me to ever have you then?" He asked.

"None." Charles told him as he pulled Deanna closer to his side. "You are an offworlder, William. The bond between Deanna and I is unbreakable. If you take her away from me, she'll die. As will I. Are you willing to risk that? You say you love her. But do you love her enough to let her go?"

"Yeah, I do. But I won't let her go." He said referring to Gracie. "She's my ticket outta here. Once my part in this little charade comes out, there will be no safe place on this planet for me. But little Gracie, over there will be my guaranty that I make it home in one piece." He said as he pulled a short night stick. "Now, move out of my way. I'll take her and go." He said shortly.

"Listen to me, William." Princess Deanna pleaded. "If you kidnap her, you'll hang." she pleaded trying to get through to the distraught man.

"And you won't?" he asked. "What a double standard your little kingdom has. The laws only apply to the commoners and not the royalty?" he growled. Walking over to the bed, he grabbed her arm and yanked her off it. "Lets go." He told her, twisting her arm up behind her back. "And none of your little magic tricks." He growled in her ear. "Or I'll break it." he warned, twisting her arm a little higher up.

"Alright." She gasped as pain radiated from her arm and into her shoulder.

* * * * *

Outside the little cottage, Rand, King Mica, Jonathan, and Colin crept around the perimeter and surrounded it. Rand was certain that Gracie was being held in there. When he merged with her earlier, he had gotten the distinct impression that she was being held here. While she didn't know exactly where she was at, he had a feeling of her whereabouts when he merged with her. It was very much like when he had tracked her down after she had left him.

As a tremor shook him, he inhaled sharply. His time was running out. That was why he had asked his father, Colin and Jonathan to accompany him. The mezclar was nearly at it's eruption point. He needed to save her but knew that he was so close to the edge of his control that they wouldn't make it to the alter before consummating their vows. Hopefully between the three of them they could stop him before that happened.

"You okay?" Jonathan asked him softly as they crept closer to the cottage.

"No. Remember, Jonathan, after we get her back, surround her. I don't trust myself. I'm too close to the edge. I hate asking now but I don't want to scare her."

"We'll take care of it." He assured him.

"Good, now lets get my queen back." He said before shooting an arrow of fire at the cottage door.

* * * * *

Gracie winced as she was being pushed roughly to the door. The pressure on her arm hurt and her head was still feeling the aftermaths of being knocked out. She let a shriek when the door in front of her burst into flame. She tried to back up instinctively. She cried out when she felt her shoulder pop out of place.

In shock, William let go of her and backpedaled. Out of the flames, stepped Rand. And he did not look happy. She nearly sank to her knees with relief at the sight of him.

"You dare to lay hands on her?" He growled as he advanced on the retreating man.

"Your highness!" William pleaded.

"Answer me. Did you lay hands on my betrothed?" He asked him coldly.

"I..." William started trying to find a way out of the predicament that he found himself in. Looking around wildly he finally focused on Deanna and Charles. "She made me do it." He accused.

"Really?" Rand said coldly, finally noticing Deanna and Charles presence. "Did she hold a gun to your head?" He asked, looking back at the cowering man.

"No. I love her. And she didn't want you and her," he said pointing at Gracie, "to get married."

"Deanna. I should have known." Rand growled. "How many times do I have to tell you before you get it through your head? I love Gracie. She's my chosen. There will be no other for me." He told her before turning back towards the man who was attempting to crawl out of the cottage.

"William, for your abuse to my chosen, I here by banish you from my kingdom. If you set foot on it's soil again you will be killed on sight." Rand declared.

"Thank you, Your Highness." William said as he scampered out of the cottage. Turning back to the other royal couple in the room, Rand drew a deep breath. What to do with these two. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he heard a cry. Spinning around, he saw Jonathan and his father holding Gracie down, while her father had a hold of her arm.

"I know it hurts, sweetheart. Just bear with me." Colin told his daughter softly.

"What the hell!" Rand said as he scrambled over to her side.

"Stay back!" King Mica yelled at his son. "She'll be fine. But if you touch her, she won't be." Rand stopped and glared at him. "The mezclar." His dad said softly.

"But she's in pain." He growled back.

"Yes. She has a dislocated shoulder. We'll pop it back in and she'll be fine."

"Do it!" Rand said angrily. "I don't like her in pain." He turned his back just as Gracie cried out again. Gritting his teeth, he turned and walked out of the cottage.

* * * * *

Gracie panted in relief when her shoulder slid back into place. Between the pain in her head and the soothing relief in her shoulder, she could have sworn she heard Rand tell Deanna that he loved her. Squirming, she tried to look around her father and realized that Rand was no longer in the cottage.

"Rand?" She called.

Stay there, Gracie. I'll see you tomorrow morning. His husky voice filled her head.

But... she protested.

Stay, Gracie. And be ready for me. He told her with sensual promise Because I'm more than ready for you.

Then she felt the whisper of his power caress her from head to toe. Gasping, it was all she could do not to moan aloud with pleasure as her body was consumed and began to throb.

Gracie, it's time to get up. Rand's voice whispered softly through her mind.

Go away. She told him as she snuggled deeper into the pillows.

If I have to come in there, mi reina, you will not like the consequences.

"Go away," Gracie said without opening her eyes. She could feel his presence near by. More than likely it was coming from next door. She hadn't slept very well the night before. Her dreams were filled with erotic images, and all of them were of her soon to be husband.

Don't want to. I want to slide inside that tight little body of yours.

Gracie opened her eyes with a groan. Wasn't last night enough for you?

No. I want every inch of you under me, Gracie. Loving each other until we can't see straight due to the fire building between us.

Rand, please. No more.

I'm going to give you more until your body can't hold any more. Then I'll give you every single inch of me.

Gracie arched her back and sat up in bed. Her breathing was accelerated. Damn, that man, she thought. You won't be happy unless you have me panting after you.

Damn straight, I want you to want me as much as I want you. I won't settle for less.

* * * * *

Gracie was sitting in her room, eating breakfast when her mother and father appeared in her door way. When they moved further into the room, Gracie realized that her Aunt Clara was standing behind them.

"Good morning, Grace," Clara said. "I have met your young man. He is indeed everything I hoped he would be. I have a feeling that you two are going to set the night on fire with your passion and love of each other."

"Good morning, Aunt Clara" she said, unwilling to say more. She wouldn't dignify her aunt's assumption with an answer.

"Why aren't you get ready?" her mother scolded.

"Mom, I have several hours before the wedding. So why get dressed up. It's not as if Rand is going to care about what I'm wearing."

I'd rather have you naked under me.

Stop it. My parents are here, my aunt is receptive to your thoughts too.

I don't care if she hears. You are my chosen. We will bond tonight. Then the mezclar will take over and we'll be as one.

Gracie leaned her head back and slowly counted under her breath. The man was going to drive her insane. Her mother walked over to her and placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, Gracie. Your big day is here and let me pamper you," Eve told her daughter. "Now, I 've hired someone to come and do your hair and nails for the wedding. My treat, sweetheart."

"Mom, you shouldn't have," she protested. Just then there was another knock on her door. Turning towards, it Gracie hoped that Rand would stride through it. She hadn't laid eyes on him since before she had been kidnaped. At the cottage all she had seen was smoke and fire.

I wish I could, Gracie. But you know what would happen.

Damn it! Stay outta of my head, unless you have something important to tell me, she growled.

* * * * *

Sitting across from his father, Rand couldn't help but chuckle. The tremors were still rippling across his powerful frame but he knew he'd be okay. King Mica looked up at his son's laughter.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Gracie. She just tried to chew me out. Told me to stay out of her head. If I thought she meant it I would be hurt but she's just as testy as I am today." Mica just shook his head. He could remember those days. He didn't begrudge his son at all. He was glad he had done his time with the mezclar.

"Dad?" Rand said as he jumped out of the chair. "I feel like I'm gonna jump out of my skin. Let's go to the gym."

"The gym?" King Mica asked. "Okay. You want to go to the gym, lets go." Standing up, he walked over to the door of his office and opened it. Looking down the hall both ways, he motioned his son to follow him.

* * * * *

William settled down in his seat. He was glad that he was on his way home. Glancing around the plane he noticed that it was mostly empty. Probably due to the prince's wedding. Then a man sat down next to him. Glancing at over at him, recognition hit William. He had seen this man before. The man turned and gave William his full attention

"Hello, William," the man said quietly. "The boss wants to talk to you."

"I'm going home," he told the man.

"If you don't come with me I can guarantee that your mother will receive you in small pieces," the man told him softly. William cursed under his breath. Guess he wasn't out of this mess yet. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he got up and followed the man back down the aisle.

* * * * *

William waited nervously as the boss came into the room. When the man finally walked through the door, he cringed.

"William. Where were you going?" the boss finally asked him.

"Home," he told him.

"I see. And Princess Deanna. What of her?"

"She is bonded with her cousin, Charles," William said sadly. "She won't be of any more help. She'll be lucky if the Prince doesn't imprison her and Charles," William said truthfully.

"I see." Turning he looked over his shoulder at the man behind him. "It looks like we'll have to find another avenue of pursuit to over throw Prince Randall's kingdom." Turning back to William, he smiled. "And you, Will, are going to help me."

"All I want is to go home," he protested. "I don't want to die." The man smiled evilly. "Then I suggest you do as you are told or I will kill you."

* * * * *

Gracie's Suite

Eve watched with misty eyes as her daughter stood with her back presented to Emma. The maid was slowly tying the intricate ties on the back of Gracie's wedding dress.

To Gracie, the soft brush of her maid's hands against her back were torture. Every inch of her skin was on fire. The mezclar was burning in her veins. Taking deep breaths she tried to control her racing heart. She hated feeling like this. The last two days had been like this and every moment seemed to last an hour. Her mind was a chaos of need. Rand hadn't touched minds with her since she had scolded him earlier. Damn, she needed the contact but her stubborn pride wouldn't let her give in and be the first to give in.

Gracie? Rand's voice whispered softly.

Rand.

Hang in there. Soon we'll be together.

* * * * *

Rand gritted his teeth as he fought to control the tremors that were wracking his frame. They had only grown in intensity as the day had wore on. As his trembling fingers attempted once again to pull his hair back with a leather thong, he nearly screamed. As the small piece of leather hit the floor once more, Jonathan walked into his dressing room.

Jonathan stooped down and picked up the hair tie and took a good look at his best friend. He noted the tremors immediately. He could tell that Rand was on the verge of overloading. This was not a good sign.

"Here," Jonathan said handing it to Rand. Who promptly lost it again when his trembling fingers wouldn't close around the small object.

"Son of bitch!" Rand growled as it fell to the floor once more.

"Just leave it down," Jonathan suggested. "It's not going to matter to Gracie if your hair is pulled back or not."

"You don't understand, Jonathan. It is customary for the bride to loosen the groom's hair during the ceremony," Rand said hoarsely.

"Fine. Give me the damn hair tie. I'll pull it back for you." As he briskly pulled his friend's hair back, he continued to talk. "Does your father know that you are in this bad of shape?"

"No. I sent him to be with Mom. She was having some last minute issues with the caterers."

"Screw the caterers. How are you going to make it through the ceremony with out attacking her?" Jonathan asked as he ran the comb through the long ponytail at the base of his friends head.

"I don't know," Rand groaned helplessly. "I feel like I'm on fire. And she's the only thing that can put it out."

"Enough of this," Jonathan growled as he headed back to the door. Sticking his head outside the door, he hollered at someone in the hall.

A few moments later, King Mica and Queen Aria came rushing into the room. When Mica saw the state his son was in, he was concerned.

"How long have you been like this?" he demanded.

"All day," Rand gritted out between clenched fists.

"You are almost out of control, Rand. We need to get your wedding over now." Mica told him. Turning to his wife, he continued. "Aria, go fetch Gracie and her parents. We have to preform the ceremony now."

"But what about our guests?" Rand croaked as he tightly held himself, trying to control the tremors.

"We'll have a private ceremony in our chapel and video tape it. Then we'll broadcast it later tonight," King Mica decided. "The mezclar will wait no longer."

* * * * * Eve was surprised when Queen Aria stormed into the room and looked around wildly for Gracie.

"Where's she at?" Queen Aria demanded.

"In the bathroom," Eve said. The queen hurried over to the bathroom door and knocked briskly. "Gracie?" There was no response from behind the door. Finally the queen tried the door knob and opened the door. She walked into the bathroom and found Gracie huddled in the corner, sitting on a vanity chair, trembling.

Mica, send Jonathan to Gracie's quarters.

What's wrong?

Gracie is in worse shape than Rand. I need someone to help me get her to the chapel.

Alright, love. Jonathan's on his way. Meet us there with Gracie's parents.

Fine.

* * * * *

"Jonathan, go and help Queen Aria with Gracie. I'll take Rand down to the chapel and get the minister there," the king ordered.

"I can do that," Jonathan said as he darted out of the room, instinct telling him that something was not quite right.

"Now, son, lets go down to the chapel and wait for her," Mica told his son.

"Alright. Is Gracie okay?" Rand asked as another violent tremor seized him.

"She'll be fine," Mica reassured him.

* * * * *

When Jonathan, Queen Aria, Gracie and her parents arrived in the chapel, King Mica had the minister and Rand waiting at the front of it. Colin wrapped his hand around his daughter's waist and slowly guided her up to the alter.

The minister watched as the king's advisor guided his trembling daughter to the alter. As many of these weddings that he preformed he had never seen such a couple as close to the edge as the two young people in front of him.

"How long have they been in the grip of the mezclar?" he asked the king.

"Almost two weeks." the king replied softly. "That is why I have asked you to preform the ceremony here. We'll tape it and then broadcast it later. These two probably won't make it down the aisle before they lose it."

"I understand. I'll make the ceremony quick but beautiful." The priest told his king. Turning to Jonathan, the priest questioned him.

"Do you have the required items?" he asked.

"Yes," Jonathan told the minister.

"Alright," the minister said loudly. "Lets get this marriage done." About that time, Colin stepped forward with his daughter. Standing between the two as was customary, he joined their hands and held them in his own. On the right of him, his daughter gasped and to the left of him, Rand growled deep in his throat.

"I know." Colin told them softly enough that the vid cams wouldn't pick up his comment. "Just for a moment," he promised them.

"We have come here today to join, these two in royal matrimony. The duties that Rand and Gracie have chosen to take on, has been determined through much reflection and has been predestined through the ages. Who gives this woman to this man?" the priest asked.

"I do," Colin said clearly.

"And who gives this man to this woman?" the priest asked.

"I do," Queen Aria said standing at her husbands side.

"May I have the bindings?" the priest asked Jonathan. On silent feet, he moved forward and handed the delicate looking bindings to the priest. "I bless these binding to hold and join Gracie to Rand, and Rand to Gracie." The minister said in a solemn tone. Taking the binding the priest interwove it around both of their joined hands.

Gracie gasped as she felt the binding settle in place. Now, there was no way for her to escape. What am I doing?

Calm down, Gracie. I won't let anything happen.

I don't want this.

Like hell, he growled. You want this so much that you're ready to jump out of your skin. I can already feel your body readying itself for mine.

Rand!

You realize, Gracie, that once this over, the wait is over. I'm going to love you until you can't walk and then I'll love you some more. I just hope that I don't hurt you in the process.

Hurt me?

Yes, I know that you are a virgin. I'll try to take it easy on you but I can't promise that I won't hurt you. Just be patient with me, Gracie and I'll more than make up for any pain I cause.

What do you mean, you know I'm a virgin?

It's the royal decree, Gracie. No royal may marry unless they are untouched. I just hope I have enough self control to take my time and not ruin it for you. I'm just as untouched as you are.

You rat! You mean if I lost my virginity, I wouldn't have to go through with this wedding?

There was no other choice but to go through with this wedding, Gracie. You are mine and I'm yours. No other man will ever touch you and no woman will ever touch me. That is the way of chosens.

I don't want to be your chosen, damn it.

That's too bad. You are and I'm gonna love you until all you can think about is having me inside of you.

Colin felt the sudden tension grip his daughter. What ever was going on between these two was very strong. The damn minister needed to hurry and finish this before one of them lost control. Catching the king's eye, he communicated the urgency for the minister to hurry.

"Hurry," the king whispered to the priest.

"Turn and face each other," the priest told them softly. Turning, Gracie glared at her husband to be. She didn't know if she was more angry at him or more aroused by being in such close proximity to him.

Oh you may be angry with me, Gracie. But I know that under all that anger is a desire so hot that you'll burn with me until we both rise from the ashes. Damn, I want you under me. I want to kiss those magnificent breasts and then roll over and have you ride my cock while I nibble on those dark nipples.

Knock it off, Gracie whispered as the desire that had been barely leashed tried to break free.

No, I'm going to knock you up, he promised. Gracie moaned softly.

"Gracie, to show his utmost faith and trust, Rand is going to allow you to free his hair for his kingdom to see. And I know you know the significance of his gesture. No wizard is allowed to wear their hair free until after they have bonded with their chosen. Rand, please kneel in front of your bride," the priest finished. Rand did as the priest asked and knelt in front of Gracie.

Gracie swallowed roughly as she stared at the tie at the nape of Rand's neck. Dare she touch him?

Release it

I don't know...

Just do it Gracie. I've longed to feel your nimble fingers run through my hair.

Holding her breath, she did as she was asked and untied the thong that held his midnight hair restrained. Her knees almost gave out when she ran her fingers through his soft hair. Pleasure shot through her as she tried to pull her fingers away.

Rand smiled up at her as the pleasure flowed from him to her. Coming up from his knees he once more towered over her.

"May I have the amulets?" the priest asked. Both Colin and Queen Aria stepped forward with them. "The amulet has always been a symbol of each wizard's or witch's power. In exchanging these amulets, Rand and Gracie, are giving each other control over their power and their commitment to one another." Turning to Rand, he handed Rand's amulet to him. "Place this over Gracie's head and repeat after me." the priest told him. "I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever."

"I, Rand, entrust this woman with my heart, my soul and my powers. To hold and protect forever," Rand repeated, every word echoing through his heart. Then he placed his amulet over Gracie's head and settled it gently against her bosom.

The priest smiled softly and then handed Gracie's amulet to her. "Gracie, it's now your turn. Place this amulet over Rand's head and repeat after me. I, Gracie, entrust this man with my heart, my soul and powers. To hold and protect forever."

Gracie swallowed before slowly repeating after him. "I, Gracie, entrust this man with my heart, my soul, and powers. To hold and protect forever," she finished softly, tears glistening in her green eyes. Bowing his head, Rand leaned down enough so Gracie could place the amulet on him.

You'll never regret it, Gracie.

I better not.

After he straightened up, he smiled at her. The mezclar was still clawing at him viciously but the fact that his amulet glimmered softly against her breast, was enough to leash the savageness that was attempting to claim him.

"I, now, declare that Rand and Gracie are as one in holy matrimony. What I have joined together let no man or wizard ever part," the priest finished and turned them to face their families.

King Mica smiled happily before leaning down and giving Gracie a kiss.

"Welcome to my family Gracie. You are a most welcome addition. And you have made my son a very happy man today," he said so softly that Rand couldn't hear him. Turning to his son, he gave him a hug. "Go give your mother a kiss and take your bride to your rooms. You will not be disturbed until the mezclar has run it's course. Just remember do not untie your bond. Come to me and I shall break it when the time is right." He reminded his son.

"I know," Rand said as he returned his father's hug. Leaning over he kissed his mother. "Thank you, both," he told his parents.

*****

Rand opened the door to his suite and brought Gracie into the room with him. Not that she had much choice, she thought. The damn binding made sure that she followed him everywhere.

"Gracie, sweetheart, look at me," Rand said softly after he shut the door.

"Why?" she growled. "You've gotten what you wanted."

"Not yet, I haven't." he replied as the fire burned brighter in his system.

"Fine, take what you want, then leave me be," she said hotly as she pulled as far away as the bindings would let her.

"There will be no taking in this room, Gracie. Only giving. I'm going to give myself to you and you are sure as hell gonna do the same for me," he growled.

"Make me," she taunted.

"Oh Gracie, you shouldn't have done that," Rand said softly before making all her wedding finery disappear.

"Bastard. Two can play at that game," she hissed just before stripping him in the same manner as he had her. Rand growled before lifting her off her feet. Walking to his bed he tossed her down on it and immediately covered her naked body with his own. "Get off," she growled.

"I will,' he promised. "When I'm done."

At last! The wedding night has arrived. Thanks to everyone that has continued to read this story. All the comments and emails are appreciated. A special thanks to daniellekitten for editing my work.

*

Gracie panted under him. She could feel every inch of his hot skin against hers. The burning that she had felt before was nothing compared to the intensity of the burn now. Gasping, she tried to slide out from under his damp body.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked as he nibbled on her ear lobe.

"Let me up," she growled.

"No," he whispered as he tugged on it gently. "I won't let you run away this time."

"Damn it, Rand," she gasped as she felt the spring wind tighter inside of her. All day she had been on the edge of orgasming. It wouldn't take much to send her over the edge. Damn mezclar, she thought.

"No. Not damn me, Gracie. Damn your stubborn pride. I'm going to show you once and for all, that I want you, that my body aches to be inside of yours," he growled against the side of her neck before gently drawing the skin into his mouth.

"And that I love you. Every single inch," he promised as he cupped her swollen breasts in his hands. "I've studied for the last ten years to learn how to please you. Let me please you," he murmured against her skin.

"Rand," she gasped as his mouth covered her hard nipple.

"Mmm," he hummed against her nipple as he darted his tongue around the hard nub.

Gracie moaned as she neared the edge. "Stop!" she cried.

"Why?" he asked as he switched to the other hard nipple.

"Because!" she wailed as the crest crept closer. Rand looked down at her flushed face and a thought occurred to him. Taking his unbound hand he ran it between their bodies and found her wet folds.

"Oh. You're ready to come, aren't you, Gracie?" he whispered naughtily against her lips.

"No!" she gasped, fighting the rising pleasure.

"Oh, yes," he whispered as he slowly rubbed her hard button. "I want you to come, baby. That way you're nice and wet," he growled as he nipped her lower lip.

"No! Ah..." she protested as her first orgasm flooded her.

"Yes!" he growled before jerking her off the bed. Standing, he lifted her easily and hooked her legs over his arms. "Gracie, look at me," he ordered as he placed the head of his cock against her wet opening.

With a gasp, she tried to focus on him. Gradually, her eyes adjusted as she saw the fierce look of desire on his handsome face.

"That's right, Gracie, keep looking at me," Rand whispered as he rubbed the head of his cock against her. "The time has come for our bonding," he told her as he gazed deeply into her eyes.

"Just do it," Gracie finally told him, turning her head away from his gaze.

"Look at me, Grace," he told her softly. "I want to see your eyes when I finally make you, mine."

Focusing on him again, she gasped as he surged into her, ripping her hymen in one clean thrust. She cried out as the pain pushed her into another orgasm.

"Oh damn," he groaned, trying to stay still. "You're so damn tight."

"Move," she pleaded as she wiggled on him. She could feel another orgasm waiting for her.

"Keep looking at me," he growled as he slowly started to thrust in and out. "That's right," he gasped as he slowly began to thrust faster. Holding her soft ass in his hands, he backed towards the wall and pressed his back against it to give him more support. "Oh hell." he groaned before closing his eyes.

"Open them," she told him as she panted in his arms. "You look at me damn it."

His eyes flew open in surprise. His little one, had grown some teeth, he decided. Growling in response he hammered harder into her. "Is this what you wanted mi reina?"

"Yes!" she hissed as the pleasure whipped through her again. Rand groaned as he felt her folds rippling along his sensitive cock.

"This is it!" he cried as he felt the peak looming near. Gracie locked her gaze on him and cried out as she felt the orgasm grip him and then slam into her. Through the haze of pleasure she could feel the bonds snapping into place. Her body shook with the force of the bonding and locked down tightly on his.

Rand thought the top of his head was going to blow off. He could feel her pussy milking him for all he was worth. It was a good thing, he decided as he watched in a daze as she thrashed around in his arms, that he had waited. There was no way that they would have survived this at eighteen. Bracing himself firmly against the wall, he pounded through their mutual orgasm. He thought he heard himself scream but couldn't bring himself to care.

Holding onto her tightly, he stumbled to the bed, his normal sense of balance off kilter by the intense orgasm they had shared. As he laid her down on the cool satin sheets, he growled happily. Laying against her, he smiled.

"Go ahead, gloat," she told him.

"Nope," he told her. "I'll gloat later."

"What!" she exclaimed. Then she felt him harden inside of her.

"Surely, you didn't think that once was going to be enough?" he asked.

"You've got to be kidding me," she gasped as he began to move against her. He leaned forward and captured her mouth with his. She gasped into his mouth as the pleasure returned quickly.

I'd never kid about something as important as this,he told her as he continued to slowly thrust against her. Growling, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Holding onto her hips, he urged her to sit up. When she finally realized what he wanted, she moaned softly and did it.

Gracie had never felt anything as intense as the mezclar. Gritting her teeth she ground against the man under her. Rand had his hands wrapped around her thighs and was helping her move against him.

That's right, Gracie. Ride me. he whispered softly. Coaxing her into a faster rhythm, he groaned.

She obeyed blindly and reached to caress her own breasts as she bounced up and down on his thighs.

"Let me," he growled, pushing her hands away from her breasts. Thumbing her hard nipples, he watched as she threw her head back. "Oh yeah," he groaned. He could feel her tightening around him again. She was on the verge of coming once more. In all the books that he had read, he had been woefully unprepared for the reality of it.

Come with me! she pleaded.

Hell, yes. he growled and rolled her under him again. Hooking her legs around his waist, he lowered his head and suckled on the side of her neck.

Soon the room was filled with their cries of ecstasy. When silence finally reigned, they laid intertwined on the bed. Lifting his head, Rand smiled softly at the warm woman under him. Gracie's flushed cheeks were a pleasant reminder of the pleasure that they had just experienced.

Gracie lay bemused by the physical pleasure of joining with her mate. There was no denying that Rand was her mate. The bond that they had forged tonight was a certainty. Squirming under the heavy weight of him, she tried to battle her nerves. Now that the initial mating was done, she had no idea how to treat him.

"Gracie, look at me," Rand said as he smoothed her hair back. Looking up at him, she felt her face heat. Then she looked over his shoulder. She couldn't believe that she was blushing like a twelve year old. Rand chuckled.

"Come on, woman. Let's go take a shower," he said as he rolled with her to the edge of his bed. Standing, he waited for her to rise also. When it became obvious she wasn't going to, he sighed. Scooping her up in his arms, he carried his blushing bride into the bathroom.

* * * * *

King Mica and Queen Aria sat in the dining room with Colin and Eve. They had just begun to eat their meal when Jonathan and Patience joined them.

"Come in and pull up a seat," King Mica invited the young couple.

"Thank you," Patience said happily. He nodded in acknowledgment.

"Jonathan, thank you for your help today," Queen Aria blessed the young man with a grateful smile.

"It was nothing," he told her.

"It easily could have turned out for the worse," Colin told him. "I've never seen Rand so close to losing control of himself. That mezclar business must be more serious than I thought."

"If you only knew," King Mica told him with a chuckle.

Jonathan laughed along with everyone else. Looking over at Patience he wondered how soon he could get his ring on her finger. He vowed that once his duties to Rand were done, he was going to talk to King Mica about him being able to marry his little Patience.

"So, Jonathan, how long do we have until you decide to marry?" Aria asked him. A awkward silence filled the room. Looking over at Patience, he smiled.

"As soon as I can convince a young lady to marry me," he said softly.

Patience stilled and then blushed furiously. She had never thought about making their relationship permanent. He deserved a witch, not a powerless woman.

"Well, good luck with that," she said softly, before she wiped her lips on her napkin. "If you'll excuse me," she said, looking askance towards the king and queen. Then she left the room quickly, as if someone were chasing her.

* * * * *

Jonathan stared in disbelief as she escaped the room. Turning back to everyone at the table, he smiled faintly.

"You've got her running scared already," Colin chuckled.

"Yes, I do," he responded.

"Did she honestly think that you were having a superficial relationship with her?" King Mica asked.

"I guess so," he told his king. "It looks like I'm going to have some convincing to do."

"Good luck, son," Colin told him. Gazing over at his wife fondly, he gently squeezed her fingers. "If she's anything like my Eve, she'll run you a fair race before giving in."

"Good thing, I can run fast," he replied with a laugh.

* * * * *

Patience slipped into her sister's suite and sighed a breath of relief. She had thought that Jonathan would follow her but he had stayed in the dining room with her parents and the king and queen. She knew that the thought of Jonathan marrying her, shouldn't upset her. But it did.

Slipping out on the balcony, she wandered over to the railing and leaned against it. In a way she was glad that Gracie's wedding was over. Now, that they were married, Gracie was Rand's problem. And there was no longer any reason for her to continue seeing Jonathan. She knew she would definitely miss the big lug.

"You ran off," Jonathan said from behind her. Immediately her back stiffened and her breathing became shallow.

"I was done," she replied.

"Done with what?" he asked as he stood behind her. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating off him.

"I'm done. In the morning, I'm going home," she told him without turning around.

"Believe me, I know. I'm glad this madness is over. Your sister ran Rand a good race. But he still caught her in the end."

"Yes. One thing I can say for your friend, is that he knows what he wants. And how to get it," Patience told him.

"Just like I do." Jonathan told her as he pulled her back against him. He frowned when he noticed that she was shivering.

"That is one thing you definitely have in common," she agreed, settling deeper into his warm embrace. She knew that she shouldn't let him hold her but she knew that when tomorrow came, it would be over. And she would go back to her life and he would continue on with his.

"Patience, how long are you going to ignore the issue?" he finally asked her.

"What issue?" Turning her around, he gently lifted her face to his.

"Us getting married," he told her.

"Since when did we agree on that," she asked him. Pulling free of his arms, she scurried back into Gracie's suite.

"Patience O'Connor, you get back here," he growled as he followed her. When she went into the bedroom and shut the door behind her, he scowled. Walking over to it, he turned the handle and found it locked against him. Counting to ten, he tried to calm himself. It would do no good to lose his temper.

"Patience, open this door."

"Go away," came her muffled reply.

Jonathan then decided that counting to ten wasn't enough and he counted to twenty.

"Please, open the door and talk to me," he asked.

"I don't want to talk about it. After tomorrow, we'll only see each other in passing, Jonathan. We've done our duty and gotten my sister and Rand together. It's time to go back to our previous lives," Patience informed him.

The counting didn't work, he decided, just before he shattered the bedroom door with a bolt of magic. Walking through the debris, he strode to the bed and picked up a very startled Patience.

"Now, listen little one. You are mine. And I'll thank you not to forget it. We will be getting married," he told her before he sealed his mouth over hers.

Patience gasped in outrage. How dare he think he could tell her what she was going to do! Jonathan growled softly and took advantage of her gasp and slid his tongue into her moist mouth. When he finally lifted his head, she was gasping for air and her cheeks were pink with arousal.

"Mine," he growled again with a smug look on his handsome face.

"Yes," she agreed.

"Good, then I'll set a date and we'll get married," he told her as he sat her back down on the edge of the bed. Heading for the door, he intended on finding her father and asking for her hand.

"No, we will not," she told him. He stopped and then slowly turned around.

"What do you mean 'no'," he asked her slowly.

"Just that I won't marry you."

"Then what, pray tell, do you intend on doing?"

"I'll be your mistress," she said boldly. "You can take it or leave it. The choice is yours."

"My mistress!"

"Yes. If you want me, that's the only way you can have me."

"And if I decline," he growled as he strode back to her.

"Then we continue on as we did before all this started."

"And if I tell you that I won't?" he countered.

"That is your only choice, Jonathan. Mistress or nothing." she told him calmly. Standing up, she walked towards him. Stopping in front of him, she gently caressed the side of his face. "I want you like nothing I've ever wanted before, But you need a witch to marry. Not a powerless woman," she told him before she turned and headed to the bathroom. "Sleep on it and let me know," she told him before closing the bathroom door behind her.

* * * * *

Jonathan stood, rooted to floor. He could hardly believe that his little Patience had given him, an ultimatum. How dare she decide that she wasn't good enough to be his wife? Then a slow smile crossed his face. As his mistress, he could seduce her into marrying him. And that's exactly what he would do. Turning, he spotted a tablet on Gracie's writing desk. Grabbing a piece of stationary, he scrawled out a note for her and left it propped on the her pillow.

* * * * *

Gracie yawned softly. Laying on her side, she couldn't help but smile at the picture that Rand made. Her tempting husband laid on his back, snoring softly. Who would have thought that a crown prince would snore? She took pleasure in just watching. Knowing that when he was awake, she would do no such thing. The heat of the mezclar, still burned brightly inside of her. She knew that he was as exhausted as she was, and soon the mezclar would wrap them both in its tendrils again.

When he stirred, she yanked her gaze up to his face. She was not surprised to see him watching her with hot eyes.

"Come here," he growled.

"Why?"

"Because I want to make love to my wife again," he told her, slowly pulling her to him by the silken binding that still held them together.

"Damn, I'll be glad when we're done with this," she told him, referring to the binding holding them together.

"You realize, Gracie, that this binding is just symbolic? The bindings are always going to be there. You'll never escape me," he told her before capturing her parted lips under his.

* * * * *

Patience came out of the bathroom and immediately saw the note laying on the pillow. Stopping next to it, she lightly touched the edge of it. She was almost afraid to open it. Afraid that he had accepted her offer of being his mistress. Afraid that he had turned her offer down.

Finally, after taking a deep breath, she snatched up the stationary and opened it. She nearly moaned aloud when she read his words. Damn, what had she gotten herself into?

Thanks to everyone who has read each one of my stories in this series. And of course to my editor DanielleKitten. All feedback is welcome.

*

Patience glanced around nervously. Standing outside Jonathan's apartment the following morning, she lowered her head to hide her face. She was afraid that every person that walked by her knew why she was here. She couldn't believe that she was contemplating becoming Jonathan's mistress. He had accepted her terms. Now, if only she had the courage to go through with it.

Last night, he had left a rather graphic letter, telling her exactly where he wanted her to be, when he wanted her there and what he wanted her to do. Even now her nipples were hardening at the thought. Just as she was gathering her courage up, she felt him behind her.

"Chicken?" he whispered in her ear.

"No," she denied.

"Good, then lets go inside," he coaxed, before pulling open the door and escorting her in.

* * * * *

William stood on the other side of the street and groaned softly. His assignment was to kidnap Patience O'Connor. But there was no way in hell, that he wanted to confront Jonathan. His ex-boss was not a man to trifle with. Unless he could get the drop on him, he would just have to wait until he could catch Patience alone.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Turning, William looked at the man who stood next to him. It was the same man that had escorted him off the plane.

"Checking up on me already?" he asked.

"It looks like you needed a reminder of what will happen if you don't follow through," the man threatened.

"No, I don't. But I'm not stupid. And only a stupid man would take on Jonathan by himself. I know what he can do. Hell, I've seen what he can do."

"Well, then let me call some reinforcements and we'll go retrieve her," the man said as he pulled out a mobile phone.

* * * * *

Rand slowly awoke, to the feel of a moist mouth on his stomach. He groaned softly when it traveled lower towards his already hardened sex. Damn, will the burning ever stop?

Not today. Gracie whispered softly as she lightly stroked his manhood. With one hand behind her in deference to the binding that bond them together, she laid across him, slowly stroking him and licking the wet head of his cock.

Gracie, you tease. Come here.

No. I wanna play.

Rand growled and resisted the urge to roll his bride under him and thrust deep and hard into her welcoming depths. One would think that after a whole night of loving, he wouldn't be so desperate to claim her again. But this was his chosen. Maybe he would never get enough of her.

Finally, Gracie lifted her head and stared down at his throbbing cock. It looked swollen and ready to explode. She had read in a book somewhere that if she pressed in a certain spot it would make him come almost instantly.

"Don't do it," Rand said, his voice rough with desire. "I want to come inside of your tight little body.

"To bad," she whispered before lowering her head and sucking him as deep as she could into her mouth. Immediately he arched his back and thrust his hips towards her. Sucking strongly on him, she moaned happily.

"Gracie," he warned, his voice becoming rougher.

Relax and enjoy it.

But... he protested, his cock already on the verge of exploding. He had been taught of these things but had never dreamed of asking his chosen to do such things to him. At least not this soon.

Gracie couldn't believe how good he tasted. Sensing he was near the end, she slowly slid her free hand under his sack and found the sensitive flesh behind it. Pressing on it firmly, she was rewarded by him gasping her name. Moaning in triumph, she bobbed her head up and down faster.

"Gracie!" he growled helplessly as his loins exploded violently. During his violent orgasm, Rand jerked Gracie off of him, pulled her up to him and fastened his mouth over hers. He moaned into her mouth as his body finished.

When he finally lifted his head, he sighed. Tipping her head up to look at him, he smiled softly.

"You realize that turn about is fair play, Gracie?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"You wouldn't," she said with mock surprise.

"Don't bet on it." he whispered as he rolled her over onto her stomach.

"Rand," she squeaked in surprise.

"Shh," he soothed as he ran his free hand down her back to her heart shaped bottom. He growled when he found her wet folds. "That really turned you on, didn't it, Gracie?"

Gracie moaned and wiggled under his touch. She was too embarrassed to answer him.

"Seeing me lose control made you so wet, I can feel it halfway down your little thighs," he whispered as he leaned over her. "And I bet my little one wants to come."

"Yes." she said, desire heightening her voice.

"Oh, yeah," he growled in agreement, before thrusting his renewed arousal deep inside her.

"Yes!" she hissed, bucking under his weight.

"Shh, baby," he murmured in her ear. "We'll get there, I promise."

Gracie squirmed under him, trying to coax him into moving. He had her pinned against the bedding and wasn't moving an inch.

"Please, move," she pleaded with him.

"Not yet," he growled, reaching under her and playing with her nipples.

You tease.

I believe I said something just like that earlier. How does it feel to have the tables turned, Gracie?

We'll see about that.

Yes we will.

Concentrating Gracie used her muscles to grip and release his trapped manhood.

"What are you doing?" he groaned in her ear.

"Convincing you," she whispered back. "How am I doing?"

"You convinced me," he groaned as she continued to caress him with her inner muscles. Pulling his hips back, he surged back into her forcefully. Gracie moaned raggedly. "Like that?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," Gracie said as she pushed back into him.

"Good," he groaned as he quickened his thrusts. Soon the sounds of the bed squeaking and slapping of flesh filled the room.

As they approached the peak, he slowed down a bit.

"Gracie, love me," he whispered against her ear.

"No, I won't," she panted.

"One day you will," he promised as he pounded in and out of her. "I'm gonna replace that mystery man who's claimed your heart. You're mine," he growled before pushing both of them over the edge.

* * * * *

Patience gasped softly. After entering Jonathan's apartment, he had wasted no time. He had her pinned against the closed door and took her mouth in a deep drugging kiss that seemed to have no end. She had no doubt that he would take her, here against the door.

"Remember Pati, this is what you said you wanted," he growled against her lips, as he pulled her skirt up around her waist. Sliding his hand into the waist band of her delicate underwear, he jerked on it. A loud rip filled the room. Patience gasped. Her underwear!

"Jonathan," she protested.

"No," he said, his voice filled with harsh desire. "This is what you wanted to be, a mistress not a wife." Slipping his fingers into her damp folds, he growled happily. She was ready for him already.

Patience threw back her head and moaned loudly. He had marvelous fingers, she decided as they expertly stroked her. When they left her, she moaned in disappointment.

Jonathan fought to control the desire that had broken out between them. He had never thought of using any woman this way. He had always been in control of his body and his desire. But with Patience, it didn't seem to be working that way. When she arched her lower body against him, seeking relief, the small thread of his control snapped.

Patience gasped when she heard Jonathan growl. Then she heard the unmistakable sound of his zipper being lowered. He really was going to take her against the door!

"Please," she begged.

Jonathan didn't give a verbal response to her begging. Picking her up, he positioned her over his rampant cock and drove her down onto it.

"YES!" she screamed as her body exploded with pleasure.

"That's it baby," he told her. "Come all over me," he ordered. Jonathan's formidable control was shattered completely. Vaguely, he knew that he needed to change positions before he came, but it was just an afterthought in his brain as the most intense pleasure he had ever felt flooded his system. As he lowered her up and down on his throbbing cock, he tried to regain control of his body.

Slowing down, he tried to back off the edge of release that was so near. He needed to change positions or the mistress or wife issue would be a moot point. If he came this way the bonding would occur and he and Patience would have no other choice than to marry. He didn't want to take the choice from her no matter how he felt.

"Pati, we need to..." he started to explain.

"No, don't stop," she pleaded as she hovered on the edge of the most incredible release that she had ever felt.

"I need to change position," he gasped.

"No," she panted, before burying her fingers in his dark hair, pulling his mouth down to hers. "Come with me," she pleaded against his lips.

"Pati," he tried one last time to stop the inevitable outcome of this mating.

"Fuck me," she said, her voice full of desperate need to bond with him.

"Fuck it," he growled before pushing her up against the door even harder. "Look at me," he ordered.

When her eyes flew open, he growled in satisfaction. The time had come. He had never imagined that their bonding would occur like this, but he had known that it was inevitable. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he hammered up into her tight little body. He could see the orgasm starting deep in her eyes. And he knew his own probably shown in his. But he didn't care. Then he felt her inner muscles start to spasm around him.

"Yes!" he hissed as her orgasm drove him over the edge with her.

Patience screamed as their pleasure buffeted her. And then she felt the bonding snap into place. She could feel his pleasure and triumph at making her his. What had she done?

"Oh no, you don't," Jonathan growled as he sank to the floor with her, his erection never losing it's hardness. "You knew what would happen if we mated in that position, Pati."

"But..." she protested, then moaned as he continued to thrust in and out of her welcoming sheath.

"We're bonded," he said, satisfaction filling his voice. "by your choice."

"Jonathan!" she wailed as he pushed her over the edge again.

"That's what I want to hear," he growled as he continued to pound against her.

* * * * *

Patience let the shower wash away her tears. How had this happened? she wondered. How had it gotten out of her control? She was suppose to be Jonathan's mistress, not his chosen. And in one moment of hot passion, she had let her heart's desire choose for her. She didn't blame Jonathan for taking what she had offered.

"Pati?" Jonathan's warm voice came from just outside of the shower stall.

"I'll be out in a moment," she told him as she hurriedly washed her body and hair.

"All right, sweetheart. I ordered some lunch for us," he explained before leaving the bathroom.

As she stepped out of the shower, she glanced at the clock on the wall. Where had the morning gone to? A flush filled her face. Well, what do you expect, she asked herself, when you spent the whole morning in Jonathan's arms getting your brains screwed out.

* * * * *

Jonathan paced his living room. He knew that Patience was upset about their bonding. And he felt helpless. He didn't know how to soothe his chosen. He had wanted her for so long, that he had been totally unprepared for the reality of their mating. The dream merges had been wonderful but they were nothing compared to intensity of sensations that had consumed both of them.

"Jonathan?"

He turned and smiled as he saw Pati standing behind him in his robe. Walking over to her, he drew her over to the couch.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked her softly as he settled her on his lap.

"A little," she whispered, tucking her head against his shoulder. He gently started rubbing her back. Patience took a deep breath, trying to get the courage up to ask him. She was afraid that he would be angry.

"Is there any way to undo this?" she finally asked.

Jonathan stilled. "Do you want it undone?" he asked softly.

"It's not a matter if I want it undone, Jonathan. I don't want to trap you," she told him lifting her head off his shoulder.

Lifting her chin up, he stared into her eyes as if searching for something. "Patience, I love you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I have wanted you for the last two years. Just before Rand announce his betrothal to your sister, he told me to quit pussyfooting around and ask you out."

Patience giggled. Jonathan glared at her.

"Just sounds like something Gracie told me, before their betrothal."

Jonathan threw back his head, and laughed. "Amazing, isn't it? Those two knew all along that we were right for each other. While we were trying to set them up, they set us up," Jonathan said after he had quit laughing. Turning her around on his lap so she straddled him, he kissed her softly.

"As to your question, even if there was a way to undo it, there's no way in hell I'll ever let you go, Patience," he told her arrogantly. Lifting his amulet over his head, he stared at it for a moment. Then looked back up at her.

"Jonathan?" she asked, not sure what he was doing.

"Patience, I love you and I want you to be my wife."

"But..." she started to protest.

"There will be no other for me, Pati. You know how that works. Once a pair has bonded either they marry one another or no one at all. I don't want a witch. I want you. Just as you are," he said, trying to convince her. Then he gently placed his amulet around her neck. "You now hold all that is me."

"Oh, Jonathan," she sighed. "If you are sure this is what you want, I'll marry you."

"Yes," he whispered, bending his head towards hers. Just then the door bell rang. Looking over at it, he remembered the dinner that he had ordered.

"Must be lunch."

"I'll get it," Patience said scrambling off his lap.

"Minx," he growled as he watched her open the door.

* * * * *

Patience couldn't believe how happy Jonathan had just made her. Everything seemed to have worked out for the best. Pulling open the door, she was expecting to see a delivery man. But was unprepared for the man that stood in front of her.

"William, I didn't expect to see you here," she said softly before backing away from the door.

"I'm sorry," was all he said before Patience's world went dark.

* * * * *

To Jonathan, Patience's collapse went in slow motion. As she slid towards the floor, he could see around her. In front of her stood his former aide. Surging to his feet, he rounded the corner to only be stopped by a bullet. It came from the man who was standing behind William. He touched his shoulder. It burned like Hades. Holding his hand out he saw that it was covered with blood.

"Unless you want the next bullet to be in Ms. O'Connor, I suggest you stay right where you are," the man said, his voice cold as ice. "William, pick her up and lets go," the man ordered.

"You realize that I will come after her?" he told them.

"We're planning on it. Remember to bring your buddies," the man told him as he turned to leave.

"Which ones?" he asked before the man could leave the apartment.

"Why, Prince Randall and Princess Grace. I'm sure they will be concerned about the sister," the man explained before shutting the door behind him.

Jonathan sank to the floor as he became light headed. Before he passed out, he hit the security button on the phone next to him. Hopefully the security guards weren't injured and could respond, he thought before he drifted into darkness. His last thought was of his beautiful Pati and how he had failed her.

* * * * *

Colin was sitting in his office when Jonathan walked in favoring his left side.

"What happened to you?" he asked as he surged out of his chair.

"Had a little run in with a bullet," Jonathan said, his voice filled with pain. "They took her, Colin." Sitting down, he hung his head. "I was suppose to take care of her and they took her."

"Took who?" Colin questioned as he went to the small fridge and started to pour Jonathan a drink.

"Pati. They took my Pati." The glass shattered as it hit the floor.

King Mica and Queen Aria were seated together in the Queen's sitting room when Colin and Jonathan found them. King Mica first noticed the odd gate to Jonathan's walk.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yes. Nothing that time won't heal," Jonathan promised.

"We have an issue," Colin explained. "It seems that my daughter has been taken."

"Patience?" the king asked quickly, knowing that Gracie was still in the wedding suite with Rand.

"Yes. Two men took her at gun point earlier today. In the scuffle, Jonathan got shot in the shoulder. As soon as the medic took care of it, he came straight to me."

"Your highness, one of the men told me that the only way they would release her is if Rand and Gracie came with me," Jonathan explained, his voice filled with guilt. If he could have stopped them from taking Patience, this never would have happened.

The king watched the rapidly shifting emotions crossing Jonathan's face. The young wizard was torn up with guilt inside. From what they had told him, there was no way that Jonathan could have possibly stopped Patience's abduction. Whoever was out to cause mischief was a force to be reckoned with.

"Well, then we find ourselves in quite the predicament," King Mica said thoughtfully. Pacing back and forth, he tried to bend his mind around a solution for this mess. Rand and Gracie were still in the midst of the mezclar and until it ran its course, there was no way feasible for them to go with Jonathan to rescue Patience.

* * * * *

Patience awoke with a terrible pounding in her head. Groaning, she slowly sat up. She was afraid to even open her eyes in fear that the pain would worsen. She heard a door near by open softly, then shut. Just barely cracking her eyes open, she watched William enter the room she was in carrying a covered tray.

"I see you're finally awake," he said in a soft voice. Patience didn't bother answering him. She couldn't believe that William would betray Jonathan. She had seen him quite often due to her relationship with his ex-boss. Slowly, she sat up and braced herself against the headboard of the bed that she had been lying upon.

"Here you go, Patience. I've brought you some pain pills and something to eat," William explained as he laid the tray across her lap. With a shaking hand, she slowly picked up the pills and took them. She'd do almost anything to stop the pounding in her head.

"Thank you," she whispered after she had swallowed them with a sip of juice.

"You're welcome," she heard him reply as everything became fuzzy again.

"What..." she mumbled as she sank back against the pillows.

"Patience, are you alright?" William asked, concerned.

"I don't know. I...I feel funny..." she finished as she drifted back into the black void.

* * * * *

William stormed back into the kitchen where Brett, the man from the plane, sat eating a sandwich.

"What were those pills?" he demanded. Brett looked up at him blankly.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself over," he said taking another bite out of his sandwich.

"She's innocent," William protested. "Why do we have to drug her?"

"Like I told you already, it's nothing for you to concern yourself over. If boss man wants her drugged, we drug her."

"But it's not right. And I won't do it again," William told him hotly.

"Fine, don't. Next time, I'll do it the hard way and just knock her out. It's your choice, William. Either give her the drugs or I'll do it the hard way," Brett told him, walking over to the garbage and tossing the remainder of his sandwich away.

William felt helpless as anger washed over him. He couldn't believe that he had gotten himself into this mess. He genuinely liked Patience. He didn't like the idea of drugging her but loathed the idea of Brett placing his hands on her.

"Fine, you win. I'll give her the drugs. Just stay away from her."

* * * * *

Brett opened his cell phone and called his boss. As he waited for the man to answer, he paced back and forth on the patio. William was becoming a problem. When his boss finally picked up on the other end, Brett explained the situation.

"He what?" the boss asked coldly.

"He's giving me guff about the girl. He's becoming a liability."

"Then keep an eye on him. When this all over, he's disposable. We'll get rid of him then," the boss man assured him. "But for now we need him. He's too valuable as a patsy to dump at this time."

"Understood," Brett replied. Shutting his phone, he walked back inside the house.

* * * * *

King Mica was at a loss. He didn't quite know what to do. He couldn't interrupt Rand and Gracie, to do so would bring sure disaster. They had to complete the ritual. He didn't want to tell Colin, his most trusted advisor, that he had to wait until the mezclar was over. He kept racking his brain. There had to be another way...

There was a knock at his study door. With a gruff voice, he bid the person to enter. He was not surprised to see his advisor in the doorway.

"Colin," the king greeted his advisor.

"I know this puts you in quite the spot. As king, only you are allowed to interrupt the bonding of your son and my daughter. And I know the consequences of this action," Colin assured him tiredly.

"Yes, I know you do, Colin. How do I weigh the importance of one daughter over the other?"

"And I don't want you to. Let Grace and Rand be. Let them finish the bonding ritual. They will be much stronger in the face of this if they complete the bonding. I don't believe that whoever took Patience will harm her. They want Rand and Gracie too much do that," Colin assured his liege.

"I hope you are correct."

"I hope so too," Colin said, agreeing with him.

"If it helps at all, I'll be able to tell where she's at and if anything happens to her," Jonathan said softly from behind Colin. Colin swung around and stared at him.

Looking at him, thoughtfully, King Mica smiled.

"You've bonded with her?" he guessed.

"Yes. It wasn't planned but I love her," Jonathan said, his voice full of emotion.

* * * * *

Gracie sat on Rand's lap. They were sitting in a wicker lounger on their shared balcony, enjoying the view of the sun making its descent. With their hands still joined, she couldn't go anywhere without dragging him along with her. Time alone was not an option at this point. She was almost looking forward to King Mica cutting the bindings. Then she could at least attend to her needs without having her husband hovering over her. It was rather disconcerting to use the toilet in his presence.

The only good thing, she thought, is that I enjoy the closeness.

Good. I want you to enjoy our closeness. Even after Dad, servers this silk binding, I will demand the same amount closeness. Don't ever try to shut me out, Gracie.

He has spoken, I shall obey, she thought sarcastically.

"If only I could count on that," he whispered against her ear. "But mi reina wouldn't be herself, if she obeyed me. My queen likes to challenge me. She likes to push me to see just how far I'll let her go. She likes to drive me crazy with lust, until all I can think about is burying myself inside of her." Rand gently took her earlobe between his teeth. Matching his words with action he buried himself slowly inside of her.

Gracie gasped, squirming on top of her husband. She could feel every inch of him buried in her moist depths. Wiggling her hips, she encouraged him to start the hard thrusts that would bring both of them pleasure.

"Shh, relax, little one. There's no rush. We have all time in the world to enjoy this," he coaxed as he pulled her back against him, so she was lying back, with her legs parted by his. Growling softly, he bent his knees and placed his feet flat on the lounger. "We've done the fast and furious, now lets try the slow and easy."

Gracie moaned as his movement caused her to slide down further on him and to be cradled in his lap. Still nibbling on her ear, he slowly traced circles on her stomach with his fingers. Taking both of her hands in his, he brought their joined hands to her heaving breasts.

"Feel how soft you are," he said, his voice tightening with desire. Together they slowly caressed and rubbed erotically over her upturned breasts. Sliding their hands under the folds of robe that covered her body, he urged them up and down her satiny skin. "Oh, you feel so good," he whispered as he slowly began rocking her.

"I could say the same about you," she gasped and moved with his slow movements. She didn't know if she was going to survive this slow loving, but damn, what a way to go.

"That's it, Gracie, relax. We'll get there." Breathing hard, he kept the pace of their loving slow and easy. Their bodies were still in the grip of the mezclar but he didn't feel the need to pound the hell out of his wife. The desire to be inside of her was all that mattered to him. The sensations seemed even more sharp as he slowly loved his wife on their balcony, watching day turn to night.

To Rand this was fulfilling one of his deepest desires. He had watched the stars appear numerous times, wondering when he would have the chance to love Gracie under them. Now that he had his chance, he was going to enjoy every second of it. Hopefully he could convince his sexy, little wife to indulge in this again. Moving slowly, but with powerful thrusts, he continued to love her under the stars, wanting to make it so good that she would scream with pleasure.

"Feel good," he murmured into her ear.

"Oh, yes!"

"Take a chance Gracie, and let me in," he coaxed, his voice becoming more ragged as they drew closer to the edge.

"You're buried inside of me," she gasped, "Just how far in do you need to be?"

"I want inside your heart, not just this luscious little body," he hissed as their peak drew nearer.

"Rand please," she pleaded arching back towards him.

"I'll always please you, Gracie," he promised as they started to peak together. Gripping her tightly, he arched under her and drove as deep as he could. "Always," he repeated, as the night sky exploded around them.

* * * * *

Gracie sighed softly as she listened to the sound of her husband's even breathing. They were once more inside of the wedding suite. Looking at his relaxed features, she still found it hard to believe that he was hers. Remembering his earlier words, she shook her head. True to form, Rand wouldn't be happy unless he owned her heart, body and soul. He may have staked his claim on her traitorous body. He may even have bound their souls together, but there was no way she was going to let him know that she was in love with him.

Rolling over on to her back, she moved as far as she dared. She didn't want to wake him. Besides, the blasted silk binding was starting to get on her nerves. She couldn't even move without him. She knew the purpose of the binding. It wasn't as if Rand would ever let her forget that he had bound them together.

"Come here."

Looking over, she saw that Rand had his eyes half open. She expected to see desire in their depths. Instead she found a sleepy warmth. That made her more uneasy than the intense desire that they had shared since entering the suite.

"Come here," he repeated, his voice full of sleep. When she didn't move towards him, he rolled towards her and pulled her into his arms. "Better," he muttered, before sleep reclaimed him.

Gracie sighed. It seemed as if she was going to sleep in her husband's arms whether she wanted to or not. As she slipped into slumber, she found Rand waiting for her.

"Every night, Gracie," he promised, pulling her into his arms.

* * * * *

Patience slowly opened her eyes. The ache in her head had become even worse. Feeling along side of her body, she felt the nubby fabric of the blanket that covered her lower body. She thought about sitting up but the pounding in her head made her reconsider.

She winced when she heard the soft sound of the door opening, then closing. Rolling her head to the side, she saw William coming in with a familiar tray.

"I see you are awake, Pati," William said softly, knowing that her head was hurting.

"Pill..." she croaked. She knew that what ever was in the pill he had given her would help with the pounding in her head. She needed that pill.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, William gently lifted her head and placed the pill inside of her mouth, following it will a sip of the orange juice.

Patience smiled softly as the drug entered her system. William tried to ignore the tug on his conscience. He hated to give her the drug.

Walking back to the kitchen, he placed the cup on the counter and noticed a bag on the counter. Picking it up, he realized it was the same drug that he had just given Patience. Flipping it over, he read the label. Rage, hot and potent flowed through his veins. Spinning around, he glared at Brett.

"This is a narcotic. You realize she's going to get addicted?" he asked.

"Just a bonus." Brett sneered. "What could be more ironic? The sister-in-law to the prince being a raz-ice addict." William stared at him with disbelief. He could not believe that he was so casual about hooking an innocent bystander on the most potent narcotic that Venus had to offer. It took years to get over the habit for even the most determined of abusers. Some never recovered after introduction to the drug.

What had he done?

* * * * *

The next morning, when Gracie awoke, she no longer felt the burn of the mezclar. She did feel the heat of her own desire though. She could feel every inch of Rand behind her. They were molded together front to back. Smiling with pleasure, she enjoyed the first rays of sun that poured through the french doors. Looking down, she stared at their intertwined hands. She didn't think that she would ever get use to seeing the dark contrast of their skin.

"Good morning," Rand murmured in her ear.

"It's done," Gracie told him.

"Really," he whispered against the back of her neck.

"Yes. The mezclar is finally over. We can go back to normal,"

"I don't think so," Rand stated rolling her over to face him. "Nothing will ever be just normal between us, Gracie. It doesn't matter if there's a mezclar or not. The heat, the chemistry will always be there."

"At least I'll be able to control it," she whispered, pulling back from him to look him in the eyes.

"Control? That's an illusion, Gracie."

"Then let it by my illusion, Rand. It's the only thing I have left," she pleaded with him.

Before he could respond there was a knock on the door of their suite. Looking over her, he waved a hand and the door opened. He was not surprised to see his father in the door way.

"It's over, correct?" King Mica asked from the door way.

"Yes, we came through it just fine," Rand said, his voice full of satisfaction.

"Good,"

"But..." Rand prompted.

"We have a situation."

"What?" Sitting up, he pulled Gracie up with him, pulling the coverlet up with him to protect her modesty.

"Patience has been taken."

"Pati?" Gracie asked, shocked and then angered. Sitting up, she edged to the side of the bed, only to brought up short by the silk binding. Scowling, she turned to look at her husband.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Come here," he whispered, gently tugging on her hand. Pulling her close enough, he kissed her softly. When they parted, he smiled to comfort her. Then he turned to his father.

"Well, lets go get Patience back," Rand told his father, holding out their joined hands for his father to sever the silk binding.

"With the power vested in me, I here by sever these bonds of silk to only replace them with bonds of power," his father said most solemnly. Then a small surge of power ripped the silk binding in two.

Gracie almost felt at a lose as the two pieces of silk fluttered to the coverlet. Unease at being no longer bond with Rand coursed through her.

You'll never be free of me, Gracie. I'll be with you always. Now let's go retrieve your sister. Jonathan and Pati have to take their turn at the alter.

When King Mica, Rand and Gracie entered the formal dining room, they were not surprised to see Jonathan, Grace's parents, Queen Aria and Aric. Aric was security advisor that had been brought in to help them come up with a plan to save Patience. The fact that he was related to Princess Deanna, was a moot point. There was no better strategist around.

Gracie walked in looking more serene than she actually felt. When the room went quiet, Gracie felt as if she had a sign on her forehead that said Rand's property. Steeling herself, she nodded in greeting to her parents and Queen Aria.

Immediately, Rand was drawn into a discussion with Colin, Aric and his father on what had happened. They were already, going over ideas on how to proceed. Leaving his side, she went to the breakfast bar and poured herself a cup of coffee. Her stomach had been upset since she had heard that her sister was gone. Hopefully the caffeine would help clear her mind and bring everything into better focus. Looking across the room, she saw her other best friend sitting by himself.

Walking over to Jonathan, she placed her hand on his shoulder. She could feel the tension that radiated off him. Just by looking at him, she could tell that there was more going on than just her sister's disappearance. Sitting down next to him, she immediately noticed that his ever present amulet was gone.

"Jonathan, you gave her your amulet?" Gracie asked so softly that no other could hear her. Glancing up at her husband, she caught his eye. He smiled absently at her and continued his discussion of retrieving Patience with her father and his.

"Yes," Jonathan said, pain in his voice. The separation was wearing hard on him. It had only been thirty six hours since she had been taken but to him it felt like 36 years.

"You've bonded with her," Gracie stated. "Have you tried to touch minds with her?"

"Yes. But I find nothing but confusion and intense feelings. I know she's alive but I can't reach her," Jonathan said bitterly, looking up at her for the first time.

Gracie's heart went out to him. She could see the deep pain in his eyes and it went straight to her heart. She couldn't handle the idea of her friend being in so much pain.

Gracie, I can feel your pain from here, Rand soothed. We'll get your sister back, my love.

We need to do it now.

We will, as soon as we have a plan that won't endanger us or your sister.

We have to do it soon, Rand. They've bonded. Jonathan won't be able to take this much longer. Turning, Rand looked at his father and Colin.

"You knew that Jonathan had bonded with her?" he asked them.

"Yes," Colin replied warily.

"Then why didn't you come for Gracie and I sooner?" he asked angrily.

"The mezclar," King Mica said simply and succinctly.

"Gracie and I could have handled the mezclar, Dad. Hell, we've been handling it for over two weeks before we got married. Patience is more important for Jonathan than any discomfort that Gracie and I would have felt."

* * * * *

Patience surfaced from her drug induced sleep, to hear William arguing with another man. Trying to focus, she fought her body's need to go back to sleep. She didn't feel right. Plus the light seemed to bright. It felt like someone had turned a spotlight on her. Finally after a few moments of intense concentration, the words seemed to become clearer.

"I won't do it," William told Brett, a note of conviction in his voice.

"Yes, you will. You'll do it or I'll kill her right now," Brett snarled.

Opening her eyes, she saw William standing in the doorway of her room with a large man behind him. Recognition flooded through her. She had seen this once before. The memories came back with a vengeance. Meeting Jonathan at his apartment, the intense loving, the bonding between them, and answering the door expecting to find their lunch. Where was he? she wondered wildly. She didn't have to be a witch to know what would happen if they were separated. It was common knowledge on their world. Chosens could not handle being without one another. Oh, Jonathan, she cried, wishing that she had the power to contact him. Rubbing the amulet resting beneath her shirt, she hoped that he came soon.

* * * * *

Oh, Jonathan, Patience's pain-filled voice filled his head. Looking up in surprise, he scanned the dining room, expecting to see his chosen. Rubbing his temples, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"What is it?" Gracie asked him softly.

"Pati. I could have swore I just heard her," he said, his voice full of anguish.

"Impossible," Colin said from behind them. "Patience has no power. There's no way she could initiate contact."

"Actually she could," Gracie informed her father. "When Jonathan gave her his amulet, if she was in contact with it, she could use the latent power of it to connect with it's owner."

"Was she wearing your amulet?" Colin asked Jonathan.

"Yes."

"You got married. We weren't even invited," Eve complained, confused and outraged that she hadn't been there.

"No, we're not married., Jonathan said, his voice full of anger. "Pati is my chosen, we have bonded. I gave her the amulet because I love her. It was my daily use amulet. Not the wedding amulet, that I'll give her when we get married."

Eve drew back as she realized how petty she was being.

"I'm sorry, Jonathan. I know you better than that," Eve said with tears in her eyes. "I'm so worried about her."

"We'll get her back," Colin reassured his wife. "Jonathan won't live without her. He'll turn heaven and earth upside down to get her back."

"That's right," Jonathan growled as he surged to his feet, nearly knocking Gracie over with his movement. If not for her fast reflexes she would have sprawled on the dining room floor in a very un-princess like grace.

"Can you feel where she's at?" Rand asked his best friend.

"Yes. She's confused and in pain," Jonathan growled as he started pacing towards the door.

"Alright then. Lead the way," Rand told his friend as Gracie came to his side. They followed Jonathan and Aric out of the room.

* * * * *

Patience watched in horror as Brett came towards her. In his hand he held a syringe. She didn't know for sure what it held but there was no way she wanted to find out.

She could see William's crumpled form behind the man. They had fought and Brett had stabbed him. After wiping William's blood off the blade on his pant leg, he had smiled as if nothing had happened. Placing it back in its sheath, he had entered the room.

"Hello, little one," Brett soothed, coming closer to her.

"Stay away from me," Patience hissed.

"Oh, but I think I have something that you want, little one." he said smugly. Pulling a small bag out of his pocket, he shook it loud enough for her to hear. Patience immediately zeroed in on it. The familiar white pills were inside of it. Intense longing filled her body.

"Please." She begged, her body on fire for the drug that he held. Vaguely she realized that this woman craving the drug wasn't her normal self. What had they done to her?

Brett smiled as he opened the bag and took out two of the pills.

"I bet you'll do anything I ask, if I give these to you."

"Please," she whimpered, edging closer to the repulsive man. As if from a distance, Patience watched herself reach for the pills that the man held.

She was desperate for those pills, she didn't realize how close he had gotten, until she felt the sting of the needle as he emptied the syringe into her arm.

"Shh," he soothed. "Just let drug take effect, little one." Turning back towards the bleeding William, he smiled. William had managed to pull himself into an upright position.

"What did you give her?" William rasped.

"An aphrodisiac," Brett told him. "You see, Bossman has plan. He wants her desperate for release when they come for her. He knows that Jonathan has bonded with her so badly that he won't be able to help Rand. So while Jonathan and Pati are over there screwing each other brains out, we'll take Rand and Gracie to Bossman. That's if you don't piss me off again."

"How long will it take?" William asked holding his hand to his stomach where Brett had stabbed him.

"Immediately," was Brett's response. Behind on him on the bed, Patience began to writhe against the sheets in obvious need.

* * * * *

Patience gasped as fire built inside of her body. What ever Brett had given her was not good. Between her need for the little white pills and the injection, her body felt like it was on fire. She watched as Brett hauled William to his feet. She had the most bizarre desire to seduce one of them. Just the thought startled her for it was not like her in the least to feel this way.

Hang on, Patience, I'm coming, Jonathan whispered in her head.

Coming? Oh, can I please? she asked.

Pati, what did they give to you? he asked, concerned.

Don't know, but what ever it is, I'm hornier than a three pecker billy goat,

Damn, I'll be right there. Hang on.

I'll try.

I love you, sweetheart, he reassured her.

* * * * *

Alic, Rand and Gracie watched as Jonathan broke out in sweat. They were almost to where Jonathan thought Patience was being held. He kept clenching and unclenching his hands. Placing her hand on his uninjured shoulder, Gracie tried to comfort him.

"What aren't you telling us?" She asked him.

"They've given her something."

"Any idea what?" Alic prompted.

"Some type of aphrodisiac. She's in heat," Jonathan said, his voice filled with lust and desire for his chosen.

"Shit," Rand growled. "You're going to overload the moment you see her. Between the separation and the drug, you're going to lose control."

"No, I won't," Jonathan said between clenched teeth.

"Alic, you cover my back when we get there," Rand told the security expert.

"And I'll make sure that Pati and Jonathan get out alright," Gracie added.

As they pulled up to house where Jonathan said they were keeping Patience, all of them exited the car and surrounded it. Walking to the door, Rand used a surge of magic to blow the door off it's hinges. Stepping across the threshold he was not surprised to see half a dozen guards in the living room. There was shouting and yelling as the guards reacted to Rand's presence. When they turned to their weapons, Rand smiled coldly. The fools thought that bullets could hurt him? As the first bullets flew towards him, he threw up a shield. When they bounced off it harmlessly, he laughed.

"You idiots, you think that those earthling guns would be able to harm me?" he asked the guards as the bullets hit the floor.

"Bossman, told us that our weapons would work against him," one of the guards told the others. "He lied."

"Where is she?" Rand asked them as he walked farther into the room. He sighed with resignation as a group of the guards tried to surround him.

"Why must we do this the hard way?" he asked just before the first guard attacked.

* * * * *

Upstairs Brett smiled in anticipation when he heard the Prince's voice. Turning he looked at the woman on the bed. She was lost in the throes of passion. When Jonathan came in he knew the inevitable would happen. Unlike the guards downstairs he was a native of this planet. He was well aware of the chemistry between chosens. Jonathan was going to fall on the girl like a hungry wolf.

He was surprised though when Princess Gracie was the first one to walk through the bedroom door. Where was Jonathan at?

"Princess Gracie, I wasn't expecting you." Brett said pleasantly as he pushed off the wall that he had been leaning up against.

"Sorry to barge in unannounced but I believe you have my sister. I'd like her back," Gracie said pleasantly as she shut the door.

"Where's her chosen?" Brett asked, not at all concerned that she had just shut them in together.

"Oh, he's around. But I figured in the state that Pati is in, there is no reason for him to see her like this."

"Really. I would assume that the bonds of the chosen were deeper than that. That he would not be able to resist her," he commented as he walked around the bed towards her.

"I'm not going to discuss the fundamentals of what happens between chosens. Now, do you want to do this the easy way, or the hard way?" she asked him.

Brett laughed. He couldn't believe the audacity of this woman. Who was she to think that she could give him an ultimatum?

"You're giving me an ultimatum? Surely you jest, woman. The last person that gave me one ended up getting hurt."

"Well I think you will find that it will be a bit harder to hurt me. Either let me take my sister now. Or I'll take her and probably hurt you in the process."

Brett laughed even harder. Shaking her head, Gracie, moved across the room and knelt next to the bed.

"Pati," She whispered softly. She knew that her sister was out of her mind but still she didn't want to startle her.

"Leave her be," Brett ordered as he rounded the bed and walked towards her, a decided purpose in his stride.

"One last chance, Brett. Either let her go or I'll simply take her." Gracie quirked one eyebrow growing very tired of dealing with him.

"No," he growled.

"Fine," She said, her voice devoid of emotion. Surrounding herself with a shield with the flick of a wrist she gently lifted her sister off the bed. Keeping the shield around her, she walked towards the door. As she reached to open it, Brett hit her from behind with a bolt of energy. Scowling, she spun around and looked at him.

"Surprised Princess?" he taunted as he stood behind her.

"No not really. Only a coward would strike from behind."

"You calling me a coward?" he asked angrily.

Gracie, are you alright? Rand's voice skittered along her nerve endings.

I'm fine just dealing with a pesky fly. she assured him. Setting her sister down gently, she moved forward quickly. Brett met her halfway. As they came together in the middle sparks flew. But unlike the sparks that ignited between her and Rand, these had no effect on her other than the deep desire to defeat this man and take her sister home.

* * * * *

Rand kept one eye on the men around him and other on Jonathan. He knew that it was a wise idea to have Gracie retrieve Patience. Jonathan would have been a total loss if he had gone with her. As another fist flew towards his head, he ducked. Even though these guards were earthlings, they definitely knew how to fight hand to hand.

By the time he, Aric and Jonathan had subdued all the guards, they were all breathing heavily. That's when a scream split the air. Freezing at the sound, he stared up the stairs.

"Aric, stay here and guard these guys," Rand told the bleeding man as he and Jonathan raced up the stairs.

* * * * *

Gracie wished her sister would stop screaming. After she put her down, Pati had become coherent just in time to see her older sister battle with Brett. Even though the sparks flew around the room wildly, it effected neither her or the man that she was battling.

Brett laughed wildly as battle lust consumed him. It had been a good long while since any one had challenged him. The little princess obviously had some powers. He was just surprised at the amount. As he lashed out once more, he growled happily as his power scored a direct hit.

Grace gasped as the power surged through her. It wasn't a fatal blow but it hurt like the devil. Retaliating she flung a bolt at him. She noted that it hit him directly in the chest.

The door behind her burst open. She barely had time to acknowledge Rand's presence before Brett had her pinned to the floor. Using her legs she pushed him up and over her head. She sprung to her feet and lashed out at him. Smiling grimly she shot a bolt of power in his face. She felt nothing but a grim satisfaction as he staggered back against the wall.

When Rand rushed through the door, it was just in time to see his wife deliver a blow hard to the man's chin. As he crumpled to the floor, Gracie gasped for breath. Looking up at her husband, she smiled.

"What took you so long?" she asked.

"Looks like you are more than capable of handling yourself," Rand told her before pulling her into his arms for a brief kiss. As they broke apart, he turned to see Jonathan kneeling next to Pati as she tried to peel his clothes off. To give Jonathan his due, he was trying to resist her.

"Pati, please, sweetheart," Jonathan begged her.

"Fuck me!" she whispered into his ear. "I need you deep inside me."

Rand and Gracie realized at that moment, Jonathan's control unraveled.

"Hell, yes," he growled as he hoisted her onto his lap.

"Not now," Rand groaned as both he and Gracie pulled the two lovers apart. Hauling Pati across the room, she pinned her against the wall.

"Take him downstairs," Gracie said, winded from hanging onto her sister's struggling form.

Rand nodded quickly as he jerked his friend out of the room.

"You can have her when we get you back to the palace," Rand reassured him.

* * * * *

When they walked into the living room, they found Aric surrounded by the guards. He was kneeling in the middle of the circle. His eye was black and blue and his lower lip was swollen.

"Aric, what happened?" Rand asked him harshly.

"I got too close to them," he replied.

"Let him go," he told the guards.

"We don't want him. Only you," one of the guards assured him. "Come with us and we'll let him go," the guard bargained.

"Alright. Just let him go," Rand agreed, As he walked over to the guard, another one hit him from behind. Rand sank into darkness without a sound.

Alic rose to his feet. Walking over he kicked the prince in the stomach and then laughed.

"How like royalty. Always willing to trust. I knew it would be his downfall," Alic chuckled. "Grab him and lets go."

"What about him, Bossman?" the guard asked referring to the dazed Jonathan. He was still in the grip of the shot that Patience had been given.

"Hell, don't worry bout him. That drug that Brett gave the girl excretes a powerful pheromone that he won't be able to break free of until he has satisfied her." Without another thought for Jonathan or Gracie and Patience, Aric led his men outside to the waiting car. He felt no remorse as he ordered his men to shove Rand into the trunk of the car. The son would be the key to the downfall of King Mica and Queen Aria.

Gracie stilled, in her arms, her sister lay trembling. She had heard the front door close. What was going on down there? Just as she was going to go and check, Jonathan stumbled back through the doorway of the bedroom. His gaze immediately focused on Patience. Swallowing roughly, he attempted to distract himself from the lush picture she made. He needed to tell Gracie something, he thought foggily.

"Jonathan, where's my husband?" she asked him, keeping her body between him and Patience.

"They took him," Jonathan replied, jerking his gaze away from his chosen.

"Who took him?"

"Aric." Jonathan mumbled as he edged closer to Patience.

"What! How the hell did that happen?" Gracie hissed as she moved in right in front of Jonathan.

"They were waiting for him." Jonathan mumbled, stepping around her.

"Jonathan, pay attention to me. How did they take him, and where did they take him to?" Gracie asked urgently, shoving on his chest.

"What?" he asked groggily, still focused on Pati.

"Damn it, Jonathan. Pay attention here. How and where are they taking him."

Jonathan realized that Gracie wanted something. The lamp next to him exploded as a result of her anger. Focusing on the situation was hard but he had to try.

"Aric is traitor. He pretended to be injured. Rand exchanged himself for Aric."

"Son of a...." Gracie growled, "...where did they take him?"

"Aric said something about putting him in the trunk of his car." Jonathan said as he lunged around Gracie in effort to get to Patience.

"Jonathan," she hissed before hitting him with a small jolt of magic.

"What!" he roared before sending a bolt of energy back at her. Gracie scowled and deflected the bolt.

"Relax, Jonathan. I know that you want her. Just give me five minutes to get you home. You don't want to make love to her here. Not in a place where she has known nothing but horror." Gracie soothed.

"Mine," he whispered hoarsely.

"Yes, she's yours. But we need to find out what she under the influence of, Jonathan. I have a feeling this is not just your standard aphrodisiac. There's something else at work here." Gracie explained, glancing over her shoulder at Patience. Her sister was muttering in the sleep induced state that Gracie had put her in. She was moving restlessly against the floor where she was slumped.

"You're right," William said, pain in his voice as he staggered out of the adjoining bathroom.

"William, I thought Rand told you to get the hell off Venus," Jonathan said.

"He did. But wouldn't you rather know what is in your precious Patience's system?" William gasped as he sat down on the bed. The bright red stain had spread across his shoulder and down to his stomach.

"What did you give her?" Gracie asked in a soft tone. Jonathan winced when he heard her soft tone. When ever Gracie got quiet, all hell was about to break loose.

"Raz-ice," William panted, holding his hand against the wound. "I never meant for this to happen."

"Too bad," she remarked unkindly. "Let's get Pati back to your apartment, Jonathan. The first thing that we have to do is work the aphrodisiac out of her system. Then we'll treat the raz-ice addiction. I hope you are physically up to satisfying my sister." Gracie stated as she lifted her sister and headed down the stairs.

"Come on, Jonathan," she called over her shoulder. "And you, William, are going to drive us. If you so much as try anything, you're a dead man," she said coldly.

* * * * *

While she was in route to Jonathan's apartment, she attempted to make contact with Rand. She didn't like the total blankness that she encountered. Sighing in frustration, she glanced out the window as they pulled up in front of Jonathan's apartment. Exiting the car, she followed Jonathan and Patience up the walk. Cradling her sister in his arms, he used his magic to open the door. Nodding to his neighbor, he headed towards his apartment, unconcerned about their thoughts on him carrying a softly moaning woman into his apartment.

After fumbling with the lock, he managed to nudge the door open. The aftermath of the shooting still lingered in the air.

"I should have had the maid air this out," he mumbled as he wrinkled his nose in distaste. Without stopping, he headed towards his bedroom. Shouldering the door open with his good shoulder, he gently deposited Patience on his bed. Taking a deep breath he backed out of the room, softly shutting the door behind him. It had taken all his will power to back out of the room and leave her there by herself.

Walking back out to the living room, he found Gracie, sitting on the couch, bracing her head between her hands. She looked up as he sat down on the chair across from her.

"Are you going to be alright?" Jonathan asked hoarsely, desire wracking his tall frame.

"No, but your first responsibility is to my sister, Jonathan. Go take care of her. I'll take care of myself. For once don't worry about Rand and I. Go take something for yourself. Just don't hurt my sister or there will be hell to pay," she warned, though a smile graced her pretty face.

"Never," he promised, watching her stand up. "Where are you going?"

"To find my husband," Gracie replied as she headed for the door.

"But you can't go by yourself," he protested. "Just wait until I can go with you."

"Jonathan, you are a sweetheart, and I'll never doubt your loyalty to Rand or I, but you have a chosen waiting in the other room for you," she explained. "We don't know how long the aphrodisiac will last. Wether it is for two hours or two days, I can't go without Rand for that long. Even though we are a royal couple, we still are a chosen pair. We cannot go without each other any more than you can without Pati."

"But..." he protested.

"Go to her," Gracie urged him as a wail of desire echoed down the hallway.

"Gracie," he protested again, clearly divided between his desire for Patience and his duty to his prince.

"Call me when it's over," she urged as she opened the door and let herself out.

* * * * *

Jonathan stood in the living room. He could hear Pati's soft moans float down the hall, but he still felt as if he had let down Rand. He had stood and watched Rand be taken and done nothing to stop it from happening.

"Jonathan," she cried, pleading with him.

Go to her, Jonathan Gracie's voice whispered.

But...

Go to her, and that's an order, Rand's voice echoed though him as if coming from a long distance.

You're okay?

Go to her, Jonathan, before I kick your ass. Gracie will come for me. Rand's voice whispered before fading into darkness.

* * * * *

Gracie felt a wave of relief course through her when she felt the familiar caress of Rand's power flow into her.

Where are you, she asked him.

I'm not sure, but you'll find me. Don't come alone.

I won't, she promised.

Sounds like someone might love me, his voice echoed with amusement.

I wouldn't go that far, she retorted.

I think someone protests a bit much, he said, his voice filled with amusement before fading back into the darkness again.

"Men," Gracie muttered as she climbed back into the car. Looking over at William, she told him to take her back to the palace.

* * * * *

After locking his apartment door, Jonathan stood by the kitchen sink with a glass of water clenched in his trembling hand. The desire for Pati was almost completely out of control. He was afraid that he was going to hurt her. And that was the last thing on earth he wanted to do. Reaching up with his other hand he absently rubbed his sore shoulder. Even though the bullet wound was fresh it was healing quickly.

Jonathan, where are you? I need you, Patience's voice pleaded with him.

I'm coming, he assured her, shutting off the kitchen light and walking down the hall to his bedroom.

Lord, give me control,he pleaded before walking into his darkened bedroom.

* * * * *

Gracie exited the car, and slowly walked up the steps to the palace. She was relieved that she could tell her mother that Patience was safe with Jonathan. How sound was yet to be determined. Raz-ice was a serious addiction. She would leave that matter in Jonathan's capable hands. Now that they were bonded, Patience had become his responsibility just as he had become hers.

"Gracie, you're home," her mother cried, looking around for her other daughter.

"She's with Jonathan, Mom," Gracie explained. "Other than the fact that she was drugged, I do believe she is no worse for the wear."

"Drugged?" her mother gasped. "Not my Patience. She'd never touch the stuff."

"She didn't take them willingly, Mom," she soothed.

"But she's with Jonathan, you say?" Eve asked anxiously.

"Yes. Where's dad at?"

"With King Mica."

"Thanks Mom," Gracie said, her voice full of exhaustion. Walking up the steps, she barely made it to the top. Between the fight with Brett and the separation from her husband, she felt as if she had been hit by a truck. Entering the palace she headed straight for her father's study. When she paused outside the door it seemed like it had been weeks instead of five days, since she had last visited her father here.

Knocking softly on the door, she didn't wait for him to answer. Turning the knob, she let herself into his study. She was not surprised to see her father and King Mica engrossed in a discussion over the contract that laid between them.

"You're back," Colin said with excitement. "Your sister, how is she?"

"She's with Jonathan. I won't lie to you, Dad. She was given some drugs. An aphrodisiac and Raz-ice. Jonathan is dealing with the aphrodisiac as we speak. But the raz-ice addiction is something that he'll probably have to admit her to a clinic for." Gracie informed them as she perched on the edge of her father's desk.

"Damnation," her father grated as he leaned back in his chair, a scowl on his handsome face.

King Mica watched his advisor and daughter exchange words and wondered what was nagging on him. Finally it dawned on him.

"Where's Rand?" he asked.

Gracie turned and looked at her new father-in-law. She had been waiting for him to notice that Rand wasn't at her side as usual. Taking a deep breath, she stood, starting to pace.

"Gracie, where is your chosen?" King Mica asked once again, using the more formal term.

"They took him," she finally whispered. Looking up at the him, Mica could tell that the separation was weighing heavily on her.

"Who took him?" he asked heavily.

"Aric," she said softly as she continued to pace.

"Gracie, stop that," King Mica ordered.

"I'm on edge," she explained. "I can't sit still."

"But it's annoying me," the king told her. "I'm tired of trying to talk to a moving target."

"Mica, leave the poor girl alone," Queen Aria said calmly from the open doorway.

"He's been taken, Aria," King Mica stated, his voice cold with fury.

"By who?" the queen questioned as she sat Gracie down on the settee that was on the other side of the office.

"Aric. That traitor took him. He waited until I was occupied with Pati and then struck. Rand walked right into a trap. I have a feeling that Aric is going to use him as a bargaining chip," she said, her voice tight with pain. She now knew what Jonathan was going through when he had been separated from Pati.

"A very effective one at that," Colin said softly, a frown crossing his face. He did not wish to be in King Mica's or Queen Aria's shoes if it came down to giving up their crowns or their son.

* * * * *

Jonathan's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. In the shadows he could see his bed and Pati's naked form writhing against its sheets. Swallowing a growl, he quickly disrobed. Striding over to the bed, he paused beside it.

Pati opened her eyes, sensing that her mate was nearby. Her body was still burning with the effects of the aphrodisiac that Brett had given her. What little relief that Gracie had given when she had put her under was all but gone. Where was he, she wondered. In distress, she whimpered.

"Shh, Pati. I'm right here," he assured her, sitting down the edge of the bed. She immediately rolled towards him. He growled with need as her skin touched his.

"Jonathan," she whispered.

"Patience, what have they done to you?" he hissed as she moved against him.

When she reached between his legs to grasp his manhood, he moaned loudly. "I hope you are ready," he said between clenched teeth, "because I can't control this."

"Please," she begged as she tried to crawl on to his lap. After arranging himself against the headboard, he pulled her onto his lap. Checking to make sure that she was ready for him, he positioned her over his waiting manhood and surged into her tight depths. Both of them moan loudly with pleasure. On top of him, Patience went wild as she searched for relief.

"Hell, yes," he urged. Clenching her hips in his hands, he helped her move up and down on him. He growled with pleasure as she climaxed around him. He barely managed to hang on and not follow her over the edge. He wanted to give her more. As she was coming down from her peak, he held her still and he hammered up into her convulsing folds.

Patience squealed as her eyes flew open. Looking up at her chosen, she saw the intense desire on his face.

"More," she gasped as her body tightened once more.

"Yes," he hissed, "gonna fill you full."

"Jonathan," she cried out as her body once more spun out of control. Pati couldn't believe how quickly the heat was returning again. What in hell had Brett given her? The burning would never stop!

Jonathan growled before rolling her under him. Hooking her legs over his shoulders, he smiled wickedly.

"What?" she gasped as he sank even deeper inside of her.

"I want you to come again," he urged as he continued to move against her. "Let's put this fire out once and for all."

"You don't have the stamina," she countered as she skated along edge of release.

"Are you challenging me, Patience," he asked her as he delved deeper into her moist depths.

"Yes...no...I don't know," Pati cried as pleasure flared through her once again.

"That's it baby, come for me," Jonathan moaned as he continued to move against her savagely.

* * * * *

Rand lifted his aching head. He was sitting in a chair with his legs and arms bound tightly to it. Plus it, felt as if someone had taken a hammer to him. As he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze finally landed on Aric.

"I see that you are finally awake," Aric said pleasantly. When Rand only glared at him, Aric laughed. "Is that suppose to scare me?"

"You don't have to be scared to get hurt, Aric." Rand growled at him. Tugging on his bindings, he cursed inwardly at the fact that he had walked into this trap. He remembered vaguely contacting Gracie while he was in a dark place. But this room that they were holding him in reminded him a of spaceship.

"Captain, we're receiving a signal from Earth to enter her atmosphere," a tinny voice filtered into the room.

"Acknowledged, I'll be to the bridge in just a moment," Aric responded.

"You're taking me to Earth?" Rand growled unhappily.

"Yes. We'll see how high and mighty you are when you are out of your own kingdom. Lets see how well you can function here." Walking towards the door, he told the crewman to put Rand in the ejection pod.

"Aw, shit," Rand growled. Reaching with his mind, he tried to reach Gracie. But he was to far away. If he could touch her amulet, he probably could still contact her but with his arms bound it wasn't going to happen. He scowled at the crewman that levitated him across the room.

* * * * *

Gracie was sitting in her suite, when Queen Aria came rushing into the room. Looking up from the book that she had been trying to read, without success, she locked on to the queen.

"Come with me," Queen Aria said with urgency.

"What's happened? Have you heard from Aric?" Gracie asked as the queen drug her out of the room.

"Yes, and he wants to speak with you," the queen explained as they rushed down the hall.

As Gracie entered her father's office, she saw that only the king was in attendance.

"Where's Dad?" Gracie asked as she was ushered into the room by the queen. Before her eyes the royal couples' images shimmered and changed. She stared at them in disbelief. Princess Deanna and Charles stood before her.

"What the hell is going on here?" Gracie asked coldly.

"We needed to talk to you, Gracie." Charles said his voice tired, "but since your kidnapping, we haven't been able to get within ten feet of you."

"For good reason," she hissed as she headed for the door.

"Please," Princess Deanna pleaded, "listen to me. We know where Aric is taking him."

Stopping next to the door, Gracie debated wether or not to trust what Deanna was saying.

"Why would you tell me the truth?" Gracie asked coldly

"We're trying to make amends," Deanna said stiffly.

"Plus we found out why Aric was doing it. We didn't realize he wanted the throne. He gave the impression of being a concerned brother. That he wanted to help Deanna."

"And you just now realized that he might be after the crown," Gracie laughed in disbelief before turning to leave.

"Please," Charles pleaded. "he's taking him to the planet Earth."

"Ah, hell," Gracie muttered before turning back to the couple. "You'd better not be lying."

* * * * *

Patience gasped as another orgasm raced through her already over stimulated body. Jonathan growled with pleasure above her.

"Any doubts, Patience," he asked as he moved slowly within her.

"None..." she panted as her orgasm eased.

"Good, then it's time for some more," he growled as he began to move faster.

She squealed as the heat returned. This time she couldn't blame it on the drugs, she thought in a daze. This was just pure chemistry that flared between them. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she moved with him.

"That's right, baby, move with me," Jonathan coaxed, feeling his long denied release approaching. Looking down at his chosen, he saw her torso was flushed from all the orgasms that he had coaxed out of her. His magic amulet shone brightly between her heaving breasts. He growled in pleasure. Rolling with her he edged them closer to the edge of the bed.

"What are you doing?" Patience whimpered as he surged to his feet with her still wrapped around him.

"Renewing our bond," he groaned as his bathed the inside of her with his seed. Patience cried out as his release trigger hers.

* * * * *

Rand sat fuming in the ejection pod as he listened to the automated system count down the time to ejection.

"Ejection," the automated system confirmed. Rand gritted his teeth as he felt the pod leave the ship. Looking around the pod, he desperately searched for something to use to break his bonds.

"Have a nice trip, your highness," Aric's voice came over the radio, "you should land somewhere in the middle of Iowa by all projections. Let's hope them hick farmers don't shot you on sight," he finished with a laugh.

"Damn it," Rand growled as he was suddenly released from his bonds.

"Just wanted to give you a chance at survival. Did I mention, Prince Randall that you have absolutely no magic on Earth without your amulet?" Aric asked sarcastically.

"No," Rand growled.

"And wait, you don't have your amulet do you? Your wife has yours. But what about your wife's amulet. Oh forgot, I took it off you. I guess you're just out of luck," Aric said ironically.

"I will be getting that back," Rand promised as he surged out of the seat. "Just because I don't have magic doesn't mean that I'm not able to protect my wife and self."

"Ah, yes, the lovely Gracie. At this very minute, my sister and her chosen are telling her where you are and luring her into a trap at that. You see Randall, once you and Gracie are out of the way, there will be no clear successor to the throne once I kill your father and mother. And seeing how I'm one of the strongest wizards of royalty, it will fall on me," Aric concluded.

"Do you always have delusions of grandeur," Rand asked as paced back and forth in the small space that the ejection module supplied.

"Ah, but if one doesn't have dreams, one has nothing," Aric commented.

"You had better hope that I don't find you, Aric," Rand said his voice full of venom.

Gracie watched as Deanna and Charles circled around her. Rubbing Rand's amulet, she knew something was off about the whole situation.

"You know, Deanna, I don't know if I believe you. At least not about your motives. Somehow I find it hard to believe that you have changed your tune all of the sudden. The last time I spoke with you, you were telling me that if you couldn't have Rand no one could," Gracie said calmly as she kept both of them in her sights.

"Well, that is true," Deanna replied as the door slammed shut behind her.

"Tell me, Charles, are you prepared to share her?" Gracie asked as she edged closer to the french doors that opened into the courtyard.

"Share?" Charles asked looking at Deanna. "There will be no sharing."

"Really, and when Aric takes over the crown, you think that he's going to willing give it to you?" Gracie was relieved when she felt the smooth door knob in her hand.

"I'll be his advisor," Charles stated arrogantly.

"And I'm sure that Deanna has her sights set on a higher position for herself. Isn't that right, Deanna?" she asked as she slowly turned the door handle, releasing the lock.

"Well of course. Being a royal princess, I wouldn't dare think of demoting myself to an advisor's wife," Deanna said with a smirk. "I plan on marrying Aric and taking over this kingdom."

"You're what?" Charles asked, outraged.

"Well, damn, guess I'll have to do the memory erasing thing again," Deanna sighed. Turning towards Charles, she started to weave a memory spell around him. Seeing her chance, she moved to open the door. When it stuck she looked down with surprise.

"You silly girl," Deanna said when she turned back to her after completing the memory spell. "Do you honestly think that I'd let you go that easy?"

"Well here's to hoping," Gracie said honestly. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to have it out with you, Deanna."

"Now why would we want to avoid that?"

"I thought maybe we might act like civilized witches but then again jealousy can have that effect on a person."

"Are you saying that I'm jealous of you," Deanna laughed.

"Well, if the shoe fits..." Gracie taunted, waiting for the other woman to explode.

"You are nothing but a peon, not fit to wear the title princess," Deanna hissed before sending a bolt of energy. Blocking it Gracie did nothing but smile.

"Be sure you want to start this, Deanna," she warned.

"Why's that?"

"Because I'll finish it. And I don't play nice," Gracie warned her softly.

"Bring it on," Deanna taunted as she threw another energy bolt at her. Sighing, Gracie sidestepped the bolt.

"Last chance, Deanna. Cease this madness or I'll strip your very power from you," Gracie warned.

"You can try. Only other royalty can strip a princess's power."

"And that's what I am," Gracie reminded her as she deflected another bolt of energy. Moving quickly, she grasped Deanna's arm and pulled her towards her.

"Now, we end this peaceably or I take everything you thought you ever had," Gracie stated pleasantly as she held the other princess still.

"I'm a level eight witch," Deanna cried, "just try it."

"And I'm a level ten," Gracie told her with a smile, "I do believe that if you try to fight me, Deanna, I will win. And I'll take all."

"You lie!" she screamed.

"No, I don't," Gracie explained calmly. She wasn't surprised when Deanna shot a bolt of magic directly in her face. "You have had your last chance, Deanna!" Gracie hissed as her temper exploded. She was a normally even tempered woman but between, all the drama of the last few days had been, her marriage, her sister's kidnaping, and Rand's had all tested her temper to the limits. She struck with out remorse or even pity. The other princess's eyes widened just before she was hit with a surge of pure energy.

Deanna cried out as the heat from Gracie's blast hit her full force. Within moments Gracie had managed to capture every shred of magic that Deanna had ever possessed. When the princess sagged in her arms, Gracie had to concentrate on stopping the flow of power. She didn't want to kill Deanna, even though the thought was tempting. She just wanted to take all her magic from her. Deanna moaned softly as she slid to the floor. Standing beside her, Gracie's frame trembled with the extra magic that she had siphoned out of Deanna. Looking over at Charles, she could see that he was staring at her blankly, as if he couldn't believe that she had just done that.

"I suggest you take her and leave Charles," Gracie told him as she struggled to contain the extra magic inside of her body.

"What did you do?" he rasped, as he gently lifted his chosen.

"I took her magic. Just be thankful I stopped. I could have killed her. You are only guilty of loving your chosen, Charles. I won't punish you for her greediness. Just take her and leave," she explained to the shocked man. She watched as he turned to leave.

"And Charles," she called after him, "take advantage of this. Without her power, you are now stronger than her. Show her who's in control of your relationship. If you don't and she tries this again, it will be the death of both of you. You've had your last chance. Use it wisely." Gracie advised.

Charles nodded before exiting the room. As soon as he left Gracie sagged against the edge of her father's desk. Looking down at the phone, she knew that she try to call for help. Staring at her trembling hands, she wasn't sure if she could contain the extra magic in her system to make the phone call.

"Oh my god, Princess Gracie!" came a concerned voice from the doorway. Lifting her head, she saw Emma, her personal maid standing there.

"Help me!" Gracie gasped as the power surged erratically through out her body.

The maid spun around and ran down the hall calling for King Mica and Colin.

* * * * *

Rand cursed as he felt his ejection pod hit the ground. After the hard landing he unbuckled himself and stood. He knew that he should be scared but it warred with desperation of needing Gracie and the excitement of being on a new planet. He had always planned to bring Gracie to her mother's native planet. Too bad she wasn't here, he mused.

Opening the ejection pod's escape hatch, he crawled out and slowly stood. Surveying his surrounding he realized that he was in the middle of a field. Turning around he realized that he could only see the tall planets in every direction that he turned. He could see just see above them. What were these plants that grew this tall?

"Hey you! What in tarnation are you doing in the middle of my corn field?"

Turning towards the voice, Rand watched in disbelief as a short man came barreling through the tall plants waving a gun at him!

"You gonna pay for all the damage that you done to my fields!" the man exclaimed angrily.

Using his magic he placed a barrier around himself. Couldn't be none to careful, he thought.

"I'm talking to you, feller," the man said, his voice full of anger.

"Yes, I can hear you," Rand said dryly.

When the man finally got a good look at the ejection pod and the tall man standing in front of him, he got a bit nervious.

"Hey, you must be from outter space! Is you an alien?" the man asked as he stopped several feet from Rand.

"You could say that. I'm Prince Randall Carthwright. I'm from the Planet Venus, the sister planet of Earth.

"Hey, weren't you the one that just got himself hitched?" the older man asked scratching his head.

"Hitched?" Rand said trying to place the word.

"Yeah, tied the knot, the old ball and chain...got married," the man explained.

"Yes, I just married."

"So where's the missus?" the man asked looking around for Gracie.

"I assume you are talking about Princess Gracie. She is back on my planet. Which I need to get back to," Rand said tiredly. "Do you know where the nearest spaceship port is?"

"Spaceport? Oh you mean one of those fancy airport things?"

"Yes," Rand said between gritted teeth. Surely not all the beings on this planet were like this.

"Grandpa, put that gun down and quit harassing this man," a young feminine voice said.

"Kitty, this feller here claims to be the Prince of Venus. Ain't that just a hoot."

"Prince Randall Carthwright," Rand said introducing himself to Kitty.

"Hello, Prince Randall. My name is Katrina. Only Gramps calls me Kitty. Did I hear you ask about a spaceport?"

"Yes, I have to get back to my planet. Some bad people have taken my wife," Rand told her solemnly.

* * * * *

King Mica and Colin rushed into his study to find Gracie leaning against the desk.

"Gracie, what the hell happened in here," her father asked noticing that mess that she and Princess Deanna had made during the struggle.

"Princess Deanna," Gracie said between gritted teeth.

"What did you do?" King Mica asked as he noticed the tremors racking Gracie.

"I took her powers from her."

"What!" Colin shouted angrily. "I can't believe that you did that. You want to start a war with her family?"

"Wake up, Dad, we're already at war with them. Twice now, they have tried to take me. They have taken Rand to Earth," she told him hotly before she collapsed on the floor.

"Gracie," King Mica exclaimed as he sank to his knees beside her. "She's not breathing."

"What," Colin gasped as he scrambled down next to his king and daughter. Feeling her pulse he found it fast and light.

Aria, get in here. Gracie isn't breathing.

I'm coming, Mica.

* * * * *

Rand felt a powerful tug on his power. Centering himself he tried to figure out what was bothering him.

Help her, his inner voice commanded.

"Prince Randall, what's wrong?" Katrina asked him as she drove him to the airport. After she had explained to him that there were no spaceports in rural Iowa, she had told him that she would take him to the closest airport, where he could catch a plane to Chicago or another large city where there were spaceports.

"My chosen. There's something wrong. But I can't reach her," he said with a frown.

"You are connected psychically?" Katrina asked.

"Yes. It's part of the bonding process between chosens." Rand explained to her as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm to far away to reach her that way. Maybe if I had her amulet or mine. But by power alone I can't reach her.

"Can you utilize any kind of power or does it have to be specific?" Katrina asked as she pulled the car into the airport parking lot.

"Any kind of psychic or mind power works," Rand answered.

"So do you take the power from the person or do you just borrow?"

"I borrow it and it returns after I'm done with it."

"How desperate are you to contact your chosen?" she asked him.

"I would give about anything to reach her."

"Alright. I'm going to open myself up to you, Prince Randall, use what power you need," Katrina explained to him as she relaxed against the seat. Holding her hand out she offered it to him.

Rand looked over at the little earthling and at her outstretched hand. Slowly grasping her hand he was immediately aware of the latent power inside of her. Looking into her eyes, he slowly drew from her power and combined it with his to connect across time and space to Gracie. His chosen one. His wife. His life.

He was shocked when he found her floating in limbo. She had such a bright aura to her that he had to almost look away.

Gracie, sweetheart. what are you doing out here?

Too much power

What has happened?

I had to drain Princess Deanna. She attacked me.

Are you alright?

No. Too much power. I just want to sleep.

Don't you even think about leaving me! he ordered. Hang on for us, for our children.

What children?

The ones that we conceived on our wedding night.

I have a baby inside me?

No, you are carrying our triplets, Gracie. Two boys and a girl. Our sons and daughter. They need you to survive. Their father needs you to even more. I love you, Gracie. And I won't let you go. If you need to give me some of Deanna's power to survive, do it. But survive you will. I will accept no less, he ordered sternly.

Pulling her close to him, he touched her lips with his. He was immediately bombarded by the excess power that Gracie was storing inside of her psyche.

Good lord, how had she survived for as long as she had, he wondered as some of Deanna's power surged into his waiting body. The flow of power broke his concentration and he jerked back into his own body, leaving Gracie alone on the psychic plane.

"Did you contact her?" Katrina asked weakly as she pushed her hair behind her ear.

"Yes, Mistress Katrina, I did. And I thank you for your generous use of your power," Rand said, relief warring with concern in his voice. Relief at contacting his wife but deep anxiousness about the state he had found her in.

* * * * *

Patience lifted her head from the pillow. Looking around the room, she searched for Jonathan. At first she panicked, thinking he had left her alone.

"I see you are finally awake, sweetheart," Jonathan stated as he walked in with a tray loaded with breakfast. "Sit up and I'll feed you some breakfast. I'm sure you are hungry. I know I was when I woke up this morning."

"Yes, I am," she whispered as she propped herself against the headboard. Vague memories flooded her mind as she noticed that she was naked and that Jonathan was wearing just a pair of jeans that weren't even buttoned. She felt her face heat with embarrassment.

"As attractive as I find that blush, sweetheart, there is nothing to be embarrassed about." Jonathan assured as he sat down next to her on the bed. Arranging the tray across her lap, he smiled and offered her some fresh fruit.

"Last night, Jonathan, that wasn't really me," Patience tried to explain. "It was the drugs..."

"I hope to God, it was Patience. Because you're the only one that I want to fuck like that," Jonathan said, his voice blunt.

"Jonathan!" she protested, her face flaming even more.

"I won't lie to you, Pati. You are mine. I hate that you were drugged, sweetheart. I am glad that I was there to help you. I doubt I'll ever forget last night as long as I live," he explained. Popping a berry into her surprised mouth, he continued. "So when are we getting married?"

"Jonathan," Pati warned after she finished chewing.

"Don't 'Jonathan', me. We are getting married, Pati. One way or other I'll have my amulet around your neck. You've already agreed to marry me, so why would anything else matter?" he asked.

"The kidnaping and everything. It's not fair to saddle you with addict, Jonathan. I'll continue to be your mistress, if that's what you want," she offered. Looking away from him, she slid off the bed and walked into the bathroom, leaving a stunned man sitting on the bed.

Jonathan shook his head slowly in anger before storming after her. He found her in the shower. Stepping out of his jeans, he flung the shower curtain open and joined a very startled Patience under the pounding spray.

Taking the loofah away from her, he backed her up against the shower wall and his hard body.

"Jonathan!" she squealed.

"Mine!" he growled before lowering his head and fastening his mouth on the side of her neck. Suckling strongly he left a mark on the side of her neck for the whole world to see.

"This won't change anything," she gasped as she arched into him.

"We'll see about that," he said, his voice full of desire and anger. Lifting her up he parted her legs.

"Wrap those legs around me," he ordered before sinking deep inside of her.

"Yes!" she hissed as pleasure exploded through her lower body. Turning her towards the spray, Jonathan grasped her ass in his hands and began to move her up and down on his cock. Taking her earlobe between his teeth, he nibbled on it.

"Please," she moaned as she skated on the edge of release.

"No," he growled as he jerked out of her. Setting her back on her feet, he smiled wickedly.

"What?"

"You want release, little one, you're going to have to give me what I want," he said with a smirk as he turned to leave. Before leaving, he cast a spell on his very shocked chosen.

"What did you just do?" Patience cried.

"I'm going to give you a taste of what your sister and Rand went through, Pati."

"The mezclar?!"

"Yep. When we get married, only then will I give you release. Go ahead and try to sate the ache by yourself," Jonathan dared her before he left the shower.

"You bastard!" Patience cried as she ripped the shower curtain back.

"You know where to find me, Pati," he told her, as he jerked his clothes on. "And you know what I want."

"This is blackmail!" she cried.

"I know," he said sadly as he walked out of the bedroom. A few moments later she heard the front door open and then close behind him, leaving her alone.

* * * * *

Gracie slowly opened her eyes, only to find that she was no longer in her father's study. If she was not mistaken, she was in her and Rand's bedroom. Turning her head, she saw her father sitting in the chair next to the bed.

"Daddy?" she whispered softly.

"Gracie, you're awake!" he exclaimed, sitting up straighter in the chair.

"Yes," she replied as she slowly sat up. "I'm sorry, daddy. I shouldn't have done what I did. If I would have realized that I was pregnant, I never would have done it."

"You're pregnant?" her dad exclaimed.

"Rand, told me I was. He said that I had to survive for our kids, for him," Gracie cried. "I feel so stupid for endangering them."

"Now, listen to me young lady. You had no idea that you were expecting. I looked at the tape from my study. You gave Deanna every chance to back down. She gave you no choice in the matter. I think you showed great restraint in not killing her. I don't know if I could have stopped," he stated.

"Where is everyone?" she asked looking around for her mother and in-laws.

"They are around. King Mica and Queen Aria are speaking with Jonathan at this moment. Your mom went to get your aunt."

"Oh no. Not Auntie Clara," Gracie groaned as the door opened.

"I heard that young lady," came her aunt's nasally voice.

"Auntie Clara," Gracie said shakily.

"Been causing mischief again, have we?" her aunt asked she followed Eve into the room.

"Now Clara," her father protested.

"Hush Colin, you have always protected that girl of yours," Clara said as she shooed her brother out of the chair and sat down next to the bed.

"Dad, I can handle it. What do you want Auntie Clara?" she asked.

"I've come to see how my oldest niece is doing. And to see if I was correct. By the looks of you, I am. You defiantly have the glow. So the prophesy is fulfilled," her aunt said confidently. "And a new one shall begin."

"What do you mean a new one shall begin?" Gracie asked.

"Why those precious darlings that you carry will have a grand prophesy to fulfill of their own. Raise them right, Gracie and you and Rand will have nothing to worry about," Clara advised before standing again. "Now, I'm off to go and see about that other daughter of yours, Colin," she told her brother before exiting the room.

"She ever remind you a tornado, Dad?" Gracie asked her father after Clara was gone.

"Always," he replied. "By the way how did you know you were pregnant. The doctor that examined you, told us that you probably didn't even know about it."

"Rand told me, Daddy. He managed to contact me when I was out. He even took a bit of Deanna's power so I could merge back with my body. I can still feel her power but it's not as strong as it was."
"I have no doubt Gracie that you can handle it," King Mica said as he came into the room, followed by his wife and Jonathan.

"Jonathan, how is my sister?" Gracie asked him immediately.

"Other than being pissed off at me, she's fine," Jonathan told her honestly.

"What did you do now?" she asked him.

I placed a mezclar spell on her, he explained mentally, not wanting everyone to know.

You what!

She keeps telling me that she won't marry me. So I gave her some incentive.

You are a real bastard, you know that?

Yep. Never claimed not to be. Good thing you love me, he joked.

Rand entered the airport with Katrina, still a bit dazed from the surge of power that he had taken from Gracie. Walking in the crowded airport, he realized that he stood at least a head taller than almost everyone around him. Looking over at Katrina, he noticed that she barely came up to his chest.

"Are all people on your planet this short?" he asked as they approached the ticket counter.

"Well, the average height for women is around five foot six, and men around six foot. We do have exceptions. Most basket ball players are at least six foot five," Katrina told him. "Are you feeling that you're sticking out like a sore thumb?"

"A bit," Rand chuckled, then sobered. "Is magic common on your planet? I was lead to believe that it wasn't a very common malady."

"No, it's not," Katrina said softly, looking around quickly she continued. "There are few real psychics. And those that are can be prosecuted for their differences. They walk on the outer skirts of our society. Many just keep what God given talent they have hidden."

"That's sad, Katrina. In my country magic is highly regarded. In fact most of the ruling castes on Venus have magic. Not to say that we don't have non-magic citizens. Every citizen is treated equally. We need both to make our economy work," Rand said with a hint of pride in his voice.

"To bad I don't live there," Katrina sighed. "That would be a dream come true for me. To be able to touch others without worrying about how they will react at my touch."

"Other than a surge of warmth that I felt, your touch was not the least be disturbing," Rand assured her as they paused in front of the ticket counter.

After they requested a ticket to Chicago, Katrina turned to him and a thought suddenly occurred to her.

"Prince Randall, do you have any earth currency?"

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a plastic card that his father had insisted that his son carry. It was supposedly good on any of the inhabited planets in this system.

"Will this card work?" he asked showing the card to Katrina. Taking the card, she looked at it and nodded, then she handed it to the cashier behind the counter.

"Do you have anything holding you here?" Rand asked thoughtfully.

"Why?" Katrina asked him blankly.

"Well, if I can steal you away from your grandfather for a short period of time, it would greatly help me in my return journey to Venus. You could name your price, Katrina. It's of the utmost importance that I get back to my homeland before something evil befalls my wife and family. Without them there is nothing left holding me to this life. I won't live without them," he explained, the desire to be home with his loved ones clear in his eyes.

"When you put it that way, Prince Randall, I'll be more than happy to help you get home."

"And what can I offer in return for you help?" Rand asked as he waited for the woman behind the counter to process his card.

"You will think it is foolish," she muttered before ducking her head down.

"Tell me, Katrina," he said, his voice allowing no more argument.

"Take me with you?" she asked hesitantly, hope shining in her beautiful eyes.

"You want to go to Venus with me?" he asked. Rand had never thought that an earthling woman would want to leave her home planet. There were very few earthlings that actually lived on the Venus. Many visited but almost all of them left after a short period of time.

"Yes. I know it's silly and even foolish but I keep having these dreams about a man waiting on another planet for me. Waiting for me to come and complete him," Katrina explained.

"Well, it won't be me that denies fate her prize. Of course, I will take you home with me, Katrina. I'll even put you up in the royal palace until you find your own special place to dwell in my world. If you decide to stay that is," Rand proclaimed happily. "I would never hold you against your will, Katrina. You can leave any time you wish," he added quickly, wanting her to know that she could always come back home.

Turning back to the clerk, he requested a second seat on the plane for Katrina. The woman quickly complied. Within minutes Rand and Katrina were boarding the plane with their tickets in hand. With no luggage between either of them.

* * * * *

Patience paced back and forth outside the suite that Gracie now shared with Rand. She felt like she was ready to jump out of her skin. The need that Jonathan had kindled the day before had continued to burn unabated. She had thought that the drug had taught her the very meaning of desire. But this spell that Jonathan had placed on her, was showing her that the drug was a pale comparison to it.

When her father finally exited the room, he almost ran into her.

"Pati, what a surprise to see you," Colin exclaimed as he nearly knocked her over with the tray that he was holding.

"Hi, Daddy. Can I go in and see her?" she asked him, gazing around her father to see Gracie sitting on the love seat.

"Sure thing, Pati. Your chosen will be right back. He running an errand for me," Colin told her.

"I don't want to see him," Pati exclaimed before she rushed into the room.

* * * * *

Gracie stared at her sister. She could tell that the spell was wearing on her sister, almost as much as it was wearing on Jonathan.

"Hey sis," Gracie greeted her. "I'm glad to see that you are in better shape than the last time I saw you."

"The last time you saw me, Sis, I was trying to rape Jonathan. But the drug has finally worked it's way out of me. Sometimes I wish I could work him out of my system," Pati told her.

"I know he told me what he did," Gracie agreed, "and I can totally understand why you are upset with him. When I found out about the mezclar I was pissed. But I can't believe that he put the spell on you."

"Oh I can! He's being a selfish jerk. I can't marry him now." Patience said, her voice full of anger and frustration.

"That's what you think, sweetheart," Jonathan growled from the doorway.

"I have a bone to pick with you!" Pati stated hotly.

"Really?" Jonathan asked with a smirk as he came into the room.

"Yes, undo this damn spell, or else!" she threatened.

"Or what?" Jonathan laughed.

"Jonathan deCarthwright undo it now or I'll tell my daddy!" Pati yelled before running to the door. She made one mistake though, she got too close to him on her way out of the room.

"Oh, no you don't," he growled as he pulled her into his arms.

"Let me go!" she demanded.

"Nope," Jonathan whispered as he nuzzled her ear. "I don't want to."

"Let me go!" she squealed as she tried to wiggle away from him.

"No," he repeated as he dipped his tongue into the shell of her ear.

"Stop it you two!" Gracie ordered as she slowly rose from the love seat. Moving slowly she made her way over to the couple. Pausing beside her sister and Jonathan she shook her head in bemusement before walking out of the suite, providing them with a measure of privacy.

* * * * *

Jonathan stared down at his chosen. Why did they have to do this the hard way? Why did she have to be so stubborn about marrying him?

"Why not?" he growled as he held her against his aroused body.

"Because you deserve better," she told him hotly.

"Why don't you let me decide what I deserve?" he asked her as he pulled her so close that her breasts touched his chest. He growled softly in his throat at the contact. The spell was working on both of them, working all too well.

"Because you 're letting some over-developed sense of honor decide that because you made love to me that you have to marry me."

"Like hell. Unlike my cousin, Patience, I did not remain untouched before you. I am not in line for the throne, nor do I want it. I have had many lovers, little girl and have no regrets that I have had them. But they were just a moment out of time for me. You are going to be the rest of my life. I won't live without your love or your tight little body. They are mine. I've claimed them and I have no intentions of giving them back."

"Bastard!" she hissed, jerking out of his arms. "Who the hell do you think you are? I'm a grown woman, Mr High and Mighty. I will decide who has my heart and who has a right to my body. Just because I slept with you doesn't give you all exclusive rights to me. I want no man as my master, whether he has magic or not," she hissed as she stomped towards the door.

"You should have thought of that, my dear little Patience before you begged me to fuck you in the chosen position. You knew what would happen if I spilled into you in that position. In fact I tried to stop it. It was your choice and you have to live with it," he hissed back.

"I...I...I..." she fumed.

"Get over it! I've already spoken to your father. We are getting married as soon as Rand makes it back."

"Oh, you..." Patience sputtered before she stormed out of the room and slammed the door shut.

Standing in the middle of the bedroom, Jonathan smiled softly. Man, oh, man, life with Patience would never be dull, he decided.

* * * * *

Aric paced back in forth in the study of his deceased father's mansion. If he had been born on the right side of the sheets, this could have all been his! Instead he had to be the love child of his father's one-time mistress. Instead, his unpredictable half-sister, Deanna, would inherit all! Sometimes he just loathed her. Where was that unpredictable trollop at?

The front door slammed open and Charles walked in with Deanna sobbing in his arms. After placing the dazed Deanna on the settee, he looked up at Aric.

"What happened?" Aric asked as he took in the disheveled state of the pair.

"Princess Gracie is what happened," Princess Deanna stated weakly.

"What happened? Why did you not bring her to me like I asked? She is the key to Rand's downfall. It'll drive him mad when I take her as my wife after I have him declared dead. She is the key to the throne and I intend to have her," he finished.

"I forbid it!" Deanna hissed. "You told me that I could rule at your side!" Deanna protested.

"No, you will not Deanna. You are mine and I will share you no longer! This incestuous relationship you have with your brother is going to cease," Charles informed his chosen. Picking her up off the settee he headed for her bedchambers.

"Time to do your magic on him again, little sister?" Aric asked smugly.

"She has no magic to work on me anymore, Aric. You're just shit out of luck, as the earthlings say."

"How did that happen?" Aric demanded as he strode towards his sister and her chosen.

"Princess Gracie drained all of her power," Charles explained. "And I am glad. She'll never use it against me again. I love her but I don't trust her."

"You don't trust me!" Deanna screamed.

"After what we have gone through in the last couple of weeks, you dare ask me that!" Charles thundered as he slammed the study door in Aric's face. Striding down the hall with Deanna, he headed for her suite.

"But I love you!" she protested as he pushed the door to her suite open.

"Well enough to place spells on me, Princess?" he asked as he tossed her down on her bed.

"I..." she protested.

"This conversation is done, Deanna. It's time that you realize who is the man in this relationship. You have held it against me for years that I don't have any powers. Well, now thanks to Princess Gracie, you are as powerless as I." He smirked as he started stripping off her clothes.

"Stop that!" Deanna protested.

"Make me," he growled as he tossed her top over his shoulder. She gasped as he reached for the closure on her pants.

"Charles, if you do this, I'll never forgive you!" she cried.

"Do what? Show my chosen who's in charge?" he questioned, pulling her pants and panties down her legs, "Without your power, Deanna, I am stronger than you are. The days of you dictating what is going to happen in our relationship is over. From now on, I'll make the decisions."

"I'm a Princess. You can't do this to me," she cried as he started stripping his clothes off.

"Princess you may be, but you are still my chosen. I have a right to claim you. Just as you have the right to claim me," he said, his eyes saddening. "But it's never been enough for you, Deanna. You have always wanted more. Well, starting tonight I intend to give you so much that you'll never ask for more. I'm going to exorcize Rand from our relationship once and for all," he growled before covering her body with his.

"Charles, stop!" she cried as she squirmed under his heavy weight.

"Never," he hissed in her ear, "I'm going to love you until you can't ever think of another man." Running his hands down her body, he cupped her bottom, lifting her against his aroused body.

* * * * *

Rand watched Katrina, sleep in the seat next to him. He wished that he could relax enough to sleep. But until he was back with Gracie sleep was becoming harder to come by.

The stewardess, a friendly woman, stopped next to him and smiled.

"Can I get you anything? A drink or pillow?" she asked him.

"No thank you, ma'am," Rand told her with a tired smile. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure. If you don't mind me saying, you look like a nice long nap would do you a world of good," the stewardess said good-naturedly.

"Well, maybe I'll take a pillow," Rand returned with a smile. Maybe a pillow would ease the crick in his neck. These earthlings definitely were built shorter than he. How in the world they slept in these contraptions was an amazing feat to him.

"Sure thing," she said, reaching up into the compartment over head. Grabbing the pillow, she handing it to him.

Placing it behind his head, he yawned and closed his eyes. Maybe he'd rest his eyes for a moment. As he drifted, he wished that he was with Gracie.

* * * * *

Gracie entered the queen's drawing room, looking for a bit of privacy. After leaving her and Rand's suite, she was looking for a quiet place to roost. She was becoming accustomed to having the extra energy running through her body. But the idea that she was going to be a mother of triplets was mind boggling to her. Briefly she wondered how absorbing Princess Deanna's power would affect her babies.

"Gracie."

Turning, Gracie saw that her mother and Queen Aria were sitting in the two wing chairs in front of the fireplace.

"Hi, Moms," Gracie said with a smile. "I didn't realize that you two were in here."

"Looking for a little peace and quiet?" Eve asked her daughter.

"Kinda of. Pati and Jonathan are having it out in my suite. So I decided to escape down here."

"I have a feeling that your other daughter is going to run my nephew a fair race, Eve," Aria chuckled.

"You could be right. That daughter of mine is a chip off the old block. When I first met Colin, I had no desire to ever marry," Eve explained, laughing.

"I'm sure they'll figure it out," Gracie replied as she curled up on the small settee that was adjacent to the fireplace and the other women. She groaned softly as the smell of the burning wood drifted over to her.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Aria asked.

Chanting a quick stop spell Gracie stopped the unpleasant smell from reaching her.

"Nothing now," she told them.

"There's something different about you," Eve mentioned, not quite sure what it was.

"Probably a side effect of stripping Deanna's power," Gracie informed her mother, not mentioning the babies that she carried. She didn't know how much of the conversation with her aunt, that her mother had heard but she didn't want her mother or Queen Aria to fuss over her.

"And the fact that you are expecting has nothing to do with it?" Aria asked dryly.

"Queen Mother!" Gracie scolded softly.

"Sweetheart, Mica foresaw your pregnancy weeks ago. So please don't scold. I'm happy that you and Rand are going to give us a grandchild to spoil." Aria told her fondly.

"Don't you mean children?" Gracie asked.

"Children? Are you sure?" Eve gasped.

"Yes, or least that's what my husband tells me," Gracie said, her voice full of laughter.

* * * * *

Princess Deanna gasped as Charles moved in and out of her savagely. When they were together like this, passion always fogged her mind and she lost sight of the plans that her and Aric had made so many years ago. If her chosen even had a clue to the dastardly deeds that she had done, he wouldn't even look at her, let alone be buried deep inside of her wet body.

"Charles," she moaned as her body went rigid with pleasure.

"That's right, Deanna. Only Charles can give you this pleasure," he growled, rolling over onto his back. Holding her hips, he watched as she straightened up and began moving against him as he continued to hammer up into her waiting depths.

"Yes!" she screamed as her body exploded.

"That's it baby," he groaned as her tremors shot him over the edge. At the same moment the soft puff of a silencer filled the room. Charles watched in horror as a a soft moan of pain escaped Deanna. Then he heard the thud of the bullet hit the headboard above his head. A small hole appeared between her swaying breasts and a small trickle of blood ran down her torso. Then she collapsed forward onto his heaving chest. "Deanna!" he cried lifting her head.

"I love you," she croaked before last breath left her body.

"No!" he growled in despair, waiting for the link that would draw him to his death with her.

* * * * *

Queen Aria was the first to notice that Gracie had dozed on the settee. Eve and her had been talking softly for the last few minutes when she had noticed that Gracie had not made any sound. Looking over at her daughter-in-law, she smiled softly. With a graceful nod of her head, she directed Eve's attention to her sleeping daughter.

"Should we leave her?" Eve asked quietly.

"Yes, look at her, she's so tired. I'm sure she's not getting much sleep without Rand." Aria replied softly as they left the room. Pulling the door closed behind them, she turned and placed a spell on the door, so Gracie wouldn't be disturbed.

* * * * *

Gracie was drifting on the psychic plane when she was drawn out farther than she had ever gone. She didn't know if it was due to the extra power she now had or the fact that she was so lonely that she was searching for Rand.

As she drew closer to the edge, the plane suddenly warped into their bedroom. Then she realized that she could indeed reach her husband. Smiling in relief, she floated closer to his sleeping form in their bed. He seemed restless. Sitting down on the edge, she soothed his an unruly lock of his hair out of his face. Suddenly his eyes opened and locked on hers.

Gracie? Come here, my love. he coaxed, I need you next to me.

Rand, she whispered softly as she stretched out next him.

Mine, he growled as he pulled her into his arms. I miss holding you in my arms.

You just miss the sex, she scolded.

That too, he agreed, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her ear. Sighing, he cuddled her closer to him. Sleep with me, my love.

What am I going to do with you? she asked with a soft sigh of pleasure.

Love me, he whispered in her ear. He smiled when he heard her soft snore.

* * * * *

Charles lay there under his chosen waiting for death to come to him. It was the way of chosens. One could not live without the other. He had been laying under her cooling body for the last hour waiting. He knew that the shooter had already left. He was had a good idea of who pulled the trigger and he was angry as hell that Aric had the balls to shoot his own sister in the back.

He heard a gasp from the door way. Gently he moved her off of him. Sitting up, the maid in the door way screamed bloody murder.

"Fuck!" he growled as she ran screaming from the room. Rolling to the edge of the bed, he walked into the bathroom. Taking a washcloth, he washed the blood off of his body.

* * * * *

Aric walked into his sister's room with the screaming maid, expecting to see his sister and her chosen wrapped in a death embrace. He was shocked when he only saw Deanna.

"Where's Charles?" he asked the frightened maid.

"I don't know, my lord," the maid whispered. "He was lying under her."

"Find him," he ordered before walking over to his sister. "Such a disappointment," he muttered as he pulled the sheet up over her naked form.

* * * * *

Charles gasped as he ran up the steps of the palace. He needed to talk to King Mica's advisor. It was rumored that Colin O'Connor was one of the wisest men on Venus. He didn't understand why he was still standing. By all rights he should be dead. But he wasn't going to wait at Deanna's palace and give Aric another chance at killing him.

King Mica and Colin met him at the door. He stopped, leaning over and gasped for air.

"Come with us," King Mica told him calmly.

"She's dead," he gasped.

"I know." Mica soothed, "come with us."

"She's dead," he repeated with a sob of anguish.

"My sister wants to talk to you, Charles. She will answer your questions," Colin assured him as he drew the sobbing man into the foyer.

Clara was sitting in her brother's study, when he brought in the sobbing Charles. Placing her fan on the table next to her, she waited until they sat the sobbing man down in the chair adjacent to hers.

"Calm down, Charles," she urged. Looking up at her brother, Colin, she asked him to go and fetch some tea.

"There are perfectly good servants to do that, Clara," he huffed.

"Just do it Colin," she ordered. Growling beneath his breath, he reluctantly did as his sister bid him.

"Now, Charles, look at me," Clara asked softly. "Tell me what's wrong?"

"She's dead!" he hissed. "She's dead and I'm not."

"I know," Clara replied. "And you don't understand why. Well, it simple Charles. Fate has stuck her hand into your life. She can be a rather meddlesome wench. But to put it simply, it wasn't your time to go. It seems like Fate has other plans for you."

"What? How will I function without her?" he asked desperately. "You know how it is between chosens, how it has always been."

"Yes, I do. I also know that one can survive without the other," she explained to him.

"It's never happened before," Charles said, his voice filled with anguish.

"Yes, it has," she countered.

"I've never heard of it," he protested.

"I have survived the death of a chosen," she explained to him gently. "I know the pain of losing a chosen."

"So where do I go from here?" he asked. "Do I let her murderer go free and wait for him to come and finish me off?"

"No, I don't expect that at all. Rand and Gracie will take care of Aric in due time," Clara explained. "No, I foresee a very different future for you. Your true chosen will be coming with Rand."

"True chosen?"

"Yes, Charles. With Deanna you bound physically but your souls never quite matched up. That's the reason why you didn't follow her in death."

"It's possible to bond with more than one woman?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, my dear it is," she assured him. "It doesn't happen often but it does happen."

"Wonderful," he growled. "And will this chosen have magic too?" he asked hostilely.

"Yes, she will put what power, your Deanna had to shame." Clara warned him.

"I don't want another witch, damnit!" he growled.

"She's not a witch," Clara explained.

"I don't want a woman that can place spells on me! I'll never bond with her!" he fumed hotly.

* * * * *

Rand woke when the stewardess announced that they would be landing in Chicago.

Stretching lazily, he yawned and tried to work some of the kinks out of his body. Next to him, Katrina came awake.

"How do you feel?" she asked him.

"Better," he said, his voice less edgy than it had been since he had landed on this planet.

"What happened?" she asked curiously.

"I haven't really explained what chosens are to you. The closest I can explain it to you is that once two people enter the bond of the chosen, they can not survive without one another. We bond both physically, mentally and our spirits merge together. So to be apart is very uncomfortable. Those of us who do have magic are able to communicate over time and space."

"So you spoke with your chosen?" she asked.

"Actually we dream merged, Katrina. I held my wife in my arms for the last few hours. She gives me peace," he explained with a smile.

"This bond of the chosens must be a wonderful thing to experience," Katrina responded.

"It is," he agreed.

* * * * *

Aric paced back and forth in the throne room. With the death of his sister, the throne that she held was vacant. He was waiting to see what the panel of elders had to say about the next in line, since Deanna had no off-spring. They were deciding if he would be the one to take the throne or if Charles would be able to take it. Even though they had never married, Charles was her chosen and it had been recorded as such. He had argued that the man had crawled off somewhere to die after he had shot Deanna. So even if he had survived, he should be executed for killing his chosen, Princess Deanna.

"Aric,"

Turning, Aric watched as an elderly woman appeared before him. Scowling, he demanded to know what the witch wanted.

"You had better run," she advised.

"Why?" he asked with disbelief.

"Because they are coming for you."

"Who's coming for me."

"Those you've done wrong," the woman whispered before fading in front of his eyes.

* * * * *

Gracie sat up and looked around the room. When she had fallen asleep she had been talking with the Queen and her mother.

"Well, that was rather rude of me," she muttered as she stood and stretched.

"You must have needed the sleep," Pati replied from the chair where she was gazing at the flames.

"Hey sis. Dare I ask how you are?"

"I'll be alright," Pati said as the tremors racked her small frame.

"It's the raz-ice, isn't it," Gracie asked as she knelt in front of her sister.

"Yeah."

"Does he know?"

"I don't care if he knows. This is my battle, not his," Pati replied through clenched teeth.

"Pati, please. You know that's not how it works. Jonathan knows about the raz-ice."

"I'm still mad at him."

"I can understand that, Pati. I was very angry with Rand when he took the choice away from me. But what's the worse thing that will happen if you give him what he wants?"

"He'll take me over."

"Do you honestly think that he's that domineering, Pati?"

"Yes."

"When it comes to your safety, yes, he will be. He's a deCarthwright through and through. It's bred into them. They know of no other way to be. But believe me, Pati, he loves you for you. He doesn't want you to bow down to him. He wants a mate not a servant."

"But I can't saddle him with an addict, Gracie. He's the nephew of the king. He deserves someone who will be able to help him socially. At one time I might have been able to be that person, but I'm not the same woman I was before Brett got his hands on me," Pati explained cynically.

"Oh Pati. I wish you would just give it a chance. Let him see the reality of what it's like for you. Quit shielding him from the cravings and urges that the raz-ice is causing," Gracie urged.

"I can't, Gracie. I love him. I don't want him suffering with me."

"Patience Eve O'Connor!" Gracie scolded. "That is not a decision you can take out of his hands. It's his choice."

"I can't ask him to make that choice, Gracie."

"What are you afraid of sis? That he'll leave you or that he'll stay?"

"Both," her sister sobbed.

* * * * *

Rand braced himself as he waited for the spaceship to take off. This time he was in first class. The space pilot that was piloting this mission was originally from Venus. He had immediately recognized him and he wouldn't even except any money for his and Katrina's passages.

Next to him Katrina was looking around in amazement. It was quite obvious to him that Katrina had never been in a spaceship.

"Are you ready for your first ride into outer space?" Rand asked her as the attendants buckled them into the seats.

"A little bit nervous but ready," Katrina gasped as the attendant tightened straps even tighter.

"I was the first time that I traveled in space. I'm looking forward to taking Gracie with me next time I travel. I don't think that she's ever traveled in space before."

"It sounds like you love her," Katrina replied.

"Yes, I do. She completes me," Rand agreed.

"Maybe one day, I'll have that kind of love," she replied in a wistful voice.

* * * * *

Gracie was not surprised when Jonathan joined them a short while later. She smiled in welcome when he walked into the room.

"Now listen you two, no more fighting," she scolded.

"Who said anything about fighting?" Jonathan asked. "If she just agree to marry me, there would be no fighting involved."

"I don't want to get married," she hissed.

"And what if you're pregnant, Patience. You planning on depriving me of our child?"

"I won't get pregnant," she promised.

"Maybe I should pull your Auntie Clara in here and determine the odds of that," Jonathan replied. "I hear she pretty good at predicting the future."

"Don't you dare. Once she declares something to happen, it does," Pati growled.

"I don't see what the problem is with you two," Gracie said, her voice full of laughter. "Pati, you love Jonathan, and Jonathan loves you. Just stop being so stubborn and put him out of his misery. Marry him and then torture him," Gracie advised as she stood and walked over to the hearth.

"How?" Pati grumbled. "He's got the magic."

"Ah, as a wedding present I'll give you the spell that I used on him the night that we merged with him."

"Don't you dare," Jonathan threatened Gracie.

"What are you worried about?" Pati asked him. "Even if she gives me the spell, I don't have the magic to use it."

"Gracie," Jonathan warned.

"What?" Gracie asked with an innocent face. Too bad her eyes gave her away.

"Don't tell her."

"Don't tell me what?" Pati asked.

"What's a matter, Jonathan? Afraid that Pati might use your amulet to even up the odds?" Gracie asked with a chuckle.

"Are you telling me, I can use the marriage amulet to cast spells?" Pati asked slowly.

"Only on your husband," Gracie clarified. "Plus you can use it to dream merge."

"Oh really," Patience replied, turning and looking at her chosen. "Is this true, Jonathan? Can I do those things with your amulet?"

"Yes," he admitted, reluctantly.

"And would have you ever told me about it?"

"Maybe," he hedged. "Damn it Gracie, you could have kept your mouth shut."

"Well, lets put it this way, Jonathan. What goes around, comes around. I think it's only fair that Pati can do the same thing to you that you have done to her."

"Hey, I'm suffering here, just as much as she is."

"And you know how to fix that right?" Gracie murmured.

"I can't lift the spell," Jonathan growled.

"Then I guess you just better rush my sister to the alter then."

"Who's side are you on?" Pati wailed as she stood up.

"Both of yours," Gracie told her hot-headed sister. "You two belong together. So quit pussy-footing around, Pati. Give the man what he wants. You'll never regret it."

"And what if he regrets it?" she demanded hotly.

"Ask me that, Patience," Jonathan growled as he pushed her back down in the chair. Kneeling in front of her, he trapped her there. "This time you're not running from me. We're gonna have this out for once and all."

"Gracie, help me," Pati pleaded.

"It's time for you to stand and fight, Pati," Gracie told her softly. "It's time to fight for what you want. Don't let the drug win."

"See you later, Gracie," Jonathan growled as continued to watch his chosen.

"Later, Jonathan, " Gracie agreed as she left the room.

* * * * *

In the guest room that he had been assigned, Charles lay sleeping. As usual he thought he would dream about Deanna, instead another woman had entered his dream. As she approached him, he growled softly. After his experience with Deanna he had no desire to have any kind of relationship with a woman of power.

"Stay away from me," he ordered the petite woman.

"Why?" she asked as she floated nearer to him.

"I don't want any part of the damn prophesy," he growled.

"I'm sorry about that," she whispered as she reached out and gently touched his cheek. "But I need you."

"Surely there is someone else," he offered.

"No," she said, her voice full of sorrow. "It's either you or not at all."

* * * * *

Katrina awoke with a start. She had gone to sleep thinking about what the Prince had told her about dream merges. And if she wasn't mistaken, she had just experienced one. Looking around, she noticed that the prince wasn't next to her. Unbuckling herself, she went in search of him.

* * * * *

Aric swallowed his growl of anger, when the panel of elders exited the room. They had once again turned down his bid for his father's crown.

"Damn it!" he hissed as he stormed out of the room. Heading for his suite of rooms, he burst into the room, startling the maid that was making his bed with fresh linen. Slamming the door shut behind him, he watched as the maid gave out a startled yell of surprise.

"Strip," he ordered her as he loosened his belt.

"My lord, please," she begged.

"You heard me! Take your damn clothes off, now!" Aric ordered as he pulled his shirt over his head. Dropping it to the floor he leaned down and undid his shoes before kicking them and his socks off. Looking up at the frightened maid, he saw that she was still standing there, with the linens in her hands.

"What the hell are you waiting for? An invitation?" he growled before walking over to the maid and ripping the linen out of her hands. "Do it!"

"Please..." she sobbed.

"I plan on pleasing someone," he hissed as he ripped the front of her blouse down to her waist. "And that would be me." he finished as he hauled her skirt up to her waist. Shoving her down on the bed, he ripped her undergarments out of the way. Looking at her face, he saw that she was sobbing.

"Shut the hell up!" he told the woman, his voice filled with ice. "I'm going to fuck you whether you want me to or not. So you might as well enjoy it."

"My lord..." the woman gasped as he thrust his fingers into her womanhood. He smiled savagely as he felt the wetness he found. He knew that this maid loved being forced. That was why he had her assigned to his room. She was a perfect woman to vent his anger on without having to worry about her crying rape! Placing the head of his cock against her entrance, he reached up and squeezed her exposed breasts. Then he slammed into her as hard as he could. He growled as the woman beneath him exploded around him.

"That's right, you little bitch, come all over me. I told you that you would like it." he hissed as he continued punishing the wet pussy under him. Damn he loved abusing pussy!

* * * * *

Katrina found Rand in the cockpit with the pilot. They were discussing the fastest route back to Venus. Rand smiled in welcome when he realized that she was there.

"Did you have a good sleep, Katrina?" he asked.

"Yes, Prince Randall, I did. I had a dream about the man again."

"Did you?"

"Yes, it seemed different this time, though. He actually spoke with me this time." Katrina explained. "And he didn't seem all that happy about seeing me."

"I bet you had a dream merge, Katrina."

"Really. I thought I might have had one. It seemed so real. I wish I could slip into his dreams as easily as he does mine."

"I can teach you how to do that, Katrina," he offered.

"Really," she asked hopefully.

"Not a problem. You have more than enough latent power, Katrina, to jump start a dream merge," Rand assured her.

* * * * *

King Mica and Colin stood on the terrace. Their wives had banished them outside to smoke their nasty cigars. Gazing up at the stars, Mica sighed.

"Do you think he's on his way back?" he asked Colin.

"I know that your son is resourceful and he's that determined to come back to Gracie."

"That boy of mine loves your daughter to a distraction, Colin. They have been like two pea in a pod forever. You know it was the hardest decision I've ever faced when he came to me and told me that she was the one and that he was going to wait for her."

"Why?" Colin asked him, as he leaned against the balcony and smoked his cigar.

"Every instinct told me that waiting was foolish. Once a crown prince finds his mate, he claims her and never looks back," Mica explained. "But not that boy of mine. He's always marched to the beat of a different drum as your wife would say."

"That's very true, Mica. But I couldn't ask for a better husband for my little girl."

"That little girl of yours has one helluva temper though. I would't want to tame her," Mica said with a laugh.

"Independent as the day is long, that's for sure," he agreed. "She must get from her mother."

"Yeah right, Daddy. Why do you lie to him?" Gracie asked as she appeared out of the shadows.

"Hi sweetheart," Colin greeted his daughter. "Now would I lie to him?"

"Yes!" they both answered him.

"Oh you wound me!" Colin replied. Laughter filled the terrace.

* * * * *

Jonathan stared at Pati. He had not moved from his position after Gracie left. The silence in the drawing room was overwhelming.

"Look at me, Patience," he whispered. "Ignoring me won't work. We're not leaving here until we get this straightened out."

"Jonathan," she protested as she leaned back against the chair.

"Pati, I love you. I won't live without you. I want you as my wife and the mother of our children."

"I can't saddle you with an addict for a wife, Jon. I crave the raz-ice morning, noon and night. I won't put you through the hell that the addict goes through and only to have it fail. Over eighty percent of rehabs of raz-ice addicts fail."

"Pati. It doesn't matter to me. I'll go through the treatment with you. I won't let you fail. Let me be the reason for you to succeed."

"I wish it were that easy," Pati whispered.

"Just put yourself into my care, Pati," he urged. Lifting her chin, he brushed his lips against hers. Groaning, he deepened the kiss as the mezclar flew out of control.

When they finally came up for air, they were both breathing raggedly.

"Please, Patience, believe in me the way that I believe in you," he coaxed.

"Jonathan, you don't play fair," she groaned.

"Like your mom says, Pati. All's fair in love and war,"

"And which is this?" she joked.

"Both. I love you and I'm ready to fight a war against the raz-ice. I won't let you go without a fight. You're mine Pati. No man or drug is going to take you away from me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, damn it. Now tell me that you'll marry me, you impossible wench."

"Fine, I'll marry you."

"It's about damn time," he growled as he took her mouth with his.

* * * * *

The maid screamed as she convulsed around Aric's hard thrusting cock. He growled against her breast as he chewed on her nipple.

"That's right bitch, take that cock." he growled after he flipped her over onto her stomach and rammed into her from behind. Bringing his hand down hard on her plump butt, he listened to her squeal with pain and pleasure.

"My lord!" she screamed.

"That's right, you little whore. Maybe I should shove this cock up your ass. I bet you'd love that!" he growled. as he shoved a finger into her unsuspecting rosebud.

"NO!" she protested, bucking wildly beneath him.

Aric groaned as her thrashing brought on his own orgasm. Ramming her pussy hard, he started shooting rope after rope of hot, scalding seed into the maid. He rolled off the panting girl. He had finally exorcized his anger out of his body. Damn the woman was good at pleasing him.

Rand sighed with relief when the shuttle finally began to orbit Venus. He had convinced the pilot to not broadcast that he was on board. It was tradition when royalty arrived for shuttle they were on to be renamed to denote the fact that they were carrying a royal. It was a practice that they had copied from Earth, and the United States in particular.

"How long do we orbit before we land?" Katrina asked as she floated next to him.

"Depends. Anywhere from a few hours to a few days."

"Really," Katrina replied. "So it's a first come, first serve basis?"

"Sometimes, ships that carry perishables are allowed to enter first. If I allowed the pilot to declare that I was onboard, we would be allowed to go to the front of the line, so to speak. But I don't want my enemies to know that I have made it back," Rand explained, hoping the young woman wouldn't mind the delay.

"Cool, that means that I'll get more time in space. It's kind of cool to be weightless," Katrina told him with a smile.

"While we're waiting, why don't we go over you power?" Rand suggested, "When we land I'll see about having you tested."

"Tested?" Katrina squeaked. "What kind of tests are we talking about?"

"Nothing for you to fear, Katrina. We don't dissect our magic wielding citizens," Rand assured her. "The closest thing I can compare it to is, maybe your SAT's. Our Ministry of Magic conducts tests to place a level of power on each person. Then it is recorded for future use, such as job placement. We also use it to keep the more powerful ones from abusing their power."

"Sounds kinda scary to allow your government that much control," Katrina admitted.

"Not really. It's no different than your custom of having your hand guns registered and licensed. Magic can be used as a weapon on Venus. It's a way of protecting our citizens."

"Are there handguns on Venus?" Katrina asked suddenly.

"There are some. Mostly carried by transplants, such as yourself. And some of our non-magic wielding citizens carry them. And like on Earth they have to be registered with our government."

"Are handguns useful against magic?"

"No, they aren't. Any wizard or witch that realizes that a gun is being pointed at them can throw up a shield to deflect the bullets. The only way they are any good is if you catch the person by surprise and they don't have time to block it."

"That makes sense," Katrina replied. "So how much does it cost to get tested?"

* * * * *

Gracie awoke the next morning feeling like her stomach was going to die! As the nausea rolled over her, she stumbled to her bathroom. After emptying the contents of her stomach, she washed her mouth out and brushed her teeth. If she had any doubts about being pregnant, they were put to rest. Lord, she hoped that this part of her pregnancy didn't last long.

Walking back into her room, she was surprised to see Aric leaning against her bed. Stilling, she became aware of her state of undress. Using her magic she floated her robe to her and wrapped it around her naked body.

"Aric, what do I owe this pleasure?" Gracie asked him sarcastically.

"Tsk-tsk. Where are your manners at Princess Gracie?" Aric asked as he pushed off the bed and walked towards her.

"I came to congratulate you on stripping my sister's powers from her. You saved me the trouble of doing it later," he said pleasantly, stopping inches from her. "But you left me with a small problem, Gracie. Where on Venus am I going to find another Princess to rule at my side, when I take over your kingdom?"

"I don't know what kind of garbage you're trying to feed me, Aric. I won't betray my husband."

"You mean the husband that I killed?" Aric asked coldly.

"If you killed my husband, Aric, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you. Rand and I have been bonded for many years. I would know if he was dead."

"Is that so? Well, you got me there, Gracie. I didn't kill him. But I'm going to have your people declare him dead. You see I stuck your husband in an ejection pod and ejected him into Earth's atmosphere. If he survived the re-entry, well, lets say the locals aren't that keen on uninvited visitors." Aric explained as he stopped inches from her.

"And when he makes it back to Venus?" Gracie questioned as she stood her ground.

"By that time, I'll have you and his kingdom under my thumb," Aric assured her as he reached out and toyed with a lock of her hair. "And hopefully I'll have a whelp in that little belly of yours. How do you think your husband will react to seeing his wife pregnant with his enemy's baby?" he asked as moved to place his hand on her belly.

"Touch me and you'll lose that hand," Gracie warned softly.

"Ah, the little princess has teeth, I see," Aric laughed as he backed away from her.

"Yes, and I'm not afraid to use them, Aric," Gracie assured him.

"That might be interesting," he replied just before there was a knock on Gracie's door. "Well, my dear, that is my cue to leave. I'll be seeing you around," Aric promised before he exited her room via the balcony.

Cursing weakly as Emma came into the room carrying her tea, she sank to the chair next to her bed.

"My lady!" Emma gasped as she rushed to Gracie's side.

"Get my father!" Gracie ordered. "And Jonathan too."

As Emma ran to do her bidding, Gracie reached out blindly for Rand. She needed to know that he was safe!

Rand!

* * * * *

Rand! Rand froze in mid-sentence as Gracie's frantic voice filled his head.

Gracie, I'm here.

Thank God. Aric just visited me. He caught me at a weak moment. He told me that you were as good as dead.

No, my love. I won't ever leave you. I'll be at your side soon, he soothed.

He has plans to have you declared dead and then claim your throne. And me.

Like hell, he will. I'm orbiting Venus right now, mi reina. As soon as we land, I'll come straight home. I'm bringing a friend with me.

Just as long as you come back to me, she demanded.

Are you sure that you don't love me, he growled.

Just come home to me. You'll get your answer then,she bribed.

Brat!

* * * * *

Katrina watched in awe as fleeting emotions ran across Rand's face. He seemed to glow from within. He was communicating with his wife, she realized as she began to recognize the signs. To be that close to another person had to be a wonderful experience.

"Sorry about that, Katrina," Rand apologized as he became aware that she was watching him avidly.

"No problem. It must be an amazing to be that connected to your wife."

"It can be wonderful. And at other times, I swear that woman will be the death of me," he chuckled.

* * * * *

Jonathan was the first one to reach Gracie's room. As he burst into the room, he saw his best friend sitting on the chair.

"Gracie, what happened!" he asked as he skidded to stop before her.

"He was here, he just left via the balcony," Gracie said as her father came running into the room.

"Is it the babies!" her dad asked frantically.

"No, Daddy. Aric was here, and I froze. I could have ended this and I froze," she cried.

"Ah, sweetheart, don't beat yourself up. You weren't raised to fight another wizard. Your mother and I raised you to use your head to solve your problems. Did he hurt you or the babies?" Colin asked as he nodded to Jonathan. Jonathan immediately went out onto the balcony to see if he could find any traces of Aric.

"My babies are fine, Daddy. But he admitted that he took Rand to Earth and abandoned him there. He wants King Mica's throne, Daddy."

"Shh, just relax Grace," Colin urged his daughter as Jonathan came back in from the balcony.

* * * * *

Charles entered the royal dining room for breakfast. He was a bit unsettled as he noticed that everyone was present. The King and Queen sat next to each other sipping on coffee. Princess Gracie sat between her mother and the Queen. Across from her mother, was Colin. Next to Eve sat Jonathan, who was holding Patience's trembling hand and trying to coax her into eating.

Pausing next to the buffet, he slowly filled his plate. He wasn't sure of his reception.

"Charles, please come and sit down," Colin urged the man, when it was obvious that he didn't how to proceed. Nodding to the chair next to him, he motioned for Charles to sit down.

"We're not holding Deanna's actions against you," Gracie explained as Charles sat down. "I'm sorry that you have lost her though."

"Thank you," Charles replied.

By the end of the meal Charles was much more at ease. That was until the topic of conversation turned to Gracie's early morning visit by Aric.

"He did what!" Charles hissed.

"Snuck right into my room," Gracie admitted.

"We've taken precautions against that happening again," Jonathan assured Charles.

"I thought I'd be safe here," Charles muttered.

"You are safe here, Charles." Colin assured him. "Aric knows that Gracie lives in the palace. It's common knowledge. But he has no idea that you have decided to stay here."

* * * * *

Rand stared out the window as they orbited his home planet. He never got over the feeling of pride he got when he saw her beauty from space. In the early years, Earth had not been able to see through the shield that they had placed over their homes. Being so close to the sun, it would be extremely hot without them. Plus the shields filtered the atmosphere and turn the particles in to usable water.

"Attention all passengers, we have been given the okay to land. Please buckle yourselves into your assigned seats as we prepare for landing," the pilot's voice ordered over the intercom system.

As he made his way back to his seat, he was joined by Katrina.

"Let's go home," she said as she buckled herself into her seat.

"Yes," Rand agreed with a sigh of pleasure. He had been gone too long.

* * * * * Jonathan led Pati back to her room. The tremors that had been plaguing her were becoming stronger. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let anything like this ever happen to her again.

"Come on Pati, lets go rest for a little bit and see if I can take your mind off these cravings." he whispered against her ear.

"Jonathan," she gasped as desire fought with the intense craving she had for raz-ice.

"That's right, sweetheart. Replace the craving with need," he coaxed as he nibbled on her ear.

"This is not fair," she gasped. "the mezclar," she protested.

"Don't worry about it. We'll be married tomorrow, sweetheart," he growled against her ear as he wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breasts in his hands.

"Oh, please," she muttered as she pressed his hands against her breasts harder.

"I'm more than prepared to stay up all night loving you," he promised as he pulled away and started shedding his clothes.

"What about making me wait?" she gasped as she greedily watched him disrobe.

"That was just a bluff on my part, minx. I would never torture you that way. I just wanted to convince you to marry me." he said, his voice full of desire. With a wave of his hand, her clothes disappeared. "I'm tired of waiting for you, Patience. Enough is enough." he growled as he lifted her and took her hard nipple into his mouth.

* * * * *

Katrina gasped when she saw the palace in front of her.

"Relax, Katrina," Rand urged as he walked up her the steps to the entrance.

"You live here?" she squeaked her eyes big with awe.

"Yes. My father and mother live here too." he explained softly. As he reached to open the door, Arthur, the family butler, opened it.

"Welcome back, Prince Rand," the man said in clipped English tones.

"Thank you, Arthur. Where's she at?" he asked the butler as he followed him into the palace. Before the butler could answer he heard the obvious sounds of woman in the throes of passion. Arching an eyebrow, he looked at Arthur.

"That would be Miss Pati and Master Jonathan, your highness. The rest of the family has moved outside to the gardens to enjoy the lovely spring weather," Arthur explained to him with his same calm demeanor though a twinkle in his eye showed is humor.

"Ah, I see," Rand replied trying to keep a straight face. "Follow me, Katrina."

"Yeah," Katrina agreed as her face heated. The wails from the woman seemed to be growing louder.

* * * * *

Jonathan growled happily as Pati arched against into his mouth and exploded once more. From his position between her spread legs , he lapped eagerly at the cream that was now flowing freely from her aroused pussy.

"Damn, you taste sweet," he growled as he levered himself over her and captured her lips with his. Shifting between her legs he rubbed his hard cock against her wet pussy as he continued to swallow all of her gasps and moans with his mouth. When she ran her fingers through his hair and wrapped it around her little fingers, he lost it.

"Minx," he growled against her lips as he thrust deep inside of her waiting depths.

"Yes!!" she squealed as she wrapped her legs around his hips.

* * * * *

Rand stood in doorway leading out to the patio with Katrina. Knowing his duties he pointed out each person who was sitting around the glass table.

"Katrina, this is my family. Or at least this is most of it, aside from Jonathan and Pati, that is. My father and mother are sitting at the head of the table. My in-laws are sitting on the far end," Rand told her as he pointed out Colin and Eve. "Colin is my father's advisor."

"And the beautiful woman that is headed our way is your wife?" Katrina asked softly.

Turning, Rand smiled widely. "Yes," he answered before his arms was filled with wife's sobbing form.

"Shh, Gracie, I'm home," he soothed as he was suddenly surrounded by his happy family.

* * * * *

Katrina stepped away from the crowd that had just enveloped Prince Rand. He was obviously well loved by his family. Wandering over to the table she noticed that one of the men had remained seated. Walking closer, she recognized the man. He was the man from her dreams!

Charles watched as Rand's family surrounded him. He was glad that the Prince had made his way back from Earth without much problem. He had never had a problem with the Prince himself other than the fact that Deanna had wanted him. Then he noticed a slender woman ease out of the crowd. She was beautiful! As she walked closer to him, he realized that she was the woman from his dream!

"Stay away from me," he growled as he stood up.

"Excuse me," she asked him softly.

"You heard me, you little witch," he said, his voice filled with stress as a deep desire to escape overcame him.

"Me? A witch?" she laughed, then smiled at him. "I may be little but I am no witch,"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Katrina," she replied offering her slender hand. He stared at it blankly.

"You're suppose to shake it," Rand told Charles as he and the rest of them joined the couple back at the table.

"What?" Charles growled.

"Where I come from, it's a form of greeting," Katrina replied, "And I don't believe I caught your name."

"Charles, don't be rude," Gracie told him.

"I have to go," he mumbled as he stood up and rushed back into the house.

"What was that all about?" Colin asked as he watched the man flee as if the hounds of hell were on his heels.

"I don't know," Rand said as he looked questioningly at Katrina.

"He's the man of my dreams," she simply stated.

* * * * *

Charles gasped as he shut the door to his room. The witch had found him! How could he go from one mate to another, so quickly.

"Calm down Charles," a soft woman's voice from behind him.

Spinning around, he found Auntie Clara siting on his bed.

"How the hell did you get in here?"

"I let myself in," she told him calmly as she stood and walked over to him.

"What?" he growled as he backed up.

"How long are you going to try and run from Fate?" she asked him as she touched the side of his face. "That lovely child has traveled a long way for you, Charles. She has left her family to fulfill her destiny. She belongs on this planet. She belongs to you," Clara said urgently. "Don't make a mistake that would hurt her and destroy your fate."

* * * * *

Later that night, Rand and Gracie retired to their suite. As Rand ushered her inside, he shut the door with his foot. With a softly whispered spell, all of her clothes disappeared. He had shown remarkable restraint when he had first seen her. The bonding had immediately demanded that he take her and claim her. But in front of his family and his new friend Katrina, he wanted to make a good impression.

"Rand!" she scolded as she realized that her clothes were gone and she was naked in front of him.

"I can't wait any longer, Gracie. I love you. And I need to bury myself deep inside of your tight little pussy," he growled as he advanced on her. "And I sure hope like hell that your as ready as I am."

"Oh yes," she sighed as he took her into his arms.

"Good," he whispered as he lifted her in his arms and carried over to their bed. Bending her over the edge of the bed, he positioned her in front of him, releasing his aching cock from his pants, he slowly sank himself deep into her welcoming folds. They both gasped as they connected.

"Rand!" she gasped as he started moving against her. Leaning over he grasped her breasts in his hands and slid in and out of her in slow, deep thrusts. She mewed deep in her throat as pleasure skittered across her sensitive flesh. She could feel the denim of his pants against her ass and the soft cotton of his shirt against her back as he covered her trembling body with his.

"So good," he groaned as he continued to thrust slowly.

"Yes!" she moaned in return as she edged closer to release. "Please Rand, love me."

Rand gasped as he felt her folds tighten ever more around his aching cock. He could tell that she was already on the edge of coming all over him. The slow and deep thrusts felt good but he knew that he would not be able to sustain them long. His body was demanding a much faster and harder pace.

Gracie grasped as she shot over the edge of release and convulsed in his arms.

"Ready?" he growled against her ear as he continued to thrust.

"For what?" she moaned as she calmed.

"This," he groaned as he started to thrust faster and harder into her wetness.

Gracie threw back her head and screamed as he pushed her right back up and over into a throbbing orgasm.

"Yes," he hissed, as he sucked on the side of her neck. "That's it Gracie, come all over me."

"Please," she begged as she was waylaid by another orgasm.

"Oh hell," he groaned as he felt his balls tighten. "I'm gonna come, Gracie," he panted as he continued to thrust.

"Yes!" she wailed as her body prepared for his imminent release.

"That's it baby, take it, take it," he chanted as his cock exploded in a gut wrenching orgasm. He tensed as he shot rope after rope of hot seed deep inside of her climaxing pussy.

* * * * *

Katrina stood on the balcony off her room and stared at the stars in the sky. It was hard to believe that she was so far from home. She was content for the moment. She had been accepted by the Prince's family. They had welcomed her with open arms.

Charles, she learned, was going to be a totally different animal though. He was resistant to having her in his life but she knew in the end that he would come around. She was a very determined young lady.

She smiled when she heard more moans of pleasure float from the house. She didn't know if it was in the water or what, but everyone on this planet seemed to be sensual. And if it was in the water, she planned on drinking as much of it as she could.

Aric paced back and forth in front of Brett. They were on the edge of royal gardens. Anger showed in every line of his body. Brett watched him with nervous eyes. He had seen the devious things that Aric. was capable of and had no desire to increase his anger. Even though he agreed with Aric about his right to succession of his father's throne, he felt the man was being obsessive about Princess Gracie.

"What do you mean that you won't kidnap a defenseless woman?" Aric asked him as he stopped directly in front of the man.

"Princess Gracie is not a defenseless woman, Aric. She is a highly trained and powered witch. This isn't like the other kidnapping. Someone will end up dead this time," Brett explained, fearing that this time the princess would not be so easy on him. Even though his pride had taken a beating, he couldn't help but admire the Princess's grit and sheer determination to do what she saw was right.

"You are refusing an order?" Aric asked him harshly as he stopped in front of the man.

"Yes, Aric, I am," Brett stated, not backing down.

"You dare?" Aric hissed.'

"Don't forget who you are talking to, Aric. I am your equal. I drug your sorry ass out the gutter more times than I care to count," Brett reminded him.

* * * * *

Gracie lay in her husband's arms. She relished the closeness but warned herself not to become accustomed to it. Rolling over, she watched him sleep. She loved to watch him. He had such an innocence about him that wasn't as evident when he was awake.

It would be so easy to let herself believe that there could be a happy ending for them. He kept telling her that he loved her, but she felt that he loved her but wasn't in love with her. Despite all of her schooling and polishing, she still felt like that awkward girl that stood in his shadow for so long. If she wasn't careful she could get her heart broken.

Placing her hand on her still flat stomach, she sighed softly. She would just have to be content to have their babies. Who would have thought that she would have gotten pregnant on her honeymoon like an old-fashioned earth couple?

"Come here," her husband mumbled, his eyes dark with sleepy desire. Moving back into his arms, she sighed as he pulled her close to him. Snuggled like two spoons in a drawer, Gracie gasped when his hands cupped both of her tender breasts.

"Rand!" she gasped as need pooled between her thighs once more.

"Hmm..." he moaned against her shoulder as he suckled lightly on her neck. Sliding his hand down her side, he slowly caressed her leg before lifting it and laying it over his. They both gasped as he slowly filled her with his early morning desire.

"Ohh..." she gasped as he began to rock against her.

"Lord, help me, I love you, woman," he told her as he continued to join their bodies.

"Rand!" she groaned as her climax hit her unexpectedly. How was she suppose to resist him?

* * * * *

Katrina wandered around the castle, gazing in wonder at what she saw. She had never been inside a castle on Earth, much less one on another planet. She could see that even though Rand and his parents were very grounded people, they were obviously rich ones.

Entering one of the many doors, she found herself in a massive library. Walking over to the shelves she looked around in amazement. This was her idea of heaven! Selecting a book at random, she figured that she wouldn't be able to read the Venusian language. She was shocked to see that the book in her hand was actually in English! Opening it quickly she scanned it's contents. Who would believe that The Triad of Fire would have a copy of Karma Sutra!

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Charles voice gritted out from the wingback chair where he was sitting. Katrina's face filled with heat as she realized what she was holding! Then it was if a switch had been flipped inside of her. Gone was the nice girl from a farm in Iowa. In her place was the brave woman who had traveled across space to find this man. A woman that hungered for a mating with him and wouldn't be denied.

Walking over to stand in front of him, she tossed the book on his lap.

"Memorize that, Charles," she ordered before turning to leave the room.

"What?" he sputtered as he looked down at the book on his lap. It was a book of human erotica!

"You heard me," she taunted as she stopped at the door.

"Why?" he growled.

"Because there will be a quiz later, a hands on quiz at that," she promised before winking at him as she left the library.

* * * * *

"You've overstepped your bounds, Brett," Aric grated as he struck the man.

"That was your free one, Aric," Brett told him softly as his head jerked back from the blow. "You won't get another one. Don't ever hit me again or we will see who is the stronger."

"You are a cowardly asshole," he said hotly as he spate in the man's face. Brett's face turned bright red with anger. Wiping the spittle off his face, he calmly backhanded Aric.

As Aric's ire exploded, the nearest statue to the men exploded into a million fragments. Dust filled the air as the two men circled each other.

"Stealth was never your forte, Aric," Brett admonished. "I'm sure they heard that up at the castle."

Aric threw a bolt of energy at Brett. He was going to teach this peon obedience if it was the last thing that he did. Brett ducked and winced as the bolt hit a beautiful blooming tree right behind him. Brett jumped as he heard the crack of several branches falling above his head.

"You bastard! You'll help me take the woman or I'll fry you right where you stand!"Aric screamed as he flung another bolt of energy at Brett.

"No I won't," Brett hissed. "I've done everything that you have ever asked of me Aric. But I won't tangle with that wildcat again. You want her so damn bad, you go get her," Brett screamed back, still ducking several energy bursts.

"Pissant!" Aric hissed as he advanced on the retreating man. He used a sonic boom spell to toss the man into the fountain in the middle of the gardens. In the distance he could hear windows shattering.

* * * * *

Katrina couldn't help but wear a smile on her face as she joined the rest of the family at the morning meal. She noticed that Charles had finally joined them as the meal got underway. Her smile became even deeper when she saw the book tucked under Charles arm!

When he sat down in the only seat left at the table, he realized that he was sitting directly across from Katrina. The earth woman wore a wicked smile upon her face.

Charles felt the same heat that had filled Katrina's face earlier fill his now. Muttering a good morning to everyone, he set the book next to his chair before picking up his coffee cup.

"What..." he gasped as he felt a warm foot slide up his leg. Glaring at Katrina across the table, he noticed that she didn't even look at him. She was busy talking to a beaming Gracie. Gritting his teeth, he tried to ignore the wandering foot. That is, he ignored it until it slid up his leg and directly onto his lap!

"Son of a....." he hissed. Everyone turned to look at him. If it could possibly happen, his face turned even brighter shade of red.

"Is something wrong?" Katrina asked him innocently.

"No, nothing," he gritted. He wasn't about to tell her to get her foot out of his lap with everyone watching him. She nodded before returning to her conversation with Gracie. He would have thought that she had dismissed him if it weren't for the fact that she was rubbing his erection with her dainty toes! Reaching under the tab cloth, he grasped her foot to make her stop and found instead that he was pressing her foot closer to his aching cock. What the hell was wrong with him, he thought. His chosen wasn't even dead for two days and he was panting after some hot little earthling!

The house suddenly shook and several windows shattered. Other than a muffled shriek from Katrina, the others scrambled out of their chairs as silence reigned. King Mica and Prince Rand, helped their wives out of their chairs, both men checking them over.

"Rand, that's sounds like it came from the gardens. Why don't you and Mica go there." Queen Aria told her son, "I'll go and get the maids to cleaning up the broken glass and repair of the windows."

"Stay here, Gracie," Rand ordered her before rushing out of the room.

* * * * *

Outside, Rand and Mica were greeted by total chaos as their servants scattered, running from the two men that were struggling next to the fountain. Rand winced as one of his mother's prized rose bushes burst into flames. There was going to be hell to pay when his mother found out!

* * * * *

"Like hell I am!" Gracie growled as she threw her napkin on the table. Grabbing Katrina's hand, she escorted the earthling out of the dining room.

"Where are we going?" Katrina asked as she was being dragged down the hallway.

"We're going to go and check on my sister and Jonathan. I'm going to leave you with them. They will protect you. I have to help Rand," Gracie explained as she led Katrina up the stairs to the sleeping quarters. Stopping in front of one of the closed doors, she rapped quickly on it.

"Come in," Jonathan hollered as he continued to pin Patience to the bed. His chosen was writhing around on the bed, obviously in the throes of some kind of fit. Gracie entered the room. She immediately was drawn to the bed. Sitting down on the bed next to them, she quickly examined the situation.

"Is she alright?" Katrina asked in worry.

"She is coming down from the side effects of raz-ice," Gracie explained. "It is our world's most addictive drug. She was given the drug when she was kidnapped."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Katrina asked Jonathan.

"Yeah, help me hold her down. This is the worst part of it. When she first awakes her body craves the drug and goes into spasms for the first hour or so. Once it runs it course, she'll calm down until she sleeps again. Then we start all over again." Jonathan stated as he continued to lay across Patience.

* * * * *

Rand could not believe what he was seeing. Agic and another man were actually brawling in his backyard. He winced as they stumbled back into the fountain. Turning and looking at his father, he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. Here was a man that was suppose to be an enemy and he was having what amounted to a magical version of a barroom brawl.

Throwing a magical shield up around the battling men, Rand motioned for Charles to move the rest of his people towards the castle. Silently he urged him to corral them inside the fortress of his home. No matter what happened he wanted his people protected. He knew in return they would protect Gracie and their unborn children.

As King Mica circled around the men in one direction, Rand went the other. He wanted to make sure that Aric had no room to escape. As he worked his way closer, the sun bounced off the amulet that Aric was wearing around his neck. He knew without getting a closer look that it was his wife's amulet.

As he increased the power of the shield, the men finally noticed that Rand had placed them in a containment field.

* * * * *

"Aric, we need to quit fighting amongst ourselves," Brett urged as he danced back away from the enraged man.

"You dared to question my authority!" Aric cried out angrily, as he sent another blast of energy at Brett.

"Stop this, now or all will be lost," Brett pleaded with him, as he tried to keep one eye on Aric and other on Rand. "We need to stop this," he repeated.

"You have no stamina, no power, no strength, Brett. Just like your royal prince you shall fail and bow down to me." Aric boasted as he backed Brett into the water fountain once again.

* * * * * *

Gracie rushed out into the gardens only to see her husband and father in law trying to capture Aric between them. She noticed that Brett was standing passively in the wishing fountain. He was the first one to notice her.

"Stay away from me!" he hissed at her, turning towards Aric, he once more pleaded his case. "Let's go, Aric. I don't want to deal with her."

Aric spun around and finally realized that Rand, Mica and Gracie had somehow managed to catch him unaware.

"I see you've finally decided to join us, Gracie." Aric commented as he kept his eyes fastened on Gracie. Casting a spell, he urged her to come to him. At first she just laughed at him.

"Surely Aric, you don't think that simple spell would hold someone of my nature," she asked him in disbelief as she studied her finger nails, giving him the impression of sheer boredom.

"Come to me!" Agic demanded of her.

"Why?" Gracie asked him nonchalantly,

"I said come to me!" Aric repeated as he fingered the amulet that he had taken off of Rand.

"Never!" she hissed at him.

"Never is a long time, Princess. To bad you won't be around long enough savor your brief victory," Aric replied as he used her amulet to bind her. Against her will she started walking towards him.

"Gracie, stop!" Rand protested as he kept pace with her. Reaching over he tried to grasp her in his arms. The moment that he touched her, pain radiated up his arm.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath and watched helplessly as Gracie continued to walk to Aric.

Don't worry, Rand. Let him think he has me where he wants me.

Gracie?

Relax, Prince Rand. I am more than capable of taking care of myself, she assured him.

Gracie, I'll never forgive you, if you do something stupid and get hurt, he warned as he instinctively took a step to follow her.

"Stay right there, Prince Rand," Aric ordered him as Gracie came with in reach. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her towards him. "That's better."

* * * * *

Katrina cursed softly under breath as she laid across Patience's writhing form. Jonathan had not lied when he said that the first hour was always the worse. The first hour had been very rough.

"Are you alright?" Katrina asked Jonathan. He was holding his chosen against him tightly. He nodded as he kept his arms wrapped around her slender form.

Suddenly the door burst open and Charles rushed into the room.

"You've gotta come with me!" Charles demanded.

"What's wrong?" Katrina asked as she looked over her shoulder at him.

"Aric has got Gracie," Charles exclaimed as he rushed back through the door,

"Son of bitch." Jonathan exclaimed as he rolled Patience onto her back and lifted Katrina on top of his chosen. "Take care of her. I'll be right back," Jonathan promised as he rushed after Charles.

* * * * * *

"I see that you aren't happy with just having your own woman lusting after you!" Charles told him as they exited the house and walked up to the garden.

"What!" Jonathan exclaimed as he skidded to a halt before they reached Aric and Rand.

"I saw how you were all over each other. I can't believe that you were acting like that in front of Patience!" Charles said, his voice filled with ice.

"Now wait just a damn minute! Katrina was helping me subdue Patience, so she wouldn't hurt herself," he explained hotly to Charles.

* * * * * *

When I give you the signal, be ready to move, Rand.

What signal?

You'll know it when I do, she assured him. Gracie mentally prepared herself to accept Aric's touch. Her skin just crawled at the thought of letting the man touch her.

Jonathan, be ready to take care of Brett.

Brett?

Yes, the man in the fountain. He is the one that drugged Patience. He's all yours. But control that damn temper of yours. Give me a chance to prepare my attack, she warned.

You realize that he won't make it out of this alive?

Do what you have to do, Jonathan. Just make sure that you give the time I need. I don't want anything to happen to me and my babies.

I understand, my queen, Jonathan told her formally.

* * * * *

Aric couldn't believe his good luck. Finally something was starting to go his way. He couldn't believe that he actually was going to finally possess her. Reaching up he calmly ripped the shirt that she was wearing.

"Damn, Grace, you have wonderful breasts. All the better to nurse our children with, along with me," he said, his voice full of anticipation. Reaching down he lifted her up and brought her breasts level with his mouth. Grasping one of her nipples in his mouth, he bit down on it.

Gracie didn't even think to stop and analyze her actions. She just reacted. She boxed his ears just as hard as she could. She wasn't surprised when he immediately dropped her to the ground. Pulling his leg back, he started to kick her in the ribs.

Anticipating this, Gracie rolled out of his reach.

Now!

* * * * *

If anyone could have slowed down the next few moments, they would be amazed at how quickly and efficiently Rand and Jonathan worked as a team. As soon as Gracie rolled out of the way, Rand hit Aric with all of his considerable magic. The other man dropped to the ground and writhed in pain.

Brett never made it out of the fountain before Jonathan attacked. One moment he was watching the scene unfold in front of him. The next instance he was on his back in the fountain with water closing over his head.

Wildly swinging his arms, Brett tried to squirm away from the very irate Jonathan.

"I should let you die, you bastard," Jonathan hissed at him. "But you know what? I think I'm going to treat you to the same thing that you treated my chosen to. Have you ever had raz-ice or the aphrodisiac that you forced on her?" he asked him evilly as he pulled his head out of the water.

Looking over his shoulder, he arched an eyebrow at Rand.

"What do you think, Prince Randall? May I take my revenge in this manner?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at one of his best friends in the world.

"The crime against your chosen was very grievous, Jonathan. If this is what you demand in return for his actions against you and your chosen, so be it." Rand replied as he hauled Aric to his feet.

Shaking the other man, he smiled before setting him on his feet. His smile was not a nice one.

"As for you, my dear Aric. I am going to allow my wife to decide what to do with your sorry ass. I hope she has pity on your soul and just exiles you. But then again, you know what they say. Hell has no fury like a woman who's been scorned," Rand told him with a bitter laugh.

"What did I do to scorn her?" Aric asked him uncertainly.

"You kidnapped me, you kidnapped my little sister and fed her drugs. All those I could have easily forgiven. But when you kidnapped the love of my life, my husband and abandoned him on another planet, you went to far," Gracie growled.

"What are you going to do to me?" he squeaked.

"You my dear Aric are going to wish you were dead before I'm done with you. Lock him in the tower," Gracie told one of the guards that had appeared by her side.

"And this one too," Jonathan snarled as he shoved Brett into the waiting guard's arms. "I'll be visiting you soon, Brett. And be prepared. For every bad thing that you have ever done to my Pati, I am going to repay you in spades."

* * * * *

After the guards took the two men away, Gracie looked over at husband. He was leaning up against the fountain, like he had the night of their betrothal. Slowly walking over to him, she sat down on the fountain next to him. Taking his hand in hers, she slowly traced the lines of his palm. Holding it in her hand, she rubbed it against her cheek.

"Gracie. No more playing," Rand told her. "Look at me."

"What?"

"Do you love me?" he asked. "And I don't mean like a sister loves her brother. I need you to love me as a woman loves her man. Like two chosens love each other. I won't except anything less than your heart, body and soul. You must tell me now and I stay. We'll live together, sleep together and love together. Or don't and I leave. You won't see me except for formal occasions that demand that both of us attend," Rand urged. "Make your choice," he whispered against her ear.

Gracie searched his face and found nothing but the honest desire and love that he felt for her, shining in his eyes.

"I've been in love with you since we were kids, Rand."

"And what about the mystery man?" he asked her.

"There never had been another for me, Rand. The only mystery man that has had my heart is you," she replied. "Break it and I'll break you."

Rand laughed out loud. Then smiled softly at her.

"I love you, Gracie deCarthwright."

"And I love you, your highness." Gracie whispered as she pulled his head down towards hers.

Nine months later

Gracie laid on the bed in the royal chamber that she shared with her husband. Rand was leaning over the basinets and cooing at their children. She had flown through the labor with no problems. Their first born Gabriel, was nursing at her breast, while their second born, Estaban, was sucking on his fist and watching his father with alert eyes. And in her daddy's arms lay their one and only daughter, Katrina, who had been named after the little earthling that had been so helpful bringing Rand back to her.

"Happy?" Gracie asked tiredly as she tried to stifle a yawn.

"Very," Rand said as he straightened and turned towards her. On his one arm was Katrina and in the other was Estaban. Walking to the bed, he crawled into bed with her and Gabriel. "Thank you very much for our children, Gracie."

"No problem," she said with a wink.

"Speaking of problems, Gracie. What are you going to do with Aric?" he asked, referring to the man that was still stewing in the tower.

"I'm going to send him to earth and revoke his passport. He will never again step onto Venusian soil."

"And if he does?" he asked.

"Then he is a dead man," Gracie told him firmly. "And I'll be the one that kills him."

"Did you hear, Gracie, that Brett finally passed away yesterday?" Rand asked his wife.

"Yes, I did. To bad about his ticker. But I do believe that Jonathan got his vengeance. Between the raz-ice and the aphrodisiac his heart just couldn't take the strain," Gracie replied as she snuggled closer to him.

* * * * *

Katrina walked down the hall to the library. She was hoping to catch Charles in the library. He had been even more skittish since the incident in the dining room, he had kept his distance.

As she entered the library, she noticed him slipping out of the room.

"You can't run forever," she called after him.

"Watch me," he hollered in return.

*i found this on literorica*