And with that, a burst of emerald, grass green and sapphire shot in a twisted circle from their boots into the sky, and the three women were thrown back several steps. Losing their connection, they opened their eyes to see the glade around them swirling with wafting clouds of greens and blue shimmering off the gentle, floating flurries settling around them.
But Franka was standing, hands lifted before her, blood-red sparks glinting from them, illuminating her face, a face now tainted with alarm.
“Do not fear, Franka,” Lavinia said gently, again edging close. “She burns away. Your sapphire soul is good, it’s strong, it’s pushing out the wickedness and spite. It won’t take long, it’ll cause no pain and then it will be gone.”
Lavinia was quite right and was proved so when, in mere moments, the last of the red sparked with trails of cobalt until there was nothing but blue, and finally, the glimmers died away.
Valentine and Lavinia stood silent as Franka remained still and staring at her hands.
It took time but she eventually lifted her head.
And Valentine felt the soft curve lift the corners of her mouth as she saw the wonder in her sister’s expression.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked quietly, feeling that same beauty. The beauty she felt any time she called up her craft or was around a sister using hers. The tingle of it on her skin. The warmth of it through her insides. The thrill of it up her spine. The heat of it in her sex. The sumptuous taste of it down her throat. The glorious energy of it in her fingertips.
Oh, but it was good her companion was waiting for her at the cottage and she had planned what she had planned, as for once she could take these feelings and exalt in them just as she should do, joyously and uninhibitedly.
“It’s…well, nothing like I’ve ever known,” Franka replied.
“But beautiful, yes?” Lavinia prompted.
Franka shook her head and Valentine felt her brows draw together.
“That isn’t the word,” Franka explained, crossing her arms at her front. Not protectively, she’d curled her hands around her biceps and was stroking them as if she was trying to keep the feeling close, hold it to her, not lose it. “There is no word to describe this beauty,” she finished reverently.
Valentine relaxed and again smiled.
“I…” Franka went on and shook her head again, this time shorter, sharper shakes, like she was clearing it, but her gaze was steadfast on Valentine. “I thank you. I…thank you, my sister,” she finished on a heartfelt whisper. “I would not think I’d wish anything from her. Anything that was hers. But…” she swallowed and finished, “you were right. I’ll remember this night always, her end, my beginning.”
Oh yes, Valentine very much liked this witch.
Both Valentine and Lavinia approached and all of them again clasped hands.
“It was my honor,” Valentine shared the truth.
“And mine to be here,” Lavinia added.
“I wouldn’t have chosen this, not if you hadn’t advised it,” Franka told Valentine. “And you will have my gratitude for as long as I remain breathing.”
“It’s most appreciated,” Valentine accepted before she gave her a small smile. “And it’s also cold. We will soon meet again. Your training now commences.”
It was not blinding, but there was excitement in Franka’s eyes that she didn’t hide.
Progression.
Excellent.
“The sisterhood,” Lavinia said on a tightening of her hand.
“The sisterhood,” Valentine repeated, doing the same.
“The sisterhood,” Franka trailed, her hand tightening and her lips twitching.
Valentine broke away.
“And now to warmth,” she declared, and warm, firm, naked male bodies with handsome faces, beautiful blue eyes, charming smiles and mouths that could utter sweet words, she did not say.
“To warmth,” Lavinia agreed. “Until we see you again, farewell, my friend.”
Valentine nodded to Lavinia and Franka.
It had been beautiful, as she knew it would be. It had been an honor, as she knew as well. It would be something, like Franka, and she was certain Lavinia, Valentine would never forget.
But now it was done and time to go home.
Time to get warm.
Time to celebrate not only what had just occurred but much more.
It was time to celebrate and continue to nurture what was growing between her and…
Not just a body.
Not a trifle.
Not her companion.
With Laurent.
* * * * *
Franka
I was pacing my room, the only illumination the fire that was also providing warmth.
My feet were bare, but not cold. No, I was far too stimulated to even think of cold feet.
I should be in bed.
But the quickening inside had not died down. I felt like I had too much energy. As if I could run around the palace again and again (like Noc did nearly every day for reasons he stated were, “keeping fit,” whyever anyone would do something like that).
And I was just bursting to tell someone all that had occurred and just how beautiful it was.
Unable to stop myself, regardless of the fact it was late, I knew in my heart he wouldn’t mind, I dashed to the door, opened it and hastened down the hall to Noc’s room.
I knocked. Not loudly, I didn’t want anyone to hear.
Seconds later, I did it a little louder because Noc surely was sleeping and I did want him to hear.
I was still doing it when the door flew open.
The firelight was illuminating Noc’s room as well, not to mention the lamplight from the hall.