Page 28 of Elemental Love
“There are those who would seek to harm you or to use your gifts for evil. Be vigilant. Protect yourself and the one you will come to love. I know that you will fulfill my expectations and be all that you can be. My spirit will be watching over you. Grandma.”
Evrain looked up and met Dominic’s questioning gaze. Tiny flashes of orange reflected in Dominic’s blue eyes as the fire blazed in response to Evrain’s emotional state.
“What is she talking about, Evrain?” Dominic asked.
“Why don’t you read your letter, then everything might become clearer?” Evrain really hoped that Aggie would do the explaining for him.
Fingers trembling, Dominic broke the wax seal on the envelope and pulled out his own letter. It began in a similar way to Evrain’s, instructing him to read it aloud.
“Dearest Dominic, I’m sure that you have known, or suspected, for some time that I am, or should I saywas, a witch. I could see the knowledge in those beautiful eyes, but you were always too shy to ask. I am glad you were able to accept me and hope that you have learned from me.”
Dominic stopped reading.
“It’s true,” Evrain said. “You knew it, just like she said.”
“I suppose I did.” Dominic lifted the letter again. “The talent runs deep in my family—my grandson possesses more power than I could ever have dreamed of. Evrain is the first warlock to be born to my family line in several hundred years.” Dominic’s eyes widened but he carried on reading, “For his own protection, he only gained full access to his abilities on his twenty-first birthday. The two of you are close in age so I’m sure you can understand a little of what he is going through. Powerful warlocks control their power by channeling some oftheir emotional energy through a life partner. This can only be achieved consensually and through a bond of love. I will not deceive you, Dominic, channeling is very painful. A relationship with a warlock is not to be taken lightly.
“You are bright enough to realize by now that I saw you as a potential partner for Evrain and that I planned to bring you together. Your quiet strength will provide the perfect counterpoint to his assertive confidence. Forgive me for putting you in this position, just promise me that you will think about my words before you make any decisions.
“However the future unfolds, I know that you will make good use of the land I have willed you. Do with it as you see fit, with my blessing. With much love, Agatha.”
Dominic leaned back in his chair, staring at the piece of paper in his hand. “You have got to be kidding me. Did you slip something in my coffee back at the solicitor’s?”
Evrain just sat and looked at him implacably.
“It can’t be true. This is the real world, warlocks don’t exist.” He stood up and ran agitated fingers through his hair. “A witch I can handle. Aggie was great with remedies, that kind of thing. If that’s witchcraft, then fine, who am I to judge? But a warlock? Jesus, I’ve stepped into a bad B-movie.”
Evrain twisted his fingers into the required shape, made a gesture and the fire flared brightly next to them.
“No… I don’t believe it. This is madness.” Dominic got up. He backed to the door and opened it. Outside the rain was coming down in sheets.
Evrain made another gesture and a gust of wind slammed it closed again.
“It’s true, Dominic. I realize it’s a lot to take in and I don’t blame you for being skeptical. I can’t help what I am, but I’m sorry if that scares you. Leave if you wish, I won’t try to stop you.” He sighed as Dominic reopened the door and edged outinto the cold. “It sounds like an old woman’s ramblings, believe me I know,” he whispered the words at the dancing flames and settled back to wait.
Outside Dominic turned his face to the sky and let the raindrops spatter against his skin in an attempt to clear his head. He walked to the back of the cabin, to the potting shed where he kept all his tools and gardening kit. He changed into an old pair of wellington boots that he stored there, tucking his jeans inside them. He grabbed a spade, then strolled to the vegetable patch and methodically began to dig over the ground. Several sections were planted and had been sadly neglected for the past few weeks. Turning the soil between the rows of growth was necessary work with all the weeds that had sprouted.
He let the contents of the two letters drift through his mind as the spade cut through the loamy earth. Deep down, he knew that Aggie wouldn’t lie. She’d been sharp as a tack and scrupulously honest. It was just so hard to accept. And she thought that he and Evrain could be together? That was even more unbelievable than the whole witches and warlocks scenario. Evrain was charismatic, beautiful and talented. What possible use could he have for a lowly gardener? Sure, they’d had a few moments where Dominic’s hopes had been raised, including one particularly astounding blow job, but that was it. Dominic had been too scared to risk his feelings any further.
Dominic dug until his muscles screamed at him to stop then dug some more. He could lose himself in the repetitive action of push, stamp and turn, ignoring the ache in arms and back. The rain got steadily harder and he was soaked to the skin before he finally paused. His thin shirt was plastered to his body, clinging uncomfortably to his skin. Rivulets of water ran down his face from strands of sodden hair. Absently he noticed the blisters on his hands where he had neglected to wear any gloves and shivered as his body temperature cooled. He abandoned thespade and walked slowly back to the house. He kicked off soaked boots before pushing the door open. He stood inside on the mat and shook as a puddle gathered around his feet.
Evrain took one look and swore. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, what have you done to yourself? Get over here by the fire.”
Dominic complied without resistance and steam began to hiss from his jeans as intense heat penetrated the cold, wet denim. The door slammed shut behind him. On its own.
“Strip.” Evrain barked the order.
Dominic gave Evrain a startled glance at the perfunctory command. “What? No!”
“You need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch pneumonia, Dominic, so strip or I’ll do it for you.” Evrain advanced toward him.
Dominic discovered that his fingers were shaking so much from the cold that he was unable to undo his own shirt buttons. Evrain stepped right into his personal space with an exasperated hiss and deftly undid them all. He peeled the fabric away from Dominic’s clammy skin and hung the soggy garment on the arm of the chair closest to the fire. Next he tackled Dominic’s belt, undoing the buckle and slipping it from its loops.
“I should use this to tie you down so that you can’t run away while I talk some sense into you.” He undid Dominic’s jeans then pulled them down to reveal snug black underwear that was also soaked through. “Were you testing the whole ‘soaked to the skin’ thing? These need to come off too.” Evrain twanged the elastic. “I’ll fetch a towel.”
Dominic stood and shivered miserably. He hurt everywhere. Evrain was gone barely two minutes, before returning with a couple of thick towels.
“You know, this isn’t what I had in mind when I imagined undressing you for the first time.” Evrain stood and stared. “Youhave an amazing body.” He threw one of the towels around Dominic’s shoulders.
