Free Summon the Wind by Abby Wood Page B

narrowing her eyes, and she summoned the wind. Her hair blew out in front of her, blocking her vision, but not before she caught sight of Lance flying through the air and landing ten feet away from her.
    The huge gust left a split second later. Her breath came in great heaves. “You played with love, Lance. You asked the Goddess for me …not love, but me !” She stepped over the books that had fallen off the shelves and stood over Lance. “I wanted pure love, not this…this magic conjured up by another… witch . You’ve manipulated my spell!”
    Turning, she only made it two steps, and the building shook. She reached for the back of the chair, unsure of what was happening.
    More books toppled from the shelf, furniture skittered across the floor, and Alexis stared in utter horror. The power from the floor seemed to move through her feet and consumed her body, giving her a good, hard shake. Oh. My. Goddess.
    The tremors ended the same way the wind had left—suddenly and without warning. Alexis turned back to Lance, panting. “Look what we’ve done. The Goddesses are upset.”
    “It’s not us, but you.” Lance bent over and tipped the chair he sat in earlier back on its legs. “Go ahead Alexis, ask them.” With his hands clasped behind his back, he flashed a wicked grin. “You a l ways were the strongest of your sisters. Ask them, so I can be with you the way we were meant to be. Stop fighting me.” He lifted his arms. “Don’t deny what you know is right.”
    She stared at him and debated whether to do what he requested or to go on trying to ignore everything that had just happened. Sighing, she closed her eyes.
    “I call the wind to guide.
    I will not hide.
    From the north is fate.
    Give it to me straight.
    Oh gracious Goddess, I will wait.”
    Her eyes remained closed. She held her breath, willing the a n swer to come. Gently at first, the slight breeze grew stronger, cares s ing her face. She wasn’t outside. This wasn’t Mother Nature doing her thing. No, this was the answer she wanted.
    Excitement built up in her chest, and she opened her eyes to find Lance standing mere inches from her. Everything she wanted to d e ny but knew was true showed in his eyes, and the aura of love su r rounded him.
    “It’s true,” she whispered.
    He cupped her face with both hands and claimed her lips. She mewed. It wasn’t their first time doing this.
    She’d kissed him years ago, on the last day of camp, and quickly ran away, never to see him again. No, this was a I’ve-dreamed-of-this-moment-my-whole-life kiss that literally rocked her world.
    She fell against him with complete abandon. Her lower stomach fluttered. The way he buried his hands in her hair and held her to him gave her such a rush of belonging, it took her breath away. The ramifications of his coming here were huge.
    Alexis shuddered and broke the kiss. Gasping, she laid her for e head on his chest. His heart beat fast, and he swayed from left to right, holding her. It was almost too much to absorb.
    “Is this real?” She closed her eyes. “Oh Lance, I can hardly b e lieve that we’ve been so blessed…that this has happened for us.”
    “Yes, this is love, darling.” His chest shook. “We are together. That is what is happening. You feel it, I feel it, and the Goddesses know their children have come together. This is how it’ll be for us always.”
    She opened her eyes and leaned back. “I never dreamed… I’ve thought of you over the years, but…” Gazing down at his chest, she raised her brows. “You were never a man, but a boy. The Lance I loved in my childhood.”
    “You asked for love. I asked for you when you were ready.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve always known, but the Goddess wanted me to wait. It is time now. We’ve always belonged together. Think back, Alexis. In your heart, you know it. There were little signs, even back when we pulled childhood pranks with our magic. Do you remember?”
    “I do.” She