Free Mage Magic by Lacey Thorn Page B

reaching them. “Do you hear me? I won’t let you go!”
    “Love you,” he whispered as she wrapped both of her hands around his and Thedan’s clasped hands. “Love you both.” He smiled softly at her then his eyes slid closed.
    “No,” she screamed, surging to her feet.
     

     
    People were running towards them carrying torches and she realised they had almost reached the castle. She also noticed that the torchlight made it easier to shoot at the newcomers. No sooner had the thought entered her mind than she heard the whistle of more arrows in the air. This time she was ready for them. The anger, the hatred flooding through her body had her power crackling at her fingertips.
    She swore she felt the Staff vibrate. A whisper and wave of her hand and the arrows disintegrated in the air. She had no damper on her magic this time, felt no need to control it.
    This time she wanted death, craved it for those who wanted to deal it to her and her mates.
    She reached out with her mind, eager to lock on to where they hid like cowards in the dark.
    But her mind connected with something else instead, someone else instead. Suddenly it was as if she stood in a field of fog. She was alone and then the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen stepped out to stand beside her.
    You waste time.
    “I waste nothing,” she countered.
    You let emotion rule instead of knowledge.
    “He is dead!” Serenity screamed.
    And? The goddess questioned. What is death to someone who wields the power I’ve granted you?
    “What?” she asked.
    Can you not feel it buzzing under your skin? Think, Serenity. What limitations do you have?
    Her mother’s words came back to her as if she stood on the temple grounds once more.
    “They are strong, but when the triad is completed, when you are all together as one, some of your magic will enhance theirs. Once this occurs nothing can separate you, not even death. Remember that.
    The three of you have within you the power to survive even mortal death.”
    Will you let him die? The goddess asked softly as she melted back into the fog.
     
    Serenity came back with a jolt that knocked her down to her knees by Theron and Thedan. It was exactly where she wanted to be. With her right hand she grasped the shaft of the arrow where it protruded from Theron’s chest while her left still held the Staff in line with her body. Another spell and she pulled the arrow free as if it had never entered his flesh, except for the red of the blood that coated the tip. She flung it aside with a cry that would rival any warrior.
    “I will not let you die,” she screamed.
    Warriors were all around them, but although she could penetrate the barrier she’d formed around her mates, they could not.
    “Theron! Thedan!” a woman cried out.
    Thedan glanced up. “Rory,” he whispered.
    “We will not let him die,” Serenity said again and placed the Staff on the ground beside them. She reached out and took Theron’s left hand and placed it over his chest. Then she grabbed Thedan’s left hand and placed it on top of Theron’s so that their new marks were aligned. Finally she placed hers atop theirs.
    There was a glow, a sizzle of magic that quickly escalated to a burning flame. Then she could see it. Her hand began to glow, and that glow spread quickly to Thedan’s and then Theron’s. It kept spreading.
    “What is this?” Thedan whispered, awe in his voice.
    “Don’t move,” Serenity pleaded.
    She could feel the flow of energy between the three of them. Power to survive mortal death. She leaned into them and Thedan slipped his free hand around her shoulders, tugging her even closer. Both of them were careful not to move their left hands off Theron’s.
    “I love you,” Thedan murmured.
    “I love you too,” Serenity breathed.
    “Any love left for me?” Theron asked.
    Serenity and Thedan both cried out and squeezed him tightly between them.
    Serenity peppered kisses all over his face, moving her hands to touch his chest