Free Prophecy: Caelestis & Aurorea by Felicity Heaton

stunned when the form raised its head as though it had heard her.
    “Stay strong.” She reached her hand out and ghosted it over the shape. He looked up at her when the magic flickered and faded for a brief moment. She swayed, her eyes closing for a split second. When they opened again, he could see the tiredness in them. Whatever she had done to conjure the image of the Aurorea, it was draining her of energy. She smiled when the figure above her palm struggled against its bonds. “I will find you. I promise I’ll save you just as you saved me. My love…”
    Venturi caught her when she collapsed and cradled her in his arms. Her head slumped against his chest and her right hand rested in his lap with her palm still facing upwards. The stone was dark purple again now and all sign of the magic was gone.
    He brushed the hair from her face and held her, not surrendering his chance to finally have her in his arms.
    When he’d been told that she was a powerful woman, he hadn’t expected her to command the magic that he’d seen her use tonight. It had taken her so much effort, but she had managed to materialise a vision of the Aurorea just so she could reassure herself that he was safe and she had silenced himself with a single word. He moved his mouth, frowning when no words came out and wondering when he was going to regain his voice. He hoped that she knew how to remove the spell she’d placed on him.
    Right now though, he didn’t care.
    He just wanted to make the most of having her so close to him.

 
    Chapter 6
    “I’m going to Paris.” Prophecy didn’t let Mathias’ pointed look sway her decision. She had seen the witches and she knew where she had to go. Turning away so she wouldn’t see his disapproval, she ended up face to face with Venturi. She added, “Alone.”
    Walking past them, she moved to the fireplace and stared into the unlit grate, letting the two men take in what she’d said.
    She glanced at her amulet and sighed. What she had done had stolen every last drop of her energy, but it had been worth it. Now she knew that Valentine was still alive, and that the magic had been trying to show him to her, only it hadn’t been a physical manifestation. She realised now that she’d been inside of him. She’d been feeling what he felt and seeing what he saw. It left no doubt in her mind that he was being tortured. The intense pain and fatigue had been his.
    She still didn’t know how she’d called up the image of him with her magic. She had wanted to see him so badly and had focused on that feeling of desperate need. The magic had understood her command and shown her what she’d asked.
    One thing was obvious to her now. Valentine and the mark over her heart were linked. The witches had told her that the magic was strongest when her heart feared. It was strong when she was in danger, but when she feared for Valentine’s safety, it was almost beyond her control. Now the mark over her chest had responded to her desire to see him again and had done its best to show him to her.
    Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Venturi was watching her. She’d scared herself when she’d commanded him to be silent and had stolen his voice. Her gaze moved back to the unlit fire but her thoughts remained with the Tenebrae. She had slept straight through to nightfall without any dream or vision after using her magic to see Valentine. When she had awoken, she’d found herself in Venturi’s arms. At first, in her sleep fogged mind, she’d thought it was Valentine who was holding her. She hadn’t known how to react on realising that the strong arms around her were actually Venturi’s. It had felt comforting but she’d pushed him away, her heart aching at the thought of betraying Valentine in any way. She knew that Venturi didn’t want to offer her comfort for nothing in return but comfort was the most she wanted from him.
    It had taken her a few minutes to realise that he couldn’t speak. She’d thrown