Free The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch by dakota trace Page A

right!”
    Anger showed in her eyes as she pushed against his chest. “And I refuse your claim!”
    “We’ll see about that!” Pushing off the bed, he stormed out of the room.
    76
     

Chapter Four
    The next morning, Gracie paced back and forth nervously. Today was the day of her Wizard Exam. With the friction between her and Rand and the late night call she’d gotten from her sister, she doubted her ability to pass it. Even under the best of circumstances she’d never been one to do well on tests. Add the stress of her life and she was doomed to a low score.
    “Wildcat, you need to calm down. You’re going to do fine.” Sitting down in the wingback chair, Rand watched her pace.
    When she glared at him, he chuckled.
    I’ll be damned if I’m going to beg him. I can do this without Rand acting as my buffer.
    Closing her eyes, she tried to focus her energies on relaxing. Just when she was ready to throw her hands up in frustration, a gentle wind brushed against her cheeks. Oh, that’s cheating! Immediately her nerves settled. Her response to his artificially created breeze irritated her. Since the first time he mastered the wind making spell, I’ve been hooked on it. I know Master Iason said it was nearly impossible to tell who created the wind. He said only high level wizards could infuse their personality into their spells. I wonder if he knew how high Rand would eventually test.
    For a few minutes Grace took advantage of the wind he’d created. When she moved to step away from it, he stopped her.
    “Stay put, Wildcat.”
    "Excuse me?" She placed one hand on her hip.
    77
     
    “Now don’t go getting your back riled up. You haven’t had enough time to calm yourself. Believe it or not, I want you to do well on your Wizardry Exam. You’ll do better if you’re completely relaxed.”
    "This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t need you in order to take a stupid test.”
    “Stop it, Gracie. There’s nothing wrong with needing your chosen.”
    She looked up in surprise when he appeared in front of her. Pulling her into his arms, he tucked her head under his chin. After resisting only for a moment, she relaxed against him, letting his closeness sooth her. Damn how I’ve missed my friend. Ever since the subject of our possible pairing, he’s been MIA. All I’ve seen is the arrogant Crown Prince who’s been trying to chase me down.
    "Better?"
    Wordlessly she nodded.
    “See, Wildcat, I’m still the same man you’ve known for years. We’re just going to build on our friendship.”
    She stiffened at his words. Opening her mouth to protest, he placed a finger over her parted lips.
    “Now don’t go getting riled up. Or we’ll be right back where we started. The official administering your exam will be here shortly.” As if on cue, there was a brisk knock on the door.
    “Come in.” He gave her one quick reassuring hug before releasing her and turning to greet the official from the Wizard Exam Registry who’d just entered the room.
    * * * *
     
    78
    While Gracie took her Wizard's Exam, Rand went in search of his father. He found King Mica sitting in his mother's withdrawing room, his mother cuddled up next to her husband. Rand smiled at the picture his parents made. They’d been in love for as long as he could remember. Their deep love and fiery marriage was what he longed for when he thought about his own chosen. Fighting, loving, protecting and holding his Wildcat would be his destiny fulfilled.
    His father glanced up from the book resting on his lap.
    "Rand, son, what's wrong?"
    Rand wasn’t surprised his dad could see the tension coming off him.
    "I need to talk to you." Walking over to the chair facing his parents, he sat down and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His mother stirred before she glanced up at her husband.
    It was quite obvious she was wondering if her presence was required or not.
    When she started to stand up, Rand motioned for her stay seated. "Please stay, Mom. I could use a woman's view on