Free Hurricane (The Charmed) by Dianne Nutting Page A

near so I could fix it in a pinch, which is exactly what happened.” He looked at his watch again just as they drove up to the hotel. It was four thirty, they had exactly one hour.
    Chase walked over to the truck door and opened it. He pulled Lyla into his arms and held her. He kissed the top of her head, his embrace tightening. “You okay?”
    Lyla gripped Chase around the waist. “I’m so sorry, Chase.”
    Chase pulled back and looked down into her gray eyes. “Oh sweetheart, I’d rather be with you like this than without you any day. The last few weeks without you have been hell.” He kissed her gently. “Ready?” He whispered.
    “I am now.”
    He smiled and took her hand. They walked up to the room together. Jaden and Mr. M were already there, supplies spread out on a table. While they set-up, Lyla walked over to the window. The ocean was spread out before them.
    Chase came up behind and wrapped his arms around her, they waited like that for a few minutes.
    “Lyla, Chase, we’re ready. Jaden, you begin.”
    Chase and Lyla turned around. Jaden was circling the room, chanting something unfamiliar.
    “Remind me to ask you about this when we’re all done.” Chase piped up.
    Jaden looked up, startled out of his thoughts. “Shhh. I have to concentrate. I’m not too keen on you two dying.”
    He finished and handed his father a knife from the table.
    “Lyla, will you give me your left hand?”
    She held out her hand, Mr. M put a large slice in the palm of it. Chase held out his right, Mr. M did the same to Chase. He spoke a few binding words and tied their hands together with a blessed white scarf.
    “Turn to each other please.” Mr. M motioned for them to face each other. “Lyla, do you take Chase as a life-mate forever?”
    Lyla looked into Chase’s eyes, he smiled. “I will.”
    “Chase, do you take Lyla as a life-mate forever?”
    “Yes.” There was no hesitation or doubt from Chase.
    “By the power of the high and mother earth, I send out into the world a blessing for these two may they be forever in harmony. Jaden, the rings.”
    Jaden brought forth a set of intricately woven rings not unlike the markings on Chase and Lyla’s arms.
    “These rings have been forged for you specifically, when you place them on each other’s finger, they will absorb into your skin and be a permanent mark of your love.”
    Chase looked confused. “How did you know, Mr. M?”
    “I prepared for this just in case. Like I told Lyla, it’s not an accident you’re here. The minute I knew about Lyla, I had the rings made. Lyla, pick Chase’s ring up, please.”
    She picked the bigger of the two rings up. “Repeat after me. I, Lyla Bleu, take Chase as my spiritual partner and ask that the union be blessed.”
    Lyla repeated the words and slipped the ring onto Chase’s left ring finger.
    Chase repeated the steps but put the ring on the right hand, a Charmed tradition. Chase picked her hand up and kissed it. Lyla smiled back at him.
    “You may kiss your bride, Chase.”
    Chase leaned down and enveloped Lyla in his arms, their bound hands held between their bodies. Mr. M and Jaden made quick haste collecting the tools. Mr. M came over to the two and untied them, collecting the scarf. He looked at his watch. “Okay, now it’s the hard part, believe it or not. We are going to leave you two here today. You only have half an hour to consummate the marriage I undid the spell you received at birth.” They both looked at him shocked. “Some can do it. I started looking into the mechanics of it a few years ago. I’ll call you tonight and let you know how I handled both your parents. You’re not to leave here until I come get you, you understand? Order food in, but don’t set one foot past the room.”
    “What will happen?” Chase wondered.
    “The spell will break. I’ll be back, about seven a.m. tomorrow to undo it.”
    They both left hurriedly leaving Lyla and Chase alone. An uncomfortable silence filled the