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  “Give this address to your driver,” I was handed a small slip of paper and Sales Lady smiled brightly as I took it. “He’ll know where it is. I’ll call them and let them know you’re on your way.”

  “She’s great, isn’t she?” Tiesa put her arm around my shoulder and watched as she left the dressing room.

  “You’re great,” I stopped and faced her. “Thank you for doing all this for me.”

  She grabbed me into a tight hug, her auburn hair tickling my nose. “That’s what best friends are for.”

  In no time at all, we had paid for the dresses, the crown, and shoes. We left the studio, laden with our garment bags, and walked smack into a woman selling trinkets. She shook her head as she looked me up and down.

  “You’re going to have to give him this,” she said in a Jamaican accent and handed me a silver pendant.

  “Give who?” I asked.

  “Your love,” she answered. I didn’t know what to say as she held out her hand for the money. “It’s called a Chi Rho. It’s the ancient sign of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It will protect him.” She moved her hand impatiently, beckoning for money.

  “How much?” I stammered.

  “Fifty.”

  I fished the cash from my purse and handed it to her. She pulled a leather necklace from a large rainbow colored crocheted bag that was sliding off her shoulder. She slid the pendant onto it.

  “He won’t die.” She said matter-of-factly and hefting the giant bag back onto her shoulder, turned and left.

  My mouth hung open as I turned to Tiesa. She was smiling like a dork.

  “Welcome to being The Link!” She chuckled, pushing me toward the limo door. Piling in, we asked Jimmy, our driver, to stop at a fast food restaurant for lunch. He brought us exactly what we ordered - fish for Tiesa and a chicken salad for me. We ate quickly and chatted about everything but the white elephant in the room. By the time the limo stopped, we had managed to avoid talking about ‘It’ at all.

  As I stepped onto the sidewalk, a homeless man caught sight of me and ran up to us.

  “You’re gettin’ married today,” he said, the foul stench of body odor and many nights spent sleeping on the street circling around us.

  “How could you know that?” I couldn’t have been more shocked.

  “I know you’re Her,” he continued in a low voice.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, unnerved.

  “Please move along,” Jimmy was attempting to get rid of him without touching him.

  “Will you bless me?” The homeless man asked, extending his hand. What on earth could I do? I didn’t know how to bless anyone.

  “Sir!” Jimmy put his arm between us.

  “It’s okay,” I placed my hand on Jimmy’s shoulder moving him aside. I held the man’s greasy, gnarled hand between both of mine. He closed his eyes, waiting for me to begin the blessing.

  I shrugged at Tiesa and bowed my head, searching for the words. They came to me in an instant.

  “For you, a life of sorrow

  For you, better life lived tomorrow

  For you, my friend, be not distressed

  For you I intend to bless.

  I bless you now and may it last

  I heal you of your broken past.”

  The golden orb released from me, flying into his hands. Opening my eyes, I watched him shudder. Tears streamed down his face as he began to sob.

  “Thank you, my lady, thank you!” He kissed my hand and withdrew, disappearing into the crowd.

  “How did you know to do that?” Tiesa’s green eyes were as big as saucers.

  “I don’t know,” I admitted and sheepishly looked around. “I don’t even know if I did it right.”

  “Oh, you did it right.” Tiesa’s voice was shocked. She weaved her arm through mine as we walked into the salon. “Who taught you to bless?”

  “No one,” I stared at her. “Was I wrong to do that? I mean, I don’t think he would have left us alone,”

  She shook her head in amazement. “No, you did everything right, that’s what’s so amazing! How could you know to do that without instruction?”

  I didn’t know. I was uncomfortable enough as it was.

  “Let’s not talk about it, okay?” I turned to the man behind the counter. “I’m getting married today and I need someone to do our hair and makeup.”

  His eyebrow rose. “You must be Miss James. Sabina called and booked you an appointment. You’re meeting with Juan today.”

  Juan turned out to be the most flamboyant person I’d ever met. He flitted about me like a hummingbird, fussing over me as if I were a celebrity. By the time he was finished with my hair and makeup, I did look like a famous person. I had no idea I could look so pretty.

  Tiesa was being worked on by a pretty girl who looked as if she was barely out of high school. When Juan turned my chair to face them, both smiled widely.

  “My work is done!” He bowed grandly, then grabbed a bobby pin and shoved it into my hair, cementing the crown on my head.

  Tiesa nodded her approval. “You look like a model, Morgan!”

  “I’ll be finished with her in a few minutes,” Tiesa’s stylist called after us, as Juan led me to a beautifully decorated room. He helped me change into my wedding dress and as I placed my feet into the stylish shoes, he whistled.

  “Baby, you gonna knock ‘em dead!”

  “I wish I could have you around every time I needed to look pretty, Juan.” I said and he placed his hand on his heart.

  “Any time you need me, feel free to pay for my airfare!”

  I grinned at him and looked back at my reflection, admiring the way the dress fell. It took Tiesa much less time to change and when we were finished, Juan linked his arms through both of ours and escorted us to the front of the salon. I thanked Juan and when we paid, I tipped him handsomely.

  Jimmy knew exactly where we needed to go and in less than half an hour, we arrived at the steps of the courthouse. He held the door for us and offered his hand to me as I stepped out.

  “You look beautiful, Miss,” he commented, making me smile. “He’s a lucky man.”

  “Thank you, Jimmy.” I squeezed his hand.

  Tiesa squealed and ran up the steps into Ezen’s arms. He looked handsome, dressed in a tuxedo with an Oriental Lily in his lapel. His long brown dreadlocks were pulled back into a ponytail. Holding her hand, he kissed Tiesa lovingly.

  “You look lovely, Morgan.” Ezen kissed my cheek. When I pointed to the pretty flower, he nodded. “She called me from the dressing room. She’s a sneaky one, huh?” That she was.

  “Where’s Thayde?” I asked and he pointed to the top of the stairs. What I saw took my breath away and I found myself glued to the spot. He was waiting for me, holding a bouquet of lilies. Dressed in black with a flower in his lapel, he looked identical to Ezen with one huge difference; he was mouth wateringly gorgeous.

  As he walked down the steps, I stared in awe. I was going to marry this man who had loved me for years before we’d even met. When he reached me, I realized I’d been holding my breath.

  “You’re gorgeous, baby,” he took me by the waist, holding me gently. His Polo Blue cologne made him smell so sweet, I wanted to take a bite out of him. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

  “Marry me,” I said, overcome with emotion.

  “I intend to,” he said, kissing my hand. He led me up the stairs to Ezen and Tiesa and the four of us walked into the courthouse together.

  Chapter Seven

  Married

  “Do you, Thayde Dartmoth, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold until death do you part?”

  We stood, hand in hand, in front of the judge and our best friends. Thayde hadn’t taken his eyes off me the entire time.

  “I do, forever and always,” he answered.

  “Do you, Morgan James, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold until death do you part?”

>   YES! I wanted to scream.

  “I do, forever and always.” I repeated Thayde’s words and watched him break into a smile that could have graced the cover of any fashion magazine.

  “Then by the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  Is this real?

  “You may kiss your bride.”

  Thayde’s soft lips touched mine lightly and lingered as he breathed me in. In a quick move, he pulled me close to him, kissing me deeply. Ezen and Tiesa began to clap, but I could hardly hear them. I was wrapped in Thayde’s love, the energy circling, melding us together.

  When we pulled apart, it was as if we were stuck in molasses. The bond between us was so much stronger than I had felt it before and it made me feel warm and fuzzy. Before I knew it, Thayde cradled me in his strong arms.

  “You’re my love,” he whispered in my ear.

  I didn’t hear myself answer, it was so surreal I wondered if I was dreaming.

  “Is this real?” I asked.

  “Yes baby, this is very real.” He carried me outside to the limo and I hugged Tiesa and Ezen.

  “Will I see you before you leave?”

  Ezen nodded. “You’ll see all three of us before we go.”

  Thayde and I climbed into the limousine and Jimmy shut the door. I waved at Tiesa and Ezen from the window. As I sat back in the seat, Thayde watched me with those seductive blue eyes. How was I going to survive without him?

  “Do you like your ring?” He asked shyly.

  I had barely noticed the ring. All I’d been able to focus on was him. I looked down at my hand to see a large round two carat diamond with about seventy smaller diamonds on either side. It was breathtaking.

  “It’s lovely Thayde. Thank you,” I smiled. “What did I do to deserve you?”

  “What did I do?” He asked and kissed me. His urgency was so passionate, I wanted to cry. He pulled me onto his lap, his arms wrapping themselves around me and one hand making its way to the back of my neck. He tasted like mint and I felt as if I were glowing. For a brief moment, Thayde stopped and looked me in the eyes.

  “Morgan, would you mind if we didn’t go back to The Castle?”

  “Where do you want to go?” I asked, not really wanting to talk.

  “It’s a surprise,”

  “Let’s go there,” I had barely uttered the words before he covered my mouth with his.

  Jimmy drove us to the harbor and pulled alongside a long red carpet leading to a white yacht.

  “This is where we’re staying?” It was almost too much.

  “Have you ever been on a yacht?” Thayde asked, leading me down the carpet.

  “No,” I said.

  “Then you can’t judge it before you try it,” he teased.

  We were welcomed aboard by the Captain who left after informing us we’d be setting sail immediately. A butler showed us to our private deck just off our room.

  “Where are we going?” I leaned against the rail. The frothy water broke around the yacht’s bow as the ship got underway.

  “We’re just going out to sea.” He pressed himself up against me. “I want to forget our problems for just one night.”

  My arms entwined themselves around his neck and I stared into those ocean blue eyes. This wonderful, handsome, caring man who was now my husband was going to be leaving in the morning. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks.

  “Morgan,” Thayde shook his head. “Don’t.”

  “I can’t help it.” I swallowed hard, trying to blink back the tears.

  “Do you love me?” His voice sounded desperate.

  “Of course!”

  “Then just kiss me.”

  He lifted me into his arms and carried me to our bedroom. Despair threatened to overtake my emotions and that was the last thing I wanted to have happen on our wedding night. Instead, I focused on loving Thayde.

  Setting me on my feet, he turned me around so my back was against his chest. His soft lips found my neck and delicately traced it down to my shoulder. I felt his hand at my back as he took hold of the zipper.

  “I love you so much,” he said. “I have always loved you.” The sound of my dress being unzipped made me shudder.

  I turned in his arms and pulled his jacket off him. “You are my soul mate.” I said.

  He watched me unbutton his shirt. As it fell to the floor, he pulled me to him, his warm, hard body such a contrast to my thin frame. One hand cradled the back of my head as his open mouth covered mine. The other, pulled me gently off my feet to him. At that point, I could think of nothing more than being with him.

  Our passionate kiss fueled us and Thayde reached down, picking my knees up, lifting me into his arms. As he lifted me onto the bed, a beautiful soft glow surrounded us. Thayde’s soft lips were on mine and within moments all of our clothes lay on the bedroom floor.

  Thayde was a sweet and gentle lover, taking his time with me. He made love, he didn’t have sex and it made him even more perfect. His soft hands caressed my body lovingly making that night the most beautiful and passionate night of my life. The golden glow encompassed us the entire time. Our urgency and passion seemed to fuel it and as we finished and lay holding each other, the glow slowly faded.

  Thayde pulled himself closer to me and wiped a stray hair away from my forehead. I could feel the love radiating from him as his hand touched the side of my face. I curled into his strong arms and breathed him in. My eyes shot open as his deep voice broke the silence.

  “I wonder how your parents will react the minute Tammer reads our minds,”

  For a moment, I lay in shocked silence. I hadn’t thought of that. Still, I didn’t care. They knew it was inevitable. My heart felt a twinge of guilt the second I thought about the wedding that Mom most likely was looking forward too.

  “Are you thinking about your mom?” He asked.

  “I think she’ll be upset,” I answered.

  “We can always have a ‘proper’ wedding when I return, baby.”

  “When you return…” I trailed off, the memories of the bad dreams flooding my mind.

  “Morgan, stop.” Thayde sighed. “I know what you’re thinking. Please stop, I don’t want you thinking I’m going to die. I don’t want to think about that when I leave.”

  “I can’t help it!” My arms tightened around him. “The nightmares I’ve been having - they’re about you dying. What if they’re true?”

  “Dreams are only dreams.”

  “But mine always seem to come true.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so.”

  Thayde cupped my chin in his hand. “When I return, we’ll have a big, proper wedding and go on our honeymoon, okay?”

  I just nodded. What more could I do? I seemed to have no choice in the matter. Resting my head against Thayde, I tried to clear my mind and not focus on the doom tomorrow would bring.

  “What have you done?”

  Tammer’s face reminded me of the color of lobsters after they’ve been boiled. I wondered if he felt hot.

  “We got married yesterday,” Thayde answered in a plain voice.

  “Without us?” Mom gasped.

  “We didn’t think you’d approve,” I explained.

  “You’re darn right we wouldn’t!” Tammer spluttered. “Just what were you thinking?”

  “We don’t need your permission,” I stated. “You knew we’d get married someday and with Thayde leaving, we wanted to do it as soon as possible.”

  “You’re too young!” Tammer insisted.

  I didn’t answer. Of course, I knew he was right. But we were not going to be with anyone else. Ever. So what was the big deal?

  “The big deal?” Tammer nearly choked. “The big deal? Morgan, you’re only eighteen!”

  “They’ve corded,” Mom interrupted, and Tammer looked like his head was going to pop.

  “Elan, you know what this will do?”

  “Yes,” she answered.

>   “What? What are you talking about?” I asked, holding tightly to Thayde’s hand. Ezen and Tiesa looked anxiously at each other.

  Tammer looked to Thayde. “Do you?”

  Thayde looked miffed.

  “She might not be able to learn everything she needs to now!”

  Impossible.

  “Why? Because I’m married? What a load of crap!” I cried.

  Tammer’s mouth hung open. “Morgan, once you marry the one you’ve corded with, you’re linked for life to that person. Many times, their powers become your own. It also makes you unable to gain any more powers. You may have just stopped everything!”

  “Why haven’t I heard about this?” Thayde’s voice was uncertain.

  “Because no one’s ever married the ruler of the merpeople! Troen wasn’t married and neither was Calipsor before him!”

  “I wonder if the same rules will apply to Morgan,” Tiesa said in a hushed tone. “I mean, she performed a blessing yesterday that totally blew me out of the water and…”

  “You performed a blessing?” In my mind, Tammer’s head exploded all over the living room. “Tell me this isn’t true!”

  “He was begging me!” I glared at Tiesa. “I didn’t really have a choice!”

  “Morgan, you can’t start messing around with your powers until you know the full consequences that can come from it!” Mom looked horrified and Tammer collapsed into the couch. “You might have done it incorrectly and not only brought the sadness upon yourself, but made it three times worse for the person you tried to help!”

  “No, she did it perfectly,” Tiesa jumped to my defense – a bit too late I thought.

  “How did he know you could bless him?” Mom quizzed me.

  “I don’t know, but he told me he knew I was ‘Her’.”

  “Well, if a stranger off the street is able to recognize you, you’re well on your way to stardom,” Tammer shrugged sarcastically.

  Wonderful. That was the last thing I wanted. I shifted uneasily next to Thayde and he put his arm around me. Mom shook her head and walked up to me, placing her hands on my shoulders.

  “Morgan, please promise me you won’t do anything else until Aletheia begins to teach you. Please. You’re not just messing with your life, but the lives of everyone you come into contact with.”