Donna Fletcher [Fletcher - The Wedding Spell

You need a lover.

Alisande Wyrrd smiled and swung her long, slim legs over the side of the chaise lounge. The white gauze cotton dress she wore brushed her ankles as she walked barefoot across the white marble tiles to join her aunt on the wicker settee.

Her aunt gave her nieces hand a comforting pat. I would be remiss in my duties as your aunt, but even more remiss in my duties as a witch, if I failed to remind you of the necessity of finding a decent lover.

Being three hundred years old, Aunt Sydney, I dont think a lecture is necessary.

Then do tell me, my dear Ali, why have you allowed so many years to pass without having a lover?

Before Alisande could offer an explanation, her aunt continued.

You know all too well that too much time spent on this earthly plane without a lover can diminish your magical powers considerably and now only a magnificent love affair with a powerful man will restore your abilities. And powerful men can be difficult to deal with.

Alisande understood her aunts concern, especially given the fact that her aunt assumed that she would choose a male witch, and male witches, particularly potent male witches, could prove much too difficult to handle. Alisande, however, had a different idea. She had long studied mortal males and found them quite appealing. They could be charming and loving and a few exceptional ones could be extremely powerful in presence and attitude. She planned on finding such a male.

I knew it, her aunt said with concern. You want a mortal male, dont you?

Alisande ran a pale pink fingernail down the front of her dress and toyed with the tiny pearl button that sat nestled between her full breasts. I find them fascinating.

Mortal males can be dangerous, her aunt warned. They come with mortal flaws.

I think Im up to the challenge of dealing with simple mortal traits.

You must remember that your powers arent up to snuff.

Alisande laughed, throwing her head back, her long, honey-blond hair rushing in riotous waves down her back to rest at her slim waist. Which means the man I choose may just have a fighting chance.

Not even in his dreams, my dear, will he have a fighting chance, her aunt said with a catlike smile.

Alisande giggled. Youre right. After all, hes only mortal.

Which leads me to ask, where do you intend to find this exceptional male?

Alisande smiled at her aunt like a child about to ask for a forbidden treat. I thought perhaps you would help. You are a powerful seer, the most powerful seer I have ever had the privilege to meet, and

Aunt Sydney stopped her. Flattery will not help you in this situation, and you know full well that I am not the most powerful seer you have ever met, and you also know full well that a wise seer never interferes in matters of the heart. You will never learn life lessons if the answers are easily provided.

Alisande cast a petulant and playful pout. Then I have no choice but to read through the many magazines and newspapers I have collected over the last few weeks and comb the pages to see if anyone of interest stands out.

Aunt Sydney offered her own advice. Being only a short distance outside of Washington, D.C., you shouldnt have any difficulty finding a powerful man.

Alisande smiled as she shook her head. I dont know about a politician, too many can be manipulated and bought. I want a man rich in character and strong in integrity.

Then stay out of D.C., darling, her aunt said with a laugh.

With a little research and a spark of determination, Im sure I can find the man of my dreams.

Aunt Sydney stood and adjusted the jacket of her almond-colored silk suit. Be careful, my dear. Sparks ignite into uncontrollable fires, and then... he may prove more than you can handle.

Alisande completely understood her aunts misgivings, and promised herself that she would proceed with caution and care. After all, she had to remember that she would be dealing with a mortal male on the most intimate level. And intimacy had a way of ruling ones most basic emotions while easily disregarding intelligent thought. But then, there was no room for intelligence when lust and passion ruled.

Im off to the Wyrrd Foundation, dear. Last minute details for the fundraiser were hosting next week need my attention. Her aunt leaned over and brushed her cheek across Alis. No, I dont require help, and besides, you will be too busy looking for a lover to lend me a hand.

Alisande shook her head and playfully scolded her favorite aunt. I thought the seer who taught you warned against intruding on peoples thoughts without permission.

On occasion and when necessary, her aunt corrected and waved as she hurried out the solarium door with a quick good-bye from Alisande.

Alisande admired her aunt. She was a renaissance woman of extraordinary intelligence, having earned numerous degrees in various areas of interest as well as studying subjects thought to be objectionable during her six hundred years.

She often sought her aunts counsel and was glad she had come to stay with her while her mother and father were off on a lengthy adventure.

She, herself, was about to begin a grand adventure. She had had her share of lovers through the years never anyone special. She had always held a part of herself back, never surrendering completely to any man, witch or mortal. She wanted someone special, a magical lover, possessed of strength not often found; she intended to find him and finally surrender.

Alisande hurried out of the solarium, down the hall, through the foyer and out through the front screened door. She took a deep breath of fresh air, catching the many rich scents of a warm summers day, honeysuckle and mint in particular, and with a sigh of satisfaction she glanced over the land she loved so much.

The two-hundred-acre estate had been purchased by the Wyrrd family several years before Alisandes birth. The rolling hills and pastures had changed little over the years. The twenty room manor-type house had been modernized several times, the stables updated, a swimming pool and tennis courts added, and the gardens extended. Here was where family and friends came for shelter and comfort. Aunt Sydney mended many a broken heart here, Uncle Thaddeus hid from two wives, Aunt Vivien gave birth to Josh and Nicole, mother and father were married and she herself born here, and countless more milestones were celebrated right here on the Wyrrd estate. And right here was where Alisande intended to get married and give birth.

First, however, she needed a lover. She walked to the far end of the porch where it jutted out in an octagon shape and smiled at the stack of magazines and newspapers waiting for her on the pine table. Adele, not only their housekeeper for forty years but a close confidant of the Wyrrd family, had left a pitcher of mint iced tea and a plate of tea biscuits for Alisande to enjoy

Eager to begin, she pulled one of the pine rockers up to the table and plopped down in it, tucking her feet beneath her. She reached for a magazine and a biscuit and began to read.

Alisande read the article five times. Could she be this lucky? This was only the third magazine she had picked up an hour ago and here he was, the perfect man, staring at her right in the face.