“That’s not necessary,” Suzanne said. “Any guest room will be fine.”
“I won’t hear of it. Damian can take a different room when he returns. You’re kin to Miss Knight. The room should be yours.”
“Please. I can’t take his room away. Especially when he isn’t even here.”
“Oh, he’d insist,” the man said. “I cleaned it and changed the bedding today and moved his things to a vacant chamber.”
“But—”
“I won’t take no for an answer, young lady.”
Suzanne, too fatigued to argue, muttered, “Fine, fine. Just lead me to the nearest bed.”
“Suze,” Isabella began.
“Yes, I know, you need me. Don’t worry. I’m just going to lie down for a few minutes.”
When they entered the castle, Dougal lit another candle, and his features became more apparent. He was a handsome older gentleman with grayish blond hair and green eyes. He didn't move toward a light switch.
“Please tell me we have electricity here,” Isabella said.
“I’m afraid not. Merlina never wanted to install it.”
“Well, that’s first on my list. What about indoor plumbing?”
“That we have,” Dougal said. “Damian and I finally convinced her to install running water five years ago. She fought us. Said it would destroy the castle’s character. But in the end, she decided it would be easier for her, and it was.”
“Thank God,” Suzanne said.
“Believe me, we did.” Dougal chuckled. “Each chamber has its own bathroom. In fact, once Merlina decided to do it, she did it pure dead brilliant. I think you’ll both be pleased.”
Suzanne wasn’t able to see much of the interior of the castle. Dougal led her and Isabella up a long narrow staircase and down a hall to several closed doors.
“Here you are, Miss Wood.” He opened the door, set her suitcase by the bed, and lit several lamps, which cast a soft veil of light over what turned out to be a very large chamber. “I hope this will suit you.”
“My, it’s lovely,” Suzanne said. “And so large.”
“That door over there leads to your bathroom,” he said. “I’ll leave you to get settled in. Come, Miss Knight.”
Suzanne walked to the large, canopied bed covered with a silky comforter and sat. Sighing, she swung her legs up, lay down, and allowed the softness to comfort her tired body. Oh, this will work out just fine. Damian be damned. She wasn’t giving up this room, or this bed.
She didn’t realize she had fallen asleep until a knock woke her.
“It’s me, Suze,” Isabella’s voice said. “It’s time.”
“Shit,” Suzanne said to herself. “Coming!”
She opened the door, and there stood Isabella, clad in a satin robe. “You’re not ready.”
“Sorry. I got on the bed, and the rest is history.”
“Well, come on.” Isabella walked into the room, picked up Suzanne’s suitcase, tossed it on the bed, and opened it. “Where’s your robe?”
“Hold on, I’ll find it.” Suzanne pawed around and pulled out a fuzzy pink garment.
“Okay, second thing, after we install electricity, is to get you a new robe.”
“Very funny.”
“All right. Get undressed.”
Suzanne complied quickly, put on her robe, and followed Isabella down the stairs and out a back door of the castle. They stood in an enchanting courtyard flanked by statues of glimmering wolves and fairies illuminated by the light of the full moon. Suzanne drew in a deep breath. The landscaping was beautiful. She could hardly wait to see it in the daylight.
“Come on.” Isabella pulled her arm. “I’m going to cast my circle here.” She gestured to an open area surrounded by young trees and gardens. “I feel lots of positive energy.”
“What do I do?”
“Just stand here, inside the circle, until it’s cast. Then I’ll show you how to draw down the moon.”
Suzanne started walking, but Isabella shook her head.
“Lose the robe, Suze.”
“Oh, right.” She untied the sash. “What if Dougal can see us?”
“So what?”
“Bell—”
“He already went to bed, Suze.”
“God.”
“Just do it. You promised.”
Dear God. Suzanne ripped her robe from her body and tossed it onto the soft grass. “Now what?”
“Step inside the circle, where I showed you.”
Suzanne stood still as Isabella walked in a circle, naked, and poured salt from a glass container while she chanted. Then she moved to the center of the circle, next to Suzanne.
“I want you to visualize the energy of the Goddess coming from the moon. Think of the color white, for the maiden aspect, because you and I are maidens. Imagine a veil of white energy radiating from the moon and into your body.”
Suzanne closed her eyes.
“Feel the warmth of the Goddess enter your body, your spirit.” Isabella took Suzanne’s hands into hers.
Suzanne kept her eyes closed as the warm energy from Isabella’s fingers seeped into her own. Slowly, she and Isabella walked in a circle and raised their arms toward the moon. Suzanne saw the white energy in her mind, but she didn’t expect to feel anything. So she was more than a little surprised when the jolt of power entered her body, warming her and sending tingles through her veins.