Enemy Mine (Mending The Veil) by Kelliea Ashley Page B

coven once she broke off her hand-fasting to Garlock. She waited with her breath held as he stared down at her.
    “I don’t give a damn what your father does. I want you. I want to be with you and if we have to run, hide, and fight everyone on the planet to be together, then I’m game for it. Are you?”
    “Travis...” Her eyes burned with tears as she watched him hold out a hand to her. She didn’t care if his hand was scraped open, dirty, and bleeding. It was the hand of the only man she loved. A man who would have given his life to protect her. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but she’d take the short amount of time they had and bless the Goddess for it.
    “What do you say, little Witch? Will you run away with me? Will you marry me and let me love and protect you for as long as I can?”
    “Yes, enemy mine.” She placed her hand in his, but stepped forward to gently place a soft kiss on his sore lips. Her breath whooshed out as he thrust his other hand in her hair to pull her closer, turning the heat up as he sealed the deal with a kiss filled with love and promise. “For as long as you can.”

Chapter Twelve
    New York August 6, 1978
    The night was warm with a gentle breeze blowing through the branches of the trees. Crickets chirped, and tree frogs sang of happiness and peace. She found it a relaxing noise for a Witch with a heart silently bleeding and a plan that must be followed.
    Rissa Holt silently watched as her husband moved around their camp, erecting their tent and forming a fire pit. His white cotton shirt stretched over strong shoulders, making her want to hug him and hold on tight for the rest of her life. Of course, in her condition, he’d feel like he was getting mauled by a fat bear. She placed a hand over her stomach and lovingly rubbed their child.
    Never in all her life had she ever expected to love the feeling of sharing her body with another soul. Yet, here she was wishing she could keep her daughter safe in her belly. As soon as the little one took her first deep breath of air, her life would be in danger. The child of a Witch and a Witch turned Guardian would be seen as a threat to both factions. She would possess her mother’s magic and her father’s talents, Witch and Guardian, yet belonging to neither coven nor oath-bound. Making her enemy number one to both groups.
    Rissa wanted to cry out against the unfairness of the situation she found herself in. Her child was innocent, yet she would face the world’s judgment all her life. Not for anything she had done, but because her mother and father fell in love.
    You torture yourself with things you cannot hope to change, Rissa. Theophyline jumped up on the log beside her, wrapping her fluffy white tail around her front paws as she turned her head to look where Travis was gathering wood for a fire. He is not going to take this well, Rissa. I would ask you to reconsider this plan. I do not wish to see him hurt.
    You didn’t even like him, Theo. If I remember correctly, you disapproved of our marriage so strongly that you threatened to scratch the captain’s eyes out so he couldn’t read the vows.
    Unfortunately, he needed his eyes to keep the ship on course. I’m just saying you should talk to him of your intentions. He may have some suggestions that will keep you together. There is power and safety in numbers, you know.
    If I stay with him, he will eventually hate me for turning his life into a living hell. I want him safe, Theo. Rissa pointed out.
    And you think leaving him alone will keep him safe?
    Yes, I do. I wouldn’t even think of doing this if I didn’t believe being with me is putting his life in jeopardy. His superiors are not going to sit back and let us run around together forever. He isn’t even giving them reliable information on our coven’s safe houses. How long do you think they are going to let him slide?
    A soft hiss rumbled in her pet’s throat as her ears twitched in irritation. They should leave us all