Married Read Online Free

ritual that cuts ties with the former Family, and brings the witch’s power into their new bloodline.”
    “She did it for my second marriage.” Christiana’s voice wavered the smallest amount. “The Sovereign Bestowal adds in a blessing. Otherwise, the branch or Family leaders will just perform a basic bestowal of power.”
    Adam hadn’t paid any particular attention at the time of his sister’s wedding. He’d been too afraid for her, and too busy hoping her second marriage wouldn’t be as terrible as her first.
    “Only Grandmother, the High Seat Sovereign with access to all the magic of the combined covens, can infuse the blessing.” Georgie, intimately acquainted with Council rules, picked up where Chris left off. “As his Family’s Father, Daniel has the right to ask her to perform the ritual.”
    “Lower ranking witches can be denied, but a Mother or Father must be appeased.” Madeleine lifted an eyebrow. “Georgeanne’s invitation made sense, considering her betrothal, her council position and her popularity. But, until our enlightening conversation of your little fling with Constance, Adam, I had no idea why your presence was requested. Just shy of forcefully, I might add.”
    Christiana snorted. “Constance latched on to him for his Family position. Certainly she wouldn’t let a little thing like marriage to another man stop her rise to the top.”
    “You do wield a great deal of influence in this Family, Adam.” Madeleine let her dark eyes roam over him slowly, sending his skin crawling over his bones. He loved the old lady dearly, but she was still damned scary, and he hated to be the focus of her attention. He didn’t know what she was thinking or what she could see in his expression.
    “Do you need me continue my relationship with her?” His stomach flopped. He despised being used as the Davenold whore, though he’d never admit it to his grandmother. His body was frequently traded for information, and while each interlude was physically pleasant, it was emotional quicksand.
    “I don’t know yet, but if I do, you will be careful,” Madeleine murmured. “Graves Ngozi is somewhat…temperamental, and the gossipmongers say he is quite attached to his betrothed. I will be very displeased if you get yourself killed on Constance’s behalf.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “Because of your condition, Christiana,” Madeleine continued, “you will stay here at the Davenold House while the rest of us travel to the Ngozi residence.”
    “No,” Chris stated flatly. “With respect, Grandmother, I can’t stay here with Suzette. I can hardly bear to look at her, and if my twin is being targeted by Constance I want to be at his side. He’ll need me.”
    “I cannot allow my unborn great-grandchild to be caught in a situation we can’t control.”
    “I’m only three months along,” Chris argued. “I can protect my baby. Let me be there for my Family.”
    Silence filled the room until Adam fidgeted. Madeleine glared between her grandchildren, examining their faces before turning toward the window and watching the clouds float by. Plotting and scheming, no doubt. Adam tried not to look too unhappy but his mask must have slipped.
    Chris leaned close and lowered her voice until it was nearly inaudible. “Say the word and I’ll take the Levy bitch out.”
    Mimicking her low tone, he said, “Don’t worry about me, honey. I’m well equipped to handle someone like her.”
    “Sure, but what about Graves?”
    Adam’s lips twitched in cold amusement. “Gonna take Graves out, too?”
    “Someone should.” Georgie joined their conversation. “I don’t like that man. He’s too arrogant, tyrannical… patriarchal .”
    “You don’t seem to mind those qualities in your betrothed,” Chris pointed out.
    Georgie glared. “Graves is dictatorial without any sense of…of Family , you know?”
    Adam understood completely. It was one thing to rule with an iron fist, but velvet gloves were