Tyra led Ashton and Cara out of the lounge. They went straight towards the beach to cool off their heads. Tyra held Cara’s hand. “You are truly the strongest of us all, a leader for the entire coven. But for now, keep your head above the water and endure it for a while. We know what Percy is pointing out. I understand her.” Tyra paused and looked in Ashton’s direction before she spoke again. “I mean, it is none of my business, after all.”
Cara gave Tyra a faint smile and nodded at her. Tyra smiled back at Cara before she left the couple to talk privately. “Why are they bringing up our relationship like it is a big deal?” Cara said in frustration.
Ashton kissed Cara’s forehead. He took a deep sigh. “They don’t believe that my love for you is true.” He said without revealing much.
Cara stared at Ashton weirdly. “Heck, they can have their own boyfriends, and I would not even know if the love they share is true.” Cara stressed her point.
“Exactly, babe. Don’t get too stressed out. What matters is that you know how much I love you, regardless…” Ashton said with sincerity. But seeing that Cara is hurt by her family’s assumption, he knows he should do more about it. “Let’s drive back home.” He said, taking advantage of the long drive ahead of them.
Ashton pulled down the seatbelt for Cara like always. He smiled at her as their gaze locked. “What are you doing?” Cara asked her husband, who seemed a little extra cheesy today. She can feel his breath so close to her lips she feels hot just thinking about touching his lips.
“I’m just reminding you how much I love and care for you, my wife.” He smirked handsomely at Cara. “Sometimes words are just those… words. But feelings through action, you can never deny that because I know you feel it too.” Ashton lowered his head and claimed Cara’s lips endearingly. Cara responded automatically like she had waited all her life to feel those lips in hers. Ashton parted their lips as he spoke between his pants. “I love you so much. I don’t care what others say about us. What matters to me is that you love me, too.”
***
Cara and Ashton arrive back at their home. Both of them hurriedly went to their library to read more about this ritual. She browsed the shelves, but was not really sure what she was looking for. “Babe, do you know which one is it?” She asked Ashton with a tone of frustration.
“It is the ritual of the merging moons, babe.” He answered with a smile. Ashton has always been patient with Cara, especially about teaching her. In reality, this is what servants are really for; to guide their master in every way possible.  
Servants hooking up with their masters at the order of their masters is not unheard of, but his situation with Cara is something no one has ever anticipated. Deep inside, he can’t really blame anyone who looks down on their relationship. It isn’t normal, but it is true and most of all, it is mutual.
“I found it, babe!” Cara exclaimed and jumped off the ladder in a jiffy.
Ashton almost lost his breath, seeing Cara jumping off the ladder, which was about seven feet high. “Be careful, babe.” He reminded her. He noticed these changes in Cara for the past weeks; she was noticeably stronger than before. Perhaps it is because of the binding rituals she did with the other three leaders, although it does considerably seem that Cara is not mindful of these changes. He kept quiet, watching her totally immerse herself in the book.
***
Like all the previous rituals, they have to wait for the sky to dim to reveal the light of the moon. And just like before, it was as if the purple sky with the glittery stars made the moon look more special. One by one, the elements' leader arrived and joined Cara on the altar, forming a circle.
Ashton stood behind, watching and waiting, making sure of Cara’s safety. He needs to be extra vigilant today in case a witch hunter appears and grabs the witch’s wand after the ritual. He might be paranoid right now, but it is better than playing it safely completely and regretting it later.
“Sirkulo, sirkulo” Wendy started chanting while she walked the path encircling Cara. Right behind her was Tyra. She also walked, then followed by Celeste and lastly Percy. They were all chanting “Sirkulo, sirkulo.”
Cara stood idly in the center with her eyes closed. Ashton hears that drum beat banging in the rhythm of the witches’ chanting. He looked around, trying to check where the drumbeat was coming from, but he could not see anything that could produce that sound.
The element leaders faced Cara while they alternately bowed towards her.
“Buhawi!” Wendy repeatedly says with the tone intensifying.
“Dagundong” Tyra chants in a low voice.
“Daluyong!” Celeste said over and over as they continuously paced around Cara.
“Lagablab” Percy said continually.
Cara dropped suddenly and looked like she was about to pass out. Her body was limp, but it was still erect. To Ashton’s eyes it seemed like she was being supported by an invisible entity. Slowly Cara’s feet were leaving the ground, gradually levitating.
“Swoosh, Swoosh, Swoosh”. Gushes of wind hit Cara repeatedly as she was being lifted off the ground. Ashton wanted to rush towards Cara and then a blinding light stopped him from his tracks. He covered his eyes and looked down as he felt the breeze almost pinning him to the floor. He had never felt this type of power before. Even the books he has read before have never spoken about such power.
The chanting of the four women gets louder like they are about to reach their climax. Ashton took a peek, curious about Cara’s welfare. His heart almost fell off his chest when he saw Cara. Her hands and legs are spread wide as her body arched, floating parallel to the ground. Her hair changed color. It was hard to see with all the light surrounding her, but from her brown hair it looked like it shifted to dark ash blonde. It was just a few shades darker than her new eye color.
There was a thick fog enveloping her. It was slowly lowering her down.
“Take good care of her.” Celeste shouted to Ashton before she left in a hurry. All the other three left without a word, as they promised in the deal with Cara. Ashton was left to deal with Cara’s recovery or what not. He is completely clueless about what to do next.
Ashton rushed to Cara before the mist eventually disappeared, as if handing the Sakalam into his arms. “Babe… babe.” Ashton repeatedly called her name, gently tapping her cheeks. He checked for her breathing. He lowered his face towards her nose.
“Aaah.” Cara gasped for air and jerked her tilted head.
“Are you okay?” Ashton asked Cara like a knee jerk reaction.
Cara anchored her arms to Ashton’s neck and rested her head on his chest. “I’m tired.” Her short answer was a hint to Ashton. He carried her towards their home, as he never gets tired himself.
He slowly dropped Cara on the bed. Ashton went to the bed and caressed Cara’s face. He started kissing her gently all over her face while his other hand grabbed her waist, pulling it towards his body. Cara placed her arm on Ashton’s chest, creating a space between them. “What are you doing, love?” She asked with her eyes squinted.
“Oh, I am trying to refill your energy, babe.” He answered without pause.