“No!” Mina stopped pacing and faced her. “If the prophecy is true she will be our savior. You must take her, Mara.”
“Me!”
“Yes, take her to Meridelle.” Mina started to walk away, her silvery form shimmering with purpose.
“Meridelle! No, Mina!” Mara denied the request, but her voice fell on deaf ears. Mina made up her mind and Mara knew the younger Fairy would not hear her denial. “Mina!”
“Trust me, Mara.” Mina smiled confidently before disappearing into the underbrush, leaving Mina alone with the mortal woman.
“Wonderful!” Mara called out sarcastically.
Chapter Two
Sun shimmered on the tall stone pillars like liquid flame, the heat from its rays warming the cold marble and tile within its walls. Shards of molten gold pierced through any window and doorway it could reach. Birds sang in the distance, their voices echoing down the long, lonely corridors in songs of light and promise. The castle stood tall against its country backdrop, towering above the smaller domiciles of the village residing in its shadow. A true glimmering testament to the wealth and power of the town of Meridelle’s ruling family.
Anna found the whole structure arrogant, preferring to sit at her window and stare out at the chalet type buildings beyond the castle grounds. In the distance, she could see the docks and the many ships moored in the calm lapping lips of the Ocean. Meridelle was truly a village straight out of Fairy tale, but Anna didn’t feel any softness for the vision. Her heart was heavy with the sorrow of loss. She grew accustomed to depression in the two weeks since the vortex claimed her and dumped her in the woods beyond the village.
Anna spent her first week bouncing between confusion and tears, refusing to accept she was anywhere other than trapped in a nightmare. After all, it wasn’t easy for a woman from small town Pennsylvania to believe in living Fairy tales. Of course, watching a Fairy flit about the castle made belief a bit easier. When Anna woke in the large bedroom she now called her own, Mara was the first creature she’d seen. The golden Fairy was a shock to Anna, but the creature’s sweetness quickly won her over. It was Mara who explained to Anna what happened the fateful night two weeks before when she was ripped from her home and all she loved.
The portal was formed by the magic of a well-meaning, if a bit rash and misinformed Fairy. The link between their worlds opened, sucking Anna through from her realm of logical reason and into the fantastical world in which she was currently trapped. Mara seemed as confused as Anna on why it was her who passed through the portal. Anna didn’t tell the Fairy about the dreams she’d experienced since childhood, still unsure of her place in this new realm.
A small knock on her door led to the arrival of Mara, followed closely by Prince Charmond, ruler of Meridelle. Anna hadn’t been introduced to the Prince right away as he remained a silent and shadowed presence for days after her arrival. Mara said it was to allow her time to process her situation before exposure to any others from the Mystical Realm. Since their meeting on her fourth day in the castle, Anna had enjoyed Char’s company. His amazingly good looks and muscular physique would have caught Anna’s attention had her situation been different, but it was his intelligence which won her over.
They held long conversations deep into the night, each sharing stories of their worlds and experiences. Anna told Char of her work with children as a teacher and he shared stories of his people and the creatures inhabiting the realm. She tossed him a slight smile as he entered behind Mara and closed the door behind him. Anna knew the turn of her lips didn’t match the emptiness in her eyes, but Char returned the acknowledgement with a smile of his own and a nod.
“I assume you have news,” Anna urged them to speak as they both fidgeted nervously around the room. She had waited to hear of Mara’s latest quest to reopen the portal and send her home. The Fairy had tried all she knew and explored every source, but thus far she’d failed to produce results. Anna tried to hold hope for good news, but their continued silence was disturbing.
“Anna,” Mara started, wringing her hands nervously in front of her, “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, Mara, I know you’re trying.” Anna offered the platitude routinely, having said something along the same lines so many times over the past weeks.
“No, child,” Mara’s tone was sad, eliciting an anxious ache in Anna’s gut. “I found the spell which can open the portal.”
“You can open the portal?” Anna asked excitedly.
“I believe so,” Mara’s eyes welled with tears. “Yes, but you cannot pass through it.”
Anna felt her chest heave with the arrival of hope and the quick destruction of it. “What do you mean? If you can open it, I can go home.”
“I’ve search every text, spoken with the most powerful Fairies, Wizards and Witches I can find.” A tear leaked down Mara’s cheek. “The rules are clear. Even if I am able to perform the spell to open the portal, traveling between the realms a second time while the spell is intact would be devastating.”
“What?” Anna asked as the Fairy trailed off.
“Anna,” Char knelt before her, taking her hands in his. “Once one has passed between realms they can never do so again. You wouldn’t survive.”
“It would pull you apart, child.” Mara added.
“So, I can’t go home.” Anna clarified dully. “I can never go home?”
“No, child, you can never go home.” Mara whispered.
“Anna, you are welcome to stay here,” Char offered. “This can be your home.”
“Thank you,” Anna offered the proper response, but her mouth was on autopilot. There was no thought to the words or Char’s offer. Anna felt an opening in her chest as the loss of her family, friends and all she loved sank in. She tried to hold out for hope, to keep the emptiness at bay, but now there was no hope to hold. The portal could be opened, but she could never pass through. Returning to her world was impossible.
Anna vaguely heard Mara and Char speaking to her, but she shut off any part of her which would care. She embraced the coldness settling over her as she turned to look out her large window, effectively dismissing the two visitors remaining.
***
Char slammed his hand against the large, wooden desk taking up the better part of his study. His anger and frustration at the information Mara brought him flamed through his pores, threatening to consume his normally controlled demeanor. Char had grown to care for the mortal woman who was brought to his castle two weeks before. Their nightly conversations brought him hours of entertainment and filled a space in his chest Char hadn’t known was lacking. While he didn’t relish the idea of losing Anna to her world, Char knew it was what she wanted more than anything he could offer. He ached for the loss of Anna’s happiness.
“It isn’t fair, Mara,” Char muttered as he ran a frustrated hand through his black, carefully cropped hair. “There has to be something we can do.”
“I’m sorry, Highness,” Mara swiped at the tears still streaming down her cheeks.
Char felt sorrow for the Fairy’s pain. He knew better than most how diligently Mara searched for a way to send Anna home. Seeing Anna’s shock and despair at the news of her entrapment in the Mystical Realm was as heartbreaking for Mara as for Char, if not more so. “You didn’t fail her, Mara.”
“I did,” Mara slipped to the floor, her golden dress draping round her hunched form as she knelt on the tile.
“This isn’t your fault,” Char insisted. “You didn’t bring her here. You didn’t steal her from her family.”
“No,” Mara stood with a steely set to her frame. “I only allowed it to happen.”
“Mara,” Char took a step toward the Fairy, but she was gone before he moved. While Fairies didn’t quite have the ability to teleport or vanish, their small stature and wings made them exceedingly fast and allowed for hasty retreats. Char sighed, knowing he would not be able to comfort his friend. Mara was too lost in guilt to accept his platitudes.
C
har took a few steadying moments to compose himself, reigning in his pain for Anna with a tight leash. He couldn’t send her home, so Char had to help her make a new home. He would allow Anna a few days to process the horrid news Mara brought. However, Char was determined to help Anna make a happy life in his world; with him.
***
Anna pushed the food around her plate, unable to eat past the lump she couldn’t seem to remove from her throat. It was a full day since Mara told Anna she could never go home, but the conversation could have happened moments ago for the misery the memory it still caused. Anna knew she had no right, but her heart was filled with an anger she couldn’t subdue. The heat from the hate rose in her chest, blocking any attempt to swallow past its existence.
Char sat across from her, his plate noticeably emptier than her own. Anna looked up into his dark blue eyes, finding sympathy and concern in their depths. She knew the lecture he wanted to give; the same lecture he gave twice the day before without response from her tormented self. Anna felt some remorse for her treatment of Char the past days as she refused their nightly conversation and held very little patience for him. He didn’t deserve her rage, but without Mara or the Fairy who’d summoned Anna to the Mystical Realm, Char was forced to endure.
Anna was grateful he refrained from commenting on her lack of appetite, despite suspecting he held in the lecture in order to broach a different, equally uncomfortable subject.
“I thought we would go into town,” Char’s tone was low and cautious.
“Why?” Anna asked hollowly.
“I wish for you to see my Kingdom,” Char smiled at her, the pride he felt at his family’s lands obvious in his expression.
“Oh,” Anna looked back down at her food, finding the meal suddenly revolting and laying her fork beside her plate.
“Come now, Anna.” Char reached across the table and took her fingers in his. “You can’t mope about the castle forever.”
“Forever,” Anna whispered the word so quietly she knew he hadn’t heard. Such a long time, forever, yet only a blink in the misery she would experience. Such a long time forever could be in this new world she was sucked into, Anna could barely stand to think of it.
“Anna,” Char’s voice pulled her back from the dark thoughts crowding her mind. “I can’t give you what you’ve lost, but maybe I can help you find something worth staying for in my world.”
Anna didn’t believe his claim was possible, but Char was kind to her and she didn’t want to insult his continuing hospitality. The Prince took her into his castle and treated her like royalty. Anna wanted for nothing. Yet, he was rewarded only with her misplaced anger. With a heart still heavy with loss, Anna nodded before excusing herself to her room to prepare for their journey.
She didn’t want to leave the security of her bedroom, but Anna knew Char was waiting for her and changed quickly into one of the dresses made for her. Anna was never much for dresses, but she liked the feeling of being outside of herself and all things familiar. It allowed her an occasional escape from the misery of her situation. Finding Char waiting for her in the main hall, Anna tried to smile, but thought the attempt more grimace than greeting. After a moment, Anna noted the guard standing ready at the door.
“A guard,” Anna mumbled curiously as she took Char’s offered arm.
“He accompanies us merely as a precaution, Anna.” Char motioned to the large man, his black hair shaved close to his head. “This is Guardian Cole. He will be your personal guard anytime you leave the grounds.”
“My lady,” Cole inclined his head respectfully.
Anna returned the nod as she was ushered out of the cool interior of the castle and into the warm summer afternoon. The sun’s rays were bright and warm against the depressed pallor of her skin and Anna relished the heat. She hadn’t realized how much she missed being outside in the weeks she was in the castle. Anna found the walk to the village enjoyable as Char began telling her stories of the buildings and landmarks they passed by. Before Anna knew it, they were in the heart of town, passing sweet smelling shops and carts full of homemade goods. The town was straight out of a storybook, complete with smiling villagers who greeted their Prince warmly, with respective bows and curtsies.
Char remained by her side for what seemed hours, but eventually excused himself for a brief moment for business in a local shop. “Forgive me, Anna, I will only be a few moments.” Char gave a small bow to her before turning to Guardian Cole. “Remain with Anna.”
“Yes, Highness,” Cole confirmed the command.
Anna fidgeted for a few moments once Char was out of sight, slowly strolling down the road they were on. She felt Cole’s presence, but was grateful the intimidating man seemed content to remain stationary during her wandering. Anna brushed her hand across an intricately designed filigree locket at a nearby stand, the old woman sitting by it eyeing her with a kind, wary interest.
A loud group of men exited a building at Anna’s side, their words a jumble of alcohol and testosterone as she recognized the building as a bar. With the crowd gaining in size and volume, Anna was jostled into the street. Distracted by the onslaught of people surrounding her, Anna didn’t notice the large, man-sized object hurled from the doorway until it struck her legs, bringing her down atop its form.
Anna squeaked as strong arms wrapped around her, ensuring she didn’t land on the hard ground, but on the equally hard male body beneath her. She looked up into a pair of sapphire blue eyes flecked with emeralds. Anna found herself mesmerized by their swirling colors for a moment before coming to her senses and examining the rest of the man lying beneath her.
Mussed black hair haloed his head, the sun glinting blue off its silken strands like flame. His masculine jaw was dusted with stubble, despite the early afternoon hour. His lips turned up into a hint of a smile as she continued to stare; bringing Anna back to her senses and jerking her eyes back up to meet his. “Are you alright?” The man’s voice was thick with English accent blended with the unrecognizable flare of the realm.
“I’m fine,” Anna struggled to sit up amid the chuckles of nearby villagers and the laughter of the man beneath her. His muscular torso tensed and released under her palms as she attempted to untangle herself from him. The man chuckled at her efforts, the sound vibrating beneath her palms. “Are you going to lay there and laugh or help?”
“Sorry, Love,” The stranger untangled himself from her, easily setting her on her heels in front of him. “It’s not every day a creature as beautiful as you literally falls into my lap.” The man’s drawl was nearly a growl.
“I didn’t fall into your lap,” Anna corrected him. “You were thrown and took me with you.”
“Aye,” the man rose to his feet, offering her a black, glove-covered hand and pulling her with him. “And, I do apologize for that, my lady. Though, I must say if I had to be thrown at a woman’s feet, yours are quite lovely to befall. May I know your name?”
“Anna, Anna Blake,” Anna was confused and uncomfortable by his obvious flirtation, but managed to speak her name in what she hoped was a stable voice. A heat crept up her neck, staining her cheeks a brilliant crimson at the unaccustomed flattery. Her obvious discomfort seemed to offer the man encouragement as he bowed regally before her.
“Anna,” he repeated, still clasping her hand tightly in his own. He pressed his lips to her knuckles, his mouth firm and warm against her skin.
“We need to go, Captain.” An older man stepped to the stranger’s side. “We are attracting some attention.”
“Aye,” the man who still held Anna’s hand looked disappointed at the interruption. “Falling at your feet has been the greatest experience of this day, Anna. I hope to do it again very soon.”
“Well, considering the highlights of your day have thus far included being thrown from a bar,” Anna felt her composure returning. “You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t find that as complimentary as you intended it to be.”
The man’s eyes lit with amusement
and intrigue at her sharp remarks as the older man pulled him from her. His fingertips lingered on hers for a moment before their connection was severed. Anna watched him leave, his blue eyes shooting back to her over his shoulder just before turning out of sight. She released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding just as Char and Cole reached her side. After assurances of her safety and denying the event ever took place, Anna buried the experience where she would never again think of the dark stranger.
Chapter Three
The Crimson Jewel bobbed beside the Meridelle docks, the black, red and silver of her hull a testament to her name. Her three masts stood dark against the bright sky, silvery sails held tight to their massive heights at rest. Most villagers ignored the ship, but her legend was far-reaching, preventing all from approaching her intimidating form. The Crimson Jewel boasted a bloody past unrivaled by most; the most feared Pirate ship on the open sea.
Her Captain’s reputation was equally as dark, known as a heartless bastard who wouldn’t think twice about slitting a man’s throat for looking at him sideways. Jake Reynolds enjoyed the protection and respect his bloody reputation earned him. He worked hard to make sure he would never be seen as the weak victim he’d once been. The harsh reminders marred his flesh, hidden from view beneath the black, leather of his coat and gloves. Orphaned at a young age, Jake witnessed his mother’s murder at the hands of his grandfather; the man who then began a vicious cycle of abuse against the small boy left in his care.
Jake gripped the railing of his balcony, staring down at the crystal blue waters rocking beneath his ship. The sight disgusted him more with each day they remained docked in the Meridelle harbor. With a sigh, Jake turned and walked into his quarters, slamming the heavy wood and glass doors behind him. He didn’t want to listen to the sounds of the city or smell the stench of dock life. He ached to be out in the true depths of the Ocean, but his need for what Meridelle held was more pressing. Jake would remain in Meridelle until he retrieved what was stolen from him, even if it meant his misery in the meanwhile.
Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) Page 2