by K.N. Lee
“Do you want me to fall on my arse?”
His grin had her realizing he just might want that.
They raced, galloping through the open fields and along the dirt roads. Under the light of the moon, she allowed herself to be free—to release her pain, guilt, and sorrow. The warm night air soothed her frazzled nerves.
It was simply magical.
Until, she nearly slipped from her horse’s back. With ease, Ciaran reached over, grabbed her, and yanked her onto his horse.
Stunned, she rode in the saddle before him, his arms stretching at her sides to hold the reigns.
From that point on, they became fast friends.
At that point—she’d began to fall for him.
Now, as they stalked the quiet forest for their supper, she couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her face at the memories they’d shared.
“This way,” he whispered.
Stealthily now, they ventured between the trees. Ciaran noticed the broken grass. She found the deer hoof prints. They drew their bows and continued on.
Underbrush rustled to the west. Nala held still, not even daring to breathe. There stood a deer munching on some grass. It had a white mark behind its right ear, almost like a crescent moon.
He gave her a nudge in her ribs, nodding for her to give it a try.
Nala lifted her arm, eyed the deer, and hesitated. The deer didn’t move, but if it were to, which way would it go?
To the right, she figured. Cocking the arrow slightly to that side, she released the string.
The arrow whirled through the air. The deer noticed them, stood there, and then darted to the right.
The arrow pierced the deer in the shoulder. The second arrow Nala had shot punctured the deer’s side, and the animal fell.
“Nicely done,” Ciaran said. He tucked his bow around his arm.
She did the same, stunned that she had actually done it. “Thank you.”
“My pupil has passed her final test,” he said with a grin that stirred something in her heart.
For a moment, they looked into each other’s eyes, and heat rose to her cheeks the instant she realized she’d been noting how the gold in his eyes reminded her of honeycombs.
Rain began to fall, breaking them from their gaze.
He looked up, holding his hands out. “Better get back.”
She nodded, and together, they carried the deer back toward town.
As they neared the house, Nala’s stomach began to churn. For some reason, the stench of the deer’s blood seemed to become stronger, more potent. She couldn’t take the smell of it.
Nala released the deer’s legs and took a step away.
“Are you all right?” Ciaran asked.
She opened her mouth to answer, but her vision faded.
“Of course,” she began.
The world tilted sideways, and Nala passed out, her face pressed into the soft grass.
Chapter Six
Groaning, Nala opened her eyes and shut them again immediately. Her head ached.
Where am I?
This time, she slowly peeked her eyes open and tested whether the pain would return.
Tall trees peered down at her, whispering as the wind shook their leaves, leaving sparkling dust lingering in the warm air.
The woods.
How did I get here?
Something about her favorite part of the woods was different.
Eyes wide, she sat up and spotted a deer.
Mesmerized by its calm, graceful approach, she came to her feet and met it half way. Oddly, her boots made no sound, and all she could hear were the whispers of the trees and the hum of the breeze. She hesitated and glanced down. Her body seemed fine—a bit brighter—but nothing out of the ordinary.
She couldn’t remember what had led her here or what had happened earlier. All that mattered was the here and now.
And, the deer.
The deer leaped along, and she raced behind it. The deer never seemed to mind her presence, and it was as if they were friends, in a game.
It halted and looked off to the side.
That was when she saw the white mark. A crescent moon behind its right ear.
This deer was the same one she had killed.
Her face paled.
Even stranger still was following the deer to that fateful spot where she would soon kill him.
Her throat grew tight. Why was she watching this?
The deer flattened its ears and glanced at her. Its mouth opened. “You are Nala.”
She gaped at it. “How can you speak?”
“How can you speak?
She blinked a few times, perplexed by the entire exchange and the fact that she was talking to a deer—a dead deer.
The deer flared its nostrils.
“What is this?”
“What do you think it is?”
“I don’t know.” She looked around, confused.
“Your magic,” it said. “Is awakening.”
“Magic?”
Nala’s brows furrowed. What was the deer talking about?
The deer tilted his head to the side, eyeing her.
“You are a wizard,” it said. “Of the highest order, born to the most powerful wizard to walk in this realm.”
As the deer began to eat some grass, an awkward silence passed between them as Nala gaped, unable to formulate a coherent reply.
She had not spoken about her parents. Not even to Ciaran. He had asked her once only, but when she could not bring herself to share, he never asked again. He never pried. He understood she needed to keep some things private. It was the only way to keep the nightmares at bay. It only lasted so long, though. Eventually, something would remind her of her mother or her father. Then, the nightmares would return as if they had never stopped plaguing her.
But still, she never knew they were wizards.
“Oh,” the deer said. “The man and woman you grew up with are not your natural born parents. Nay, they were your true mother’s sister and husband. A great sacrifice, indeed.”
“Enough,” Nala said, turning away. She wanted to run. But, where?
“Why would you run from the truth?”
It was then that she realized the deer read her mind.
“Get me out of here,” she said, wringing her hands. “Wake me up.”
The deer laughed then, an odd sound, like a child’s laughter.
“You cannot run from your fate.”
Her scream caught in her throat as she looked down to see flames wavering above her palms. She waved her hands, hoping to put out the fire, but it clung to her like sticky honey.
“What is this?” Her voice came out frantic, yet the fire didn’t burn her nor cause any pain. On the contrary, it was cool.
The deer continued to laugh. “I already told you,” it said. “Magic.”
Chapter Seven
Overwhelmed, she let out a feral scream and grabbed her face with her hands. The flames multiplied, and swallowed her whole.
A jolt of light and energy sent her tumbling back, until she fell onto the ground with a thud.
Finally, she awakened. Nala opened her eyes. The woods were gone. The deer was gone.
No. She could smell his blood. The dead deer was nearby.
She blinked a few times. She was inside the house, in her bed.
Magnus and Ciaran watched her, eyes widened.
A strange light caught her attention, and she looked down to see her arms were glowing, and flames ran up and down her body.
There was no escaping the truth or her fate.
Nala bolted for the door. Ciaran held out his arm, catching her in his embrace.
She fought Ciaran, panicked from the surge of energy in her veins, and the effervescent glow of her body.
“Calm down,” he whispered into her ear, and somehow, his words were like a spell, soothing her frazzled nerves.
She breathed him in—the scent of fire wood wafting from his clothes and the inside of hi
s neck where she nuzzled her face. He was warm.
Safe.
She peeked an eye at Magnus, who stood there watching them, a look of worry in his eyes. For a long moment, he remained that way, and scratched the back of his neck.
He patted her on the back, and quietly left the room, securing the door behind him.
Nala remained in Ciaran’s arms for as long as he tolerated it.
What is happening to me?
Early the next morning, Sunniva tapped on her door. She peeked her head in, amber eyes glancing inside.
“You’re awake,” she said, and pushed the door open.
She walked inside, carrying a wooden tray full of food.
Nala should have been starved, but the sight of food didn’t bring an appetite with it. Bread, cheese, fresh milk, and salted pork with berries were set on the table beside her bed.
Sunniva was a young woman of few words, and instead of lecturing or giving advice, she simply kissed her forehead and left her in peace.
Magic.
Just the notion alone made her hands grow sweaty. Was what the deer in her dream told her true? Did her real mother leave her behind?
They would’ve told her…unless they had died before they had decided she was ready to know.
Grief twisted in her stomach, and she pushed the tray of food Sunniva had brought to her far onto the other side of the bedside table. She couldn’t even tolerate the smell of meat.
Eating probably would be a good idea to keep up her strength, but, she couldn’t get the stench of blood from the deer out of her nose.
She covered her head with her blankets and escaped the world once more, going to sleep.
Chapter Eight
A week passed, and Nala had yet to find the courage to face the truth of her past, and the uncertainty of her future.
“Come on,” Ciaran said, creeping into her room. He held out his hand to help her to her feet. “You can’t stay in bed for the rest of your life.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’ve been thinking. We shall return to the wilderness.”
“And, do what?” She brushed her dark red locks over her shoulder.
He showed no signs of worry or fear despite this newfound knowledge they shared about her. On the contrary, he was calm and collected while her insides were in turmoil.
“Practice.”
“Practice,” she repeated, dismayed. Her heart pounded at the very thought of tapping into this new side of herself.
“It’s a skill like any other. Like your bow and arrows. Over time, you will control it. Not the other way around.” He shrugged. “Unless you don’t think you’re strong enough.”
“I am a lot of things. But, I am not weak. Let’s go.”
They left the house just as the sun began to rise. For some reason, the house was quiet and seemed empty. But, she had bigger issues on her mind.
They walked until the wilderness surrounded them.
Ciaran checked to make sure no one was around. Then, he crossed his arms over his chest and nodded to her. “This seems like a good enough spot to me. Go ahead.”
Nala stood there, feeling exposed. “I have no idea what to do.”
“What did you feel when you were glowing?”
“Frightened,” she admitted.
“Before that—before you realized you had magic. When you were using it.”
“I…” She furrowed her brows. What had she been feeling? “It all happened so quickly.”
That strange dream. Seeing the deer before it had died, before she killed it. The deer talking. Trying to reopen old wounds.
Ciaran circled around her, then stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Do you feel the magic within you?”
She licked her lips, looking up at him. “I’m not sure. I just feel…odd. Like, there is something tickling my insides. Something powerful.”
“I don’t know much about magic,” he said. “Our weapons are enchanted by our clerics, and we can speak to animals and simple stuff like that. But, this, this is wizard’s territory.”
She bit the inside of her lip. “I have something to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
She breathed in and let the air back out. “I had a dream, when I passed out. In it, I was told that I was a wizard.”
He lifted a brow, and she feared what he’d say next. “You do realize that wizards are our enemy?”
That was exactly what she feared—why she stayed in her room.
“Am I in trouble?”
He shook his head. “Of course, not. I’d never let anything happen to you. None of us would.”
She nodded and exhaled deeply through her mouth. “Thank you.”
“Perhaps we should find you a teacher, a real teacher who knows about magic.”
She nodded. “Perhaps, but who would help a human wizard?”
“The humans,” he said. “I’ll speak to Magnus about this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he said, stepping forward. He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “What did I just say? I will always protect you.”
Nala’s breathing hitched. Ciaran had never looked at her like that before. Heat rose in her cheeks and she turned away.
“But, will Magnus understand?”
He reached out and lowered her arms to her side. “Trust me.” He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.
Her heart raced.
Holding her breath, staring into his eyes, she nodded, unable to speak.
She became aware of just how close he was, how there was no space in between them.
Nala stared up at him. His fingers gently lifted her chin, and she fluttered her eyes closed. Their lips met for the first time. It took everything in Nala to not press against him, wrap her arms around him, and run her fingers through his hair.
He breathed her in, and pressed his lips hard against hers until she nearly stumbled backward. He held her steady, wrapping his arms around her waist, and parting her lips with his tongue.
She gasped, eyes opening for a moment. She never knew what happened during a kiss. Her heart thumped in her chest and her breaths became quick and labored. Again, she melted into the hardness of his chest and closed her eyes. The sweetness of his tongue was unlike anything she could have imagined, and she relished in it, savoring every moment.
When Ciaran pulled back, she was breathless. Sudden heat rushing to her cheeks had her glancing away in embarrassment.
Ciaran laughed. “Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.
“You’re a little flushed.”
“It’s warm,” she said, blushing even harder.
Inwardly, her mind raced. Was there truly a chance that she and Ciaran could be more than friends, more than master and slave?
He was handsome, and he knew it, but he had always been kind to her. Loyal and fierce, he never put her down for being a human or a slave.
And…he had kissed her.
“Come here,” he said, and pulled her in for another deep, passionate kiss that left her mind spinning.
When he let her go, she was left feeling cheated. She could kiss him all night long.
“We should go back,” she murmured.
“Already?” Ciaran asked.
“If we… If I can’t… I don’t know how to practice my magic. I can’t even use it at all. There’s no point to our being out here, is there?”
“You don’t want to be alone with me?”
“Should I?”
“Only if you want to.”
Her heart raced. They played a dangerous game, but it thrilled her beyond belief.
“Come on. Let’s go back.”
“If you insist.” He shrugged. “I understand that you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared,” she protested as she walked past him.
He caught her by the wrist again, and held steady. “I won’t hurt you, Nala.”
She froze, st
aring at him with widened eyes. There was no humor in his eyes. He was completely serious, and she believed him.
“I believe you,” she said, smiling.
In silence, they returned to the house, hand-in-hand. Once they stepped inside, all came crashing down around her as Magnus stood in the great room with four royal soldiers.
And, the elven king.
Chapter Nine
Nala clutched Ciaran’s forearm, her breath caught in her throat.
Why was the King of Cedonia here? She’d seen him before, from the top of his white Great Wolf. King Tristan visited their village every year during his tour of the kingdom.
But, why was he there now?
“What is happening?”
Sunniva sat on the floor, tears streaming down her face as she looked from Magnus to Nala.
When Nala lifted her gaze to Magnus, her stomach dropped. There was guilt in his eyes—so much so that he shook his head and turned away.
“You fool,” Ciaran shouted after him. His face turned red, and his voice boomed throughout the house. “How could you?”
Magnus’ jaw tightened as he glanced over his shoulder at them. “I serve our kingdom. My duty is to the king.”
“Your duty is to your family,” Ciaran said. “Nala is family.”
Sunniva nodded, wiping her nose. She came to her feet and Nala ascertained that the elven woman had pleaded for them to leave her alone.
It touched her heart to have such loyalty. Just not from the elf she had trusted and come to love like a father.
“He’s right,” Sunniva said. “You should have asked us first.”
“I hope I do not hear whisperings of treason,” King Tristan said. “Your brother did the right thing reporting the human wizard. She is coming with us to the Citadel.”
Ciaran stepped forward, shielding Nala from the soldiers who approached, their weapons glowing from their scabbards. “She will not.”
Tensing, she reached out to hold onto Ciaran’s forearm. She couldn’t risk him getting hurt just to defend her.
“Calm now,” the finely dressed elven king said, his voice like a magic spell that left everyone silent and docile.
Nala gaped at him—at how he lifted his hand, a glowing symbol on his palm swirling with vibrant hues of blue and gold.