She wasn’t the same woman who had started this journey with him, and he wasn’t the same either.
He started after them, and from behind him, he thought he heard a scream across the field.
He looked over his shoulder, but there was nothing but the thin treeline and the field beyond.
And enough wild magic to make anything Eric sent after them think twice before setting foot into the forest.
* * *
They lay at last beside the fire, no longer hungry or cold.
Sooty was prowling off somewhere in the trees, and the gentle bob and weave of wild magic lit their camp in a surreal glow.
“I never thought I would relax because I was surrounded by wild magic.” Rane’s voice was bemused. “It was the one thing both Soren and I hated and feared for so long.”
“I don’t know why it lets me command it. It is almost as if it is lonely, or in need of someone to direct it. And I know there is more I could do.”
“Do you have to know everything?” Rane pulled her closer to him, and she heard the steady beat of his heart against her ear.
“If there is a war coming, and I can fight against Eric and his fellow sorcerers, then I want to know everything. I think I’ll have to go back to Ylana. I understand so much more since I enchanted her. I need to release her and beg her to help me.”
Rane tensed beside her, his eyes flashing. “No.”
“This isn’t over, Rane.” Kayla lay back down, watching the purple light play off the muscles of his throat and shoulders. “Jasper has the golden apple, and—”
“What?” He reared up, towered over her.
She forced herself to relax. “Soren was holding it when Nuen hit him with a flash of magic. It saved his life, but he dropped it when he fell.”
“So Nuen is healed, now?” Rane’s eyes glittered in the firelight, and she almost couldn’t meet his gaze.
“Yes. Soren wanted to go back for it, but I wouldn’t let him. I could barely contain Nuen as it was, because I was outside the forest, and only able to get the wild magic in thin ribbons of power. I didn’t have enough strength to take him on if he was fully healed.”
He looked like a man in a struggle, fighting a dozen angry demons. He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. “You could have been killed, Kayla. Nuen could have killed you.”
She held his gaze. “He could have. But the truth is, if I had had more power, I could have killed him, too. I was just as dangerous. More, because he was weak and ill.”
“He isn’t weak and ill any more.” Rane’s tone was tired. Weary.
She drew him down, and he curved his arm around her shoulders. “With the golden apple, we can be sure Nuen is fit again. And Eric is out there, and he hates us more than ever.”
“Hates me.” Rane’s mouth curved into a humorless smile. “Wants you even more.” His grip on her tightened.
“Why, though?” She looked down at her hands. “He wanted me before he knew I could use wild magic. Was it only because he knew I was a witch, or because I was a witch and the princess of Gaynor? If we knew that, maybe we could understand what is going on.”
“I don’t think he’s the type to have told anyone his plans.”
“My father knows something. Or that’s the way it seemed to me. Although not everything. There were definitely secrets between him and Eric.” Kayla looked up at him, watched his face turn stubborn. “And Ylana will know.”
He shook his head, but she refused to let it drop.
“If any one does, it’s her.” She touched her wrist again. “She can help us.”
“She won’t.”
“Maybe not. But we have the gem. Perhaps we can return it, gain her forgiveness. Or maybe her hatred for the sorcerers is bigger than her anger at us.”
Rane was shaking his head, but she knew she was right. “When I spoke with her, she sounded tired. Tired of doing everything on her own. If we offer to help—”
“I will not be Ylana’s helper.” Rane’s mouth was a grim line.
“I will.” She spoke quietly, determined. “I’ll risk it.”
He lifted a hand to her shoulder, gripped her. “I don’t want you at risk. I dragged you into this…”
“No.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Eric would have taken me that day if I hadn’t helped you with the apple. I would be his now. I would have welts on my back.”
She saw him accept what she said. Saw the pain in his eyes lessen.
“I want to hide you away. Out of Eric’s grasp.” He moved over her, supporting his weight with one arm, cupping her cheek with his other hand.
“I can’t hide.” She moved so close to him she could feel his heat, searing her through his shirt and hers. Could smell the salt and wood-smoke on his skin. “I don’t think anyone can. Whatever is coming will affect the whole of Middleland.”
He stroked his thumb over her lip. “Yes.”
“What will you do?” She lifted her hand, slid it behind his neck.
“Protect you.”
She held his gaze. “You can’t do that. I am going to Ylana.”
“Kayla.” He bent his head, rested his forehead on hers. “I won’t let you go to Ylana alone. I’ll come with you.”
“She holds some of the answers. It will be worth it.” She threaded her fingers in the hair at his nape.
“Worth dying for?” He shook his head. Shrugged with resignation. “We can go to Ylana. And if she agrees to help us, then, after…” He drew back, his eyes dark and cold as the dungeon they’d climbed out of to escape Eric’s castle. “I’ll hunt Eric down. And take Jasper down with him.”
She wanted to beg him not to. To beg him to stay as safe as he wanted her, but she said nothing. Out of nowhere, tears welled in her eyes and she blinked them away, biting down on her lip to stop it trembling.
“Shh. What is it?”
For the first time ever, she saw panic on his face.
“I love you.”
He froze. She was so close to him, she saw his pupils retract in shock. Then he relaxed. Traced a tear down her cheek and flicked it away. “I know.”
She suddenly saw what she was looking for in his eyes. Saw everything she needed.
She let her hand slip down, over his collarbone to his heart. Felt it race beneath her palm.
“I love you, too.” He bent his head to whisper in her ear, and pulled her even closer.
She lay quiet in his arms.
They had challenges ahead. So much was unresolved or still a mystery. And the stakes were higher than she ever could have imagined.
But lying under the trees of the forest, in the wild heart of Middleland, she knew whatever lay ahead, she and Rane would face it together.
And it would be all right.
* * *
Coming Fall 2014:
The Silver Pear by Michelle Diener
If you enjoyed The Golden Apple, look out for a continuation of Kayla and Rane’s story in The Silver Pear, coming Fall 2014.
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Fantasy Titles by Michelle Diener
Mistress of the Wind
* * *
Historical Fiction Titles by Michelle Diener
Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series:
In a Treacherous Court
Keeper of the King’s Secrets
In Defense of the Queen
Regency London series:
The Emperor’s Conspiracy
Banquet of Lies
Other historical novels:
Daughter of the Sky
Praise for Michelle Diener’s other books
Luxury Reading: Diener has set a standard for what good historical fiction ought to be…
Chicago Tribune : With its richly detailed historical setting and intrigue-filled plot, “In a Treacherous Court” is simply irresistible.
Affaire de Coeur Magazine: Awe
some! History woven flawlessly into riveting fiction.
RT Magazine, August 2011 issue: Just when readers think there is nothing new to be learned about Henry VIII, debut author Diener delivers a taut suspense…that will keep you turning the pages.
Readers Entertainment: Diener’s writing style is beautiful, to the point, vivid and exciting. The characters are going to hook you first, and the intrigue will keep you turning the pages.
Publishers Weekly: Diener (Keeper of the King’s Secrets) delivers a rousing read…
Praise for Mistress of the Wind
“Diener’s adaptation retains the familiar elements of the original, echoing both the structure and spirit of the classic, but true to form, she puts her own spin both the plot and the narrative, crafting an intricately alluring tale of self-sacrifice, steadfast devotion and enduring love.”
Flashlight Commentary
“The story is fast-paced and never boring, the world a beauty and Michelle’s writing so wonderfully detailed that I felt I was with Bjorn and Astrid on their journey.”
Book Bird Reviews
“Author Michelle Diener takes this re-telling to another level. She doesn’t restrict herself to an East of the Sun, West of the moon retelling. Instead we are also given parts reminiscent of Psyche’s quest. Which just allowed for a much richer story.”
Paperback Wonderland
About the Author
Michelle Diener was born in London, grew up in South African and now lives in Australia with her family. She was bitten by the travel bug at a young age and has managed to feed her addiction with numerous trips to exciting places all over the world. She writes historical fiction and fantasy, and loves traveling to other times as well as places through the pages of a good book.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Also by Michelle Diener
Praise for Michelle Diener’s other books
About the Author
Golden Apple, The Page 18