Hidden Magic: An Ancient Magic Novel

by Stephany Wallace

  He was the first one to react. His other hand reached for mine and brought them both to his lips. A brilliant smile made his eyes sparkle, and his dimples formed in full glory. He kissed my knuckles and held on tight.

  “Thank you.” He said, and a small, incredulous laugh escaped me.

  “What… I can feel you, Cyn… You are…”

  His grin widened, “I am real.”

  His right dimple flashed me a smile and I stared at it hypnotized. I wondered what it would feel like to crawl inside it and snuggle there. It was probably warm and cozy.

  “I bet it would feel like home,” I whispered and felt his hand cover mine. He pressed it to his cheek and leaned into my touch. I realized to my embarrassment, that my fingertip had been caressing his dimple. It felt so soft. My cheeks burned and I could only imagine how red they must be. The thought made me blush even more. He chuckled and I felt the energy in me stir again. It wanted me to go to him.

  He guided my right hand to his chest and placed it above his heart. A second gasp escaped my mouth. His heart was slamming against chest. It perfectly matched mine. My other hand remained on his cheek as he held it. The stubble from his five o’clock shadow tickled my palm and I loved it. We were only a step away from each other now but it felt like a world between us. His left hand dropped from mine and wrapped around my waist pulling me against him, effectively erasing the space that separated us. I fisted the shirt above his heart and held on for dear life. I feared my knees would give out at any moment. He lowered his head slowly, and placed his forehead on mine. A sudden calming wave traveled through my whole body. It flowed out of me and into him. I could actually feel the energy traveling between us. His shoulders instantly relaxed and his chest expanded with a deep breath, while the energy coursed through him and returned to me. It left me speechless. But it wasn’t necessary. Being held like this by Cyn. Feeling connected to him this way, talking was the last thing on my mind.

  After what felt like forever his hand left my waist. He lifted his head from mine then stepped back, breaking the contact. The loss of his body left me dizzy. I sighed in disappointment. I missed the way it felt being that close to him…

  Let’s just say I wouldn’t mind spending a night in his arms. Or a month. And now I was having naughty thoughts. But then again who wouldn’t?

  He smiled knowingly. My cheeks burned but my embarrassment was short lived. His eyes left mine and wandered around the room. They returned to mine then looked at something, prompting me to follow his gaze. I did and smiled. Things were floating around the room. My brush, the fuzzy blanket from the bed, my throw pillows. My flower head bands and even the miniature potted plant I kept near the window.

  Well the most recent one. I keep killing the poor things.

  My eyes returned to him when the things that had been floating all this time around us, began to unceremoniously drop to the floor. I cringed as the mirror fell face forward on the vanity. I really hoped it wasn’t broken.

  The last thing I need right now is seven years of bad luck.

  “It is alright, my Goddess. I miss it too,” he whispered bringing me back to the loss of his touch and well, to my embarrassment.

  I cleared my throat. “Did you mean to do that?” I asked, referring to the sisterhood of the traveling nick knacks in my room. He frowned and shook his head.

  “It has been a long time since I have been able to accomplish it without thought or concentration.”

  I smiled remembering his explanation from the first time showed me this “trick.” He said it was a feeling of peace that caused it. It confirmed he had just felt the same thing I had. The realization brought me back to my new reality and my eyes searched his for an answer.

  “You really are a Druid.” I said matter of fact as everything he had told me rushed through my mind. He nodded. “And you can do magic,” I whispered seeing the items scattered all over my floor. My eyes returned to his while the information made me dazed. “Sweet mother of Pinocchio… You are real.”

  He kissed my hand and nodded again, his look was intense. “Is that alright?”

  “Yes,” I answered breathlessly.

  He frowned. “I must tell you something,” I waited for him to continue. He looked genuinely puzzled. “I did not say hello.”

  “What?” Now I was confused.

  “Before you took my hand, you said…”

  I laughed interrupting him, then pressed my lips together to stop myself. “Uhm, I said ‘You had me at Hello’ it’s from Jerry Maguire. You know the movie?” I trailed off when his forehead wrinkled even more. I chuckled. “Never mind.”

  Crapola, this is really happening. I am seriously standing in front of a living, breathing Druid that has been alive for over two millennia. Can do magic, as in Merlin kind of magic, and is pretty much the sexiest man I have ever seen. Including mister ‘sexy abs’ Chris Hemsworth…

  I wonder if Cyn has sexy abs.

  “You are real Cyn…”

  He held my hand tightly, his flirty little dimple winked at me. “I am.”

  I touched his dimple again and he chuckled. So did I. Their perfection blew me away. Those dimples were asking for trouble.

  “Would you consider coming with me somewhere, my Goddess? I wish to show you something,” He said lowering my hand from his cheek without letting go. His fingers intertwined with mine. I looked into his eyes and considered two things.

  One.

  I should be distressed by this turn of events. Maybe even a little scared. I mean, here was a man I had accepted into my life, believing I had imagined him. Thinking my mind had finally given into my need for company, for excitement… for love, and fabricated him. The mix of everything I loved about the stories I read. And he felt right. This felt so right. Against all odds, and all logic, he turned out to be real. Cyn was real.

  Two.

  …Why was I wasting time on this crap?

  “Yes, let’s go,” I looked into his eyes and nodded emphasizing my words. His eyes twinkled.

  He let go of my hands and reached for the stones he always carried. He proceeded to lift his sleeve, and uncovered his forearm. I watched him. The muscles and veins ridged his skin when he fisted his hand and I sighed. Even his forearm was sexy.

  “Seall dhomh an t-slighe.”

  He whispered and my eyes widened. Shimmering gold lines appeared on his skin. Curving and traveling on it like an invisible pen was writing on him. No. Not writing, drawing lines that illuminated his skin. The shimmering disappeared and the lines turned black. The drawing continued taking shape, gliding and swirling on him until it stopped. It looked like a tattoo except I knew it wasn’t. It was a map.

  “Wow,” I couldn’t say anything else. This was way too cool. My mind couldn’t form any other word, but “Wow.”

  “Leigeil le trannsa,” he added throwing the stones in the air.

  I stepped back startled as they grew and their shape changed right in front of my eyes. They fell into place effortlessly, forming an archway. Soft blue light illuminated the room. The stones were glowing. A white cloudy mist filled the inside. It began spinning slowly until it stopped and became clear. I covered my mouth with my hand before I swallowed a fly. My jaw had dropped when the portal formed, and I couldn’t seem to close it.

  Cyn turned to me and winked, holding my hand again. “Let us go.”

  CHAPTER 10. MAGICAL

  BRIANA

  Sweet mother of all things fantastic! This was crazy.

  My heart thundered but not from fear. It was from excitement. This was exhilarating to say the least. Cyn stepped through the portal and I followed him without even giving it a second thought. Bright blue skies and brilliant sunlight greeted us. My bare feet felt the soft grass beneath them, but I couldn’t bring myself to look down. A cluster of the most incredible Cherry Blossomed trees surrounded us. I gasped letting go of his hand and turned in a slow circle looking at my surroundings. Time seemed to slow. The trees had to be at least a hundr
ed years old. They formed a perfect circle and we were standing in the middle of their clearing. They were incredibly vast and ample. Their trunks were warped. The curves fell and rose as if they had been frozen in place while performing a contemporary dance. The welts and flaws on their bark told the true story of their lives. Leafy branches curved and extended outwards, and from them, long thin flower branches cascaded down. They were filled with the most breathtaking cherry blossoms I had ever seen. Some seemed as big as my fist, others as tiny as the tip of my little finger, yet they were all glorious.

  “Where are we?” I asked amazed and took a step forward.

  I realized then I wasn’t stepping on grass. I looked down to find a sea of fallen flowers covered the ground. The soft petals formed a luxurious carpet under my feet.

  “Japan,” he answered simply, while I continued my exploration through the pink vision before me.

  “Japan…” I repeated not really paying attention. I was completely mesmerized by the sight.

  I stopped in front of a tree and reached for one of the hanging branches. My fingers grazed it and a flower fell on my hand. I immediately felt bad. I had only meant to admire it not rip the flower from it.

  “You should not feel sadness for what has happened, my Goddess. It is the circle of life. Old flowers must fall so that new ones shall flourish. It is part of nature’s plan and as such, it must be so.”

  I turned to look at him. Had I said something to let him know what I felt? How had he… He smiled and his hand reached for mine, ending my thoughts. His fingers took the flower and lifted it to my ear. He placed it in my hair and smiled.

  “Your ensemble is now complete.”

  I searched his face confused for a second, then my eyes widened. I looked at my pajama pants and laughed incredulous. Cherry Blossoms. My eyes returned to his. I was astonished. “You brought me here because you noticed the tiny flowers in my pants?”

  “I thought you might like them a great deal if you were wearing them,” he frowned, seeming embarrassed and suddenly uncomfortable. “I can take you anywhere else you wish to go. If this is not to your…”

  I giggled and threw my arms around his neck. He stopped talking. It was a beautiful and thoughtful gesture. “This is perfect, Cyn. Thank you.” He lowered his temple to mine and wrapped his arms around me. They settled on the small of my back and my body hummed from the contact. I rested my head on his shoulder enjoying the feeling. Then my head snapped up, almost head butting him.

  “Wait! Did you say Japan? We are in Japan right now?” I asked startled and stepped away from him, seeing my surroundings in a whole new way. This was unbelievable. My eyes searched for the portal but it was gone. The stones lay on the floor where the archway had been. They had returned to their original size and shape.

  “It is alright my Goddess, we are only a step away from your home. I shall return you the moment you say…” I placed my fingers on his lips silencing him again.

  “It’s perfect Cyn. I want to stay, please,” he swallowed and nodded. His stare was intense on mine. Suddenly I was acutely aware of the fact that my fingertips were touching his lips and I immediately removed my hand. However, the embarrassment came only from the logic side of my brain. The rest of my body had absolutely no issues with the physical contact.

  In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing a few other things with him, or to him. Just saying…

  I cleared my throat and stepped back.

  “This is amazing Cyn. Thank you. I can’t believe I’m here.”

  He took a step towards me, “It is a pleasure, my Goddess.”

  “Just call me B…” I stopped when he winked at me, clearly amused. I gave him the evil eye. Was he doing it in purpose? “You know, I kind of had a problem with the whole ‘My Goddess’ nickname when I thought you were in my mind. But now it’s kind of growing on me.”

  He laughed. “Is that so?”

  I nodded. “Oh yeah, I can’t get enough of it. You are going to have to say it all the time now. No exceptions allowed.”

  His grin widened, “Do you wish me to say it once more?” He said stepping closer.

  I nodded smiling and took a step back. “You might want to curtsy too. You know, show your respects.”

  His laughter rang though the place making my heart flip in my chest.

  “My Goddess.”

  He said in his enticing Irish accent and my breath caught. I backed another step.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. Plus, I didn’t see you curtsey.”

  He stepped forward and bent his body slowly at the waist, bowing to me. His eyes never left mine. “I said, my Goddess.”

  “Oh is that what you said?” I asked feigning ignorance while I continued moving backwards. The spark in his eyes promised something. I had no idea what it was but I was dying to find out. “Silly me. I thought it was something else.”

  He nodded then crossed his arms over his chest, and smirked. “I apologize, I might not be saying it properly, or perhaps I need to be closer for you to hear me clearly. I would love to say it once more for you, but I will need you to cease your attempts to retreat.”

  “Or what?”

  His grin turned naughty. I laughed and he launched at me. I squealed and side stepped him then ran as if my life depended on it. His laughter followed me while we made our way through the clearing. I ducked from the branches and jumped over the huge roots on the ground. Weaving in between the trees in an attempt to lose him, but he was fast.

  “Too slow,” I yelled taunting him and giggled.

  “I could stop you with magic, you know?” I heard him say behind me.

  “You wouldn’t dare,” I answered and checked over my shoulder to find him only a step away. I squealed again. And ran faster towards the place where we had crossed through the portal. I felt his arm wrap around my waist and pulled me up. I held on to his arm, squealing and giggling like a crazy woman.

  What the hell is it with all this giggling?

  He swung me around before we fell to the ground laughing our heads off. The layers of fallen flowers and grass cushioned our fall. Well Cyn’s fall, I practically fell on top of him. I rolled myself off him, trying to catch my breath from the laughter. The muscles in my stomach hurt. I had never laughed this hard. Feeling the oxygen finally reach my lungs I took a deep breath and looked at Cyn. He had stopped laughing and instead was watching me with an expression I couldn’t fully describe. He leaned into me and I felt his warm breath on my ear and neck. A chill ran down my spine and the energy inside me stirred.

  “My Goddess,” he whispered softly in my ear. “You are my Goddess. Mine. And I am yours,” his lips grazed my cheek. The frantic beating of my heart made it difficult for me to focus. I blinked just as his face appeared above me.

  “Do you understand?”

  I swallowed looking into his emerald eyes. “Yes.”

  “Do you wish to be mine?”

  “Yes,” I answered again, breathless. But it had nothing to do with running.

  He smiled and stood, offering me his hand. I took it and stood beside him. I took a deep breath trying to calm my heart. My eyes left his and I noticed something then, I hadn’t seen before. The cluster of trees was partially bordered by a gorgeous lake. The rays of sunlight graciously fell on the surface of the water and made it shimmer beautifully.

  “This place is truly mesmerizing.”

  “It is now.”

  His voice came from behind me. His chest pressed against my back and without thought, I leaned into him. I could feel the tension of his muscles as they flexed against me. His hands gently cupped my shoulders and began to caress the length of my arms. His palms on my bare skin made my pulse race once again. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood and the butterflies in my stomach took flight.

  “Close your eyes.”

  I did and felt him hold my hands. Instantly the energy inside me stirred and began to warm. Just like in my room it ran up and down my body in a soothing motion then
I felt it transferring to him. I felt stronger as it ran through his body then returned to me. The infinite feeling of peace engulfed me once again and I sank into his embrace. Cyn raised my arms to my sides.

  “Open your eyes, my Goddess.” He whispered against my neck. His lips grazing my skin while he spoke.

  I swallowed. When I opened my eyes I was instantly awestruck. The Hundreds and hundreds of Cherry Blossoms that a moment ago had adorned the ground floated and danced around us. The magic shimmered between the petals making them sparkle like they had been sprinkled with glitter. They swirled around us with a life of their own. Creating the most astonishing spectacle of which, we were part of. Cyn turned my right hand to face the sky and pushed it up just as a petal was floating downwards. It didn’t touch my skin. It was like the magic guiding it was offering some kind of resistance. Yet the petal bounced up and changed directions. I turned and looked at him surprised. He smiled and repeated the movement bouncing a flower. I chuckled incredulously while we played with them. The rest continued a wonderful ballet, performed only for us. His hands held mine gently. He guided them while the magic flowers bounced into the air. My eyes searched his face and I smiled. The joy in his expression was a privilege to watch. It matched the way I felt in this moment.

  This was really happening…

  *

  CYNWRIG

  The magic flowed from my hands and through hers in my hold. The connection between us seemed to increase the familiar rush of the magic running through my body. It was invigorating. Our chests rose and fell in unison. Our breathing synchronized. Our hearts seem to beat at the same pace. The peace I was feeling came from her and inundated my whole body. The exchange of energy was similar to what I had felt when I channeled an essence and borrowed its energy. Yet I was not certain it was I channeling her essence. If I were not confident in my powers and knew her to be just a mortal, I would gather it was her channeling mine. Nevertheless, the exchange of energy did not have a weakening effect like I was accustomed to. On the contrary, it was empowering. My essence seemed recharged by it. Hers did as well.