Unicorn Keep

by Angelia Almos

  “You sound like Bai,” she protested slightly, but she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for a few pieces of dried fruit. “Thank you.”

  He frowned over her selection, but didn’t say anything as his eyes raised to meet hers. She chewed slowly, self consciously at being watched so closely.

  She swallowed. “What?”

  Herrick shook his head. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

  She hesitated. “I’m glad you’re all right as well.” She bit her lip in hesitation. “And still here.”

  His lips curved into a smile. “You know I can’t leave you.” His gaze drifted over the ring. “Though I might have to leave this forest.”

  She stopped mid-bite. “Why?”

  “The unicorns don’t welcome me here, Jiline,” he explained softly. “I’ll never be far away. There’s plenty of grassland outside the forest and the fishing village is relatively close.”

  Her gut clenched and she put the fruit down in her lap unable to eat another bite for fear of throwing up. “But...”

  “I don’t want to leave you,” he said. “I know you’re safe here in these woods with the unicorns.”

  It was her turn to look around. Flashes of white danced in her peripheral vision just outside the ring. “If you wish to return to the Keep, I understand.”

  He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “No, you don’t. You wouldn’t be making such a suggestion if you did.”

  “I’m just saying.” She struggled with the words. “You aren’t responsible for me. I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

  He picked up a piece of dried meat from the bundle and took a big bite. He chewed for a moment before answering and she wondered what thoughts he had been taking the time to gather.

  “Do you want me to go over the specifics of a draw with you so you can understand why it is impossible for me to leave? Why I have no desire to leave you? I don’t feel trapped.”

  “But it isn’t fair to you.” How could he want to stay when he knew she didn’t feel what he felt?

  He leaned forward slightly. “I don’t expect reciprocation, Jiline, so you can stop trying to talk me into leaving.”

  How had he known what she was thinking while also getting her intent so wrong? She considered her next words carefully. “I’m going to take you at your word, Herrick.”

  She paused and was able to resume eating her dried fruit. She was sick and tired of rations. She wondered if the fishing village just south of the woods had a restaurant. Or more importantly, a messenger pigeon service, she really needed to get word to her family and to Wilm and Madelen.

  Mage Brennah had not given up. She had strategically backed down. She peeked at Herrick out of the corner of her eye. “About Mage Brennah—”

  “Don’t worry, the unicorns have blocked us from her prying eyes as long as we stay within the forest.”

  She needed to send off her warnings. “What if I need to go to the village?”

  “I’ll block her.”

  “Can you do that?”

  He nodded. “The unicorn, Bylun, told me how. I can teach the technique to you in case I’m not with you.”

  She smiled. “I thought you always had to be with me.”

  “I’d prefer to be, but I can control the draw as long as you’re safe. That way I won’t push the unicorns’ hospitality too far.”

  She frowned wondering what the unicorns had said. Obviously he had been up for a little while if they had spoken with him and taught him a spell.

  Gwyn’s voice flowed through her head. We will always extend our protection to you. But your Herrick is still a mage. Bylun has convinced the others to tolerate him because of his assistance to us, but they are not comfortable with a mage who has the knowledge to manipulate our magic living within our woods. Herrick understands.

  “But he’s not going to do anything to them,” Jiline protested. “Where is he supposed to go?”

  Herrick smiled and shook his head. “I told you, but you weren’t listening.”

  “The village?”

  “A possibility for a little while. It’s a little farther away than I would prefer.”

  Her gut clenched again and she rubbed her stomach. “Herrick?”

  He nodded for her to continue.

  “This draw you feel, do you feel it in your stomach?”

  His eyes were thoughtful as he looked at her for a moment. “In the beginning, now I feel it in my heart.”

  She rubbed her stomach again. “I don’t like the idea of being separated from you, but I’m afraid to leave the forest. What if I lead Mage Brennah right to them?”

  Do not worry over us. Gwyn said. You are always welcome within our woods, but you’re not a prisoner. We only wish for your safety and happiness.

  Herrick was smiling again, he slowly reached for her hand and held it within his. “You won’t. I’ll teach you how to be invisible to her.”

  “I don’t have your abilities,” she said doubtfully.

  “They’re inside you, waiting to emerge. It will take a little time. Until then I can protect you, if you’ll allow me?”

  “I didn’t think I had a choice.”

  His smile wavered, but he didn’t release her hand. “The unicorns are more than happy to protect you if you’d prefer.”

  “But why do I have to be protected?”

  He sighed. “Because you’re important to all of us, but it won’t be long before you can protect yourself. You’re young, only fifteen. Your powers have just begun to blossom. A few years from now and you’ll probably be able to out mage me.”

  She mock frowned. “You know you aren’t that much older than me.”

  His smile returned full force. “Two years older is a lot when you consider the growth of magic during that time.”

  She ducked her eyes for a moment before glancing back up. He hadn’t confirmed that what she was feeling was this draw when she thought of him leaving.

  There is a magical connection between the two of you. It grows stronger. Bai interjected and judging by his tone he wasn’t happy about it.

  She looked over Herrick’s shoulder to where Bai stood just outside the grove. Bringing her gaze back to Herrick, she contemplated her next move. He was handsome. The beard stubble he had before was gone now, making him look his age. The stubble had thrown her off before. She rose up on her knees.

  His dark brown eyes were questioning, but he still smiled at her. The movement brought her a little closer and she hesitated over what she was about to do. She had never kissed a boy before. Been kissed, yes, but initiate one, no.

  His smile slowly dropped as she rested a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward. His fingers slid along her cheek in a caress as she closed her eyes to press her lips to his.

  Her stomach clenched in a different way than it had before. His lips were soft and warm. Embarrassment suddenly flooded her and she pulled back. His hand rested at the back of her neck only allowing her a few inches before she had to open her eyes.

  His eyes were warm on her and his hand released her as she drew away. She couldn’t hold his gaze. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she rocked back onto her heels. She waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn’t. She finally dragged her gaze back to his. His expression was neutral. No frown, but not quite a smile.

  “I’m not going to pressure you, Jiline, I know you’re conflicted.”

  She breathed out quickly to say the words. “I have feelings for you.”

  “I know and that makes me happy, but we go at your pace. No pressure. We can start by being friends.”

  Her stomach relaxed a little with a flutter. She nodded. “Friends is good. You’ll teach me to understand this draw.”

  His smile returned. “As much as I know. I pilfered a few small volumes from the teaching room. You might as well learn some spells as well.”

  ****

  As they headed down to the fishing village, Jiline was a bundle of nerves. She kept expecting Mage Brennah to reappe
ar any moment. But nothing seemed particularly dangerous in the bustling village. People barely noticed the two riders who stopped at the messenger pigeons. She sent one off to her family in Ainsley, warning them and telling them to warn Madelen’s family. The second she sent to Wilm’s place of apprenticeship. She just hoped he was still there.

  Duty done, some of her guilt lifted. Not all of it, but enough that she knew she had done what she could to prepare them should Mage Brennah decide to visit. She walked to the waterfront. The ocean drew her. But the young man standing on a rock drew her more.

  Herrick turned and smiled, offering her his hand. She took it and hopped from the pathway to the large rock the waves crashed against. The ocean stretched out forever and seemed mad with the storm. They had timed their visit perfectly to coincide with a small break in the storm, but more heavy rain approached.

  Suddenly the clouds let loose, drenching them. Herrick laughed and they both jumped back to the path. Her feet stepped lightly as she tugged the hood of her cloak up over her head. She smiled and glanced up into the rain for a moment to feel the drops splash on her face.

  “Jiline?”

  She turned her smile to Herrick.

  “Find somewhere to wait out the storm or head back to the forest?”

  She took his hand, her heart light and unburdened. “Or we could stand in the rain?”

  He rolled his eyes and pulled her toward the small marketplace where others were seeking shelter. She laughed for the first time in a long while.

  ###

  About the Author

  Want to know when Angelia’s next book is coming out? Subscribe to her new release newsletter.

  Angelia Almos formed a lifelong passion for horses at the age of five when she talked her parents into riding lessons. Horses often play a prominent role in many of her books. She writes young adult fantasy, space opera, and horsey nonfiction. She lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, two daughters, two cats, two dogs, and one pony.

  Connect with Angelia:

  Website: www.angeliaalmos.com

  Twitter: twitter.com/angeliaalmos

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/AngeliaAlmosAuthor

  SNEAK PEEK: HORSE CHARMER

  A gifted princess. A special horse. A quest for the truth.

  At sixteen years old, Cassia would rather spend her days in the royal stables than in the royal court. But as the eldest child of King Robet and Queen Sarahann she obediently performs her duties as the Princess of Karah.

  Her safe world changes forever when her father is murdered in the neighboring kingdom of Vespera. Cassia grapples with his loss as her mother prepares her for her new role as queen. Her first task - she must travel to Vespera to marry a prince she barely knows to fulfill the treaty her father signed just before his death.

  Nothing is as simple as it seems with political intrigues and unusual powers shadowing Cassia on her search to find out who killed her father and why.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Her hand shading her eyes, Princess Cassia watched the bird glide over the outer walls of Castle Karah. A small shiver went down her spine when she saw it was a Royalty, a special messenger eagle used only to convey urgent messages. He swooped over her and across the stable yard to land on his perch.

  The Royalty squawked and ruffled his feathers. He snapped and bit the young page who tried to take the message from him. Cassia shook her head at the boy as he backed away from the Royalty clutching his hand. The eagle would only release the letter to someone of high rank. She wondered briefly what the eagle could be carrying, but got distracted when her horse jumped underneath her. She focused on the young stallion as he bobbed his head.

  "Good boy," Cassia said in a soft voice, soothing him until he settled down.

  Her brothers raced their horses around her, spinning and weaving the buckets and poles positioned throughout the corral. She'd set up the obstacle course for them early that morning. They'd all just been released from their lessons a short time ago and had raced down to the stable yard. Her brothers tackled the course with gusto. Of course, they would be doing better if they actually did the pattern she'd set up.

  She sighed in exasperation. At sixteen, she was the eldest child and heir to the throne of Karah, a job she was not looking forward to. If she'd had a choice in the matter she would spend the rest of her life in the stable with the horses. It was the one place she felt at ease. Even the grouchy stable master admitted she had an uncanny gift with the horses.

  Tully, her youngest brother at eight years old, raced under her stallion's nose.

  "Tully, heels!" Cassia yelled out automatically.

  She was supposed to be helping them with their equitation today. She turned to look at Faolan and nearly rolled her eyes. At ten years old, he still hadn't outgrown his clumsy and awkward phase.

  "Faolan, your elbows, tuck them in!"

  Gordain was the second eldest at twelve years old. The oldest boy took his job as leader seriously. He constantly tried to prove himself and often pushed his horse farther than he could control.

  "Gordain, he's a horse, not a goat," Cassia said. "Don't punish him for something he can't do."

  Her stallion shifted to look toward the outside gate and she followed his gaze. She smiled in delight as she heard it; the unmistakable sound of hoof beats racing toward Castle Karah.

  Two guards ran to the gate and barely pulled it open in time. A large herd of horses, around forty, raced in. A single horse and rider followed the herd, the Horse Wrangler Luki, one of the few people she considered a real friend.

  Luki pulled his horse up as the guards shut the gate behind him. Tanned and with sun-bleached blonde hair, he sat on his tall Palomino stallion naturally. Luki spotted her and waved. Cassia slid off her horse.

  A stable hand climbed into the large corral and she handed the reins to him with a quick thanks. Luki rode his horse up to the corral and Cassia stood on the bottom rail of the fence next to him.

  "Princess Cassia," Luki said with a salute.

  "Luki." Cassia bowed her head in the customary greeting, but also to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. His horse snorted at her. "Dall." Dall sneezed on her in response. She laughed and looked back up to Luki, her momentary shyness forgotten. "Large bunch."

  The milling horses neighed and trotted about the yard. Several stable hands were trying to keep the herd contained on this side of the yard, but weren't having a lot of luck.

  "Took a while to gather them." Luki fidgeted with his reins. She watched his fingers, surprised by the restless gesture. "I found a special one for you."

  She smiled and fought the urge to lunge forward and hug him. There were too many people around to witness it. Luki smoothed Dall's mane as he leaned down closer to her face. She glanced over the herd.

  "A present?" Cassia tried to sound nonchalant, at both the prospect of the gift and him being so close to her.

  "She's for you." He shrugged while somehow maintaining his position.

  "Where is she?"

  He pointed at a petite dark bay mare in the center of the milling herd. She was delicate in build and fluid in movement as she pivoted to look at them as if she knew they were talking about her.

  "She's beautiful," Cassia said in awe.

  She looked the mare over closely and the mare stared right back at her.

  "I found her --"

  The door from Castle Karah leading into the yard banged open interrupting what Luki was about to say. An escort of Royal Guards stepped out into the yard. Cassia's mother, Queen Sarahann, followed directly behind them. Tall and elegant, she embodied everyone's vision of what a queen should be. Her dark brown hair was swept up into intricate braids complimenting the pattern on her gown.

  The Royal Guards led Sarahann across the yard to the platform where the Royalty perched. Sarahann waved Cassia to her not even having to look to know where her daughter would be. Cassia sighed in response and climbed over the fence. Luki saluted her with a laugh and a wink
. He spun Dall and headed to the main barn to meet up with the stable master.

  "Gordain," Cassia called in her sternest voice. "You're in charge until I return. No fooling around."

  "Do you think the message is from father?" Gordain walked his chestnut gelding up to the fence. His dark brown eyes watched their mother as his eyebrows came together into his worried mask.

  "We'll find out soon."

  She walked through the milling horses to the platform, touching the wild horses instinctively along the way. They parted and made a pathway unafraid of her presence. Royal Guard Captain Maconhay turned with a brief smile and offered his hand. Cassia took it and he easily pulled her up onto the platform.

  Once Cassia had joined her, Sarahann took the note from the Royalty. The Royalty snapped at her, but didn't bite as she untied the scroll and unrolled it impatiently. Her face drained of color as she read. Stumbling, she leaned heavily against the perch and startled the Royalty into flight.

  Royal Guard Arlen moved in to support her. "Your Highness?"

  Sarahann shook her head, pulling free from his grasp.

  Cassia tried to read the message that had upset her mother. Sarahann never showed her emotions in public. "What's happened?"

  "Dear Queen Sarahann of Karah," she said, reading the paper. "I unfortunately have the task of informing you of distressing events that have just occurred. Your husband, King Robet of Karah, was killed late last night. I am currently inquiring into the circumstances of his death. My deepest regret and sympathies go to you. Signed, King Erich of Vespera."

  The sounds of the yard faded into the background, until all Cassia could hear was her mother's voice. She stepped back into Maconahay, shaking her head in denial. He took her arm and pulled her up against him.

  "Princess?" Maconahay inquired in a concerned voice.

  "No!" Cassia yelled. "That's false. What he says is a lie."

  Sarahann opened her arms to embrace her. "Cassia."

  "No!"

  She twisted out of Maconahay's grip and leapt off the platform into the milling horses. The horses parted and made a path for her escape. Maconahay tried to follow, but the horses closed in, preventing him from reaching her. Cassia dashed through the herd toward the stable.