Unwanted Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 3)

by Stephany Wallace

  My eyes widened, and a silent scream ripped from my chest as he plunged his sword through my left shoulder. He sunk it in almost to the hilt and leaned in until his face was an inch from mine. His hand twisted the sword in my body slowly, this time my scream reverberated through the air.

  “I have no clue of what illusions you have created in your mind and about Eisha, but let me make this very clear, Roman. She. Is. Mine.”

  A whistling sound reached me just before Eisha's axe cut right through Art's sword. He jumped back startled and clutched his hand with wide eyes. Her blade had sliced his skin. He looked at her and moved, but she was faster than him. The second axe flew towards him ripping the other sword away.

  “Do you dare defend him??”

  “I warned you to stop.” She said, walking towards us. Her voice was pure fire.

  I looked at my shoulder, and holding my breath I kicked the tree, pushing myself forward until what was left of Art's sword was out of me. I fell on my knees, clutching my arm and side as the blood stained the ground in red.

  "Art Bressall!" Cynwrig's enraged voice echoed through the air, and I could swear the whole jungle went quiet.

  Eisha kneeled beside me holding my shoulder and inspecting my wound.

  “I am sorry.”

  I shook my head. “No, this is my fault. I’m the one that is sorry.”

  "Cease his swords!" Cynwrig shouted, and my eyes followed Cathair as he took what was left of Art's swords from the ground. Eisha's axes had cut right through them. "Let me put this in terms you can understand, brother," Cynwrig said staring Art down. He was about four inches taller than Art. "What the hell is wrong with you?! I told you that Felix was under my care, and that no harm was to come to him!"

  Cynwrig's chest moved fast with his breaths, and his eyes might as well have laser beams shooting out of them. The guys looked at each other, taking a step back, and lowered their gazes. I guessed they had never seen Cynwrig this pissed. To be honest, he was freaking scary right now.

  “It’s my fault, Cynwrig. He was defending his honor,” I said, getting up but the dizziness made me sidestep. Ronan was at my side before I realized. “I hugged and held Eisha. I had no right to. I’m sorry.”

  Cynwrig looked at me, and if it as possible he got even more furious. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose taking a deep breath. When he looked into Art's eyes again, Art actually stepped back.

  "Please tell me this is a joke. He hugged Eisha, so you attacked him?"

  "She is mine, and he has no right to touch her!"

  Cynwrig’s eyes widened. “Are you a child? Did he touch your toy?”

  “He is a Roman!”

  Cynwrig shook his head. "Unlike you, brother, the rest of us can see the change that Felix has experienced. He has realized what his people have done to us, a legacy he did not ask for, yet he has repented and asked forgiveness for it. I have forgiven him, and so have most of the Warriors. Everyone that has heard him ask for forgiveness can see the pain his eyes and the truth in his words. Most of us are willing to give him another chance, but you are straining to hold on to the hate brother, why? He hugged Eisha, and you drove a sword through his chest? Eisha has helped him see the truth. There is a bond there that you cannot cut with your sword, brother. No matter how hard you try, and if you have not realized that by now, there is nothing I can do for you. Wilding a weapon does not give you the right to use it against anyone you see fit. Were you so gone by your hatred, that you did not even see that he was not fighting you back?" Art looked towards me as black spots blurred my vision. I blinked and forced myself to hold his gaze.

  “Really, Cynwrig. I’m fine. It was my fault, no need to…”

  "Silence," Cynwrig said looking at me. Fuck. Okay then. "This is not about you, Felix. This is about my brother behaving like the very beings he hates."

  The pain running through me was too much to endure. My legs gave out, and I fell to the grass.

  I felt Ronan hold my arm and Eisha’s face distorted in front of my eyes.

  “Felix. Look at me.”

  “We are better than them, brother. We let that guide us. You must exercise control and learn to forgive. You are deprived of your swords until you realize what you have done here today.”

  “You can’t take my swords away. I’m a Warrior.”

  "I gave Felix my word that no one would hurt him here. You broke that promise today, when you drove your sword through him. Do something like this again, and you shall stop being one."

  “I will never forgive him for what his kind has done to us, or what he did to Lia.”

  Cynwrig sighed. “I suggest that you commune with your spirit animal and ask for guidance.”

  Art looked at me while my head bobbed. “You are making a bigger deal than it is, brother. He’s a Healer. Look at his shoulder and torso. Just another fifteen minutes and he’ll be as good as new.”

  “I’m a what?” I asked, barely above a whisper as my sight began to fade. The blue light emanating from my shoulder, was the last thing I saw before my eyes rolled back and I succumbed to the darkness.”

  EISHA

  * * *

  Ronan and Cathair placed Felix on the bed while I rushed to get a wet towel to clean the blood from his skin.

  All of this was my fault. I needed to pull away from Felix. I should not have listened to Asrhia. Letting him fall in love with me was the worst thing I could have done. I had gotten attached to Felix during these past two months. I needed him, and the connection we shared was more than I could handle. I couldn't bear to see him hurt. The next time Art saw me with him or if he ever found out that Felix had kissed me… I could not even think of what would happen.

  I had to let go of Felix. There was no other choice.

  I stood and cleaned the tear that escaped me. Throwing the bloodied towel on the counter, I turned and found both Cathair and Ronan looking at me. Another tear rolled down my cheek. Their gaze showed the same pain I felt, and I knew they could read my eyes. They knew what must be done.

  "Please let me know when he awakes. I need to talk to him about his ability. It will easy for him to accept coming from me. I have to speak to Art now. I will be in my hut."

  "I will," Ronan answered with a nod.

  I walked towards Felix and kissed his forehead, then turned around opening the portal into Art’s hut.

  * * *

  My eyes roamed Art's figure as Lia hugged him. She caressed his chest trying to soothe him, while his arms were wrapped tightly around her. His eyes were closed, and he was so immersed in the moment that he had not even realized a portal had opened into his room.

  “Can we please speak for a moment?” I said, interrupting them.

  Art's head lifted, and he frowned, surprised to see me. "Of course." He kissed Lia's cheek and let go of her.

  "Hi, Eisha." Lia's sweet voice reached me, and I smiled.

  "Hi, Lia. I am sorry. I need Art for a while. I hope that is ok."

  "He's all yours," She said, offering a smile, and I nodded.

  The portal opened into my room, and I crossed with Art on my heel. Once his room was no longer visible, I turned and faced him.

  "Do you usually hold her that way?"

  He sighed. "It's not what you think. She is my friend. I have been there for her through tough moments since she has been here and she needs me. We have formed a bond. She trusts me and I trust her, but there is nothing else."

  I crossed my arms and raised a brow. “Sound familiar?”

  He grunted. “It is not the same!”

  "How is it not the same, Art? I just walked into your home and found you holding her in your arms as you should only be holding me. Yet, you do not see me throwing my axes at her and trying to cut her arm off!"

  “It is not the same!”

  “Why? Because it would not be convenient for you if it were?”

  “Eisha…”

  "What, Art? I walked in there and saw her hugging you and caressing yo
ur chest, and I understood that she cared about you and was trying to give you comfort. You walked into Felix's hut, saw him holding me, and went animal on him. He was helping me, Art."

  "Well, I wouldn't know that because you haven't told me shit!"

  "I did not tell you because I knew this is how you would react. Apparently, I know you a lot better than you know me."

  He took a deep breath and pushed his fingers through his hair. "What is an anchor?"

  "It's someone that has a similar energy to mine. We vibrate at the same level, and because of that, I can feel him even when I am in trance. I cannot tell you everything because I made a promise but, I can say that I met another Ovate." His eyes widened at the news. "She is helping me, but her condition was that no one must know of her and I accepted it. I have not told this to anyone, that is the only reason I kept it from you."

  “Did you tell Felix about her?”

  “No! Of course not. I am telling you now." He nodded, and I sighed. "I need her help, Art, because my mother would have been the only one to be able to teach me and she is no longer here. I have learned a lot, and I have been practicing with Felix for the past month and a half. Because I can feel his touch a part of my consciousness remains here, and I can ground myself in a way that allows me to travel but know that nothing will happen because he is there for me. I am the one that asked him to hold me that way. To hug me close because although I have learned this much, I am still afraid, Art. What I have learned has opened my eyes to an even bigger world within my gift that I was not even aware of, or prepared for. Yet, Felix has helped me with a lot more than that. I have learned to maintain control over my body while in trance. Have you not noticed that I have no longer fallen prisoner to visions around you? That I no longer faint all of a sudden and hurt myself? It is because of him. I owe that to him because he helped me see this ability as something other than the monster that killed my mother. I have been there for him too." I took a deep breath and repeated his previous words. "I have been there for him through tough moments since he has been here, and he needs me. We have formed a bond. He trusts me and I trust him, but there is nothing else."

  Art rubbed his hands over his face and turned around.

  “It is different.”

  “Oh, dear Mother Goddess. Help me.”

  “He has feelings for you, Eisha.”

  "Well, I hate to tell you this, but you are deluding yourself if you think that Lia has not developed feelings for you, Art."

  “No, she hasn’t.”

  "Oh, please. Were you not in the same room when she was caressing your chest just now? It takes one look at her to see that she is in love with you." I sighed, and walked closer to him. Resting my hands on his chest, I looked into his eyes. "But I do not care because I know you love me."

  His arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me against his body. “But I don’t know if you love me.” His voice was filled with pain.

  My eyes watered as I looked at him. “I am trying, Art.”

  “You shouldn’t have to try, Eisha.”

  "I want to love you. I crave that love more than anything but even if I do not feel it yet, I know I will. I have committed to you, Art. I am here with you, and it is where I shall remain."

  “Then let me make you mine. Let me make love to you and be part of you once and for all.”

  My chest constricted even before the last word left his mouth. "I am not ready, Art." He pulled way, and I knew I had hurt him, but it was the truth. "I am sorry."

  "I need you to tell my brother that you want Ronan to take over watching Felix and that you can no longer do it."

  My eyes widened. “What?”

  “I don’t want you seeing him again.”

  I looked into his eyes taken aback by his words. "I just explained how Felix is helping me control my ability, Art. I have finally accepted my gift, but I need his help. Would you really deny me that help that I so desperately need, because of your insecurities with him?"

  His eyebrow furrow and his jaw worked as he looked at me. I could see the hurt in him. “I have no other option.”

  My eyes watered as I stared at him, speechless. My heart broke in that moment, but Art was the man I was meant to be with for the rest of life. The tears spilled down my cheeks as I nodded. "Then it shall be done." My voice broke, and I pulled my gaze from him, wiping my tears.

  “Eisha…”

  “It is all right, Art. You have made yourself very clear.

  I reached for the blessed passage stones, and he held my arm.

  “Where are you going?”

  "I'm going to say goodbye to my friend, Art. May I, please do that?" My voice broke again, but I did not turn to look at him.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.”

  I threw the stones in the air and walked through the portal and into Felix’s room.

  CHAPTER 14. GOODBYE

  EISHA

  * * *

  I walked towards Felix's bed. He was awake, and Cyn was talking to him. I had missed the chance to be the one to tell him about his ability. I guess it no longer mattered. Cyn's hands glowed, and I assumed he was explaining something. Felix nodded and looked at his hand, it trembled, and he closed his fist tightly. He touched his shoulder absentmindedly as Cyn continue to speak. It had fully healed. I could see the confusion and shock on his face. He was overwhelmed. He blinked and forced himself to focus on Cyn's words.

  I took a deep breath forcing my eyes to contain the tears. I could not understand why it hurt so much but my heart was ripping to pieces inside my chest. I wanted to be there for him, I needed him, and I had to say goodbye. I wiped my cheeks again just as Cyn realized I was there. He turned to look at me and relief briefly crossed his face until he realized the expression on mine. Felix's gaze followed him, and the look in his eyes pulled at the last string left in my heart.

  “I shall be back,” Cyn told Felix and walked towards me. Holding my arms, he turned me around and guided me out of the hut. “What has happened, a chara. Are you all right?”

  I nodded, but the tears began to fall again, and I ended up shaking my head. Cyn pulled me into his arms, and I clung to him, crying.

  Closing my eyes, I stepped out of his embrace. "I must stop helping Felix. I am truly sorry. I know I gave you my word, but I made a mistake. I can no longer do it. Will you please ask Ronan to take over?"

  Cynwrig inhaled deeply and shook his head. “Eisha, you are the reason Felix has changed. You cannot abandon him now. He needs you.”

  I looked into his eyes and closed my heart as I had once done after my mother died. “I am sorry, Cyn. I cannot do it. He is not my responsibility.”

  He frowned taken aback my answer. Realization suddenly filled his eyes. "This was my brother, was, is it not? He asked you not to help Felix anymore." I remained silent. "I swear on our Mother Goddess' name that I shall whip his butt as if he was a child," He said, exasperated. "A chara, Felix is not the only one who has changed. You have become so much more open, and let go of your fears since you have been spending time with him. I can see the change in you, even as you stand before me now. The Eisha I knew, would have never forgiven, Felix. She would not be standing here with raw pain pouring through her eyes because she had to say goodbye to a man who was once her enemy, but she now considers a friend. It has been a long time since I have seen you feel something for someone, and I do not want to see you close yourself off again. Felix told me everything that has happened.”

  My eyes widened as I looked at him. “What did he say?”

  “He told me he has fallen in love with you, and that he kissed you.”

  The tears fell from my eyes again. "Please do not say anything to Art, I beg of you. That was last month, and it never happened again. Felix has been respectful after that, and Ronan is always with us. Please."

  “It is all right, a chara. I never intended to say a word.”

  I shook my head, crying. "I do not know what happened. I would never disrespect Art
purposefully, yet I have, and he is right. I cannot see Felix anymore. Please, ask Ronan to replace me." I stepped aside and walked passed him.

  "He also told me he had helped you with the trances." Cyn's words stopped me in my tracks, and my chest tightened. I turned to look at him. "He explained to me everything you have been doing and how much more in control you are of your ability. Will you just give up on yourself after you have come so far?"

  "I have to do this for Art. He loves me, and he has always been there for me."

  Cyn nodded looking at the ground as he took a step forward. "Nevertheless, if he truly loved you he would not ask this of you. Most of all, knowing what is costing you."

  He reached for my face and caressed my cheek. “I love you, a chara. You have been my friend for longer than it should be possible. My heart has claimed you as family, and because of that love I feel for you I beg you. Do not do this."

  I gave him a small smile and hugged him. “I love you too, but I must.”

  He exhaled and looked into my eyes. “Very well. Then it shall be done. I will speak with Ronan.”

  He turned and walked away going into the hut. I rested my back against the tree behind me and took my hand out of my pocket, pulling out the glass ball I used to keep my body from being taken into the trance. My back slid down against the tree until I was sitting on the ground and I just stared at the ball, numb. The signs instantly began. My skin got cold, and my head started throbbing. I lifted my hand and threw the glass sphere as far away from me as I could. Dizziness blurred my vision and my eyes began to glow, but I did not care anymore. My body slowly fell to the ground as the trance took me…