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  Sera felt faint and exhilarated all at once. She knew these were the lips she’d been waiting her whole life to find. His soft white hair beneath her fingers felt like silk. His cool hands on her face sent tingles down her spine and she was suddenly breathless.

  “What is going on here?” Sampson’s voice broke through their passion. Keelor abruptly pulled away and the detached look returned to his face.

  “None of your business, Sampson,” Sera replied a little harsher than she intended.

  “It is very much my business as I have sworn to protect you and that is in every way including ensuring you uphold the law.” He experienced a stab of guilt at lecturing Seraphina for doing what he’d been doing with Angelique moments before.

  “Sampson is correct, Princess Seraphina. I lost control after seeing you find your power. It will not happen again.”

  7

  Elfin Village

  After depositing her into a small grassy hut which was to be her lodgings while they remained within the mystic lands, Sam told her he would be in the hut next door if she needed anything. He then informed her the circle would convene again the following morning.

  Once she’d calmed down, firstly from her annoyance at Sampson for involving himself in her business, and then from the overwhelming emotions encountered from her kiss with Keelor, Sera began to examine her surroundings.

  The hut was cosy and inviting with a generous hammock like bed hanging from the tall roof. The various trunks and hand crafted wooden furniture within the circular wall were beautiful. If her senses were not reeling quite so much she would have appreciated its simple magnificence. Although small, it was spacious and she instantly fell in love with something else elfin.

  She’d asked Sampson where Keelor’s lodgings were and only received a scornful frown from her protector. How strange it was to think of her best friend in this way. Whatever he was to be for her now, it was none of his concern who she did or did not kiss. She wondered if he was jealous. No, Sam didn’t feel that way about her, she would have noticed before now.

  There was a sharp rap on her door and she jumped. Her heart sped up with hope. Perhaps Keelor sought her out, wanting to relive their intimate moment as much as she longed to. She opened the door to find Nermo standing on the other side.

  She took him in for a moment before inviting him in and pondered if this was going to be frowned upon too but she didn’t care. Sera realised she paid little attention to him earlier, certainly less than he did her. Sera was surprised by his height as she now discovered he was the same height as her.

  His slight strong stature was larger than she initially thought and his attractive face was intriguing and his eyes electric blue. Although she didn’t feel the same pull and attraction she felt with Keelor, she found his presence soothing with a trace of electricity.

  “I hope I am not disturbing you,” he stated. Though she thought it sounded like it didn’t matter whether he was or not. He stared at her with the same intensity as before and his scrutiny was flattering, coming from someone so attractive.

  “No, I was just admiring my accommodation.”

  “Our village is grander than these simple shanties.”

  “You all don’t seem to like each other very much,” she stated noticing his critical tone.

  “Oh, I did not infer any disrespect. We are all quite close actually, merely a bit of healthy rivalry.”

  Sera immediately realised how close he was now standing to her and staring at her with an expression Sera had never seen before except on Keelor’s face before he kissed her.

  “Why do you look at me like you do?” she asked him quietly.

  “I told you, I have dreamt about you, however you are much more beautiful in the flesh.”

  “How could you have dreamt about me when we’ve never met?”

  “Our destinies are entwined. I have yet to discover how. As it is forbidden for mixed folk relationships, I am at a loss as to my intense attraction to you. I feel drawn to you like a bee is to nectar. My undeniable craving to kiss you clouds my mind.” His intense gaze caused Sera to avert her eyes. If he continued to stare at her like that, she might just let him.

  “Oh,” was all she could manage.

  “I am here because I require you to heal me.”

  “Why me? Can’t my mother or Sam do it?”

  “Yes, they probably could but I want you to do it.” Lifting her eyes to his, she searched for answers in his expression. All she found was a dazzling smile and twinkling eyes.

  “I’m not sure I can remember quite how I did it before.”

  “You have healed already?” he asked surprised.

  “Yes, Keelor decided to test my power.”

  “He would,” Nermo mumbled. He stepped closer to her, if that was even possible and revealed a bite mark on his neck.

  “The vampire elder had to bite me to incite a vision, and thankfully it was helpful, however I require healing.”

  “I’ll try,” she replied and concentrated on the same compassionate feeling she experienced earlier with Keelor.

  After a few attempts she managed to bring the glow back to her hands and placed them onto his wound which healed instantly.

  “Thank you, much better. Those bites certainly sting.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled, feeling satisfaction at being able to replicate her power.

  Sera realised his hands were clasped on her shoulders so she looked into his penetrating blue eyes as he gazed at her.

  “I know it is forbidden but I wish to kiss you,” he told her in a deep tone filled with ardour.

  “I ...” she began to say but he cut her off.

  “I didn’t ask.”

  He pulled her close and placed his lips firmly against hers. She brought her hands to his shoulders, with the aim to gently ease him away. Although she found him appealing, the attraction she felt for Keelor wasn’t present. Her attempts were futile as he was strong and his kiss was skilled. Her mind became muddled. What a day this was turning out to be.

  Keelor paced his spacious haven restlessly, his emotions in turmoil. Usually so in control of his feelings, his discipline second to none, he found himself bewildered yet filled with a fever for Princess Seraphina.

  How could something so totally forbidden feel so right, so emotive? It was merely witnessing her discovering her power, her awe at her newfound ability and her beauty which stirred such lust within him. That was all it was or so he tried to assure himself.

  Keelor always took his chosen calling seriously as only a few elfin were born as and then trained to be protectors. There were only two other elfin within the lands who could fulfil the duty he was honoured to uphold, should something happen to him.

  He knew his vocation was dangerous and many elfin passed had lost their lives protecting their princess. As such, there was also another princess in waiting should he fail and harm came to Keela. Keelor upheld a detached emotional state in order to disallow any sentiment to deter his focus. He was not going to lose that focus now over the human princess. He’d nearly made the same mistake once, he wouldn’t be repeating it.

  Regardless of his newfound feelings for Seraphina, he must keep them in check. Telling her it was all a mistake and that he would no longer be available to answer her questions was the only solution. Decision made, he walked towards her hut.

  He discovered the door open as he ascended the stairs and when he reached the top, he froze. The human bewildering his mind was in a passionate embrace with the pixie. In an instant envy surged through him followed closely by the compulsion to pluck her from Nermo’s arms. What was this bewitching human doing to him? Why was she now in the arms of another?

  “Nermo, kindly remove yourself from the human,” he demanded.

  Nermo stopped his passionate assault on her lips but didn’t move his hands possessively holding her shoulders.

  “What concern is it of yours, elf?” Nermo shot him an annoyed glance.

  “You are
breaking the law.”

  “We were only kissing. That hardly constitutes a relationship.”

  “He kissed me,” Seraphina responded quickly and it eased Keelor’s jealously a little.

  “It is of no consequence to me. I believe Sampson and the elders would feel differently,” Keelor said. Suddenly possessive himself, he wanted to tear Nermo away from her and remove him from her hut. He wanted his hands on her. His lips to taste hers again.

  Instead he turned and left, returning swiftly to his sanctuary. His restlessness now tenfold and seeking no solace within his abode, he headed towards the river which did little to sooth his agitation.

  8

  Nermina

  When Nermina awoke she found herself within a warlock’s confinement spell. To venture more than one step in each direction would cause her an injury she wished to avoid. Slowly her memories of the previous morning returned and her dismay increased. Nermo was captured within Cornelius’s bubble prison and had fallen into a sleep trance. She hoped the circle would be able to free him so he would not forever be gone from her world.

  She loved Nermo as a princess loved her protector and more. She’d already declared to her mother how she would like him to be her chosen life partner. Unsure of his feelings for her, she wished with all her heart it was more than simply his protective feelings. Now that she feared for his safety, she vowed to share her feelings with him, if she could escape from her current predicament that is.

  Lifting her hands and summoning her dust, she directed it towards her confinements and it perished upon impact. Her magic would be of little use in her escape. This was a powerful imprisonment spell and she decided it wasn’t Cornelius’s work. Only Hasfer was capable of producing such magic.

  “You are correct in your assumption,” a voice from the dark broke into her thoughts.

  “Hasfer,” she gasped. She’d forgotten he could see ones thoughts. “What is it you want?”

  “I merely do as my master commands, Nermina.” He stepped out from the dark and she was startled to see the handsome warlock.

  His dark violet hair, and eyes to match, always mesmerised, and while he’d been a warlock of the circle, as Minato was, she’d always been intrigued by him.

  “Who would your master be, Hasfer?”

  “Mecaldorf the wizard. He holds the key to a different life for the lost souls of the lands. I merely wish to return to my home. As you would know, I was banished by Elder Kalar.”

  “Deservedly so, Hasfer. You broke the law and you were banished for doing so.”

  “My only crime was being in love with a hazer instead of a witch, as the law dictates.”

  “Farina is a beautiful choice for a partner. How difficult would it have been to produce a chosen offspring? She is a witch and they do not have a life mate.”

  “It still would not have entitled me to be with Georgia.” Hasfer paced in front of her prison. She noted he couldn’t meet her eyes.

  “You were both banished. Are you not together now?”

  “Yes, but not within the mystic lands, our home, where we belong.”

  “This isn’t the way, Hasfer.”

  “I disagree, Nermina. Mecaldorf offers us power and revenge over the circle, the elders, and the ones who push us aside.” His eyes came to hers now and they were full of disdain.

  “Enough, Hasfer,” Mecaldorf’s voice bellowed through the darkness.

  When he emerged, Nermina gasped for his appearance had changed dramatically from pictures of him in the book. His once greying hair and beard had returned to their original brilliant blue-black as seen on many warlocks. His once haggard looks were now restored to their former splendour and were youthful once more.

  Rumours abounded as to the true age of the wizard, however most estimated him to be at least one hundred and fifty folk years. He was the descendant of a warlock father and pixie mother. He possessed powerful spell casting powers while also acquiring pixie acrobatic fighting abilities. Although many years had passed since being cast out of the mystic lands, his aging had most certainly reversed.

  “You appear to be staring, Nermina. My youthful appearance seems to have you speechless,” Mecaldorf mocked.

  “I was merely wondering how you did it. For years folk have been seeking the secret of reversing the aging process so as to keep it from the likes of someone like you. I see you have obtained this information before the circle.” The lie slipped easily from her tongue. She knew perfectly well where the secret lay but she would never let on to Mecaldorf.

  “Yes, and I haven’t decided whether I will share it with you yet either. I have always fancied the pixie folk. Perhaps I acquired this particular taste from my father. I have other plans for you first.”

  “Would you care to enlighten me of these plans?”

  “All in good time my dear. I rather like having you around and I am in no hurry to commence. Thanks to my rejuvenated youth I have plenty of time.”

  “Nermo,” Sera tried unsuccessfully to remove herself from his strong grip upon her shoulders. “Please let me go.”

  He obliged, albeit reluctantly. He continued to stare at her in the same intense way which was bewildering. She wished Keelor would look at her in the same way again.

  “Nermo, are you not the least bit concerned about Nermina?”

  “Of course.” He frowned.

  “Why then are you here with me?”

  “There is nothing further I can do for her today. The circle meets in the morning and we will devise a plan then. Why I am here with you is something else altogether. I have only ever found pixies, and sometimes fairies, remotely attractive, however you have me smitten. I dreamt of you while in my trance sleep and thought I created you in my mind until I saw you were real. I am confused by my attraction because you are human and it is forbidden. As to why I would dream about you only compounds the problem. My dreams have always served me well in the past. I believe it was a sign we are meant to be together.”

  “You know the law, Nermo. How is it possible?”

  “Ah, so you are a little interested in me after all. This appeases my longing for you slightly.”

  “I didn’t actually say that, Nermo. I simply meant your dream could not have been a vision or a sign as it is against the law.”

  “Perhaps the law will change.”

  9

  The Book of the Folk

  There was a light, rapid knock on Sera’s door as she was getting dressed the following morning. There had been some clothes provided for her from the elfin. The billowing dress in a deep blue colour she’d chosen to wear was far from her usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. She felt elegant and whimsical as the dress cascaded in layers of sheer soft fabrics. It was long and finished just above her ankles. The white leather slipper-like sandals were comfortable and pretty.

  They both fit her perfectly as though they’d been made for her and she wondered for a moment if they were. She pondered this as she answered the knock and thought it ridiculous, as no-one could have known she was coming and had sufficient time to prepare them for her.

  “Seraphina,” Sam said when she answered the door. “I see you have found the clothes the elfin prepared for you. You look lovely and as you should, like a princess.”

  “These clothes were made for me?”

  “Of course, before we arrived yesterday. The elfin, who prepare all the official garments for the circle, were assigned to prepare your wardrobe for your arrival.”

  “How did they know I was coming and my size?”

  “You have forgotten you are a chosen one, Seraphina. You would have been required to come eventually. When Nermina was discovered missing, preparations began straight away. As for your size, well the elders used their visions.”

  “Oh yes,” Sera felt a little foolish for a moment, “it’s all so strange for me and is taking a while to get used to, like my healing power for instance. What a trip that is!”

  “So Keelor helped you to discover your power?�
�

  “Yes and I must say it’s quite exhilarating.”

  “Yes, it can be. You must be careful with it, Seraphina, as many are envious of the human power.” His serious expression, one she hadn’t seen on Sam before, almost caused her to giggle, as did his words. A smile tugged at her lips but she suppressed it. This was a serious situation regardless of how unreal it all felt.

  “Thanks for the warning. By the way, why the sudden use of Seraphina all of a sudden? It’s too weird. All this of this is strange, Sam, that all these years you have been my protector. It is so surreal and wonderful to know I am part of this world. I never felt like I fit in before except with you.”

  “That is because you are special, Sera, and you are about to find out how special you are.”

  He offered his hand and she took it in their familiar platonic way, as they always had. He walked half a pace behind her and Sera still couldn’t believe she’d never noticed it before.

  “So ... because of the law, does this mean I can only have a relationship with you?”

  “Pretty much. You could with a mortal human, if you wished, but he wouldn’t be able to protect you the same way. It is complicated and then of course there is the aging process again.”

  “I don’t see you that way, Sam. I love you but not like that.”

  “I know. I feel the same as you do but there really isn’t much choice for human folk. All of the other folk, it is easier for them to choose any male they like because they all have similar abilities. Well mostly, sometimes a folk will choose a life partner who hasn’t been trained, when they do, they start training immediately. The elfin for instance have other trained protectors in case anything happened to Keelor or Keela happened to choose one of them. If she hadn’t they would have to train another. It seems, though, the chosen princess seem to pick protectors or trained folk. Granted some are better with their abilities than others, such as Nermo and Keelor, but they can be trained. You cannot train a human mortal to do as we do. No mortal human can heal. It leaves us little say in the matter really.”