Folk Lore Read online

  “Are you saying then that Mum and Dad only got married because they had to?”

  “No, they are the exception and truly did love each other. It’s probably what got him killed really.”

  “How could he die if he can heal?”

  “A vampire bit him. A rogue one, not one of the chosen vampires.”

  “Oh and it’s forbidden to change a human so he died instead?”

  “It was too late to change him as the vampire drained his blood.” Upon seeing Sera’s face, Sam realised he should have used a bit more tact. “Sorry, Sera, there was no other way to explain it.”

  “It’s alright. This is part of my life now and it’s something I’ll have to get used to.”

  “You want to stay here for a while then?”

  “I would like to stay indefinitely.”

  “It will mean I’ll have to as well.”

  “Oh, Sam, I’m sorry, your family. I would be taking you away from them.”

  “They will understand, being the parents of a chosen one.” Sera noticed the path they walked along led into the forest and she knew they were getting close.

  “So it isn’t a problem for you to stay here?”

  “No, it would probably be for the better.” At least that was what he was trying to tell himself about the prospect of living in a separate world from Angel.

  “We may have to stay here for a while anyway,” he added, “until we find out who has Nermina and why.”

  “Sam, I’m sorry about yesterday. I don’t quite know how to explain my attraction for Keelor.”

  “It is alright, Sera. I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, it’s quite easy to become enthralled with the beautiful folk within the lands.”

  “It isn’t a silly passing crush, Sam. I feel a connection with him.” Exactly how I feel with Angel, he thought.

  “Regardless of what it is, Sera, it’s forbidden and Keelor will always uphold the law before anything else, especially romantic feelings. He has always possessed the ability to control his emotions.”

  “He didn’t control them today. He kissed me back.”

  “I’m sure he did. He is male and you are beautiful.”

  “So because I have a pretty face he wanted to kiss me, not because of me or a connection of some sort?”

  “I doubt it with Keelor.”

  “What do you mean?

  “He’s had his fair share of elfin females who he has shared a special bond with.”

  “Oh, well, it’s understandable, I suppose,” she mumbled feeling suddenly sad she wasn’t an elfin. “I guess we’ll just have to get married then.”

  “What?” he asked, removing his hand from hers.

  “What choice do we have?”

  “None but it would be weird, like marrying my sister or something.”

  “I know.” She sighed.

  He took her hand again and led her silently towards the garden as they were both lost in their own thoughts of folk that were not their kind.

  Keelor couldn’t concentrate, and as every princess and her protector made their way into the garden, he internally groaned in disappointment when it wasn’t her. What was happening to him? He was a guard, a warrior, not some whimsical creature all tied up in knots over a female, especially a human female. Up until this time Keelor mostly avoided any sort of relationship and dedicated his life to his honoured duty. Once he’d nearly fallen for the wrong girl but he came to his senses.

  This girl with eyes that soothed his soul and hands which so tenderly healed him by the river now captivated him completely. He vowed, unless they were meeting in the garden, he would avoid her at all costs. If they were about to go up against Mecaldorf and his cast out folk consisting of warlocks, vampires and hazers, he needed to focus on this task alone.

  Threats over the years originated from many of these banished folk, however they were all considered to be empty until now. Mecaldorf’s reputation was legendary amongst the mystic lands and although he lived outside the shield and never proved to be any danger to the inhabitants, his power was speculated by the circle to be powerful. Having never seen Mecaldorf, as his banishment occurred many years before Keelor’s birth, pictures of the wizard could be found within the pages of the ‘Book of the Folk’.

  The book not only contained the lessons and law of the lands, it also contained all the incantations and spells which were used by the chosen ones, along with the legends of the lands. If it were to fall into the hands of someone like Mecaldorf, it could prove disastrous as he would hold the key and the magic to control all folk.

  Today Keelor believed they would summon the book to acquire a spell to retrieve Nermina and also begin Seraphina’s lessons of the law, chants and other folk teachings. There was a large amount of content she would be required to learn in a short period and he wondered who would be assigned the task of her tutor.

  Little did he know the answer to his question would leave him perplexed.

  The girl invading his thoughts finally arrived last with Sampson and they were hand in hand. This puzzled his already troubled mind and soul. Keelor wondered how strong their relationship really was. The sight of her in her customary attire was breath-taking and he became mesmerised once more. The blue against her light skin caused something to stir deep inside him and the almost irresistible urge to touch her consumed him. When her eyes met his when she joined the circle, he noticed the colour enhanced as they reflected her dress. He couldn’t draw his eyes away, they became locked on her.

  Keelor chastised himself again for his ridiculous emotions, however, try as he might, he could barely fight the overwhelming urge to demand what he wanted again.

  10

  Seraphina’s Tutor

  Kalar was standing within the circle as she had the previous day and they were all once again sitting upon their designated place. Sera could feel the dangerous eyes of Angeles burning into her back and she felt the same anxiousness she’d experienced the previous day from being in close proximity to someone who wanted to taste her blood. The restraint these two vampires were able to show was admirable and she pondered again the wisdom of placing the vampire next to the human in the circle. Why tempt fate and torture the vampires? To ensure they could keep the pact? If this being so you would think they would put them far away from temptation. She quickly shoved these thoughts aside as Kalar began to speak.

  “Welcome to you all again. We have obtained information from Nermo who we thank for willingly allowing Asmina to obtain the information we required. As we all suspected, it is Mecaldorf and his group of banished folk who have taken our Nermina. To what purpose at this stage is unknown. If legend is to be believed, then it would probably be to obtain the Book. I, of course, do not need to portray to you all how dangerous this could prove to be.” Kalar turned her attention to Sera. “Seraphina, over the coming days you will become familiar with the contents and thus will learn the importance of keeping it from Mecaldorf. For now we will concentrate of getting Seraphina prepared while the elders consult our visions and decide on how to retrieve Nermina.”

  As Kalar stepped away from the circle, Sera heard each princess recite the words to summon their gem. Sera listened carefully to determine the words. After hearing them several times, she attempted them herself and was pleased when her deep blue gem appeared in her hands. Sam leaned over and whispered well done into her ear. The princesses then began another stream of incomprehensible prose and Sera wondered whether she would ever learn all of these strange incantations. She listened carefully as they repeated the words several times and realised only as she said the words did anything happen.

  Each gem projected a beam of light in matching colour and they all joined as one stream in the centre of the circle. Through a rainbow misty haze, a large, white, extremely thick, gold embossed paged book appeared and hovered weightlessly in the centre of the circle. Kalar returned to the middle and retrieved the book.

  She walked serenely toward
Seraphina with the book outstretched and handed it to her. Although the book appeared heavy and cumbersome it was light in her hands and the gold imprinted writing on the front was in scripture. There was a symbol underneath the words and as she traced her finger over the raised symbol she thought it looked like a cup. The ‘Book of the Folk’ was the most magnificently crafted book she’d ever seen and like everything within these lands was magical. It almost felt as though it vibrated or hummed attributable to its powerful contents.

  “Seraphina,” Kalar addressed her once again, “the elders considered who would be best to teach you the ways of our lands and the book. The first more obvious choice of your mother was considered. However, Annaphina pointed out, and rightly so, that she has not been acquainted with the contents for a number of years now and is a little rusty.” She stopped and smiled at the use of what would have been Anna’s words. “Therefore the most obvious choice to be your tutor, who unlike any other is most familiar with its contents, is Keelor.”

  Sera heard a sharp intake of breath behind her right shoulder and knew it came from Keelor, echoing her feelings regarding the prolonged period of time they would now be forced to spend together. She was thrilled at the idea but was unsure if her feelings were reciprocated and whether his reaction was disgust or anticipation.

  The irony at their choice of tutor caused her mouth to lift in a small smile. Of all folk to choose. If only she knew what his true feelings about the task were. It was all a little difficult to wrap her head around at the moment. All she should be thinking about was the importance of the task ahead, along with how to deal with the forced proximity to the elfin she was totally infatuated with over the coming days.

  Knowing the consequence of being inept during their quest against Mecaldorf, Seraphina decided to push her feelings aside and concentrate. Nermina and the rest of the folk required her to give her full attention to learning the contents of the book and bringing herself up to speed and quickly. She would need to concentrate and be tenacious in repressing her overwhelming human emotions. Turning to Keelor as she stood, Sera decided now was as good a time as any to start.

  “Shall we?” she asked him.

  “Certainly.”

  Keelor walked in the direction of the river and she realised he needed the solace of the water to calm his soul. She hoped, within her deeply pushed-down affection, it was due to her.

  She hurried to keep up with his long strides and joined him as he sat in the very spot they’d occupied the previous day. How long ago it all seemed now. With all the events that were unfolding, her newfound responsibility and nobility, Nermo and his ridiculous dreams and Keelor capturing her heart, her bewilderment ran deep. She began to wonder if she was dreaming.

  “Do you have any more questions for your inquisition before we begin?” he asked her bringing her out of her reverie.

  “Yes, actually, I do.” He rolled his eyes and she ignored it before continuing. “If the Elders are psychic and have these vision, why did they not see what happened between us yesterday? Obviously they would want to stop us from starting any type of relationship.”

  “The visions do not function that way. When the elders seek a vision it is in regard to a certain situation, event or person. They do not receive random flashes or visions. For instance, Annaphina does not carry her cards around in her hands to receive random psychic flashes, correct?”

  “As far as I know.”

  “This is because when they seek a vision, it is specific and they do not receive any other inconsequential items. They do not tune into their visions every day to see what has occurred or is about to so as to act on it. They refer to them when something has happened to locate the truth or to see what is about to occur. Unless one of the elders was directly focused on us, it would not have been witnessed. They could see it, if they were tuned in, so to speak. They have no reason to, so our indiscretion is safe as is yours with Nermo.”

  “He kissed me! Let me tell you, it wasn’t invited or wanted. You, on, the other hand, are another story. It appears I wanted it to happen but you didn’t.”

  “It does not matter what I do or do not want, it is forbidden.”

  “Ah,” she yelled in frustration. “You and the law!” He looked at her stony-faced but there was a speck of amusement in his eyes.

  “Any more questions, Princess?”

  “If the elders can tune into the future, why don’t they see what Mecaldorf has planned and just stop it from happening?”

  “Elders are unable to see the future of wizards and warlocks. They could consult their visions, however they would be sketchy and difficult to decipher. It is unknown as to why this occurs. The elders have consulted their visions regarding the future and they were unable to see Mecaldorf’s plans. There were a few flashes from each, but even put together they were unclear.”

  “How do the circle incantations work without Nermina? If the spells do work, then what does kidnapping her achieve?”

  “We need the complete circle to raise and lower the shield. The majority of the spells within the book only need seven of the eight. The extremely powerful and important spells need eight. Nermina’s abduction will probably lead to some sort of ransom demand perhaps lowering the shield or handing over the book. Mecaldorf is a very powerful wizard and could probably lower the shield alone or perhaps with a strong warlock such as Hasfar. The shield was up, as it always is, when Nermina was taken so it would seem he can. If the shield no longer protects us then ... My belief is, he would exchange Nermina for the book or lowering the shield permanently so banished folk can entered the lands. Lowering the shield permanently would take a powerful spell that I think even Mecaldorf or his warlocks are not capable of.”

  “If all these spells are so powerful why are they written down?”

  “For the very purpose of today, so they can be studied and learned. We will return the book each day after your lessons, to keep it safe.”

  “Do you know everything in the book without reading it?”

  “Mostly.”

  “Let me guess you know all the laws and the spells relative to your duties as a protector.”

  “Something like that.”

  “You didn’t answer my question by the way.”

  “Which question was that?”

  “Whether you wanted to kiss me or not as much as I did.”

  “I thought you made a statement. I did not hear a question.”

  “Forget it, shall we start then?”

  “I have a question for you.”

  Even as he said the words he realised perhaps he was heading into dangerous territory. Her reply was to raise one of her perfect delicate eyebrows.

  “You have only platonic feelings for Sampson?”

  “Yes, although it seems my options are now limited.”

  “Nermo?”

  “What about him?”

  “Please, I ...”

  “He’s quite attractive I must say but -” she was cut off by his lips.

  Sera was taken aback as he crossed the short distance between them swiftly and she missed his approached. Easing into the kiss, she savoured the feel of his lips upon hers again. Sera buried her hands in his silky hair as she craved to feel it between her fingers again. His motions mimicked hers.

  He suddenly stopped but stood close, his hands still buried deep in her hair.

  “What are you doing to me?” he breathed out softly.

  “Whatever it is you do to me,” she replied as breathless.

  11

  Folk Law

  Sampson found Angelique where she’d been on their previous rendezvous and her face was already lit when he came into view. He felt a moment of uncertainty for he knew she smelt him approaching. Nonetheless his desire to feel her, kiss her and love her was stronger than his unease.

  “Angel,” he said quickly before bringing her close to him and indulging in a long passionate kiss which entailed Angelique trying to pull away again when she reached her limit.
/>   Sampson wanted to push her too far today. He was feeling despondent at the thought of living in the Mystic Lands indefinitely with Seraphina. Once this danger with Mecaldorf was over and Angelique returned to the human world, he would have little time to spend with her. As much as he loved Seraphina, not only was she his princess but his best friend, his desire and love for Angelique was more powerful. His calling as a protector, although very important to him and the protecting of Seraphina was an honour, not living in the same world as Angel filled him with dread.

  She pushed him away firmly and when he opened his eyes her fangs were out. Sam couldn’t remember the last time Angelique lost control or couldn’t oppress the overwhelming urge to bite him.

  “Sampson,” she said in a strained voice. “Do you want me to bite you because right now I don’t think I can stop myself.”

  Angelique lunged forward and grabbed him firmly by the shoulders. She ran her lips down his throat and he was powerless to stop her. Sampson didn’t know if he wanted her to, law or not. He wanted to be a part of Angelique’s world and this was the only way. Seraphina’s face crossed his mind briefly but he knew a replacement could be found. The power and pull of Angelique overwhelmed him now.

  “Stop,” a loud hissing voice resounded from the trees above them. Angeles appeared behind Angelique and pulled her roughly from Sam seconds before she tasted his essence.

  “What the hell are you doing, human?” Angeles barked at Sam breaking him out of his calming daze.

  “I love her, Angeles. I guess I got carried away.”

  “Carried away! Do you know what they would do to her if it were discovered she broke the treaty. What if she hadn’t been able to stop? She could have killed you. If - not that I would be happy about it - you decided to change, I would need to be present to ensure she did stop so you could complete the transformation.”