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  He heard her giggle, which was like music to his ears just like the river, and he realised everything he found soothing about the water was also in her.

  “What is so amusing?” he snapped.

  “I have asked you other questions since then and I believe what you answered were actually statements which didn’t need an answer.”

  “You are so frustrating. What do you seek an answer for now?”

  “I simply wanted to know what we would be studying this afternoon.”

  “Incantations. I believe we should begin to teach you the most important and relevant chants which will be required in the coming days and then move onto the others as needed. You will also need basic fighting training. I think tomorrow we can cover those along with writings from the past and how they will aid us against Mecaldorf and saving Nermina. You will need to be prepared to know everything about our enemy. We should also practice your healing power, because if we are to go into battle, you will be required to help the wounded.”

  “Battle?”

  “Yes, I anticipate we will face a battle either way, when we go to save Nermina or if they come to us before we depart. We will need to ensure we are fully prepared before we even contemplate saving the pixie.”

  “How can we wait? What if they harm her?”

  “She is a strong girl, Seraphina, and it would serve her less if we are ill-prepared.”

  “How long before I need to be ready, then?”

  “I anticipate we will depart within a week.”

  “How many will we be up against?”

  “It is hard to say. The elders will consult the visions before we depart. They could come to us before this, so we have to be prepared, which is why I would prefer to teach you to defend yourself, and soon.”

  “Shouldn’t Sam be teaching me how to fight?”

  “Not necessarily. As elfin and pixie, aside from vampires and hazers, are the most proficient fighters, we usually do all the training. I have trained both Tiana and Mimi.”

  “Who trained Sampson?”

  “Angelique.”

  “A vampire?”

  “Convenience. He spent some of his time here and trained with the rest of us and the elfin elder men, however Angelique lives in the human world and volunteered to help him train. Angeles avoids human contact where he can as his thirst is harder to suppress. Angelique has unbelievable restraint, unlike any I have seen or heard of before. Some believe it is about the person they were when they were human. Although she was only twenty when turned, she was a volunteer during one of your many ridiculous human wars, I cannot recall which, and encountered a vampire whilst doing this duty. Some believe her compassion and empathy stayed with her.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “She is still a vampire, regardless of the person she was while human.”

  “You could be wrong. Sam would not spend time with someone he didn’t believe in.”

  Keelor merely shrugged. “Shall we begin your lessons again then?”

  “Yes, I have a lot to learn and I’d better learn quickly.”

  “I am a good teacher.”

  “Modest too.” He offered the slight smile she was beginning to love.

  Sera realised, though, he wasn’t being modest, merely honest, and he was an excellent teacher. His way of helping her learn the strange languages of the words she was to memorise was simple and assimilating, and by the end of the afternoon she understood many of the new foreign words and their meanings.

  The sun started to set in a blaze of pink and purple unlike any sunset she’d appreciated before, in turn giving her another reason to fall in love with all things mystic. Keelor walked her to her hut, bid her a swift goodnight and was out of sight before she even had a chance to respond.

  This continued time together was only going to increase her newfound love for the unattainable and delectable elf. She decided she needed to speak to her mother to seek advice on how to manage her wayward emotions before her self-defence lessons in the morning.

  She was falling in love and with the wrong guy.

  13

  Self-Defence

  Sera awoke the following sunrise, startled from a light and restless sleep by the sensational dawn which was almost as spectacular as the sunset. She rubbed her eyes and realised she was sleepy, confused and suddenly felt alone. After deciding to seek out her mother before Keelor came by to collect her, Sera decided to shower and change.

  She still hadn’t gotten used to the unusual shower and bath combination within the small bathroom and although the water was powerful yet soft it did little to lift her gloomy mood. After dropping her off abruptly the previous evening she hadn’t seen Keelor again. Sera sought out Sam to find him missing and assumed he was dining with the hazers and vampires again. Not wanting to expose herself to anyone who would enjoy her for dinner she had decided to eat in the courtyard. She was greeted by a different young elfin as beautiful as Allafee and this only worsened her mood. It was of no surprise Keelor’s feelings for her weren’t intense enough for him to break the law, her competition was too strong.

  Besides it wasn’t like she wanted to marry and procreate with Keelor - well not in the near future anyway - so she couldn’t understand why a relationship couldn’t occur without those things. Sera determined to ask him about this over dinner the night before but he didn’t appear in the courtyard. After staying longer than she should have, she hoped it didn’t appear obvious she was waiting for someone or him; she went to bed and couldn’t sleep.

  Now she was tired, cranky and a little teary. When there was a knock at her door she groaned as Keelor was early - or so she thought as there was no time indicator in her hut - and she’d not obtained a chance to talk to her mother. Upon opening the door she discovered the person she most needed to see, the tears of frustration, confusion and hurt began to tumble.

  “Seraphina honey, what is it?” Anna asked her as she guided her over to the small cosy love seat and sat her down.

  “Everything, nothing, I don’t know. I’m so confused.”

  With a comforting arm around her shoulders, Anna continued to console.“ I know this is difficult for you and a lot to take in. This is partly my fault perhaps I should have brought you here earlier and showed you who you really were so everything wasn’t so hurried.”

  “It’s alright, Mum. It isn’t about being a princess and my duties, it’s something else.”

  “Sampson?”

  “No, it isn’t him although I miss him. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole day without seeing him even for a short time or you for that matter and it is partly to do with that, as I feel very alone at the moment.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. I have left you alone here and you scarcely know anyone but I really thought you being who you are could deal with it.”

  “I can, Mum and as for Sam, well I’m a little hurt that he only became friends with me because he had to and since we have been here he seems to be avoiding me which makes it even harder because it would seem he is my only future in the love department because of some law.” A fresh set of tears began due to frustration as she thought of Keelor again.

  “I know it leaves you little options.”

  “It isn’t such a terrible thought sharing my life with Sam but I don’t feel that way about him.”

  “I didn’t about your dad at first either. I loved him as you do Sampson and over time I fell in love with him. I had feelings for another when I married your dad. We made the most of what we could but it wasn’t as other marriages between folk can be where they are in love with each other when they begin a relationship.”

  “Who were you in love with?”

  “A vampire.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. He was part of the circle at the time before Angelique and Angeles. His name was Sebastian and he was beautiful. I was a little younger than you when I was brought to the Mystic Lands by your grandmother and he was already part of the circle. I th
ought him the most wonderful creature I had ever met. Before I came of age and joined the circle, we spent a lot of time together in the human world, after our initial meeting and we began to meet in secret. I still, to this day, do not know how he refrained from tasting my blood. The danger I was in every time I was around him only made it more exciting. When your dad discovered us one day he threatened to report us to the circle but with some convincing on my part and in return for marrying him, he kept quiet. Sebastian was the one who killed your father.”

  “What!” Sera replied a little too loudly and harshly.

  “I know, honey and I regret every day my decision to ask Adamis - your Dad - to keep quiet, he may still be alive today.”

  “What happened to Sebastian?”

  “He was evicted from the circle and I have not seen or heard of him since. I don’t know if he is even still alive or as alive as a vampire can be. You see this is why it is imperative to follow the law. If I hadn’t broken the law Adamis ...”

  “He was a vampire though, Mum, aren’t they more volatile than other folk because of their thirst?”

  “Yes as are hazers nonetheless it is the law and there are many reasons why it should be followed. Is your confusion because of a certain elf or pixie?” Sera looked at her in surprise.

  “Oh I forgot you really are psychic.”

  “I cannot use my visions for personal gain and checking on you would be doing that. I sensed you were unhappy, I have always been able to tell.”

  “It’s Keelor.”

  “The most driven and law abiding folk in the circle, you really do know how to pick them. I guess it’s fortunate because if it was Nermo, the law would be broken.”

  “I have read the law and it is very broad, what actually constitutes breaking the law? Kissing, a relationship or marriage and babies?”

  “Any type of physical contact. It is because all the other stuff can lead to an accidental procreation. It has happened before.”

  “What am I supposed to do, Mum. I can’t shut it off. It feels like home here and the connection I feel with him is so strong, I can’t explain it. I definitely do not feel like that about Sam.”

  “I know how easy it can be to become caught up in this fantasy and unreal world, Seraphina. I made the same mistake but that is really all it is. I’m sure it will pass once you’re familiar with your new life.”

  “Did your feelings for Sebastian fade?”

  Anna didn’t answer for some time. Sera could see her struggle with her response as though deciding whether to lie or tell the truth.

  “In a small way I probably still love him. He was like no-one I had met before or since. I think your dad always knew and accepted it. I believe Sebastian’s feelings for me is what drove him to kill but despite this I didn’t feel any less for him.”

  “Then it is the same.”

  “No it’s not! For one we shared many things that I sincerely hope you haven’t with Keelor and two because of what I did, your father is dead. Do you really want to make the same mistakes?”

  “Keelor’s not a vampire.”

  “Do not underestimate the strength of love, Seraphina. It is against the law regardless. Whatever it is you think you feel for the elfin, you must push aside.”

  Sera stood up abruptly. “I thought you would understand,” she said loudly.

  “I do, Sera and I don’t want you to suffer the way I have.”

  “Now I’m more confused than ever.”

  “I didn’t want to confuse you, I wanted to help you understand why the law is as it is. You need to focus; we have more important things to worry about.”

  “I know! This is why I’m so upset, there is so much to do and many things to overcome yet I think about him constantly. I only met him two days ago.”

  “Well in human days it has been longer and you have been forced to spend time together so it is understandable but still wrong.”

  “It doesn’t feel wrong when he kisses me, it feels right,” she mumbled and then was startled by Keelor clearing his throat at the open door.

  “I hope I am not interrupting, Princess Seraphina, Elder Annaphina however I believe it imperative to obtain an early start as Seraphina has much to learn today.”

  The sound of his melodic voice and his serious, proper way of speaking only intensified her mounting exasperation and bewilderment.

  “No, Keelor, you’re not interrupting, I have to go and meet with the elders again. We have to prepare for our retrieval of Nermina in a few days.”

  “All the more reason for us to begin, Elder Annaphina.”

  As Anna exited the hut she turned to Keelor, “Ensure you look after my daughter,” she told him. They both knew exactly what she was implying much to Sera’s mortification.

  “With my life.”

  “I’ll come and join you for dinner, Sera,” her mother told her and Sera merely glared.

  She glided out the door with a wave of her hand and was gone. Suddenly, Sera felt very awkward. How much did Keelor hear?

  “It feels right for me too, Seraphina” he whispered and she thought she must have misheard but blushed regardless.

  They stood silently for a moment staring intently at each other until Sera broke through the quiet. “Do you always listen to private conversations?”

  “I was not listening, the door was open.”

  “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough.”

  “About my Mum?”

  “No I only heard you just before I approached.”

  “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

  “I know but I liked it.”

  “Really, so you like hearing things that boost your ego even though it is totally against the law!”

  “Something like that.”

  “Ahh let’s go,” she said abruptly pushing past him and walking in the direction of the river and meadow.

  “You are going the wrong way, Seraphina.” She stopped and turned.

  “It is Princess to you, if you’re going to be so precise. Aren’t we going to the meadow?”

  “No Princess we have a special area set up for fighting and defence training.”

  She followed Keelor through a small cluster of trees behind her hut and when they reached the clearing they entered a large field with several different weapons placed on the ground.

  Sera threw around the idea of whether or not to tell him that Sam already taught her some basics - claiming he wanted her to be able to defend herself should someone attack her but now she knew why he did - but decided now he’d listened to her conversation she would let him find out the hard way.

  He told her to stand with her back to him a distance away from any weapons and instructed her to show him her reaction to his surprise attack from the rear. Smiling to herself she waited with anticipation, as this was one of the things Sam had taught her and she was always best at this defence.

  When she felt his hands on her shoulders, Sera did the duck and toss manoeuvre Sam had taught her and flipped a startled Keelor over her crouched body using the momentum from his approach to leave him flat on his back, which she noticed with glee slightly winded him, before placing her weight with one knee across his chest, fist clenched for a mock punch to the nose.

  Keelor lay looking up at her beautiful face looking down on him in triumph and it suddenly occurred to him that perhaps Sam already taught her the basic defensive moves while keeping her in the dark about her calling. He discovered a new respect for the human protector.

  “Please do not consider using your fist, Princess,” he muttered.

  He then flipped her off in once quick motion and pinned her down by her wrists with his legs either side of her, rendering her immobile.

  “Did Sampson teach you how to defend yourself when in this position?”

  “Okay the jig is up and no, he didn’t but I have an idea.”

  She lifted her face to his only inches from hers and kissed him tenderly on the lips. He groaned, let go of her w
rists and deepened the kiss. She brought her hands down to rest on his hard shoulders and enjoyed the kiss for a few moments, as he appeared as though this time he was not going to pull away. She then decided to show him she did in fact know how to get out of this position.

  Bending her knees, she lifted her feet and pushed in, up and away before jumping onto him in the same position he’d just held her.

  “So you do know how to.” He smiled his slight quick smile. “However I would like to see how you succeed when not distracting me.”

  He then brought his face up to meet hers to resume their kiss. She didn’t let go of his hands or loosen her grip with her knees as she did not want him to escape her captivity. His tongue began to probe hers and she unconsciously let go of his wrists so their hands would be free to explore. When she sat up he came with her so they were sitting facing each other their hands in each other’s hair. His hands moved down her back and gripped her upper arms before wrapping them around her. She ran her hands down his strong upper arms and across his hard muscled back.

  Her knees were still either side of his strong lean thighs so she wrapped them around his waist. She knew she was losing all control and longed to share more than simple kisses. As though reading her mind, he pulled back and lifted her gently from his lap to sit her down beside him.

  “Seraphina,” he said in a deep husky voice she hadn’t heard from him before. “We have to stop, I cannot, we cannot, though nothing would please me more right now.”

  He still sat beside her. His eyes darker than their usual icy blue were filled with desire. Lifting a hand to brush her face, he continued to stare her with an intensity she almost couldn’t bear.

  “I don’t understand how something which feels so right can be so wrong,” she whispered.

  “Up until now, Sera, I believed the law was important. I decided I would never let myself feel any emotions which were forbidden for any folk other than an elf. Nevertheless, the law is the law for a reason and I cannot change that. We cannot do this, no matter how much I want to.”