Page 50 of Their Chosen

“That's fine, but will I be able to replace the glamor once I'm allowed to return to Earth? I should've asked earlier, but it just occurred to me that I'll look and be so much more different than when I left,” I asked, feeling concerned and unsure for the first time that I'd ever be able to make it back. And even if I did, I now wasn't sure if I'd be the same person I was when I left.

My fear must have shown on my face because Jude said, “Child, of all the things I've learned throughout my long life, there has only ever been one constant. That no matter how we wish, things never stay the same, and life is about embracing the changes while remembering where we come from and who we are. Have faith in yourself that you'll find a way through it all, no matter what changes you may face. And not all change is bad.”

“For me, it usually is,” I muttered under my breath, but still took his words to heart. I’d overcome the changes in my past and knew that I could do so again. My confidence bolstered, I nodded at him. “Okay, I'm ready.” I closed my eyes and concentrated on the magic again.

I could feel the moment that his magic encountered my glamor, and I felt it when the magic refused to obey him, holding firm to my skin. He also tried a few times, each one feeling slightly different than the last, but all were unsuccessful.

“Interesting,” he said once his magic had withdrawn.

“What's so interesting? Why won't my glamor fade?” I asked, concerned now that something was very wrong.

“I've never encountered a glamor such as yours, one that resists so steadfastly,” Jude replied, confusion and curiosity on his face.

“Well, what exactly does that mean?” I asked him, needing an explanation.

“It means that I'll need to consult some of my more advanced tomes to see how this is possible. I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that until I can figure out more.”

“Do you think you'll be able to remove it?” Lennox asked from behind me, the first of the guys to speak up this whole time.

“I don't know,” Jude answered honestly.

“Will this affect her magic?” Arryn asked.

“Unfortunately, I believe it will to some degree, but I can't say for certain.” He shrugged with his hands before moving to stand slowly. “I'll do some research and let you know what I find. Until then, I suggest experimenting with what we've managed to unlock today. As soon as I have more to go on, I’ll return.”

He turned to face me at the door, grasping my hands in his. “I promise we’ll get to the bottom of this, child.”

“Will we be able to discover the cause before the trials? She can't go into those without full use of her magic,” Arryn asked, his worry giving me the first reason to feel concerned for my own safety in the trials.

Worry also shone on Jude's face as he turned to Arryn. “I will do everything I can, but it's better to train for the worst.”

Chapter Twenty Three: Baer

“Well, shit, that doesn't sound good,” Rhowyn said as she walked back to the couch and flopped down like she had before. I couldn't help the small smile even though I knew none of this was good. She needed full access to her magic, and she had to get rid of this glamor. Although I did find myself becoming fond of it, I was also eager to see what she really looked like. I was positive that no matter what, I would find her attractive, with the same need to feel her warm pussy pulsing around me.

Last night had been extremely hard, literally, sleeping in the bed next to her and not taking things further. After having her room and space violated, the last thing she needed was to have me trying to make a move, even if it was all I’d been able to think about with her around.

“It's most definitely not a good thing,” Callum replied, no emotion present, but still eliciting a response of a raised eyebrow and glare from Rhowyn.

“On the bright side, at least Rhowyn was able to unlock some of her magic. She should be able to start training with it now. Plus, with all of us here, we can complete the consort bonds, which should also help during the trials,” I said, always trying to find the positive. Dwelling on negatives never got anyone anywhere.

“It still won't be enough,” Lennox said as we all joined Rhowyn again. Lennox was apparently my opposite, preferring the negative. He moved to pour a drink for himself, not offering any to anyone else. “These other Chosen have grown up with their own magics and should only have to learn that of their Consorts’. How can Rhowyn even think she has a chance?” He addressed us as if she wasn't right there, and I saw the moment his callous attitude pissed her off.

She shot up from reclining on the couch next to me, her eyes spitting fire, almost as if that was her element. “First of all, asshole, I don't think I can win, which is good because I still don't want to be queen. All I want to do is to survive through this whole mess until I can go back to Earth.

“Second, who says I need magic at all to kick their asses? I can hold my own. Always have and always will. So, if you want to know the fastest way to being wrong, underestimate me. I dare you,” she spit out with a huff of air, holding Lennox's somewhat shocked gaze.

I had to hold back a laugh at his expression. I guess he'd never had anyone other than his mother speak to him like that. He regained his composure quickly. “You speak as if you could defeat us in battle, which I sincerely doubt.” He smirked at her while taking a drink from his glass.

Her eyes shifted then, sparkling with an expression that said she had a secret and was confident in the facts. She smiled, her lips lifting on one side only. “Oh, I can definitely take care of myself in hand-to-hand combat.”

Lennox gazed disbelievingly at her, not responding. She spoke up again. “If you're so confident in your abilities, let's make a friendly wager.” Her tone meant to tease and goad him into taking the bet.

Apparently forgetting that we’d found her at a combat gym, or not caring, he smirked at her, overly confident. “I'll take that bet. What'll we wager?”

“Winner's choice. A favor to be owed by the loser?” she asked him.

“Are you sure that's what you want?” he asked, moving to stand in front of her.

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