Page 7 of Ruins of Magic
Taneth relaxed. “I’m not surprised to hear you say that. Rumor has it that all sorts of magical creatures live in the forest on this mountain.”
“Really? Why haven’t I ever heard of that? I thought magic was removed from Gavalon years ago.”
“That is true, sort of.”
“What do you mean by sort of?”
“Arion, you study under the High Keeper of Magic. You know magic is alive and well in Gavalon. You know the unicorns are magical and roam throughout our northern realm. Do you truly believe that they are the only magical creatures within our lands?”
“I guess I never thought about it,” Arion admitted. “I mean the unicorns are here as protection, or that’s what I’ve been told at least.”
“Magic pulses throughout all of Gavalon. The druids were run out, but many believe they are still here, hiding in plain sight. We cross paths with them often. Some knights hold to the old ways and give them grief or try to force them from our lands, but most of us have come to understand they are a peaceful people, wrongfully accused and persecuted at a dark time in our history.”
“People are inherently scared of what they do not know and cannot understand,” Arion told him.
Taneth smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. “Sometimes you are wise beyond your years,” he said.
Arion stiffened, but not from Taneth’s contact. He felt the princess’s presence. Taking in a deep breath he smelled the scent of her unique perfume and slowly turned to catch her eyes.
“And sometimes, you are an idiot,” Taneth whispered under his breath before walking away leaving him alone with Valaria.
“Your highness,” he said giving her a bow.
“There’s no need for such formalities,” she said with a scowl.
Arion couldn’t allow himself to forget why they were on this trek. Call it what they would, he understood it was an engagement party. What he didn’t understand is why there were so few people traveling with her.
“Where is the rest of your party?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” she looked around, then turned back to him and frowned. “They are preparing a meal for us.”
“No, I mean the rest of it? Shouldn’t there be more people, particularly women traveling with you? Where is the fanfare?”
Her cheeks heated, but he realized too late that it was from anger and not embarrassment.
“My lady in waiting is here and my guards. What more do I need?” she asked.
He wasn’t thinking when he answered. “Then what are Garron and I doing here?”
She was furious. “I thought you were my friends, but I suppose someone must tend to the horses and carry my things,” she retorted turning on her heels and stomping off back to camp unable to believe the audacity of him.
Valaria had felt like he was avoiding her. She had followed him into the woods the moment she could get away hoping they could talk. She missed her friend but was annoyed by the unwanted feelings she had for him.
Perhaps the more aggravating he acted the better off they’d both be. She didn’t want to do anything stupid. If he had had any feelings for her, he would not have accepted the apprenticeship so readily. She understood it was an important and necessary job, but he hadn’t even hesitated and that had infuriated her. Any other man throughout all six kingdoms of Amaria would have leapt at the chance to be with her, so why not him?
She wanted to pretend that she was self-centered enough to truly believe that was the cause of her annoyance, but in truth Arion made her laugh. He never treated her like a princess or let her hide behind her title as an excuse. He was the most real person in her life and that meant more to her than she could ever put into words. She liked being around him and she liked who she was when she was with him, too.
“Your highness, lunch is ready,” Ailsa said with a curtsy.
“Thank you, Ailsa.”
Valaria made her way back to the clearing where the meal had been prepared. Leeric and Garron were waiting with heaping plates of food. No one would eat before she took the first bite. It was just one of many minor details that often annoyed her.
Taneth and Arion emerged from the forest at the same time, and much to her surprise, Arion came and sat next to her. Her heart swelled and her body warmed as he brushed lightly against her as he reached for the food.
Valaria quickly filled her plate and took a bite so the others would relax and eat.
Arion nudged her with his arm. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair of me back there.”
