Lord of the Castle: An Adult Fairy Tale Fantasy Romance (Tales of the Enchanted Wildwood Book 3) by Angela J. Ford

Author:Angela J. Ford [Ford, Angela J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Angela J. Ford
Published: 2020-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

He led me through the winding halls, leaning heavily on his staff. I wanted to reach out and help but he used his staff expertly to navigate the stairs—a sign of his intense upper body strength. He must have had many days and nights to practice walking around his spiraling castle.

We walked through the maze and up a curving staircase until we reached a set of carved double doors. Leaning on his staff, he used both hands to throw them open. Dust filled the air and then light, so bright it almost blinded me. I blinked, then gasped as I took in the view before me.

A gentle breeze blew as I walked out onto a balcony where brilliant sunlight warmed my skin. We were near the top of the castle, and far below me I saw the bright flowers of the rose garden, the sparkle of the water fountain, and even further, the cobblestone path winding down the mountainside. Animals grazed in the meadow, and although they were almost too far to make out clearly, I thought I saw horses.

On the slope of a hill was a vineyard thick with purple grapes. But beyond the majestic land were vague smudges, a village, and the small dots moving back and forth had to be people.

My heartbeat pulsed at the breathtaking beauty of the land, the scent of pine intertwined with flowers.

When I glanced back at Lord Cedric, he watched me, a small smile playing about his full lips. “This is my land. What do you think?”

“It is beautiful,” I admitted. “But surely you do not take care of your lands alone?”

Cedric chuckled. “No, but my lands provide for the villagers and I employ many of them, as need arises. During the harvest they come here, to pick the grapes from the vineyard and make the wines that are used for trade. My horses are sold as warhorses, back to the kingdom, and the castle provides a barrier between the village and the wildwood. This is one of my favorite haunts, where I can look out and see the land is at peace.”

I stilled, admiration shooting through me as he walked over to the balcony. He belonged outside and the wind ruffled his hair as if it agreed.

“These lands are rich and fertile, and the kingdom wants to take them from me and destroy the land with armies and trade routes. I will not allow it. And what magic I do possess is enough to keep the king at bay.”

Sunlight shone down on his head, and even though he stood with his back to me, I put my hand over my heart, feeling my pulse quicken. This glimpse at his life, at something his was passionate about moved me, made me realize he was human, with a soul, with things he cared about. He was more than just an exiled lord, much more than a man I was sent to kill. I swallowed hard.

He faced me. “You accuse me of dark magic, and I will admit there is truth to the rumors about Whispering Vine.

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