The Siren Spell by Sarah Lynn Mika

Author:Sarah Lynn Mika
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magic, love, friendship, journey, royalty, love spell, love potion, kingdom, king, queen
Publisher: Sarah Mika
Published: 2017-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The Golden Desert

The lush landscape at the start of their journey had given way to scrub grass and gnarled trees. That afternoon, they reached Ironwood, the last outpost. They traded in their horses for camels and hired a guide for the four-day journey across the desert to the Sun River, where a boat would take them to the Golden City. Aira’s enthusiasm about riding a camel made Braylen smile.

Rakim, their guide, was big and burly and had a mustache that curved up. His bald head perpetually glistened with sweat. Braylen introduced him to Arabella. Since there was no way to avoid talking without arousing Graham’s suspicion, Braylen and Aira had decided that she must speak to Rakim.

“Hello,” Arabella said.

Braylen waited for the guide’s reaction.

A light sparked in Rakim’s eyes. “Pleasure to meet you, miss.” He lifted Arabella’s hand and kissed it. He couldn’t seem to look away from her.

“Charmed,” Arabella replied in a flat tone. She gave Rakim a smile Braylen knew was fake and pulled her hand back. She cast Braylen an irritated look. He shrugged helplessly.

Braylen noticed Graham’s expression had darkened. He was staring at Rakim. Not again, Braylen thought. The last thing they needed was for Graham and Rakim to get in a fight. Braylen hastened to intervene, clearing his throat loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Why don’t we get ready to leave?” he suggested enthusiastically. “We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.”

“Fine,” Graham said curtly. He stalked back to his camel. Rakim kept staring at Arabella, oblivious.

Braylen sighed. Crisis averted, for now.

***

A short while later, Braylen and the others rode out of Ironwood. After a few hours, the scrub grass was replaced by dunes. Rakim’s camel plodded along beside Arabella’s. Rakim kept asking Arabella questions, trying to draw her into conversation. Her brusque responses seemed to have no effect on him. Meanwhile, Graham rode on Arabella’s other side, vying determinedly for her attention. Braylen was bringing up the rear. The whole situation was stressing him out. It’s going to be a long four days, he thought.

***

That night, the temperature dropped sharply, and Arabella leaned close to the fire for warmth. She couldn’t believe how cold it got in the desert after the sun went down. Rakim had insisted on sitting beside her. Every time she tried to casually move a little bit away from him, he scooted closer. She sighed. The siren spell was really wearing thin. To cope, she imagined it was just her and Graham by the fire, looking up at the dozens of stars that glittered overhead.

***

Arabella and Rakim were cuddled together in front of the fire. Graham eyed them irritably. Does she like his moustache? he wondered jealously.

***

Day 9

Ebstene had warned Braylen that eventually the spell would repel men instead of attracting them. It had been nine days since they left Everwood. Braylen didn’t know when Aira’s voice might start to inspire irritation in Graham and Rakim instead of affection. He watched them closely, but as far as he could tell, they were both still infatuated with Arabella.

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