When Magic Dares by Tera Lynn Childs

Author:Tera Lynn Childs [Childs, Tera Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fairies, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Short Story, Young Adult
ISBN: 9780990460572
Publisher: Fearless Alchemy
Published: 2015-03-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Tearloch was already awake when the first rays of dawn crested in the valley. In truth, he had not slept much at all in the night.

She still had the fox. Kept it and wore it.

He had been shocked beyond belief to see the small silver charm clutched between her fingers. The shiny silver fox he had impulsively given her all those years ago.

The moment the young princess walked through the palace doors, swept into the entry hall with all the brightness and energy of the sun, Tearloch had not been able to take his eyes off her. She was still a child — two or three years younger than he at least — but something within her called to him. As if the light in her pulled at the dark in him.

He wanted to smile, to grin like the silly boy he had never been. But his father stood beside him, the Captain of the Royal Guard, rigidly on duty to protect the royal family. Even on a night of pure celebration.

Tearloch was prepared to stand there, to maintain his own rigid posture as a future member of the guard. As the future captain. He had been groomed for the role since birth, and its obligations came easily through habit.

But then his mother swept into the hall, a lady in waiting to the queen who wore pretty frocks and flowers in her hair. All it took was a warm smile, and the captain bent to her every will.

“Go,” she said, leaning down to Tearloch as she untied the sash that declared him a guardsman-in-training. “Have fun this night.”

He flicked a glance at his father, who — after but a moment’s hesitation — nodded.

Tearloch had not waited for further response. He dashed into the ballroom, not to find his friends, not to find the resident prince, but to find the visiting princess. He kept his distance, pretending to be interested in sugary-sour lemon water and tiny cakes, to be enjoying the music and watching others dance. But all the while he watched her.

When he saw her sneak out the french doors that led to the patio and the gardens beyond, he couldn’t help but follow.

He watched her enter the hedge maze, knew that the twists and turns within were difficult enough to manage during full daylight, let alone in the dark of night. He waited until she was in long enough that he knew she had to be lost, and then he found her.

As he guided her out, felt the trusting pressure of her hand on his arm, he finally knew the true reward of duty, the true meaning of becoming a protector. It was in that moment that he truly embraced the purpose of his future.

And why it could never include her.

For she was a high princess, a royal fae destined to lead and to rule and to wed another of equal birth. He was a born warrior, bred and trained to protect his kin and kingdom. It was his honor to do so, even if that duty came at a price.

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