Folk Lore (18 page)

“If you do not want to give us away, you must hide your feelings too.”

She attempted to keep her face expressionless with little success and wondered how he had the fortitude to hide as he did. As the elders dispersed and Kalar prepared to address the group, Sera caught her mother’s eye and there was concern and warning within them. Sera determined she must speak with her at the first opportunity.

When Kalar advised the circle their plan to retrieve Nermina by using Sera’s ability to obtain ground across the field and into the castle, it brought about Keelor’s swift objection.

After Keelor’s submission Sera glanced at her mum again and noticed her tight lipped expression and knew she was in trouble. Once the plans were laid to rest, Keelor seized her by the elbow and steered her towards the fighting field.

“I have to speak with my Mum first Keelor. I’ll meet you there.” 

His reply was a questioning expression and his eyes held her for a moment before nodding slightly and strode in the direction of the field.

Sera walked towards Anna who was the only one remaining in the garden. It was decided all the princesses would use their powers to aid Sera in the field while Keelor and a few chosen warriors escorted Sera in their journey towards Mecaldorf’s castle. As they had spells to concoct and preparations to be made, they all disappeared quickly.

Before Sera had time to say anything Anna beat her to it.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Of course it was a bit of a shock initially but with some practice.”

“I wasn’t referring to your abilities, Seraphina.”

“Oh.”

“Oh indeed. Where did you spend last night?”

“In my room.”

“No you didn’t. I came to see you late last night. I was concerned about how you were coping with the loss of Sam. Then you didn’t answer again this morning.”

“I must have been sleeping and didn’t hear you.”

“Seraphina, you have always been a terrible liar and even if that weren’t true, I went in to check on you.”

“You would,” she mumbled.

“Do you realise what Keelor would lose for you?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think you do. He loves his home, the lands and is the best protector I have seen or heard of. He would be devastated if he was banished from everything he believes in.”

“He’s a big boy. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Not when you project those wellbeing feelings he doesn’t.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do, Seraphina and I know deep down you’re worried he only feels as he does because of this.”

“He told me he loves me and I love him.”

“You barely know him, Sera.”

“I know enough. He is everything I could want and more.”

“Does he feel the same when you’re not warming him with your love?”

“Yes,” she said weakly because she really wasn’t that sure. He had said the words but it was while she was feeling love for him. Had she merely projected her feelings on to him? Like some kind of spell?
“Why are you tormenting me with this?”

“I know the consequences of breaking the law, Seraphina and I want you to be sure you are aware of the harm it may cause.”

“What am I supposed to do? I can’t turn it off.”

“If you love him you will try. Loving Sebastian caused your father’s death and his banishment. My terrible reward was to loss them both and they paid the ultimate price.”

“I don’t want to give him up.”  As she said the words she realised how childish they actually sounded.

“If you truly love him you will want to make him happy and being a protector and living in the mystic lands makes him happy.”

“What if he would be happier with me?”

“Does it matter? You would be banished.”

“Yes we could go somewhere together if discovered.”

“Knowing everything you do about Keelor, would you want him that way?
Unhappy away from home and being unable to fulfil his destiny.
He might love you but would it be enough?”

“Why are you being such a kill joy?”

“I know the longer you spend with him the harder it will be when the inevitable happens. I may have been the only one who noticed his reaction to you today but before long others will. If you stop now it will be much easier than later.”

Sera slumped to the ground. She knew everything her mother was telling her made sense. He would not be happy were they discovered and banished. Perhaps his feelings appeared stronger because of her powers. Did he love her enough? Anxiety began to grow within her and Sera’s whole body began to burn intensely.

“This is what I am talking about, Seraphina. I saw his face today when you disabled the vampires and it was taking everything he had to hide it. How long do you think he can do this and protect you properly? If he was unable to fulfil his duties correctly it would be his undoing. I voted against him being your protector because of your feelings and knew it would be a dangerous idea.”

“I understand what you are saying, Mum and I know what you are saying is the truth. It doesn’t make it any easier.”

“I know, honey but please think this through. Do not follow your heart alone.”

“I’ll think about it but I have only ever followed my heart.”

“I know
,
Sera and I believe this is why your powers are stronger than mine because you have such a loving heart and strong emotions. Now you had better get some practice with your aim if you are taking on Mecaldorf and his army in two days.”

Pacing out his anxiety, Keelor waited for Seraphina. It took every last morsel of his control to show no emotion while Sera displayed her powers. He knew that perhaps they may not have spent their wonderful night together were he not drawn to her so intensely when she flooded him with serenity whilst using her powers. It was also the calm she oozed without using her ability which had been one of many reasons why he’d fallen in love with her.

Nevertheless he knew it was not this alone which brought out the emotions buried for so long. It was because of whom she was that he loved her. Her power to help him achieve the tranquillity he’d searched many years for by the river was simply a bonus. All along it was the girl with the indigo eyes, the colour of the river of music that would finally bring him complete peace. His whole life the only thing he thought that would give him happiness was being a protector and living within the lands. He now knew she was his contentment and would be willing to sacrifice everything he knew and had to be with her.

Finally, he’d discovered the secret to finding happiness and it came with a human girl who he was forbidden to love. When Nermina was safe and Mecaldorf was defeated perhaps he would plead their case to the elders, maybe Sera was right. A good mixed folk pair could produce someone who could use their power for good. Surely a child to come from two folk who loved each other, who believed in what is good and right in the world would possess these same passions. For now though he would have to push this whimsy aside and concentrate on protecting his princess.

Entering the tower and saving Nermina whilst protecting his Seraphina would take all of his fortitude and focus. He was gathering his strength when he saw her walking towards him in the field. Her
desire and love began to consume him again, as it had the previous evening.

“Sera.”
  He kissed her before gently pushing her from him.
“I will never be able to concentrate if you keep doing that.”

“Sorry it sort of takes over when I see you.”

“You have to try and control those feelings and focus on the emotions that produce what we need to defeat Mecaldorf and save the rest for when it is appropriate.”

“I know, I’ll try.”

23

Hallowed be Thy Name

Keelor located Keela in her room practising her magic using her staff. As she’d little opportunity to use her powers over the past years she, in her opinion, was a little rusty. Her aim was out and as she sent beams of light towards her targets became annoyed at herself for neglecting her skills.

Caluz was ready to become her protector and she was pleased to be united with him in partnership and soon in marriage. Her biggest concern besides her wayward aim was Keelor. His feelings for Seraphina appeared to be more than merely his protectiveness and she was surprised he would risk losing his home for love with the wrong folk.

Keela sensed his reaction to Seraphina’s ability in the garden and although she was in tune with his emotions and could see past his icy facade, his affection still may have been obvious to others.

What shocked Keela the most was his vote to becoming her protector. Keelor held a little disdain for all folk aside from elfin and his need to protect Seraphina along with his obvious love for her was totally out of character for Keela’s closest friend. Keela already decided to seek him out and speak with him
- after practis
ing some more
-
when there came Keelor’s familiar sharp knock on her door.

“Come in, Keelor,” she called. As he stepped through the door, she was immediately overwhelmed by his intense love and anxiety.
“Why do you seek me out when your emotions are so strong, Keelor?
It is overwhelming.”

“I was unaware I would affect you so. Perhaps I could talk with you later,” he replied sounding a little dejected which was also rare for him. He turned to leave.

“It is alright, Keelor, don’t leave.”

He sat rigid on one of her many comfortable love seats and his face contorted as though he grappled internally over exactly what he wanted to say.

“Out with it, Keelor,” she told him after a few moments as he appeared to be torturing himself.

“I am in love with her.”

“I assumed you would work up to telling me this. I was not expecting you to blurt it out straight away.”

“You knew?”

“I felt it, Keelor, the moment you walked in the door.
In the garden today too.”

“I was fighting it successfully until she used her ability.”

“Are you sure you only think you are in love with her because of the feelings she can produce?”

“No I felt it before however could control it until yesterday. You felt it in the garden, you experienced the wellbeing, serene feelings she can produce. Add my already growing love to this and you will realise how I dropped my guard and lost all my self-discipline.”

“Yes I can see how it is possible, Keelor. What about the law? It is everything you are and more. You love your home and your calling. I cannot believe you would risk all this for the love of a human.”

“She is all I have ever desired in a life mate, Keela.”

“It is forbidden.”

“You don’t think I know this!”  He was visibly upset now and Keela was astounded by the emotions he rarely, if ever, revealed.

“Keelor,” she said softly. She came to sit beside him and placed a calming hand on his arm.
“You need to think carefully about what you really want and whether you would be happy changing your life for her.”

“It is all I have done from the moment we walked into her house, even from the first moment she generated emotions I’d successfully controlled all these years. I have always prided myself in being able to do so and it has always ensured I fulfilled my duty with such competence.”

“Why did you vote to become her protector? If your feelings are so uncontrollable around her, how will you shield her from danger?”

“I voted to be her protector because I do not want anything to happen to her and need to be the one to defend her. I am afraid
when she uses her ability I will not be able to. She distracts me and this has never occurred before.”

“Then stand down and let her have her human protector do his calling.”

“No!  I will not allow some half rate human protecting her, she is too important. Look what happened to Sampson and he was the best human protector I have ever seen. I may as well kill her myself before trusting a human.”

“She is a human, Keelor. You seem to be forgetting this. I also think you are being unfair on Sampson, you were all facing a foe the likes that have never been encountered before.”

“I have not forgotten this fact, Keela, as I am breaking the law every moment I am with her. Sampson was the best human protector there has been and this just shows how powerful our enemy is which is exactly the reason it needs to be me, especially as she will be entering the wizard’s castle with us. I am the wisest choice for I am the best and I also have an added reason to ensure she is safe.”

“
Modest too.”
She smiled.
“Keelor, you will have to be stronger than you ever have been. Perhaps while she is honing her new skills you can practice fighting against it when required. If you insist on continuing an unlawful relationship with her enjoy the feelings where there are no prying eyes.”