Folk Lore (16 page)

“It is your duty to uphold your position within the circle.”

“I’ll break the law and you will have no alternative but to banish me too.”

“Sera,” Anna’s voice held a warning tone for she knew once the flood gates opened anything could spill forth.

“Seraphina,” Kalar’s voice too now held an unyielding tone.
“If you choose to break the law it is your decision and you will be punished accordingly.” 

Two sets of eyes implored her to stop one from the rear and her mother’s from the front.

“Please don’t do this,” whispered Sam and because he asked her too she dropped her argument, for the moment anyway.

“Angelique, Sampson you are to leave immediately. Where you choose to reside is of no consequence however you are never to return unless invited.”  They were dismissed. Sera turned to Sam with tear filled eyes.

“I will come and find you when this is over,” she promised.
“I’m going to miss seeing you every day.”

“I will too.” 

When she pulled him in for a hug, he returned it but at a distance fighting the urge to taste her sweet blood in agony. He determined this was for the best, keeping his distance from temptation was better for them all. Once he controlled his thirst he would be able to see her without the pain.

Pulling back Sam kissed her lightly on the cheek and just like that, they were gone.
Sam in a flash, an instant, gone from her life indefinitely.
Sera, stubborn to the end, turned defiantly back to the circle and awaited the next judgement to be passed.

“We now need to decide who will take Sampson’s place with Seraphina. The next human in line is far from ready and very inexperienced, more so than Seraphina. As she needs continued guidance until she has completed her training I am open to suggestions as to what our course of action should be. We have discussed it and were at a loss as to the best course. Please put forth your suggestions.”

Deciding now was as good a time as any to declare her aspirations of Keelor becoming her protector, she took a deep breath. As she opened her mouth to speak, Keelor cleared his throat and she wasn’t sure if it was a warning or an endorsement. Sera didn’t care, this was what she wanted.

“Can I be the first, Elder Kalar to put forth my preference?” Sera asked.

“Yes, it affects you more than anyone else. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.”

“I thought seeing Keela has chosen Calzu this leaves Keelor free to pursue a position as commander of the army or whatever he so chooses, is this correct?”

“Yes,” Kalar answered in a curious tone.

“I believe he wouldn’t be happy in a position other than the current one he is in.”

“I am sure this to be true, however Keela has chosen and he must step down.”

“Why can’t he take Sam’s place?”

“As your protector?”

“Yes.”

“This is unheard of.”

“I know but I think it’s the best option. He is experienced and best served as a protector. He would be wasting his gift in the army.”

Kalar considered for a moment.
“The elders will discuss the issue as this situation is far from the usual and mixed folk partnerships have never occurred. There are many things to consider. It would be against the law for you to marry yet he is the wisest choice. There are many arguments for and against. We will reconvene in an hour.”

20

Mixed Partnerships

With conflicting emotions, Keelor left the meeting abruptly so as to sort out the plethora of emotions surging through him. Uplifted at the thought of spending all his time with Seraphina, also, for this very same reason, he was feeling desolate. How would he be able to protect her adequately when she muddled his mind and sent his senses reeling? He was purposely evading her as much as possible because while in her presence, he was not capable of performing to his usual capacity. What if his love for her became so distracting he would fail to shield her from danger?

Keelor believed the forces they’d faced the previous day was merely the beginning. How could he be in her presence constantly and control his desire to kiss her? He’d failed thus far to maintain control. She occupied his thoughts far too much already, being partnered together would be torture. His only hope was the elders electing it as an unwise decision or the vote went against it.

His vote would be against and knew this would cause her further pain however he resolved it was better than the constant torment of loving each other and being forbidden to act upon it. This was the best decision or so he tried to convince himself. He sat pensively by the river. The same river which once brought him relief now brought added additional suffering. As he sat and stared at the indigo water, his belief for the law, for the first time in his life, was wavering.

Sera became encircled by the remaining princesses and taken to the nymph forest for lunch. Malena also joined them and the party of seven gossiped like high school girls in an attempt to lift the tension and sadness at the loss of their friends Angelique and Sampson. All six girls were aware of exactly how greatly Sera would miss her best friend and rallied together to offer their support.

Sera was
grateful for many reasons as the mood over lunch took away her troubled thoughts, at least for the hour anyway. For the
first time in her life she’d found friends
-
aside from Sam
-
where she felt comfortable and a sense of belonging, one Sera never felt in the human world and now she understood why. She pondered sharing her new ability with the others but decided it could wait. There were two very important concerns right now; who was going to be her protector and Nermina’s safety along with the worrisome threat of Mecaldorf.

Sera considering talking further with Keelor about his thoughts regarding the decision and knew he would probably be found by the river but she thought it best to allow him time to think. She wondered how he would feel if that were to be the outcome.

When the long mystic hour was finally up, they walked together towards the garden to find out Sera and Nermina’s fate. They arrived to find the elders and protectors already in place and Sera stood tentatively at her place.

“We have decided once more to proceed with a vote. The elders are tied at four for and four against. We will now consult the princesses and protectors. Seraphina, I believe we are aware of your vote.”  Kalar offered her a slight smile. Although Kalar should remain impassive and uphold the law, Seraphina’s bravery and conviction were commendable to Kalar.

They proceeded around the circle of the princesses. Tiana and Farina voted for and Mimi, Audrey and Keela voted against.

When it came time for the protectors to vote Sera held her breath, the tally was still even. Longing to know exactly how Keelor would vote, as it may be the decider as he would go last; Sera peered at him over her shoulder to find his face a mask. Had she expected any different? She groaned silently with frustration.

As they proceeded around once more Angeles, Tanner and Malena all were for the concept however Masseno, Andre and Nermo with two votes were against
-
which was of no surprise to Sera. Nermo would vote this way because of his ridiculous vision. Now as it stood currently,
an against
vote would result in this outcome and a for vote would cause a tie. As Keelor stepped forward to put forward his decision a voice called out ‘for’ from the
forest and was followed by a pale skinned girl who Sera could only guess was the new vampire princess.

“Welcome, Athena, thank you for your vote. I will introduce you once the meeting is adjourned. The tally is now even therefore the decision rests on you, Keelor, which is fitting
I
suppose.”

Whether this tied vote now influenced his final decision Sera could not be sure but it seemed he was taking forever to answer and as was his way it was a long answer.

“Although the law is of the upmost importance to me my decision has not been based on the law as this is a circumstance which the law does not cover. My decision which has not been influenced by the tally here today was not easy to come by. Nermina depends on us to help her and our most important agenda at this time is to stop Mecaldorf from carrying through his plans, whatever they may be. It is for this reason my vote is for.” 

Sera gasped in surprise and she heard Keela mumble words to the effect of glutton for punishment beside her and realised now why she may have voted against. Did Keela know of their attraction or whatever it was that was happening between them?

“Very well, Keelor. This is a short term solution until we have alleviated any threat from Mecaldorf and the human protector is fully trained. If there is any indication the law is violated due to this partnership, the due punishment will apply and you will be separated once more, understood?” 

They both nodded and Sera realised he’d come to stand behind her and was so close she could feel the heat from his body on her back. She suddenly realised how difficult this was really going to be.

“Keela, perhaps you would seek out Calzu and inform him his presence is required earlier than expected.”

As it was almost sunset, Kalar informed them there was little more they could do for the evening. Once again they would meet in the morning to devise a plan to retrieve Nermina. Keelor took Sera by the elbow and guided her into the forest so he could speak with her privately.

“Sera, you need to be aware of my intentions,” he began without hesitation.
“I have only voted in this manner so you will be protected sufficiently. Do not think any sort of fanciful notions such as my needing or wanting to be closer to you or any such ridiculous idea. This is about your safety only and I believe I am the best person to protect you right now. Once this is over and your protector is ready, I will step down and take my position within the army. Perhaps find a nice elfin as my life mate and enjoy my life. I have been doing this for so long I have forgotten about the simple things.” 

Her expressive face never failed to show every emotion and he realised he’d hurt her but decided it had to be done. If he was going to protect her to the best of his ability, he needed to push her away, to remain focused. It would be the only way to protect the only girl he’d ever loved. To do this he had to hurt her and distance himself from her emotionally.

Sera felt hot tears sting her eyes and urged
herself
not to cry. His face was a mask of apathy and she realised suddenly his feelings did not run anywhere near as deep as hers. First she’d lost Sam, maybe forever and now the only man Sera had ever loved was rejecting her. She could feel the stirrings of the warm glow within her chest again however different from the previous time. Her emotion this time was heartbreak and not empathy.

As the warmth spread she could feel it move up her shoulders and down her arms to her hands which began to glow but his time in a bright red. As her sorrow grew, the glow intensified until, like a bolt of lightning, two red currents flew from her hands, hit an overhead branch which fell instantly to the ground and smouldered like a fire doused with water.

“What was that?” Keelor asked in amazement.

“I don’t know. The warmth within my chest was like last time except this time it was
...
a different emotion and it spread to my hands.”

“You are more powerful than I ever imagined,” he said in awestruck amazement.

She shrugged as her sadness remained.

“Can you do it again? You should practice this along with the other power which seems to inhibit vampires. It could be useful against Mecaldorf’s army.” 

She sighed, he was right but she had no intention of telling him that.

“Sure why not? Should we find a vampire I can try it on?”

“No, let’s not torture anyone.”  He smiled a little.
“Though the idea pleases me.
Let’s practice without a target, channel the feelings so you can utilise the correct ability at the right time.”

She nodded, focusing first on empathy and worry. Soon enough the feeling rose in her chest this time much stronger than the last time. Now she knew how to summon the feeling she could also make it stronger.

Holding onto the warmth, Sera turned to Keelor whose mask had completely disappeared and was replaced with
...
something she’d never seen before. She intensified her worry thinking about Nermina and Sam until she thought her chest would explode. Keelor strode to her and grasped her shoulders. The worry was replaced with anticipation and an altered heat entered her body.

“I think you have mastered that one,” he said in a quiet husky tone.
“I
...
you
...
what you just did must heal wounded feelings because the overpowering happiness and pleasure just now was
...
wonderful.” 

His lips touched her gently before devouring hers with a passion which almost consumed them both. Moaning into his mouth she ran her hands over his strong back before bringing them up to grip his hair. He stopped the kiss to look into her eyes while he held her tight against him, his face full of his unwavering desire.