Lone Star Magic

by Karen Whiddon

  Uninterrupted, they made it down the long, glittering halls of the palace to her door.

  “You can leave me here.” She wouldn’t look at him, though she kept one hand on the crystal doorframe for support. “I’m going to go to sleep now. I guess I’ll see you later.”

  “After you wake.” Nodding, he turned to go.

  “Alrick?”

  He froze, though he kept his back to her, afraid she might see his hunger for her, that the inappropriate and unrelenting desire he felt might show in his face.

  “Before we leave, I’d like you to find a gentle horse for me. It’s long past time I learned to ride.”

  He jerked his head in a nod and strode away, his throat too damn tight to acknowledge her words.

  The next morning, while he cradled his third cup of coffee – a human habit the Fae had grown enamored of, Carly walked, no fairly danced, into the room. Her green eyes had regained their healthy sparkle, and her pale skin once again glowed with life.

  “Morning.” Smiling at him, she immediately headed to the crystal coffee urn to get her own cup.

  As he regained his wits, he realized she wore trousers once more. Men’s trousers. Made of a soft material similar to linen, they were several sizes too large and held on her slender waist by a knotted rope that served as belt.

  “Mort’s.” Correctly interpreting his look, Carly carried her steaming cup and took a seat across from him. “He knew I was going horseback riding today.”

  “You were serious?”

  “I think it’s about time. Especially,” sipping on her coffee, she cast him a long look, “if we’re going to go back on the run.”

  The caffeine had begun to kick in. Finally. “How did you expect to run a ranch if you can’t even ride?”

  She laughed. “Liam could ride. I am – was – a city girl, and never cared to learn.”

  Why couldn’t he be around her for more than five minutes without wanting to touch her? Alrick pushed himself to his feet, crossing the room to refill his mug and to move himself beyond temptation.

  “Great coffee.” She’d followed him. Great.

  “I like it.” He looked at her – first mistake. One strand of her copper colored hair had come lose from the artless twist she wore. He fought the urge to push that back.

  “Who would have thought Fae drank coffee?” Oblivious, Carly smiled up at him. “I thought you guys stuck strictly to wine and fruit juice.”

  “In the past, we did. But in this modern time, we have copied a lot of human customs. Coffee is one. Chocolate another.” He pointed to the chocolate fountain.

  She made a face. “Too early for me. I need a muffin or something and then I’ll be ready. What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  To keep his hands busy, he grabbed a donut and crammed it in his mouth. Then another.

  Carly ate her muffin much more slowly. When she’d finished, she drained her second cup of coffee and jumped to her feet with all the enthusiasm of a child. “Let’s go.”

  He followed her out the door, thinking how, since she seemed completely healed, it wouldn’t be long before they had to leave Rune.

  When they entered the barn they learned that, after speaking with Carly, the Mage had sent word ahead to the barn asking that an even-tempered mount be prepared for Carly. Another horse, a huge black that Carly didn’t recognize had also been saddled for Alrick.

  The mare watched them, great brown eyes docile, and snorted. Carly stared back, then turned to look at Alrick. “I don’t know about this.,.”

  Alrick chuckled. “Merry’s perfectly safe. I promise you.”

  Carly eyed the horse again. Nearby, the black horse stood looking at them. “I swear that damn horse is laughing.”

  “Let me help you up.” Moving to the mare’s side, Alrick cupped his hands. “Put your foot here.”

  “Bareback?” Eyes wide, Carly hung back. “I don’t think—.”

  “Don’t think. Just do.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.” She made no move to go near the mare.

  “Did something happen to you to make you afraid of horses?”

  “Afraid?” Carly sniffed. “I’m not afraid. Just cautious.”

  “Caution is a good, healthy trait. Most of the time. But you run a horse ranch. You need to learn to ride.”

  “One horse does not a horse ranch make.”

  “Two. You have two horses now.” Alrick motioned with his hands, still cupped.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re bringing one of the pregnant mares back with us. To get your breeding operation off to a good start and,” he grinned, “pay off my stud fee. Come on, Carly. If you’re ever going to do this, you have to do it without thinking.”

  Chewing on her bottom lip, she marched on over and stepped into Alrick’s hands. He vaulted her up on to the horse’s broad back.

  “Geez.” Clutching Merry’s mane, Carly froze. “It’s slippery without a saddle or anything.”

  “You’ll get used to it.” Alrick took Merry’s lead rope. “Are you ready?”

  With a suspicious expression, she squinted at him. “Ready for what?”

  Still holding the rope, he climbed on his mount’s back. “To go for a ride.” Without waiting for an answer, he urged them into a brisk walk. Merry followed.

  Alrick glanced back. With a grim expression, Carly gripped the mane with both hands and held on. Merry moved calmly, her gait unhurried.

  “What do you think?”

  “This feels like a rocking chair.”

  Alrick laughed out loud at her analogy. “You look good on her. She’s the right size for you.”

  They did a brisk walk for the entire length of the pasture. When they’d reached the back fence and turned, Alrick handed the lead rope to Carly. “You control her now. Let’s go a little faster. Ready?”

  She nodded.

  They increased the pace to a slow jog, or trot. This was a bit more bouncy, though not too bone-jarring. Without a word of protest, Carly held on. He could tell by her expression she was concentrating on maintaining her balance.

  When they were back where they’d started, he reined TM to a halt.

  “Hey!” Carly grinned at him. “I’m not even breathing hard. Let’s do that again.”

  So they did, riding several times across the length of the field. When both horses’ coats were beginning to lather, he signaled a halt. “Tomorrow, we’ll move up to a canter.” If they were still in Rune, that is. He kept that thought to himself.

  The idea didn’t seem to faze her. “In Western lingo, that’s a lope.”

  “All right. Tomorrow, we’ll move up to a lope.”

  “Why wait until tomorrow? If the horses aren’t too tired, I’d like to do this today.”

  He was glad he was not within touching distance of her. More than anything, he wanted to plant a quick kiss on her wide, laughing mouth. “Your enthusiasm surprises me.”

  “It surprises me too.” Carly grinned back at him. “But we might as well strike while the iron’s hot. I want to learn everything about riding horses today in case we have to go back tomorrow.”

  So she knew. He jerked his head in a quick nod and nudged his horse forward.

  They rode the across the grassy field, back and forth, again and again, until the horse’s were well lathered and Carly finally agreed to quit.

  Walking them out to cool them, they walked in companionable silence back to the barn. Together they rubbed the horses down, passing the single curry brush back and forth.

  One of the stable boys approached him, bowing before handing Alrick a note.

  It was from the Mage. Requesting an audience with them both that evening. As Alrick – and Carly too, apparently – had realized earlier, no doubt the Mage would inform them the time had come to leave Rune.

  When he showed her the message, her enthusiasm went out like candle wick in wind. He felt the same – gl
um. Grim. They handed the horses off to attendants and, without speaking, walked back to the palace, side by side. Halfway there, Carly picked a tulip, a massive blossom the color of a ripe peach. “To remember Rune by,” she said.

  Impulsively he plucked another, small flower, and tucked the bright yellow carnation behind her ear. He didn’t have the heart to remind her how quickly blooms fade.

  The closer they drew to the castle, the more bleak became Alrick’s mood. Once they reached the massive, sparkling doors, they parted ways. Alrick went to his room to change his tunic and try and make himself ready or, at the very least, to pretend he had the right frame of mind. No doubt Carly did the same.

  At the appointed hour, he headed down to the section of the palace – level one, east wing – where the Mage lived. By odd coincidence, Carly arrived at the Mage’s chambers at the same time. She changed from her riding pants to a frothy gown in a pale shade of yellow. Though she still wore the bright bloom he’d given her, her expression looked as grim as he felt.

  “Are you all right?” He touched her arm.

  She raised her gaze to him. Once again he couldn’t help but notice how lovely her cat-shaped, emerald eyes were and how unclouded. “Yes,” she said. “We have no choice.”

  That she should be the one to remind him of this struck him as the ultimate irony.

  Before he could answer, the Mage opened the door and beckoned them inside. Incense burned on both braziers, filling the small room with a heady, pungent aroma.

  Once they’d entered, he closed the door. The flickering light of two dozen candles lit his silver hair with streamers of gold.

  “You look magical.” Carly made a slow turn around the room, taking in the rich tapestries depicting fearsome dragons and the mages of the past who’d battled them. When she’d finished, she turned back towards the wizened man and waited.

  Standing close to the door, Alrick did the same. “Why did you wish to see us?”

  “You must go in the morning.”

  Carly sighed. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

  “We have no choice. I have heard from one of my contemporaries. The Warlord is working on increasing his power.”

  “You can communicate with people in the future?”

  “Yes. Not an easy task, mind you, but doable.”

  “So he’s increasing his power. What does this mean to us?”

  “Next time he appears in your world, your time, I believe he’ll be strong enough to remain. If he is, he will be able to bring the full brunt of his power against you – and your people. The world will be in grave danger if you don’t stop him.”

  Not good. Alrick crossed his arms. “Is she well enough to go back?”

  With a half-smile, the mage gave them both a regretful look. “Unfortunately, she is.”

  “Then we need to prepare.” Alrick had gone half-way to the door before he realized Carly hadn’t followed him. She still stood rooted in place, staring at the mage.

  “There is more, isn’t there?”

  The mage nodded. “I had hoped to avoid telling you.”

  “We need to know everything.” Alrick went to stand behind Carly, showing his support by resting his hands lightly on her shoulders. She looked quickly up at him before turning her emerald gaze back to the Mage.

  “Please, Mort.” The reluctant fear in her voice showed how much she dreaded whatever information was coming.

  Pacing – something Alrick had only seen the Mage do once before, when he’d asked the King’s help in saving the future – Mort appeared to be trying to gather his strength. Was it so difficult, whatever information he had yet to impart?

  In a moment, Alrick had his answer.

  Coming to a halt between Carly and the door, the Mage touched her face with a trembling hand. “I had hoped to avoid revealing this, but in light of the Warlord’s new powers, cannot.”

  “Out with it,” Alrick barked, hating the trepidation in Carly’s eyes.”

  The Mage ignored him, still focusing intently on Carly. “Rumor has it that the Warlord has said your death alone is no longer enough.

  Carly glanced from the Mage to Alrick and back again. “I don’t understand.”

  Now the Mage looked at Alrick. “He has learned of the Fae’s involvement.”

  Alrick shrugged. “And now wants to kill me. I’m not worried.”

  “Your father the King will be.”

  “No. He trusts my strength or he wouldn’t have sent me. He knows I can easily defend myself.”

  “Wait.” Carly shook her head. “You’re not finished yet, are you?”

  For the first time since they’d entered, the Mage would not meet either of their gazes. He studied his hands, twisting them together. The smoke from the incense swirled around him, moving of its own accord, as there was no breeze. “No, I’m sorry to say I am not.” He took a deep breath. “What I’ve learned is more horrible than anything I could have imagined. By my involving you in the future battle, I’ve brought the evil of the future to my own people. Your own people.”

  His own people? “To Rune? What do you mean, Mage?” “Yes to Rune, to the Fae. The Warlord has said he plans to make the Fae pay for helping Carly. Once he has taken care of eliminating her, he intends to hurt Rune. Your Rune, of your time. He wants revenge.”

  “Let him try.” Alrick shrugged. “We have our own magic, and there are many of us. We will build up our own defenses against him.”

  “The Fae have not fought a war in over three hundred years. The Warlord is powerful – and ruthless. If he wishes, he can cause a lot of damage while slipping in and out of time.”

  Alrick straightened. “We must find my father and notify him.”

  “I have already sent messengers.”

  “What about Cenrick? Does he know?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to discuss this with you first.”

  Carly cleared her throat. “Doesn’t he worry about the repercussions? I’m no scientist, but it seems to me if he were to kill one of his own ancestors, he could wipe out his own existence.”

  Both Alrick and the Mage stared.

  “I’m guessing you don’t watch much television here,” she said finally. “Or read Ray Bradbury.”

  Alrick shook his head. “I don’t think the Warlord cares much about that. If he wants revenge, he’ll take it. I must rally my men, make them ready. Prepare them to fight.” He strode to the door. “I’ll summon my captains. We’ll start training immediately.”

  “Wait.” The Mage’s command stopped Alrick in his tracks. “Not you.”

  Turning slowly, Alrick bared his teeth, feeling hunted and furious about that. “What? Of course I will lead them. Who is better qualified than I? Certainly not Cenrick.”

  The Mage shook his head. The smoke seemed to grow thicker, more cloying. “Someone else will have to do it.”

  The certainty in the old man’s voice made Alrick clench his jaw. “No. This is my responsibility. Summon my father. Ask him. He will agree with me.”

  “No, he will not. You have given your word to complete another task. You cannot stay. You must return to the human world and protect Carly.”

  Carly. Remembering the woman who was the reason for all this, Alrick turned to face her, barely able to see her through the smoke. Waving her hand to clear the air, she looked him full in the face, her huge eyes full of unshed tears.

  “I release you,” she said, her voice strong and sure. “Mage, I release Alrick from his task. He doesn’t need to come back with me. Find someone else. Alrick is a Prince. Let him stay and protect his people. It’s what he was born to do.”

  Chapter Eight

  HER SHORT discourse had rendered them both speechless. Even the Mage, who always seemed to know the right words, had nothing to say. Alrick either, but Carly had expected that.

  She didn’t know what else she could do. She was used to fending for herself, being on her own. After all, everyone left her sooner or later. Her mother had moved to Seatt
le. Liam had left her by dying. Alrick would go sooner or later, so why not free him now, when his people needed him so badly?

  Finally, Mort had stirred himself to move. “I will have to speak with the King. Only he can decide.”

  “No need.” Alrick strode back into the room. “You are right, future Mage. I’ve given an oath and I will not be foresworn. Cenrick is a good fighter, even though he prefers to do other things. He can lead the captains, form the armies, and make ready the defense.”

  Carly couldn’t believe it. “But all those things are actions of a king,” she whispered. “Isn’t that what you want more than anything else?”

  Alrick appeared startled, then angry. “How do you know this?”

  She managed a shrug, not easy when she felt as if she was shattering. “Lucky guess.”

  Stepping between them, Mort waved his hands. Instantly, the incense smoke vanished, though the heady scent remained. Carly supposed this was the reason why she felt so dizzy.

  “Prepare to leave in the morning.” With a nod, the Mage dismissed them. “I will have the horses and the dog brought to the courtyard. Meet me there at sunrise.”

  Carly made it to the door before Alrick, though he was close behind her. Once in the hallway, she took great gulps of the unscented air.

  “Come on,” Alrick growled, leading the way down the cavernous hallway. They navigated the various twists and turns in silence, nodding politely any time they came across other Fae.

  In their glittering gowns, they nodded back, letting their gaze drift curiously over Carly before dismissing her.

  Staring after two breathtakingly beautiful creatures, Carly shook her head. “If I had to live around such perfect people all the time, I’d be depressed.”

  They’d reached her room. One hand on the gleaming doorknob, Alrick turned to face her. “Depressed Why?”

  “They’re too damn beautiful.”

  “Ah.” He nodded. “But then so are you.”

  He delivered the compliment in the same polite tone one might use to comment on the weather. She searched his expression for some hint of real admiration, or longing, or anything. But she saw only polished sophistication, the well-bred prince being kind to a lowly human, nothing more. Inside, his emotions had to be riotous. He’d just learned of a threat to his beloved people and in the same breath, realized he could do nothing to help defend against it. Yet he looked at her and twisted his mouth in a courtier’s smile and she wanted to shake him.