This story is rated 1 Flames. Stories will either not have consummated love scenes, or if the loves scenes are consummated detail is not given.
All Hallow’s Eve, 2001
Emily Barrington chewed on a manicured nail, effectively destroying an expensive set. The voice – his voice wouldn’t leave her alone. For twenty-seven years, she’d listened to the melodious baritone of her memories whisper promises that made little sense.
“Get a grip, Em. Those gargoyles peering down at you are only made of stone.” The poorly articulated words failed to calm her. Butterflies fought wars inside her stomach, and the rickety bridge swaying beneath her feet hinted at a foreboding adventure.
Today she’d discover if she’d imagined Kellan. She’d had a full month to venture to Hamingjur Castle, but she’d sufficiently quelled the urge – until dreams of a magical place filled her with such longing, she had to come.
An owl hooted, giving her a start. “All Hallows Eve be damned. A bunch of mumbo-jumbo can’t frighten me. It’s just an old bridge leading to ruins, and ghosts don’t exist.” Her black patent Mary Jane style shoes carried her across the bridge while she wrapped her sweater more securely about her shivering frame.
After years of marriage, a bitter divorce destroyed her self-confidence. Basking in self-pity for a year hadn’t helped. At thirty -seven, she’d finally found that “happy place” women approaching forty strived for, and she shouldn’t ruin it chasing a dream. She chuckled. Yet here she was – chasing a dream.
Ahead, Hamingjur Castle exuded the massive strength of its gothic predecessors. Two chiseled gargoyles stood guard, their menacing presence a deterrent to visitors. She detected movement and blinked. Surely her imagination played tricks, yet the image struck a chord of memory.
She’d found Hamingjur Castle on her first visit to Somerset when her parents had taken her and
her brother, Micah on vacation. At ten, she was more adventurous than cautious, and the castle called to her need for adventure. Micah, being younger, couldn’t be coaxed into the gloomy ruins, citing his belief in ghosts. He’d run back to the main cottage where her parents had booked accommodations for two weeks. The trip, a last-ditch effort to salvage their troubled marriage, had failed at its goal. Funny how history had a way of repeating itself.
Unlike Micah, she couldn’t resist the ancient building and entered without qualms – until she met Mr. Kellan Villdemore.
Hamingjur Castle, 1974
“Do you always enter homes without knocking?” A tall, striking man in outdated clothing peered down at Em.
She froze. “I didn’t mean to trespass.”
“Of course you did. Most precocious children like to intrude, but truly, you are welcome.” A woman the size of a finger flitted about his head.
Em’s eyes widened, but in a flash the vision disappeared.
“Why?” She craned her neck, searching for the faery like creature she’d just seen.
He circled her, studying her from every angle, but he didn’t make her uncomfortable. On the contrary, his attention made her feel safe, wanted. “Because we aren’t here for very long.”
The odd answer caught the child’s curiosity. “I’m Em.”
He stroked his thick, black mustache. “Indeed. You have the honor of addressing Sir Kellan Villdemore, the Keeper’s second son.”
While his name and status impressed her, the castle impressed her more. She studied the interior, surprised by its upkeep. Inside, everything appeared almost normal with the exception of its obvious age. “You haven’t kept up with the times. If I was to decorate, I’d rip off this old-fashioned, floral wallpaper and paint the room a cheery hot pink. You’d have a real groovy place then.”
The man laughed. “I’m not up on seventy’s styles nor would I know where to begin, and even if I was, it would do no good.”
“Sure it would.” She folded her arms as if she had all the wisdom of an experienced adult.
“Doubtful.” He bent to her level. “Can I tell you a secret?”
She gave an enthusiastic nod.
“This all disappears tonight when the full moon disappears. The bridge to my world only exists when October is blessed with two full moons.”
“Really, but…”
He put a finger to her lips. “You have to leave, now. Dusk approaches, and you don’t want to be caught here forever.”
“Can I come again?”
“Indeed, I’d be distraught if you didn’t.”
She shivered before turning her focus to the castle again. Ornately carved wooden doors boasted all manner of faery creatures, and her anticipation built. Behind those doors lay the answer to mysteries that had plagued her for twenty-seven years.
After hefting her overlarge purse so the strap rested more securely on her shoulder, she pushed wide the front door. Her jaw dropped. The interior, from the delicate filigree wall carvings to the lush Persian carpets covering marbled floors, looked exactly as she’d remembered. Crystal chandeliers bathed the main room in soft light, beckoning her farther into its embrace.
“Earthling!” A very small man with a large head and bulbous nose rounded the corner and came to an abrupt halt. His screeched welcome bounced against the walls. “Keeper Vin, come quick. We’ve been invaded.”
Em’s eyes rounded as she realized the accusation was aimed at her. “No. I mean no harm. I had no idea the castle was occupied.”
Just then, a tall man with salt and pepper hair and arresting eyes swept toward her. “Calm yourself, Surt. I doubt our visitor means any harm.”
“But sir, the moon,” Surt hissed. “The moon will be gone soon, and…”
“Hush, Surt. You’re frightening our guest.” He held out a hand. “I’m Keeper Vin, and you must be Em.”
She blinked. Had she met him before. She searched her memory and found no recollection of his face, yet he bore a striking resemblance to Kellan. “How do you know my name?”
He smiled. “Because, I sent you the dreams.”
She clutched her purse tighter to her breast. “You? But I thought …”
“Come.” He beckoned her to follow with a crook of his finger.
She trailed after him, taking in the ornate beauty of the architecture. The hallway led to a solarium that opened into a magical explosion of color. All manner of flowers and trees peppered the land. Near the horizon line, the large circular moon shone a pale blue. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
“Nor I.”
She whirled. Kellan leaned against a short rail. A warm glow of contentment filled her, and her breath hitched. “Kellan?”
“You’ve grown into a vision.”
“You haven’t changed at all.”
He pulled away from the fence and drew nearer. “You can’t stay.”
His response hit a nerve, and she turned away. Keeper Vin had disappeared, leaving her alone with his son. “I heard your voice each night, and I saw your face in my dreams. I…”
He placed strong hands on her shoulders, turning her toward him. Her purse fell to the ground. “Em, This won’t work. You have no idea who and what I am.”
“Then tell me.”
A soft growl left his lips. “This is all my father’s doing. You shouldn’t be here. Come, let me take you outside before it’s too late.” He reached for her elbow.
She yanked her arm from his grasp. “No. I can’t ignore the feelings the dreams produced. I can’t go back to my empty existence when there’s hope for something more.”
The moon sank lower, the top edge barely visible along the horizon line. Kellan pulled her into his embrace. “May the gods bless us then, because I don’t have the strength to force you to leave.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m a wizard with powers beyond your imagining.” He nodded to the crest of trees. “The moon is gone and with it your chance at a normal life. From here on out, you’re a resident of Alfheim Haven, a faery realm created to keep the fey creatures safe.”
“And what about me? Will I be safe?”
A laugh erupted from his full lips. “Safe is for the weak of heart. Here, your greatest danger is me.”
No menace accompanied his words, only a hint of something mysteriously good. She cradled his cheek.
“I don’t regret coming here.” His very essence drew her to him though she had no idea why. “You’re just as I dreamed. You’re my magic, my strength. You’re exactly as I remember, and I traveled across an ocean to find you again.”
His forehead touched hers. “You were a child then.”
“I’m a woman now.” She pulled him to her, tasting the magic for the first time. Minutes slipped by before she pulled away. “I think I want to experience this danger you allude to.”
He pulled her tight within his embrace. “I cursed my father for meddling in my affairs, but now that I hold you, I think I’ll bless him instead.”
“Am I under some sort of spell then?”
He chuckled. “Most assuredly and one I hope never to break.”
~
Ciara Gold didn’t realize she was a writer until about ten years ago even though the signs had been in place since she was in fourth grade. Luckily for readers, her muse took a skillet to her head and made her realize her true calling. She’s been delighting fans with her romantic journeys into the past and the future ever since. Texas born and bred, she makes her home with a loving husband, two college age kids, a cat and a dog. She loves hearing from her readers and you may contact her at ciara_gold@yahoo.com
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Filed Under: Free Reads
Tagged: free read
