Reckless Magic

“Well you don’t have to go alone.You could um, come with us,” he sounded sincere, and I flashed him a gravelook. He had got to be kidding me. A third wheel to a date between Kiran andSeraphina, no thank you.

“Sounds fun, but I think I’ll pass.Besides what would your girlfriend have to say about that?” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, maybe you could double withTalbott?” he suggested softly. “He doesn’t have a date yet.” This was gettingridiculous.

“Yeah…. maybe,” I laughedsarcastically, “Thanks, but no thanks your Majesty.” The bell rang and I wasthankful to be done with Kingsley, at least for the day.

“That’s not fu

“I just think that you would havefun if you came to the dance,” he gave me a saddened version of his customsmirk, and his eyes twinkled a little bit. The rest of the class was quicklyleaving and I was afraid we would be alone in a second.

“Really, I can’t dance. If I went,it wouldn’t be fun for anyone…. trust me,” I tried to sound sincere, but myvoice was breathy as Kiran pulled me a little closer, his fingers left my wristand intertwine themselves with my fingers.

“Eden, are you ready?” Avalon wasbeside me and in an almost defensive stance. Oh no. I remembered my promise toAvalon and felt guilty for indulging myself with Kiran too long.

“Yes, almost,” I turned and smiledat him, refusing to drop my hand from Kiran’s. What was wrong with me? My magicflared at the memories of the last time we were this close and I regretted thefact that we were at school.

“Come on, let’s go,” Avalon’s voicewas anxious and I was surprised that he was so impatient. The usually focusedand clearer sensory perception that came from being around him felt tense andput me on edge. Avalon glared at Kiran, but every once in a while he turned togive me an impatient frown.

“She said she’ll be right thereAvalon,” Kiran pulled me closer to him, blocking me with half of his body, andtook an equally defensive pose. I could see Talbott out of the corner of my eyebegin to make his way over from where he had been waiting for Kiran in thedoorway.

“Let go of her,” Avalon nearlygrowled.

“No,” Kiran growled back andTalbott took his side, clearly protective.

“Alright, everybody just settledown.” I made my voice light, trying to soften the mood. What was going on?

“Back off Avalon. I wouldn’t doanything that would get you into trouble if I were you,” Talbott tried to stepin front of Kiran but Kiran didn’t let him. He stepped forward as if he tochallenge Avalon. Avalon mimicked his movement and stepped forward too.

“He’s right Avalon, you wouldn’twant to get into trouble…. again,” Kiran mocked him.

“Are you sure about that?” Avalonthreatened in a deep, growling voice.

“Alright, I’ll see everybody tomorrow,”I dropped Kiran’s hand and headed for the door quickly. I was not going to getin the middle of some ridiculous boy fight.

I could feel Avalon’s presencebehind me, but I refused to turn and acknowledge him. I headed straight for mycar as fast as I could, hoping he’d get the hint.

He didn’t and continued to followme, but he also didn’t try to say anything until we reached my car. He nevereven tried to walk beside me, although his long legs could have easily outpacedmine. He stayed behind me almost as if he was protecting me from whatever elsewas back there. I became even more irritated.

“I’m sorry about that Eden,” Avalonfinally broke the silence as I searched for my car keys deep inside my bookbag. “He just, ugh, he’s just so infuriating,” Avalon punched one of his fistsinto his other hand and I watched him clench his jaw.

“Well, he’s not the only one,” Igave him a fierce look and dug deeper in my bag for the keys to my Land Rover.

“Why do you even bother talking tohim? I thought you weren’t allowed,” he looked at me with an intensity that Ididn’t understand.

“It’s not like I try to talk tohim. He is just always there! What do you mean I’m not allowed?” I defendedmyself, but wondered at Avalon’s use of the word “allowed.” I searched throughmy memories, trying to remember a time when I had been outright forbidden totalk to him.

“Oh nothing, I mean, it’s justthat, like the whole betrothal thing,” he blurted out and I didn’t know what hewas talking about.

“What do you mean?” I repeated.

“The betrothal between Kiran andSeraphina. I thought everyone knew. They are engaged to be married,” I staredat him confused until he continued, “I thought that was the whole reason he wasat this school; he’s like supposed to get to know his future wife.” And thenthe meaning of the word “betrothal” sunk in. Kiran was going to marrySeraphina; no wonder she thought she was his girlfriend: she was. In fact shewas more than his girlfriend, she was his freaking fiancée. Freaking Monarchywith their freaking tradition. What century did we live in? Betrothal? Out ofcontrol.

Talbott’s warning suddenly madesense, in fact, a lot of things suddenly made sense and I felt like such anidiot. He really was just using me for entertainment this entire time. I felt sick;how could I have not known.

“Oh,” was all I could manage, andmy lips stayed formed by the word. But my heart dropped into my stomach.

“Hey were you pla

“Not anymore,” I reminded myself tobreathe and willed myself to forget the nauseous feeling rising in my throat.“It’s not really my thing anyways.” I said softly, hoping I wasn’t letting himdown. My mind was still reeling from the wedding news.

“Oh good…. Yeah, those things aredumb anyways,” his face looked visibly relieved and I didn’t understand why.

“We could hang out though; youcould come over tomorrow night and we could like rent a movie or something,” Isaid, not wanting to sit at home, alone on a Saturday night, when the guy I hadkind of liked or kind of hated or whatever I kind of felt was out having agreat time with his future wife. Ugh.

“Oh no, I can’t, sorry, I alreadyhave plans. But you should definitely stay home and not go to the dance,” hisexpression was completely serious, and I was completely confused. “I hear it’sgoing to be really terrible. See you Monday, Eden,” Avalon turned and walkedaway to his car, leaving me standing alone, completely baffled. Boys could beso confusing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Eden…. Eden,” A gentle voiceencouraged me to wake up and I tried, but I found myself in a very heavy sleep.

“Eden, come with me,” I grudginglyopened my eyes slowly and took in my surroundings. I was in the middle of aforest, unlike any forest I had ever seen before, although vaguely familiar atthe same time. Tall flowering trees surrounded me; all unique, all yielding adistinct, but beautiful blossom of every color imaginable. The forest floor wascovered in wild flowers as unique as the blossoms on the trees. Butterflies anddragonflies buzzed energetically around me, never intrusive, but fun to watch.

I found myself sleeping on a longboulder, but I was not uncomfortable, in fact I was very relaxed and feltslightly sedated. A carpet of vibrant, green grass surrounded me, layered withthe petals of flowering trees. The petals in all different colors floatedtenderly down to the earth like a beautiful and colorful snow. The sun shonebrightly above me, warming my skin and casting rainbows on the rock. I feltcompletely at peace.

“Eden, come with me,” the voicebeckoned to me again and I forced myself to stand, legs unsteady and my headsomewhat dizzy. I did not want to leave this enchanted place. However, Ifollowed the voice into the trees, searching for the body it belonged to. Inoticed I was wearing my pajamas and felt faintly out of place in a black tanktop and plaid, baggy bottoms.