A Ward's Tale

Chapter 28

I stretch my arms up towards the blue sky as I balance myself on my horse. I have missed riding her. We have been together for five years and I have done most of the training for her. I gently stroke her mane. Gypsy Blue. She was a stubborn one at first. Gypsy Blue did not want to be led by a human, she had her own ways of being, but I stuck with her even when the horsemen gave up. I thought I was just gifted with animals, like I was gifted with telling if people were lying. Now I wonder if I had used magic without knowing like I was doing with being able to detect lying.

"This is so nice! I feel so normal!" I exclaim as I drop my arms and look over at Richard. It had taken some convincing but I was glad to be able to leave the castle walls to go on a ride with Reynold. Of course there are three knights trailing a short distance behind us but they are out of earshot. It is almost as if they were not there.

"Yes, normal." Reynold says. "Would you go back to no magic if you could?"

I am thrown off by the question at first and give him a questioning look. "I have always had magic. There is no going back to no magic. It was just contained and wreaked havoc when I lost control. Now that I know about it and can control it I am much safer, as well as those around me are safer. What brought this up?"

"It was just a thought. We could be normal all the time, not just when you hide away from it."

"When I said normal, I meant riding Gypsy Blue and being tailed by knights as if I'd run off.  I do not hide away from my magic." I pause and add "Anymore." under my breath.  It is a part of me, always has been. I don't want to ask because if the answer isn't yes then I will be crushed. But I have to know. I take a deep breath and look over at Reynold as he strokes his horse's mane. "Reynold, are you okay with me having magic?"

He doesn't answer immediately and my gut twists. He leads his horse next to mine so we are side by side. "It is not something I had ever expected." He starts, "But I have truly fallen for you, Clarissa. You have a spark of life that is invigorating. You are so smart and care for everyone, you have a drive to make things right, even when some may not deserve it. I love you, Clarissa."

He places a hand on my check, strokes gently, then leans in for a kiss. I lean in to meet him. As our lips meet a spark of energy runs through me. Gypsy Blue jumps and takes off running as the spark passes from me to her through the saddle. Reynold grabs me off her and onto his horse-- onto his lap. A blush covers my face at the closeness of our bodies. We have never been this close. I can feel the soft rise of his chest under my hands.

"What spooked her?" Reynold asks as he pushes a stray hair out of my face.

"I don't know, she can just be weird." I lie. I couldn't tell him his confession and kiss caused me to lose my control for a second and a magical spark shocked her. Not after he just opened up about how he wants us to be "normal", with no magic.

"Well let's get you turned around so we can go find her." Reynold says repositioning me on the horse so I can sit forward. We find Gypsy Blue drinking by a stream. I mount her then we head back to the castle without another incident.

On the way to practice, the conversation with Reynold plays through my head. A part of me wonders if it will still work between us, if he really doesn't like magic how could he love me truly? But then I think about what all he's done and given up for me and I push the thought aside. Reynold came after me when I was kidnapped. What more proof of his love do I need?

I make it to our sparring spot and see Mickey leaning over to tie up his boots. I smile and stealthily creep up behind him.

"Boo!" I shout. Mickey yelps, loses his balance and faceplants into the dirt. I start laughing hysterically.