The Immortal King (Wizardy Romance)

Forbidden Magic+

Charlene's heart raced with excitement and anticipation as she flipped through the worn, ancient tome, her delicate fingers tracing the ornate script that seemed to shimmer with a life of its own, as if it were whispering secrets only she could hear. Each page revealed enchanting stories of those who wielded magic with remarkable grace and unparalleled skill, from elementalists who commanded the ferocity of fire and the fluidity of water, to illusionists who could weave dreams and artfully deceive the senses of those around them. One story in particular caught her eye—an extraordinary account of a young mage named Elara, who discovered her profound affinity for the enchanting realm of nature magic. Elara, one of her old classmates' ancestors, had the extraordinary ability to communicate effortlessly with animals and coax plants to grow, thrive, and flourish under her gentle touch. Inspired by this captivating narrative, Charlene found herself envisioning a life filled with wonder as she imagined herself meandering through enchanted forests, dancing playfully with the twinkling fireflies, and conversing with the ancient trees, learning their whispered secrets that spanned generations.

As she continued to delve deeper into the pages of the tome, she stumbled upon a treasure trove of practical techniques and exercises meticulously designed to assist aspiring magic users in harnessing their hidden potential. One particular exercise was focused on visualization and meditation, empowering practitioners to channel their innate energies more effectively and purposefully. Energized by this newfound knowledge, Charlene decided to give it a try. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and visualized herself being enveloped in a warm, soft, green light—a representation of nature's magic encircling her like a comforting embrace.

As she slowly opened her eyes, reality confronted her—nothing had changed. Sighing, she returned the book to its place in the Highness's personal library and left. Choosing to exit through the private garden, she sat by the water, daydreaming about the man whose privacy she had intruded upon. 

Her cheeks flushed as she recalled how close he had been, the scent still fresh in her memory. Never had she met a man like him—one who turned her insides and captivated her just by looking into her eyes. Forget it, Charlene; he is as forbidden as the magic she just read about. Yet, isn't he the most wonderful, intriguing, and captivating man she will ever encounter?

Suddenly, she felt as if someone was watching her. Alert, she looked around before rushing to her bedroom to grab a few hours of sleep before waking up at five to prepare for another day of cleaning.

Mara spotted her in a corridor. "You shouldn't be roaming around at night, Charlene."

Charlene nodded, hoping Mara wouldn't enforce an early bedtime once the lights went out.

"Move on then," Mara replied, showing no suspicion.

Charlene hurried to her bedroom, quickly changed into her nightgown, and got into bed. Yet, even in the darkness, she felt as if someone was watching her. She could have sworn she heard his voice say, "Go to sleep, Charlene," before her eyes closed.

Mara sighed softly by Charlene's bedroom door. "It seems you've caught His Highness's attention, dear child. I hope you're ready for the changes it will bring. He is far more dangerous than the stories you've heard." She then moved to her bedroom door, opened it and quietly closed the bedroom door to avoid disturbing the other maids down the hall.

Lincoln Flint knew every inch of the castle and didn't need to be present to sense that Charlene had fallen asleep. She was the first woman to truly interest him. Aware of the book of forbidden magic she had been studying, he didn't stop her, nor did he mind her spending time in his secret garden; it felt as if she belonged there. After returning from hunting bad witches, he showered and focused on finding the woman with the beautiful eyes he couldn't forget. Spotting her in the secret garden again brought a smile to his face as he admired her innocent presence in the very place where his mother had taken her last breath. Charlene had transformed the private garden, once cherished by his mother, into a beautiful and welcoming space again.  

He vividly recalled the unforgettable moment he first saw her in the gallery, an image that was forever etched in his memory. In that instant, he was overwhelmed by a profound desire not only to protect her but also to be with her, to share his life with her. This intense feeling had taken root deep within him, and despite his efforts, he found it impossible to shake off ever since that fateful day.

He longed to explore every inch of her perfectly shaped body, savouring each curve and contour, until he could be certain that she would never again desire the touch of another man. He envisioned a connection so deep that it would make her forget anyone else, ensuring that she would only want him to be the one to touch her in that intimate way.

A sudden knock on his bedroom door prompted him to say, "I hope this is important."

The door opened to reveal his personal maid. "The information you requested, Your Highness."

Lincoln extended his hand to signal the man to bring the file over. He needed to learn more about the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Days effortlessly turned into weeks as Charlene fully immersed herself in the pages of the book, making it a part of her daily routine. She devoted time each day to practice, experimenting with grounding techniques and meticulously crafting small charms from the fragrant herbs and smooth stones she collected during her leisurely walks in the private garden. Slowly but surely, she began to feel a deepening connection to the world around her—a subtle yet potent hum of energy that tingled in her fingertips and coursed through her veins like a sweet melody, awakening her senses in ways she had never imagined.

One serene afternoon, Charlene felt an unexpected and sudden shift in the air that sent a thrill down her spine. A butterfly fluttered gracefully nearby, its wings shimmering with mesmerizing colours that seemed to dance in the sunlight. It gently landed on her outstretched hand, and in that magical moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of camaraderie, a connection and understanding with the creature that was both profound and beautiful. Inspired by the magical presence beside her, she whispered softly to it, and to her astonishing surprise, the butterfly lingered for a fleeting moment before taking flight.

Suddenly, Lincoln Flint appeared before her, catching her completely off guard.

Her heart raced with fear as she stood up, struggling to find a plausible excuse for being in his private garden, but no words came to mind.

"My mother spent most of her time here after marrying my father, finding solace in this beautiful garden. On the other side of the river is where they first met, sharing dreams and laughter. They were happy for a time until a woman appeared, claiming he was her true mate, not my mother. My father knew she was lying, but he no longer cared about anyone but her. That's why I'm wary of women with magic."

"But you are the king; no one is as powerful as you."

He smiled. "True, but I vowed never to get involved with a woman who has magic."

She found it strange for the king to feel that way. "But everyone expects you to marry someone worthy of you."

"I don't need a mate with magic."

After reflecting on his words, Charlene wondered if he would marry someone like her, who had no magic.

"So, you're the woman from the gallery."

"Yes, Your Highness. I'm sorry for—"

He raised a hand to silence her. "It's okay. I know who you are, Ms. Willow." The same butterfly settled on his hand. "You don't have magic?"

"No."

"I prefer that you don't have magic."

"Why?"

"Because I'm very interested in you, Charlene Willow."

Feeling awkward, she shifted from one foot to the other. "I don't know what you mean, Your Highness."

In a swift motion, he firmly grasped her, leaning down to meet her surprised gaze. "Is it clearer now, Charlene?"

They locked eyes, her surprise contrasting with his confident grin that melted her insides.