Page 21 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

“By the threads of fate and paths unknown, weave a spell to entwine these two hearts over distance shown. Let their spirits align, bring their souls together in connection forever entwined.”

Then she blew a breath into the orb, releasing the spell into their world. She dropped her hands and the orb went dark. Drained of her power and energy, she collapsed. But as things went dark for her, she smiled, triumphant.

Rosamund left the village behind, grateful for the help from Anne, and headed northward toward the forest. She wasn’t sure where she was headed. She only knew she had to put as much distance between her and home as possible.

By nightfall, she made it to the boundary of the Mystwood Forest, the trees standing like tall, shadowy sentries. She halted her horse and peered up at them, a bit of apprehension trickling through her. She had never traveled without an escort, much less entered a forest alone. Was she certain she wanted to continue?

Turning back wasn’t an option, though she did wonder how her parents were faring. Did they miss her? Worry about her? Wonder where she’d gone? Were they, even now, searching for her?

As she pondered all of this, something compelled her to continue into the forest. There was no explanation for it, but she had this overwhelming need to enter and find shelter for the night. She kept going.

The Mystwood Forest was so large, the border of the two kingdoms, Myst and Woodhaven, went through it. The northern edge was in Woodhaven, the southern in Myst. Thinking of the kingdom to the north made her think of Prince Phillip and her forced betrothal. She would decide in the morning which direction she would go, but it was not to be north into Woodhaven.

As she rode deeper into the forest, the shadows grew darker. Nocturnal creatures foraged in the underbrush while overhead, an owl hooted. She shifted in the saddle, straining her eyes to see into the darkness. For what, she didn’t know.

The trees thinned and beyond there was a dark cabin in the glen. She headed there, pushing her horse into a quick trot. Once she arrived, she stepped down and held onto the reins, peering at the cabin with darkened windows. No smoke curled from the chimney. It appeared to be abandoned.

She tied the reins to the porch handrail, then removed the wrapped food from the saddle bag. She took a tentative step, the wood creaking under her weight. It seemed to hold, so she ascended the other two steps and paused at the door. A quick knock and then silence.

Reaching for the knob, she pushed open the door. It groaned as if from nonuse. She poked her head inside. Darkness greeted her.

“Hello?”

No answer. She took that as a good sign and pushed the door open the rest of the way. In the shadows, she saw the outlines of furniture. Beyond the small living area was a kitchen, dark and unwelcoming. A staircase was to her left leading up to what she supposed was a loft.

She stood there a long moment, trying to decide what to do next. She hadn’t any way to light the lantern that hung by the door.

The faint sound of hooves caught her attention. She spun in the doorway and looked out, her heart beating a wild beat as she waited. Her breath pooled in her chest as she stared into the night wondering who was headed her way. Had her parents found her?

A lone rider came into view heading right for the cabin.

She stiffened and stepped back through the open door into the shadows. She dropped the wrapped food on a table in the small living area. Glancing around, she looked for a weapon. She found a poker by the fireplace and quickly dashed to it, taking up the iron bar and holding it aloft, ready to strike. The darkness concealed her as she stood still, watching and holding her breath.

The rider appeared to be a man. He halted his horse next to hers, peering at it and though she could not see his face, she assumed he was as confused as she. He dismounted, swinging his leg over the horse in a slow movement and dropped to the ground. He paused there, his hand on his hip, which she assumed was the hilt of his sword.

“Who’s there?” he called.

Her heart rammed like a war drum against her chest as she remained in place.

“I seek shelter for the night,” he called. “Nothing more.”

Rosamund held the poker so tight, her hands cramped.

The mystery man held up his hands in surrender. “I mean no harm.”

He sounded reasonable, but then, weren’t most murderers and highwayman reasonable?

“Go away,” she said. Her voice only shook a little.

He remained where he was. “I wish I could. I can’t explain it, but I was compelled to this place. As though something led me here.”

She stilled as she peered at him. She, too, was compelled to come here though she didn’t know why or how.

“Who are you?” she asked from her concealed position.

“A mere traveler. Passing through and seeking a place to rest for the night.” He paused, then, said, “Who are you?”

He sounded sincere. She relaxed her stance a bit but still held the makeshift weapon.

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