Page 1 of Charmed

CHAPTER1

MAEVE

Aglowing light shone through the misty forest, luring my gaze away from the clump of mushrooms I’d been foraging. The light flickered like a firefly, darting amongst the trees that stretched out in all directions, as if searching for something.

I hesitated a moment before hooking my basket on my arm and venturing a cautious step forward, reaching out to caress the light with my fingertip when I drew near enough. It pulsated with tingly warmth, a caressing whisper against my thoughts. I instinctively knew what it was.

Magic.

Though magic existed as an invisible force I’d never encountered it before, especially in the forest where my family made our home. These woods weren’t enchanted like the places I often read about in my little brother’s favorite storybooks…or perhaps they were and I was only now discovering it. Anticipation tingled at the thought.

At my careful touch, the light paused its wandering to momentarily hover above my hand, creating the appearance that I cradled sunlight in my palm. All at once it darted away to disappear amongst the trees, leaving behind a sparkling trail. Almost unconsciously I took a step after it, unable to resist following, drawn by my curiosity and the promise of adventure, a welcome reprieve from my ordinary life.

The branches twisting in a canopy above me seemed to curl around me like a cocoon, gently pulling me deeper inside; my skirts caught on the leafy undergrowth as I ventured off the familiar path. The pine-scented air felt heavy with mystery and secrets, brimful with the promise of discoveries just waiting to be made at whatever destination this glowing light patiently led me to.

Eventually the forest opened into a large clearing glistening with color, where the light slowed. I paused along the edge of the trees that masked me from view. The light was no longer alone—a man draped in flowing wizard robes stood in the center, waiting.

He didn’t seem to notice me, his attention on the pulsating light. He lifted his hand in invitation and the light approached, answering the summons of its master; it danced across his skin as he cradled it carefully between his fingers.

“You’re back sooner than I expected. Did you find anything of interest?”

Though the light remained silent, concentration furrowed the wizard’s brow, as if he was listening to words inaudible to my ears. I stared, fascinated by the exchange, one far different than anything I’d ever encountered in my small village.

He sighed in response to whatever silent words the light had conveyed. “I shouldn’t be surprised; quests are only worthwhile when they provide a challenge. And yet…” Disappointment tugged at the corners of his mouth.

The light quivered, appearing to say something else with its silent communication. The man’s eyebrows rose.

“You were followed?”

He swiveled in my direction before I could duck behind a tree and our gazes locked. My breath caught but I didn’t look away, as if bound by some sort of spell. By all appearances this man was a wizard. I’d never met a magical being. Rumor often described them as eccentric, a word he already embodied with the way he communicated with a ball of light, as if such things were entirely natural.

He stared at me a moment before his lips curved up. “Hmm…interesting.”

Still cradling the light, he approached, his footsteps slow and cautious so as not to startle me into running away…and despite it being the sensible thing to do, I was far too intrigued not to remain.

“How did you find this place?” he asked.

I cast my gaze around the clearing, aglow with a glimmering, almost otherworldly hue. “Is this place forbidden?”

“Not forbidden, but it was protected by a shielding spell that should have made it impossible for you to stumble upon it.” With an almost inaudible word and a wave of his hand the shimmer vanished, causing the clearing to melt into the regular evergreen hues of the forest. I wondered at the trick, marveling that magic could orchestrate such an illusion.

“I followed the light.” I motioned towards it and it gave a little quiver in acknowledgment.

His eyes bulged. “You did?”

I nodded, puzzled by the intensity of his reaction. He stared first at me, then at the light in his hand. “It appears my search wasn’t entirely in vain.” He spoke in a low murmur, as if musing to himself, before once more meeting my gaze. “I believe an introduction is in order.”

“My name is Maeve.” Unsure of the polite way to greet a wizard, I settled for a curtsy, which I executed rather sloppily due to my unfamiliarity with the movement.

I awaited his own introduction but he didn’t seem inclined to give it. When it became clear he wasn’t going to respond, I shifted my gaze to the golden glow hovering above his palm.

“Were you communicating with the light?”

His attention finally shifted away from me to nod towards the light with a casual air, as if he hadn’t been caught doing anything out of the ordinary.

“Oh, you noticed? It’s a most amiable companion.” His expression softened as he affectionately stroked it, causing it to preen with delight. “Such things mightseemimpossible, but not all communication occurs through words. Magic connects with us on a deeper level to caress our thoughts and senses with ideas and images.” He tilted his head. “Does magic interest you?”

Surely magic interested anyone. “So you are a wizard.”

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