A Charm for a Unicorn Read online

  "Castle Veil?” his voice sounded strange.

  "Do you know it?” Hopefully he could point her in the right direction. Instead, the young man let go of her and took a step backward. “What is it?"

  "Are you an enchantment?"

  "No, of course not. I'm Leonie.” Clouds blocked the sun and evening came. Her wet dress now felt like ice. “Please help me,” she cried.

  Renaldo looked at her, and she saw pity in his gaze. “I beg your pardon, Lady Leonie. It's just that I have heard of Castle Veil, and I've seen the magician. I'm afraid the reputation of your dwelling is not a kind one. Your mother was well loved, but your father inspires more fear than confidence, though his healing is above reproach."

  "How do you know about my mother?"

  Renaldo was silent a minute, then he said, “I know about your mother because my father sometimes mentions her. It seems...” he gave a little laugh, then said, “It seems he courted her, but she married the magician. My father says that once she married him she was never seen again.” His voice ended on a questioning note.

  Leonie felt an odd stab of loyalty toward her father. True, he was strict, but never cruel. “It wasn't our father's fault. She died in childbirth."

  "I'm sorry."

  "Father isn't bad, really, but he'll be cross if I'm late. Will you help me go back home? Afterward, you can go see to your sheep. I'm sorry if I took you away from your job, your employer will be angry if you don't find the lamb."

  "I will help you get back to your home, and don't worry about my job. In fact, I'm not really a shepherd.” He paused and gave a wry grin. “My full name is Renaldo Hector Alexander Priam of Windtide. I am prince of this land as my father is King. And forgive me for thinking you were an enchantment, for although we know your father, he has never once spoken of having a daughter."

  "Two daughters, actually.” Stung, Leonie considered her shepherd suddenly turned prince. “I'm afraid our father hasn't taught us anything about how to converse with a prince or what to call one.” She raised her chin higher. “I hope you'll pardon my ignorance, but I can't remember all your names anyway,” she added. For some reason her vision blurred.

  "Don't cry, Leonie. I forget them, too. As a matter of fact, I bet I left one or two out."

  She knew he said that just to make her feel better, but it worked. She gave him a watery smile. He gave her a clean handkerchief and put his arms around her. As he stared into her eyes, his face drew nearer.

  Leonie knew what would happen next.

  She knew it the way she knew she would draw her next breath. Everything about the kiss happened as naturally as breathing. And as soon as their lips touched, Leonie knew that she needed this man the way she needed air to breath, water to drink, and a heart to beat. She closed her eyes, lost in the sensation of finding something she'd been searching for eternally.

  When they drew apart their eyes met. It was like looking into a mirror. “You felt it, too,” she whispered.

  "Yes,” he said, and his mouth curved into a smile. He rested his cheek against hers. “When I get back to my home, I will tell my parents I have fallen in love. And then I will ask your father for your hand in marriage. I hope you will agree."

  "Marriage?"

  "You'll say yes, won't you?"

  "It's too sudden,” said Leonie. Everything was going in a rush, as if she rode in a magician's whirlwind. In her storybooks, the princess always felt swept away, and although she was no princess, she understood exactly what the author meant now.

  "I know this is sudden, but my mother has been speaking of nothing but marriage to me for months now, so I suppose I've been looking for the right person. Now I have found you."

  "It's not like going out to search for a job, you know. You're supposed to court a woman and see if you really like her. We've hardly spoken. How could you have fallen in love with me?” Leonie heard her words and wondered where that sensible person had come from, and how she could shut her up.

  Renaldo grinned. “I fell in love with you the minute I saw you weren't a drowning dryad. Don't be worried about my mother. She'll be thrilled when I tell her the good news."

  "Well, Father won't be very happy when I go back and tell him I'm engaged to someone he's never met."

  "Oh, but I have met him, several times in fact. But don't say anything yet. It will be a surprise. I'll come myself and bring all my minstrels to play music, and a gift for your father. Would he like that?"

  Leonie wasn't sure her father would like that, but to her it sounded splendid. “Yes, of course."

  "As soon as possible, I will come to your castle and ask your father for your hand. Now, shall I accompany you to your home?"

  "I don't know where I am. I've never gone further than the orchards.” She hoped he didn't think her too stupid. Ann said it was best she just smile and keep her mouth shut when meeting new people.

  Renaldo didn't call her an idiot, as Ann would have. Instead, he took her hand and led her to the highest point in the meadow. He pointed to the valley, and there, nestled among the orchards and gardens, was Castle Veil. From here it seemed very tiny, and she realized with a start that it wasn't truly a castle, but a large manor house rather in need of repairs. The roof sagged, and the shutters drooped mournfully from the windows. Bob kept the gardens neat, though, and the fences around the orchard all stood straight, although rambling briar roses had overgrown them. Now, in the autumn, the briar rose's pale pink flowers had disappeared leaving place for vibrant red rose hips.

  Gloria, their red and white spotted milk cow, stood against the orchard fence waiting to be milked. As Leonie watched, Bob came down the well-worn path to lead her to the stables. Renaldo took her hand and said, “Looks like you'll have fresh cream with your dinner tonight."

  She could see the silvery ribbon of the stream, and to her relief, she was on the right side of it. All she had to do was go down the path through the meadow, cross a small copse of woods, and she'd be in the far orchard, minutes from her home.

  Renaldo insisted on accompanying her to the orchard, and for a minute they stood, arms entwined, as the sun touched the horizon. The evening breeze rustled the leaves in the orchard. Summer touched its end, the sunflowers bowed their seed-laden heads toward the ground, and the grass turned yellow in the pastures.

  "Remember what I said."

  "As soon as possible you'll come back.” Soon would seem like years, she knew, and already her heart broke at the thought of leaving him for a minute. But her father waited in his study, and the sun turned red. Her lesson would soon start, and she hadn't learned a thing. With a sigh she gave him one last kiss, then pulling gently from his grasp, she ran barefoot across the orchard toward her home.

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  Chapter Two

  The Betrothal

  From her perch by the window, Ann saw Leonie hurry across the garden and head for the front door. She noted her sister's tangled hair, rumpled dress, bare feet, and missing Latin book and basket. What had happened?

  She darted at glance at her father, sitting behind his table on a high-backed, wooden chair. The small, round room held two overflowing bookcases. The stuffed ocelot crouched on one, and a large terrestrial globe sat on another. When she was little, Ann had pulled the ocelot's eyes out and lost them, and Leonie had put blue marbles in their place. Their father had never noticed, much to Ann's relief.

  The bookcases flanked a small brick fireplace, empty in the summer except for a pile of old wood-ash. In the doorway stood a hat stand with three black cloaks hanging on it. In the middle of the room, her father's heavily carved wooden table took up most of the space. On the table were the crystal ball covered with a velvet cloth, several worn leather-bound books, her father's pen and ink set, and an old, gold-tipped ivory wand.

  Ann sat in the casement window, her knees drawn up under her skirt, nibbling her lower lip with worry.

  A rap sounded at the door.

  "Enter.” Her father's dry voice
sent shivers down Ann's spine, and Leonie slipped into the room.

  "Good evening, Father.” Leonie sketched a quick curtsy and smiled brightly. Ann's heart skipped a beat. How pale Leonie seemed! She'd gathered her hair in a rough knot at her neck, and her dress was damp and mud-stained. Didn't her father notice anything?

  His narrowed eyes remained fixed upon his papers. “Ann says you've been studying. I certainly hope for your sake it's true."

  Leonie turned even more ashen, and she'd just opened her mouth to reply, when suddenly Cook burst into the room. “The Crow Caller has arrived, Sir!"

  Ann had never seen her father look so startled. He blinked and looked at the water clock. “He's early,” he said.

  "The Crow Caller!” Ann clapped her hands. News came so rarely to the castle, that when the Crow Caller was spotted, she and Leonie always raced to be the first to tell their father. Even Leonie gave an excited cry and rushed to the window. The sisters pressed together, shoulder to shoulder, as they watched the crow fly into the courtyard.

  "This is my favorite part,” whispered Leonie.

  The crow landed, and as soon as its feet touched the ground, the spell holding him into crow form dissipated and he became a tall, thin man dressed in a colorful tunic. He brushed his sleeves off and straightened his clothes, then looked up and waved at the girls.

  "Shall I show him to the library?” asked Cook.

  The wizard raised his eyebrows. “Of course, Cook. Serve him some brandy. Oh, and there will be another place at the table. Sir Wulfe called on the crystal ball. He'll be here shortly as well."

  "Will the Crow Caller stay for supper?” Cook asked.

  "I doubt it. He has other places to go. News must fly, you know. News must fly.” He sighed and looked at Leonie. “I'm afraid your lesson will have to wait. Now, go change into something more fitting for dinner. Ann, you will eat in the kitchen as usual. Leonie, tonight you will eat in the dining room with Sir Wulfe and me."

  "Yes, sir.” Leonie gave a curtsy and fled.

  Ann breathed a sigh of relief. Leonie had been saved from reciting her Latin! Then another thought struck her. Leonie would eat in the dining room that night, and she would be all alone in the kitchen. A funny lump grew in her throat. “Can I come hear what the Crow Caller has to say?"

  Her father waved distractedly. “Yes, of course. But don't hang about, and remember to come and pay your respects to Sir Wulfe when you're ready."

  Ann leapt off the casement window and ran down the hallway to Leonie's room. “Leo!” Ann slipped into her room and hugged her tightly. “Where were you? I was so worried! Let's go see what the Crow Caller has to say!"

  But Leonie shook her head. “No, Father will tell us, I'm sure. I have to tell you something. Ann, the most marvelous, incredible thing happened today ... I met a handsome prince."

  Ann snorted. “I'm sure there are hundreds of them in the orchard."

  "No, really, I met the man I saw in the crystal ball this morning! He was looking for his lost lamb!"

  "That was a shepherd."

  "He's not a shepherd, he's a prince! He has lots of names. Renaldo, Hector, Alexander ... something or other.” She laughed. “Too many names to remember."

  Ann didn't like Leonie's story one bit. Strangers could be dangerous. Oh well, Leonie was home now, and safe. She shrugged as if she could care less about shepherds and princes. “What dress will you wear? Did you hear Father? You're to eat in the dining room tonight. Oh darn, the Crow Caller is getting ready to leave."

  Leonie looked out her window, the setting sun gilding her face and hair. “Look, he's about to change.” In a flurry of black and gold sparks, the messenger became a shiny, black crow again. Flapping his wings, he set off toward the next castle or village to call the news. Magicians, of course, had their crystal balls. And most people, Ann knew, had a small crystal in order to get in touch with a wizard in case of sickness or an emergency. But she loved Crow Callers. They came once or twice a week, but she never grew tired of watching them and hearing their news.

  Leonie was usually even more interested than she was, but tonight, for some reason, she seemed distracted. “I don't have anything formal.” She didn't sound as if she cared one way or another. Her eyes sparkled as if stars lived in them, and she sighed, pressing her hand against the clear glass. “Renaldo,” she whispered.

  Ann frowned. “Take one of Mother's old dresses."

  "Do you think I ought to?” Leonie opened her wardrobe and gently touched the dresses hanging there. “Aren't they lovely?"

  "Wear that one. It matches your eyes.” Ann knew Leonie would look stunning in the gray, watered-silk gown with the crystals embroidered on the bodice like a sprinkling of frost.

  Leonie dressed, and then Ann brushed and braided her hair for her. “Why is your hair so damp?” she asked.

  "I fell into the stream."

  "Leo, Father forbid us to cross the stream."

  "But I heard the lamb, and anyway, I never crossed the stream. I fell in and the current caught my dress and hair and dragged me under.” She shuddered and took Ann's hand. “I thought I was drowning, and all I could think was I'd never done anything in my life and how unfair it was ... when suddenly someone pulled me out of the water."

  Ann's heart faltered. “You almost drowned!"

  "I nearly did. But Renaldo pulled me out and saved me. Prince Renaldo, I mean. He's going to ask Father for my hand in marriage. He's coming back soon and he's bringing all his minstrels! Just think what fun it will be!” Leonie looked into the mirror and met her sister's eyes. “Oh, Ann, don't look so stricken. I'll never leave you. You'll come live with us and..."

  Ann took her by the shoulders and gave her a shake. “You can't be serious! You've been tricked. A prince doesn't go around pulling girls out of streams. You met some villager who wanted to impress you for a kiss. You didn't kiss him, did you?"

  Leonie's face turned white, and she began to tremble. “You have no idea what you're saying. Renaldo is a prince, and he does love me. He says he's seen Father..."

  "Like most of the people living in the region,” Ann's temper slipped and she had to clench her fists so as not to slap Leonie. “You're such a fool, Leo! No wonder Father doesn't want us going out of the castle grounds. You threw yourself at the first boy you met. Pray that Father never finds out, or you'll spend the rest of your life as a ... as a sheep!"

  Tears filled Leonie's gray eyes. “Renaldo also said that his father, the King, knew our mother. He even courted her, and that's why Father isn't much appreciated outside the castle. That's why he doesn't like us go out."

  Ann had rarely heard her sister sound so sure of herself. The mention of her mother and the King troubled her, too. “Leo...” she began, intending to tell her sweet, idiotic sister that princes did not, in fact, stroll around in the woods by themselves, when a hard knock sounded on the door and Cook poked her head into the room.

  "Your father wants you both downstairs,” said Cook.

  The two girls followed obediently, Leonie first, Ann behind her.

  In the doorway, Leonie paused. At that very moment, Sir Wulfe stood up and turned to face her. Ann, standing back a ways, saw everything. She saw her father's strangely anxious expression, she took in Sir Wulfe's rapacious smile, and she knew immediately what had transpired. “Oh, no,” Ann whispered.

  Although she shared her father's pale, wintry coloring, Leonie radiated the beloved warmth of spring where everything is fresh and new. Her gray eyes, so limpid and clear, reflected her emotions like sunlight on water, and her smile could melt even the coldest of hearts. That evening, dressed in silk the color of dawn, her ash blond hair caught in a looping braid that bared her long, slender neck, Leonie looked like the most regal princess in the world. And her world was about to be shattered.

  "Come meet your betrothed,” said their father to Leonie.

  Leonie staggered, catching herself just in time on the doorway. “My ... my betrothed?” Her voice sounded li
ke ashes.

  "Yes. Sir Wulfe has asked for your hand in marriage and I have accorded him this honor. Come, daughter, you must have known you would be married some day. You celebrated your twentieth birthday last month, and now it's time for you to leave home.” Their father's voice sounded strangely hearty.

  Leonie managed to peel herself off the doorway and stand up straight. Moving like an automat, she crossed the room and dropped into a curtsy. “Sire, I would have hoped that my suitor ask me before he addressed his demand to you.” Her head bowed, Leonie spoke to the floor.

  Ann had never been prouder of her sister than at this moment. No screams or tears, just a quiet voice and tiny tremors that set the crystals on the dress's bodice sparkling.

  "Your opinion is not needed in this circumstance. As your father, I am best suited to choose for you.” He leaned back in his chair. “If you are to marry, you will need a trousseau and a wedding dress. Tomorrow, you can accompany me to the village to buy fitting cloth and order dresses while I post the bans."

  Sir Wulfe raised his eyebrows. “Is there a decent seamstress in the village? Otherwise, I can send one from my estate."

  Ann saw Leonie shiver again, but her father said, “We have an adequate seamstress in town. Leonie will be glad to choose her own dress, won't you, daughter?"

  Another tremor shook her, but Leonie simply said, “Sire, it is with great pleasure I accompany you to the village."

  Had she been ensorcelled? Ann had never heard that tone of voice from her sister. She wanted to rush in and scream that Leonie could never marry Sir Wulfe, but then Cook came and dragged her to the kitchen.

  Alone with Bob and Cook at the table, Ann tried to make sense out of what happened that day. What was Leonie up to? She couldn't seriously be thinking of accepting Sir Wulfe's proposal. Her thoughts clashed in her head. Leonie couldn't marry Sir Wulfe! Besides, he frightened her for some reason. She and Leonie had often made fun of him behind his back, calling him Sir Big Bad Wolf, when they were children. What had Father been thinking?