Free Seduced by Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Urien’s face went from red to a paler shade. “We are in love,” he repeated.
    â€œYou do not have the means to raise your house high enough in the court to be allowed to wed her,” Tiernan said. “The House of Brend would need much gold.”
    Urien lowered his eyes and his voice cracked as he said, “True. I will never have the means to marry Airell.”
    â€œLook at me,” Tiernan demanded, and Urien’s gaze snapped back to meet Tiernan’s. “You will no longer have relations with my betrothed—unless you intend to lower your status altogether and become a Pleasure Partner.”
    Urien’s jaw clenched and unclenched, but he said nothing.
    Tiernan lowered his brows. “Return to your manor.”
    Urien gave a bow from his shoulders. “Yes,
my lord
,” he said before walking past Tiernan and into the forest.
    Tiernan raised his face to the sky, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to relax the tension from his shoulders and neck. He opened his eyes and leveled his gaze on the trunk of an ancient tree near him. He raised his fist to slam it into the tree but jerked his arm back when a face, then a body melted from the aged wood.
    â€œHit me or any tree and pay the consequences,” the Dryad said as she stepped fully from the tree. “As you know, the consequences are dear, indeed.”
    Tiernan lowered his fist and gave a low bow from the shoulders. “My apologies, Simone.”
    The Dryad cocked her head, her chestnut-brown hair flowing around her shoulders with the movement. Her bare skin was the color of dark brown silk, and her eyes were a shade of warm oak. “You choose to keep these lovers separated.”
    He ground his teeth. “There are no choices. These decisions were made long ago. It is up to Airell and me to carry on the honor and tradition of our houses.”
    â€œHonor and tradition.” Simone’s voice had a mocking edge to it. “Is that all that matters to you?”
    â€œIs there anything else?” Tiernan said.
    â€œLove.” The Dryad’s word carried on the wind like a single sweet chime from a bell.
    â€œLove has nothing to do with such matters.” He kept the scowl from his face and bowed at the shoulders again. “I must leave to discuss this matter with my betrothed.”
    Simone smiled. “Of course. But remember, there are always choices. Destiny is what we make of it.”
    Tiernan ignored her last comment. He gave a brief nod, strode away from the clearing, and headed back to the House of Torin to confront Airell.
    When he reached Airell’s family manor, he barely took in its beauty. The House of Torin was reminiscent of the palaces of ancient Roman times, yet it still managed to blend in with the other great manors of the court.
    The same servant who had given Tiernan the whereabouts of Airell earlier opened the great doors. When he asked for her, the young servant led him through the enormous mansion with its great columns and sheer, colorful drapes that gently billowed as a breeze swept through. Tiernan and the servant reached the open doors that led to the gardens. In the distance he saw Airell from the back, and she was perched on a marble bench by a fountain. The servant bowed and retreated as Tiernan walked outside and into the gardens.
    Airell had changed clothing, and now wore a pink gown. Her shimmering blond hair had been pinned in a conservative knot at the base of her slender neck.
    He finally reached her and looked down at the young woman, who refused to look at him. Beside them the fountain made of marble Faeries bubbled musically and the smell of fresh cut grass and flowers drifted in the balmy air from the enormous gardens surrounding them.
    Without waiting for an invitation, Tiernan sat next to Airell on the marble bench. Her rose-pink gown shifted with a light wind and a tendril of her hair escaped.
    â€œLook at me.” His tone was