Worthy of Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 4) Read online

  Table of Contents

  WORTHY OF MAGIC, BOOK 4

  Appear Before Us…

  Blessed Oaks Grove

  COPYRIGHTS

  WRITTEN BY STEPHANY WALLACE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  TRADEMARKS

  GLOSSARY

  PROLOGUE. SHOW & TELL

  CHAPTER 1. UNDER MY CARE

  CHAPTER 2. HIDDEN DEMONS

  CHAPTER 3. THE GUYS

  CHAPTER 4. UNDER MY SKIN

  CHAPTER 5. HERE FOR YOU

  CHAPTER 6. LORD OF HORSES

  CHAPTER 7. LESSONS

  CHAPTER 8. SECRETS

  CHAPTER 9. WITH YOU

  CHAPTER 10. WITHOUT YOU

  CHAPTER 11. GOODBYES

  CHAPTER 12. FORGIVENESS

  CHAPTER 13. MY DREAM, MY MISSION

  CHAPTER 14. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU

  CHAPTER 15. REVELATIONS

  EPILOGUE.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  NEXT IN THE ANCIENT MAGIC SERIES

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Worthy of Magic

  An Ancient Magic Novel, Book 4

  Stephany Wallace

  Contents

  WORTHY OF MAGIC, BOOK 4

  Appear Before Us…

  Blessed Oaks Grove

  COPYRIGHTS

  WRITTEN BY STEPHANY WALLACE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  TRADEMARKS

  GLOSSARY

  PROLOGUE. SHOW & TELL

  CHAPTER 1. UNDER MY CARE

  CHAPTER 2. HIDDEN DEMONS

  CHAPTER 3. THE GUYS

  CHAPTER 4. UNDER MY SKIN

  CHAPTER 5. HERE FOR YOU

  CHAPTER 6. LORD OF HORSES

  CHAPTER 7. LESSONS

  CHAPTER 8. SECRETS

  CHAPTER 9. WITH YOU

  CHAPTER 10. WITHOUT YOU

  CHAPTER 11. GOODBYES

  CHAPTER 12. FORGIVENESS

  CHAPTER 13. MY DREAM, MY MISSION

  CHAPTER 14. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU

  CHAPTER 15. REVELATIONS

  EPILOGUE.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  NEXT IN THE ANCIENT MAGIC SERIES

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  COPYRIGHTS

  Reproducing this book without permission from the author or the publisher is an infringement of its copyright. This book is a work of fiction. The names characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to any actual events or persons, living or dead, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 Stephany Wallace

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  Edited by Stephany Wallace.

  Proofread By Meghan Johnson

  Cover Design by Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved.

  Interior Design and Formatting By Stephany Wallace.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or

  reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission,

  except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical

  articles and reviews.

  S.W. Creative Publishing publication: Sept 2017

  www.stephanywallace.com

  WRITTEN BY STEPHANY WALLACE

  New Adult Paranormal Romance

  * * *

  Ancient Magic Series:

  *Renewed Magic, book 2.

  *Unwanted Magic, Eisha’s story, book3.

  *Worthy of Magic, Art’s story, book4.

  *Absolute Magic, book5. (Coming Jan 2nd, 2018).

  * * *

  Runes Universe: (Kindle World)

  *Forsaken Souls, A Runes Universe Novella

  * * *

  The Winter Court Chronicles:

  *Forgotten Kingdom, book1. (Coming 2018).

  *Broken Kingdom, book2. ( Coming 2018).

  Adult Contemporary Romance

  A Love Through Time Series:

  *Chasing Time, book 1.

  *Destined Time, book 2.

  *Just in Time, book 3. (Coming 2018).

  Somewhere Inside Series

  *Somewhere Inside My Dreams, book 1.

  ( Coming 2018).

  *Somewhere Inside My Mind, book2.

  ( Coming 2018).

  *Somewhere inside my Heart, Book 3.

  (Coming 2018)

  Stand Alone Novels

  In your Eyes. (Coming 2018)

  Breaking Point. (Coming 2018)

  DEDICATION

  To the spirit inside all of us,

  which strives to find our purpose.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  To my beautiful friends who are there for me every single day. Thank you for believing in me, supporting me and helping me through this journey. Kallie Kennon, Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, Meghan S. Johnson, Hollian Rickman, & Shawn Wood. I love you all.

  * * *

  To my Proofreader Meghan S. Johnson, the #Residentfangirl. Thank you for always being there for me, for your honesty, and helping me with my wild stories even through the crazy deadlines. I love you girlie. To my Omega Reader: Irina Wholpers. Thank you for helping me with typos, for always wanting to help, and for loving my stories. You are amazing.

  To my Beta Readers: Kallie Kennon, Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, & Shawn Wood, #ShawnieLove. Thank you for being excited about every single chapter, providing me with amazing feedback, helping catch typos and of course, understanding my weird slang, lol. #WriterStruggles.

  Thank you to my ARC TEAM for their support. I love you all.

  * * *

  Thank you to my family for believing in me. I love you guys!

  TRADEMARKS

  Johnson & Johnson

  Johnson’s bedtime baby bath

  Garfield

  Abercrombie and Fitch

  Super Man

  Clark Kent

  Barry Allen

  Target

  Ziploc

  Freddy Krueger

  Loch Ness Monster

  Barbie

  Star Wars

  Bob the Builder

  Starbucks

  Frappuccino

  Mochaccino

  Jean Paul Gaultier men’s Cologne

  Jedi

  Harvard University

  Delta Airlines

  Glacier Park International Airport

  Glacier National Park

  Blackfeet Indian reservation

  GLOSSARY

  A chara: Dear Friend

  A chuisle: My Pulse

  À sealladh: Disappear

  A 'falach chaochlaidhean ar làthaireachd: Conceal our presence

  A 'dìon a h-ann' ur daingneach: Protect her in your fortress

  Adhair Bhalla: Air Fortress

  Anam Sealgair, Soul Hunter

  Air ais bhroinn: Restoring womb

  Air mo pailme: Onto my palm

  Anam fiosaiche: Soul seer

  Anam neart: Soul strength

  Anam Sealgair: Soul Hunter

  Ar toirt dhachaigh: Take us home

  Ar ais sláinte: Restore health

  Àrd-shagart: High Priest, High Priestess

  A rún mo chroí: Secret of my heart.

  Baile Na Nèamh: City of Heaven.

  Beannachdan: Blessings

  Beannachdan dhuibh: Blessings to you

  Bheith arís mar a bhí sé aon uair amháin: Be again as it once was

  Bòidheach: Beautiful

  Bhòidse seud-muineil: Voyage necklace

  Coiseachd: Sanctuary

  Cuiribh beannaich mi: Please bless me

  Chan eil thu nad aonar, oir tha mi seasamh ri taobh thu: You are
not alone, for I stand beside you

  Claidheamhan: Swords

  Daingnich: Fortify

  Dannsa air na flùraichean: Dance of the flowers

  Dhìon dha: Protect him.

  Dúisigh: Awaken

  Dùin: Close

  Dh'èireas: Rise

  Dhìon dha: Protect him

  Fiosaiche Fàil: Seer or destiny

  Glanadh an t-slighe: Clear the way

  Ion-mholaidh: Adorable

  Laochra ceannaire: Warrior leader

  Leantainn a 'ghealach: Follow the moon

  Leig eil pian a 'tighinn gu aice: Let no pain come to her

  Leig eil pian tighinn ris: Let no pain come to him

  Leig leinn falbh: let us disappear

  Meala-naidheachd: Congratulations

  Meigeil orm fhaicinn taobh a-staigh: Allow me to see inside

  Mar sin bithidh e: So it shall be

  Mo chiad leannan: my first love.

  Mo leanabh milis: My sweet child

  Mo meantóir: My mentor

  Mo mhac: My son

  Mo Sgòthan: My Light

  Mòr sagart: Great priest

  Mòran toileachas: Much happiness

  Mhà mi a 'cumail ah-: May I hold her

  Mhà agam dannsa: May I have a dance

  Nochdadh a-rithist: Reappear

  Òga-solas: Young light

  Ogha: Granddaughter

  Phrìosan teine: Prison of Fire.

  Sàmhach: Silent.

  Sàmhach sìos: Quiet down

  Sìth maille riut: Peace be with you

  Sláinte a chur ar ais: Health be restored

  Sleagh an t-Solais: Spear of Light.

  Spioradálta: Spiritual

  Spioradálta Iris: Spiritual Journal

  Tighinn air: feumaidh tu seo a dhèanamh: Come on, you must do this

  Tighinn rium: Come to me.

  Till mi dhachaigh: Return me home

  Till dhan agaibh smior: Return to your essence

  Trannsa cearcaill: Passage circles

  Tha naomh bolg de aiseirigh: The sacred womb of rebirth

  Tha mi duilich: I am sorry

  OLD SCOTTISH GLOSSARY

  Aboot: About, around

  Ah ken: I know

  Aye: Yes

  Birl: Spin, turn

  Bonnie: Pretty, beautiful

  Cuddy: Horse

  Gowpin: Sore

  Hen: Woman, love, darling

  Hoose: House

  Ye: You

  Wean: Child

  Wee: little

  PROLOGUE. SHOW & TELL

  * * *

  I sat on the bed thinking about my brother, and how lost he seemed to be at the moment. He had spent centuries believing his affection for Eisha was true love, and although I was certain he did love her, I knew it was not the kind of love he desired. Nevertheless, he was too blinded by the quiet desperation he harbored to realize that.

  The words he had shouted at me tonight had been disrespectful and unlike anything he would ever do. We had argued about whether or not Eisha should aid Ronan in looking over Felix. I knew my brother better than anyone, his words had taken me by surprise, but I was certain he had not meant them. His outburst, however, had made the level of his distress clear to me. Not that I had needed the argument to understand that. I could feel the pain and turmoil in his essence even before he came near me. His soul was filled with uncertainty and need, and I could sense it the second he came into view. I could virtually feel his pain, and I hurt for him too. He had harbored this sentiment for longer than he should. A need to find his place among us, to feel wanted and respected. To feel like his life had meaning. If he only took a moment to see the truth, he would realize everyone in this village depended on him. He had been there for them all, and no one would ever forget that.

  It had been a long time since I had seen the light and mischievous spirit my brother had. I could still see him as a child, playing around with the Warriors before our lives were twisted by fate. He had always been a kid a heart, yet the hardship we had endured had somewhere along the way clouded his essence. In all earnestness, it also had clouded mine, but Briana's love had pulled me out of the darkness.

  To understand my brother and the struggle he was going through one had to have known him from the start. Not since he was born, but from the beginning of the events that transpired in his life and made him who he was today.

  I rested my back on the wall and crossed my arms as my brother's face transformed in my mind. Suddenly, I was not looking at the man that had fought alongside me against the Romans to protect his people, or who had spent every moment of his adult life caring for everyone around him. It was my little brother I saw. The child that used to sneak away from Mother with me, while she set the table at the market, and sold harvest to the awaiting families in exchange for silver. Art and I would run to the Warrior grounds to watch them training, then return just before she noticed we had gone. A memory tickled my mind, and it started playing as though I was there once again…

  * * *

  “Surely, I can do that too.”

  Art’s innocent voice reached me; making me look at him. He was only four years old at the time, a year younger than I, although, I had always felt much older than him.

  He lifted his leg and kicked the air as we had just witnessed a Warrior do with a sword in hand. The attempt brought him down, and I shook my head chuckling as he fell. I held his hand and helped him get up.

  “Stop messing about, brother. You will scrape your knees and Mother will make me responsible.”

  “You can just use your magic if that happens.” He answered, kicking up again.

  I sighed as he fell once more. “I shall not. I do not know how to heal yet, Art. The Àrd-shagart has just begun to teach me, and you should not be careless just because you know I can help you with my magic.”

  He made a face at me and grabbed a stick from the ground. His arm moved mimicking the Warriors' maneuver with the sword. My gaze returned to the man in the middle of the field, he repeated the exercise again, and again as he taught the young children in front of him. His name was Callan, it meant Strong in Battle, and he was the Laochra Ceannaire of our clan. I admired him. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up.

  “I did it! Look, Cyn. I did it!”

  Art’s excited voice forced my gaze back to him. He jumped again, kicking up and thrust his imaginary sword forward, just like Callan had done. I chuckled as his eyes twinkled in excitement and his dimples flashed.

  “Yes, you did, Art. That was a masterful execution.”

  Our heads whipped around at Callan’s voice. He had seen us and walked to our side.

  “See, brother? I told you I could do it.”

  Callan smiled, crouching down to our level and rubbed my brother’s head playfully. “Did you enjoy the practice today?” He asked looking at me, but we both nodded. “Good. I am flattered you came to watch us, but you should be with your Mother. Is she at the market?”

  I nodded again. “I want to be a Warrior.”

  He smiled. “Is that so?”

  “Yes.”

  “What about you?” He asked Art, who shrugged.

  “I like to build things.”

  Callan chuckled. “Very well then.” His gaze shifted to Art’s hand at the stick he was still swinging around. “Is that your sword?”

  Art nodded, not too concerned about it. He just liked twirling the stick. Callan stood, and walked back to the weapons rack. When he returned to us, he was holding a small wooden sword, the kind the youngest kids used to train. He handed it to Art smiling. "This one will serve you better."

  Art's eyes widened in surprise, and he ripped the sword from Callan's hand, the stick forgotten. "May I keep it?"

  Callan nodded. "It is yours to train with." His gaze found me, and he took a deep breath. "And you… I have heard great things about you from our Àrd-shagart. The time will come for you to be a Warrior, Cyn, and when it does, I shall train
you personally, and make you my pupil.”

  My eyes widened. “You would?”

  He nodded. “Your weapon shall be the Bow and Arrow just like mine, and I will teach you all my secrets.” I looked at him speechless. He was the fiercest Warrior among our clan, and his use of the Bow and Arrow was unlike anything anyone could do. “Yet, today is not that day.” He added, smiling. “Now, go back to your Mother.”

  I nodded, excited by the prospect. “Say thank you, Art.”

  “Thank you,” he repeated, dimples flashing.

  I took my brother’s small hand in mine, and we turned around running back to the market. Art lifted the sword in the air as though he was running into battle and let out a fierce cry. We laughed.

  When we arrived at Mother’s table, we quietly sat behind her on the wheel cart. She gave a basket of corn to Mrs. Velane and placed the silver coins in her apron. I straightened when she turned around to look at us.

  “We have been here all this time, Mammy,” Art said, hiding the sword behind his back. It would have been convincing if the hilt were not visible above his head.

  Mother crossed her arms, but there was amusement in her eyes. "I can see that, and I suppose that the wooden sword behind your back, magically materialized in your hands? It could not have anything to do with the fact that you went to the training grounds, yet again, without telling me?"

  "It was Cyn, Mammy. He just made it appear this instant with his magic. His hands glowed and puff! It was here." His eyes were wide while he explained, as though he was still amazed at my supposed act of magic. I palmed my face as Mother chuckled.