A Charm for a Unicorn by Jennifer Macaire Read Free Book Online Page B

holding her skirts out of the long grass, her face pale in the moonlight, her eyes frightened. She didn't pause but ran straight to the unicorn, and to his amazement, threw her arms around its neck. “Leonie!” she cried.
    The unicorn quivered and stood still.
    "What is going on?” Renaldo managed to say after a minute of stunned silence.
    Ann turned, her face stricken. “My father transformed her. She's to marry some wizard called Sir Wulfe. You must stay here, Leonie,” she said, as the unicorn made as if to flee. “Father is coming to change you back."
    Renaldo took a deep breath. “Leonie? Is it really you?"
    The unicorn broke away from Ann and trotted to him, laying its head on his arm. He stroked its satiny mane. “Why? Why did he transform you?” Renaldo's voice shook with anger.
    "He always transforms her. He says she has to learn,” Ann said.
    "Learn what?” Renaldo couldn't imagine how Leonie had suffered. “I won't let him turn you into anything else, and you won't have to marry anyone you don't want. I'll protect you,” he said to the unicorn.
    Ann sighed and peered into the darkness. “There's something else you have to know, but I can't explain it. Here comes Father. He'll be able to tell you more. I'm afraid things are more complicated than they seem."
    Renaldo tightened his grip on the unicorn, afraid that his temper would get the better of him. He had a vision of himself challenging the wizard to a duel ... and getting changed into a toad. He swallowed and wished he'd paid more attention to his tutor when he'd been learning about the divisions of magic, but he'd preferred his sword fighting and navigating lessons.
    The wizard strode into the clearing and stared at them with his strange, frozen eyes. “Come closer, Leonie, that I may reverse the spell.” He hesitated, then said, “I beg your forgiveness, child. My intentions were good, but I see I've caused you pain and for that, I'm sorry."
    The unicorn nuzzled Renaldo, and then walked daintily toward the magician. The wizard raised his wand and had just started to speak, when a terrific wind knocked them down. Leaves whirled about and the grass whipped Renaldo's face. The trees leaned, branches lashing, then as suddenly as it had arrived the wind ceased. Renaldo raised his head. Another man stood in their midst.
    He recognized the man as a magician, for he wore a long black robe with stars sewn upon it, and he carried a wand. The unicorn gave a frightened neigh and made as if to run away, but the wizard raised his wand and said, “Halt!” Instantly the unicorn froze.
    Ann helped her father to his feet and they faced the new magician. “Sir Wulfe, please understand that...” Ann began, but she got no further.
    "Silence!” he cried, “Did no one teach you respect for your elders?” He pointed his wand at Ann and she stepped back, her expression wary.
    Renaldo wanted to intervene, but at that moment Leonie's father spoke up. “Sir Wulfe. I will..."
    "You will what?” Sir Wulfe snarled. “I saw the note, as you did. I came as fast as I could. This cannot be allowed to go any further. You,” he pointed to Renaldo. “Begone!"
* * * *
    Ann watched in horror as a whirlwind appeared, picked up Renaldo, and carried him away into the darkness. The unicorn, still frozen in place, uttered a plaintive cry, and her father gave a startled gasp.
    "That was the king's son. Bring him back or face the king's wrath!” Ann couldn't stop her words.
    Sir Wulfe jumped and looked at her, a frown on his face. “Silence!” he said, and waved his wand.
    "You said that already.” Ann stamped her foot. “Bring him back, it's not right. You can't have Leonie, she's my sister and she loves Renaldo, not you. Go back home and leave us alone!"
    Sir Wulfe turned purple with rage. He waved his wand even more, jabbing it frantically at her.
    "She's immune to magic,” said her father, taking Sir Wulfe's arm and stilling it. “Don't waste your spells."
    "You tried