Page 1

C aledonian Forest , Scotland

T he ancient limbs of the Rowan tree groaned as a strong wind tunneled through the Forbidden Forest. “By the gods, Vivien, if I get out of here you will pay,” Merlin raged, his long, white beard trembling with fury.

A flutter of leaves danced and spiraled, falling between the gnarled roots that pushed through the dense carpet of sticks and bark.

His raspy voice echoed and bounced off the thick trunks of the trees as if to mimic the sorcerer’s threat.

The woman Merlin had loved—and then bewitched—resided far from the legendary forest. He ranted again at an innocent squirrel nibbling bright red berries on a sturdy branch.

“Why, Vivien? I cast the spell to secure your affection. I only wanted your love.”

Her counter spell, cast as she succumbed to his magic, had been meant to teach him a lesson.

But the centuries had slowly chipped away at his patience.

His desire to understand her wisdom had been replaced with a grim determination to overcome the enchantment.

Yet her words still echoed in his brain.

The firstborn of each generation will be given one chance to embrace his true love without the use of enchantment or deceit.

You have until the death of this Rowan to save yourself and the magical legacy of your line.

As a threshold, this tree will lead you either from this world or back into it.

May the gods have mercy on you, for I cannot.

The snap of a branch caught Merlin’s attention. He stilled at the sound of horses. “Where have you been?” His voice waned as the wind again picked up, blowing around bits of debris, and restricting his view.

Two shadowy figures emerged from the gloomy interior of the forest. A taller man on a large stallion dwarfed the boy who sat on a small pony.

They came to a stop before him, the horses’ nervous prance crunching the dead leaves under their hooves.

The man dismounted; his chain mail chinked softly as his feet hit the ground.

“Baron Giles Arbrec at your service, my lord.”

“Why did it take so long to answer my summons?” The wizard spoke softly, but the tone was deadly. “Do you no longer fear my wrath?”

“I have come as commanded.” He knelt before the tree, head bent, his broad shoulders straining at his hauberk. “It is the boy’s tenth name day. I proudly present my first–born and only son, Rolf Arbrec.” The baron looked over his shoulder. “Dismount, boy. Come pay homage to Merlin.”

The youngster’s wide, amber eyes looked to either side and back at his elder as he joined him. “Father, there is no one here. You are talking to a tree.”

A haze appeared in the center of the trunk then transformed into a face. Merlin gazed at the boy and felt a small crack in what was once his heart.

“Are you…?” Rolf put his shoulders back and his chin up. He cleared his throat and asked again in a clear voice, “Are you the mighty wizard of legend?”

The snowy whiskers rippled with the rusty sound of his chuckle. “Indeed I am. And pleased to hear that my feats are still spoken of after such a long absence.”

“Kneel, Rolf, and show your respect.” The baron slapped his son on the chest with the back of his hand.

“He is a fine–looking lad.” Merlin studied the boy who tried so desperately to hide his fear. “Leave him, Giles. I have much to teach him and little time to do it.”

“I cannot abandon him here in the Caledonian Forest,” exclaimed Arbrec, rising to his feet.

“What else would you have me do? He is our last hope. This tree is dying and me along with it. If the curse is not broken soon, I will die and our line will breed nothing but bitter, discontent knaves.”

“Curse? Upon our family or upon you?” Curiosity replaced Rolf’s fear.

“You are my family, boy. Have you told him nothing?”

“He has only celebrated his tenth name day. How much do you think a boy of such tender years will understand?”

“Listen to me, boy. I am trapped in this tree until one of my descendants finds true love without the use of spells or trickery.” He mumbled a curse that sent the red squirrel scurrying to another tree. “The males of my seed have issue with such emotion. And now time grows short.”

Rolf squinted up at the ancient Rowan, its creaking limbs twisted and gnarled like the hands of the wizard himself. “My father failed, then? He did not love my mother?”

“Nay, that is false. I did love her, but I was too easily tempted by material wealth.” Giles voice cracked. “I see her sweet face each night in my dreams, and regret greets me every morning when I open my eyes.”

“But my mother died just after Cristiana was born. The fever took her—”

The baron knelt in front of his son and clutched his the shoulders tightly. He closed his eyes and said hoarsely, “You do not share the same kin as your sister. Your mother, Deirdre McNaught, died in childbirth. She was the daughter of a Scots laird.”

“Then I am a…”

“A bastard,” Merlin pointed out gruffly. “But no matter, for you will be my champion. It will be your name people will one day whisper in awe.”

“I am to blame for this tragedy. Why must my only son suffer the consequences?” The older man’s dark eyes were wet with grief.

“In truth, I am at fault for trusting a woman. Many generations have paid for my sins. You came so close to ending this, Giles. If you had only married the woman instead of holding out for that heiress.”

The excitement in the boy’s eyes faded as the ground shook with the old man’s disappointment. Another gust of wind sent more leaves tumbling to the ground. The boy steadied himself with both hands in the dirt but raised his head to Merlin. “I am at your command.”

Calmness blanketed the sorcerer for the first time in centuries. This boy would succeed. He could see it in the intensity of his gaze and the determined set of his jaw. “Stand and bid your father farewell.”

The baron’s hands shook as he removed a chain from his neck and placed it over Rolf’s dark head. A plum-colored stone flashed with strands of brilliant violet as it landed gently on the boy’s narrow chest.

“Wear this amulet at all times. It will keep you safe.” Arbrec nodded at the image in the tree. “He will protect you until you have completed your task. Forgive me for my failure.” He gripped the slender boy in a fierce hug.

When their eyes met, Merlin felt Arbrec’s agony like a stone in his gut. “You and his sister may visit each solstice and see how he fares. I am not a monster.”

Arbrec nodded. “Watch over him, he is all I have left of Deirdre. He is my life.” Pushing his son away firmly, he turned his back and walked to his horse. The boy wiped his tear-stained cheeks with the back of his dirty hands but stood his ground and did not run after his father.

Damn you again, Vivien. With this boy, your day of reckoning will arrive.

Merlin watched the boy silently wave to the retreating figure, a shadow fading into the darkness of the forest. His old features softened and kindness brightened the faded eyes.

“You have great courage and strength, Rolf. I will teach you things beyond your imagination. We shall help each other, you will see.”