A Charm for a Unicorn Read Online Free

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