Hi! Trying to find a young adult lit series with a girl with hidden magical powers.

Trying to find a young adult lit series with a girl with hidden magical powers. The villain sends a boy (I think named Eric) to bring her to him and he falls I love with her. This book has a cartoon cover I think. Along their way the duo makes friends who aid in the rescue of the girl later. Thank you in advance, trying to find this for my classroom! I read it in the early 2000s