by J E Mueller
By The Skies
J.E. Mueller
Copyright © 2020 by J.E. Mueller
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover By Taurus Colosseum
Editing By O.R. Faulkner’s Fantastical Features
Map By Audasaurus Rex Creates
Formatting By J.E.Mueller
Created with Vellum
Contents
Reader Warning
Map of Venerth
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Bonus Scene
Hierarchy of Venerth
Hierarchy of Venerth Continued
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also By J.E.Mueller
For Carolynn,
Despite my best efforts,
I don’t have the words to express
exactly what I want to here.
So have a book instead.
Thank you for everything,
and for sharing your love of books
with all you know.
Reader Warning
This book contains some material that might be triggering for some audiences.
Themes of gaslighting, abuse, and sexual assault are seen in this book.
Chapter One
I paused at the bottom of the stairs just outside the girl’s tower. I knew several of the professors were trying to grab us as we emerged for breakfast to finish decorating. There wasn’t much left, so I didn’t feel bad for trying to sneak out. I needed some momentary freedom and a way to release this magical buildup before it caused my headache to get worse.
As I peeked around the corner I saw one of the professors standing in the hall, reading something. I cursed, not seeing an easy way around them. Could I make up a story and detour myself? Probably not.
I started back up the stairs to try and plan as Orabella came down.
“Where are you going Kariea?” She asked suspiciously, eyebrows slightly raised.
“I just realized one of my stockings has a hole in the upper thigh that is getting worse. I need to mend it and rather not do so on the stairs,” I lied with ease.
Orabella sighed. “That happened to me twice last week. I think the fabric is just wearing thin. I should write home and get more.”
“That is likely what’s happening. I should do that same,” I agreed.
She continued to head downstairs, curls bouncing as she headed off. “At least there’s a simple spell to temporarily mend it.”
“Agreed.”
I took two steps up before slowly following behind her. I lingered at the corner, not letting myself be seen as the professor looked over.
“Ah, Orabella! I’ve got a quick task for you.”
“Oh,” I could hear her voice change to forced politeness. “Of course professor. What can I do to help?”
“Let me show you. We need a few things moved for tonight’s gathering…”
I waited for two beats then glanced around and saw them heading down the hall. When they turned the corner I quickly followed, doing my best to move as silently as possible. Carefully, I looked around the corner to see no one coming from the direction I wanted to go and waited for a few moments for the Professor to get far enough away that she would have to yell for me. Yelling for no reason was rather rude so hopefully, even if she did see me, I could get away.
Sneaking out was painfully slow. Normally on the weekend, it was easy to avoid the professors. They eagerly wanted a break from us as well. Today though it seemed they were overly concerned about last minute arrangements and first impressions. In truth, I should have been excited, but I was honestly bored. Almost deathly bored. A school ball sounded much more like a chore created from the deepest hellscape.
I wanted to practice my magic, play with swords I shouldn’t have access to, or do anything but put on makeup and have my hair styled for hours. Maybe that last part was exaggerated though it hardly felt that way. A stuffy event was nothing compared to gaining a greater understanding of the arcane.
Wasn’t a week worth of prep and setup enough? Finally, after a few close calls, I slipped out the back door.
I kicked a few pebbles out of my way as I headed out past the gardens, off the back trail, and deeper into the woods. It wouldn’t be seen as lady-like to scamper off like this, but if I wanted to keep a shred of my sanity then they would just have to ignore it. The school was very good at ignoring most things as long as you turned up where you should be when you were supposed to. Still, I walked on a little further to make sure no one would see me.
Concentrating, I paused as I pictured the distant lake in my mind. I had been there frequently since starting at this academy a few years ago -the image came clearly to my mind. Wrapping the magic around me I willed myself to teleport and managed about seven steps away from where I was.
With a loud grumble, I lifted my skirt and pressed forward on foot instead. I took my annoyance out on the twigs and brush around me, swatting and breaking whatever I could easily dispose of. Stupid mage school only letting the men have fun with their magic. I needed to figure teleporting out. I knew at mastery I could teleport a few miles away while being outside. There was no teleporting through solid objects like doors though.
I grabbed a stick and hit it along the trees as I passed, taking out my aggression as I walked. Sadly, my magic wasn’t very useful for decorating and cleaning. The type of magic I was gifted in was considered White Magic, a class many mistakenly called healing magic. Sure, healing was a part of it, but there was much more to it. It was a magic of defense. I could also call upon sunlight and banish darkness or undead. I could call on shields to protect myself or those around me, put enemies into a deep sleep, teleport, or even swap injuries. If they would let me practice more than healing, anyway. For now, it was just abilities I had in theory.
Truthfully, I wasn’t great at most of it. The Academy of Magic at Valenston was focused more on training us, the noble-born, the elites as the school referred to us, how to lead, direct, and possibly rule. None of the Sedimentary, our name for the common folk, were allowed to attend. At least I didn’t think so, it might have just been too expensive.
Either way, the men were taught more about their magic. For women, they wanted us to focus our magic more on decorating, and how to properly entertain. Plenty of us even had sharp restrictions to not gain too much magical skill. Some parents were concerned about what impact that could have on a ladies' future—namely finding a husband.
How drab and dull.
Though it was completely true. Mother had pressed upon my father the importance of keeping my magical skills down, of how a man wouldn’t like for his wife to be stronger magically. I’d tried t
o argue that if those were the facts, the man wasn’t good enough for me anyway. I’m still unsure where or how I lost that argument.
I paused at the lake’s edge, taking in the stillness. The water was clear, happily showing my reflection. Somewhat. My strawberry blonde, nearly red, hair seemed to shine oddly against the clear water. My blueish-green eyes were little better, blending in.
Magic sparked a light gray at my fingertips as I summoned a fog around me and pushed it out through the trees. The shift into using magic relieved the headache that was pulsing at my temples. It felt good to let the stronger part of my magic flex. If there wasn’t so much preparation for the event I had to help with, the headache wouldn’t have been this bad.
The sound of something crashing to the ground pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced around, almost frantically, but didn’t see anything. Nothing felt amiss magic-wise, but it was hard to see anything through the fog. After a few moments of silence, I shrugged it off. Maybe a large branch fell. Nothing could easily get past the walls surrounding the grounds. They were spelled by some of the best mages in Arix. Even the King praised the academy for how safe it was.
I pulled more magic to me and extended the fog further out, trying to make it appear normal and not magic-based. It was the easiest non-healing magic I could do and it was fun to make. This was one of the few times I could do whatever magic I wanted, and not what the school demanded.
I spread it as far as I could until I felt a slight strain on my magic as the spell reached its limits. Perfect. Not only was I now well hidden by the trees, but I was now even harder to track due to the dense and widespread fog. I could have at least a little fun without being spotted before having to go back and get ready.
What was the ball for again? I tried to remember the conversation in class. I knew it felt like a rather dull excuse to host one... A new elite joining us. It was odd being a month and a half into the new semester, but status was status and I had no doubt he’d be as dim and shallow as most of the other men here. How was one to grab the attention of a suitable life mate when so many were as interesting as pond scum?
Not that it entirely mattered. I was Promised to another. We would be forced to meet next month, and that would determine if this engagement would lead to marriage. From his letters… I hoped he didn’t like me. I hadn’t seen him since we were young, and he had appeared to have grown full of himself and enjoyed putting down any of my sex, demanding to be waited on hand and foot.
I let go of the magic holding the fog, knowing full well it would hang around on its own for a time, as long as it wasn’t disrupted. After a few more moments of walking, I slowly pulled more magic to me. I hated that they didn’t focus on the fun magic in school. I wanted to be better at the master level spells more than anything, but I was restricted. Mother was afraid I’d challenge any prospective match I didn’t like to a duel.
In all fairness, she was right.
She just didn’t realize if I wasn’t taught by a teacher I would instead try learning on my own. It was easy enough to research and read during down time when I was stuck inside. These few moments to myself when I could be outside I used to practice.
“And why is a pretty maiden such as yourself looking so troubled on this fine day?” I heard an unfamiliar voice call to me.
I spun to the left to see a man about my age standing several steps away. How didn’t I hear him approach? Was I making that much noise earlier?
“Who are you?” I asked the tall gentleman instead. We were still on school grounds and, as I reminded myself, there was a rather large and spelled wall protecting us. It was unusual to see a stranger here.
“I am Aylum Allystair of Dustarn,” he introduced himself with a bow. Some of the brown hair he had pulled back came forward over his eyes.
I gave a curtsey, hiding the confusion I felt as best I could while my brain searched for why that sounded familiar. Ah, the new student was from Dustarn. “I’m Kareia, it’s nice to meet you. Though I am surprised our newest classmate is already outside exploring instead of meeting all those in your dorm.”
I straightened as Aylum shrugged and tried to pull his hair back. “I thought it would be an easier transition to not immediately be bombarded by people I don’t know. What brings you out? I know there is a celebration tonight and I am equally surprised you’re here instead of preparing for it.”
I gave a small laugh and turned to walk along the lake. “Life is full of surprises.” I waved goodbye. Hopefully I could steal away and practice more alone.
The crunch of stones underfoot was a clear sign he was following me. “That it is.” He effortlessly kept the conversation up. “So, why not illuminate on the surprise and explain why you’re also out here?”
“That would be dull.” I smiled, but truthfully I didn’t have a good reason. Not one I wanted to give anyway. He didn't need to know about my magic practice or why I wasn’t getting ready. I would still be as made up and fancy as everyone else tonight, but just on time instead of early.
“You’re a strange one, Kareia.”
I didn’t turn to him. The words didn’t surprise me. “I may have heard that once or twice.”
Nothing else was said for a while. All that could be heard was our footsteps as we walked.
“The strange fog is finally lifting at least,” Aylum mused, trying to revive the conversation.
I glanced around and noticed it was quickly leaving. It wasn’t the right weather for the fog to stay long on its own. It was disappointing to see it go, but like all magic, it eventually had to leave.
“Why the sad look?”
“Does there need to be a reason?” I had no desire to explain that it was my magic.
Aylum came to walk alongside me. “There usually is, and considering your expression was neutral prior to my comments, I am betting there is.”
“Well observed.” I could give him that much credit. Maybe I could make this a bit fun. I was curious to see how he would respond to things, and it wouldn’t take more than a class or two for him to figure out how odd I truly was. “The fog was created by me. It’s always a bit sad that it can’t hold up during these temperatures. It’s nice to see my magic last longer.”
“Ah, that is true. I don’t know much about the longevity of white magic if I am being honest.”
I glanced over at him, surprised he actually knew that much. “Not many realize white magic is more than healing and protection spells.”
“Many are rather daft don’t you think?” His smirk made his blue eyes glisten like magic.
“A lady would never say such things,” I laughed. Sure, many of us gossiped as such, but admitting outright was frowned upon.
“A lady would be back in school, readying for the ball. An adventurer is outside wanting to enjoy some freedom before they are forced into pressed clothes and fragrances no one particularly enjoys.”
I laughed hard. “As you wish. The lot of you are daft, and you are right on many of those notions. You would think a fancy school would do better in the way of having nice cologne.”
Aylum smirked. “Indeed. So, while we have a moment, can we agree to put school nonsense away and enjoy a chat? We’ll have enough stuffiness shoved down our throats in the form of wine and tea cakes soon enough.”
I gave a nod and wiped at the tears that had come from laughing so hard. “Perfect. So then tell me, what was your plan for an adventure today?”
“I heard there was a lake and wanted to see if it would be a good fishing spot or not. If I couldn’t find that, I wanted to see if there was anywhere in general one could hide and relax. Slipping out the door wasn’t hard at all, so I am guessing not.”
I gave an agreeing nod. “Not really. The grounds are spelled, as I’m sure you already know. They keep the area well-tended so if that wall breaks no one can easily hide on the grounds.”
“But if one can fog up the area that’s a different story.” I could see the amusement in his eyes.
I coul
d only shrug. “It’s easy enough to counter. I am certain if anyone was actually concerned, they would have dispelled it right off.”
“Or it’s powerful enough that no one here knows how. I’ve heard the destruction magic program is the only one really focused on here.”
“That is true.” I stopped walking. “They really don’t allow much room for magical growth here. Well, maybe they will for you since you’re a male.”
Aylum sighed when he heard that. “I’ve heard such things about several schools. It’s a shame. While having a strong program for one thing is fine and well, you can’t completely ignore your other programs. This whole…” He waved a hand as if shooing away a fly. “Focusing only on male students having magical talents is equally annoying. Branson Magical Academy was much better leveled with that.”
“If that’s where you’re from, why come here?” I could only assume that from his tone.
“The destruction program is better here, and I wanted the best,” he replied as if it was that simple.
Maybe it was for him. I gave a shrug. I didn’t get to choose where I wanted to go. I was still rather angry I didn’t get to choose much in my life for myself.
“And I have brought a look of anger. I apologize.” Aylum gave a sincere look.
“Not your fault, but thank you for the concern.” I nodded and started to walk back the way we came.
