by Dyan Chick
Cupping my hand under it, I closed my eyes. Grow. In my mind, I visualized the plant filling out with dark green leaves. I imagined it bursting with yellow flowers. The light tingling of magic in my fingers spread up my arm and intensified. Startled, I pulled my hand away and opened my eyes. I did it. Laughing, I stood up to stare at the plant. It had tripled in size while I had my eyes closed.
”This is amazing. I never knew I could do such incredible things.” Who knew I’d be so proud of such simple magic. It wasn’t making a fireball like Ashton, but it was magic. I controlled it and I was still conscious.
His knees cracked as he pushed himself up to standing. “I think you’re just getting started, Wilona. I’m available after dinner this evening if you’d like another lesson.”
“I’d like that very much,” I said. “Thank you.”
When we came to the trials, I figured I had found a safe place to hide for a week. I was weighed down by my impending marriage and the love of a man I could never be with. I was struggling to find that spark, that thing that made me unique, more than just a princess. I looked down at the flowers I had grown with my hand. With my magic. I found my spark. Maybe there’s hope for me after all.
20
The camp was busier after my impromptu lesson with Master Flanders. People smiled at me or inclined their heads as they walked by. More people in unusual clothing passed me. I hoped Saffron was awake so I could ask her to explain the cultural differences and customs of the kingdoms meeting here. I laughed at myself. Those princess lessons really rubbed off on me. I never would have wondered about the cultural differences of the people I saw before Sir Henry’s lessons.
Ashton darted from around a tent, his face was white and his eyes wide. When he saw me his posture relaxed the color started to seep back into his face. He pulled me into his arms. “Where have you been? I woke up and you were gone. I was so worried.”
My body wanted to relax into his arms and enjoy the embrace, but I was hurt by being ignored all night. I pushed away and put my hands on my hips. “You were worried? How do you think I felt seeing that empty bed after dinner?”
His cheeks reddened. “You’re right.” He rested a hand on my waist.
I was suddenly aware of the people around us. I stepped back, away from his touch. “It doesn’t matter, anyway,” I said, turning my head away so I wouldn’t have to look at him. “We can’t do this. You know we can’t.”
He clasped his hand around my wrist and led me into the nearest tent. I let out a surprised gasp, worried that somebody would see us. Thankfully it was empty. He pulled me against his broad chest and brushed the hair away from my face. Butterflies filled my stomach. I stared up at him, my eyes locked on his. Something inside of me released and my body melted into his. How does he do this to me? Whenever we were alone, I felt like all of my willpower dissolved. Even if I knew it was a bad idea, even if I wanted to leave the tent, my mind couldn’t make my body comply.
Lifting my chin with his fingers, he bent down to kiss me. A moment’s anticipation caught inside me before his lips pressed into mine. Everything felt so right when we were together. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him back with a fierceness I didn’t know I had. A wave of heat traveled from his lips into mine. They burned and I almost pulled away. Then I felt the ice rising up inside me. It traveled through my body giving me a rush of cold that sent shivers through my entire body. The ice found its way to my mouth, mingling with his fire, sending a shock wave through me. I felt both hot and cold at the same time as I pressed deeper into the kiss and nearly lost the ability to breathe as our magic combined. There wasn’t anybody else in the whole world. Just the two of us.
He broke off the kiss, pulling away gently. He let out a breath, a cloud escaping his mouth. “Woah. That was intense.” He brushed his fingers across my cheek. “I’ve heard of melding magic in a kiss, but that was incredible.”
So that’s what that was. I was still trying to catch my breath. I licked my lips then touched my fingers to my mouth. Who knew magic had so many benefits? There was no way kissing anybody else would ever feel like that. How am I supposed to give this up? I ran a hand through my hair and turned away from Ashton. This hadn’t happened the first time we’d kissed. Something between us had changed. The longer we were together, the deeper our connection grew.
“We can’t keep doing this.” My voice cracked as a lump rose in my throat. “I can’t keep getting closer to you. It’s just going to make it more painful when I can’t be near you anymore. The thought of you with somebody else is already killing me.”
“What do you mean? Who else would I be with?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Come on, Celeste?”
“You’re cute when you’re jealous.” He kissed me again, gently this time.
“You didn’t deny it.”
“You don’t have to worry about Celeste.” His hands moved to my waist. “You don’t have to worry about anybody else. It’s just you. Only you.”
I broke out of his arms and walked to the other side of the tent. I started pacing. “That’s what I’m talking about. This is getting too complicated. You know what my brother has planned for me. You know we can’t be together.” Imagining a life without Ashton was painful. You’ve only known him for a little while. You’re being foolish. Let it go. Was this normal to feel? Would I feel this way about anybody else? What if I was giving away my only chance at happiness? I tried to hold back the tears, but they wouldn’t stop.
Ashton grabbed my hand, stopping my pacing. He looked into my eyes. I turned away, afraid to face him. Gently, he drew my head around with his fingertips so I was looking at him again.
“Wilona, we will find a way. We have to.”
I searched his eyes. He looked so sure of himself. A flicker of hope rose in my chest. Maybe it was possible. If I showed Max my powers, I’d be more important. Didn’t he say sorcerers were the most important thing for our cause? Not for you. You’re worth an entire army in a marriage. That’s much more valuable than a single sorcerer. You’ll have to marry for an alliance.
I shook my head. “It’s not possible. Even if I get out of the marriage Max has planned, I’m still a princess.”
“You can create a blue flame that sends Reapers away. That shouldn’t be possible. You should have been killed when you were a baby. You shouldn’t even be alive. I survived the loss of both of my parents. You and me, we’ve overcome so many more impossible things already. And the one that involves love is the one you are saying we can’t do?”
Whatever I was going to say drifted from my mind, all focus lost. A grin spread across my face. “You love me?”
He pulled me in for a hug and rested his head on mine. “I thought that was obvious.”
I pressed my head against his chest. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way. Things had gone too far. I closed my eyes and realized it was too late. I had already reached the point of no return. There was no way I could marry somebody I didn’t love. No way I could give up Ashton without a fight. Somehow, I’d have to figure out how to appease Max and get out of the marriage he had planned for me. Right now, I didn’t want to think about it. I just wanted to enjoy the moment. Looking up at Ashton, I wiped happy tears off of my cheeks. “I love you, too.”
Saffron was playing cards alone on her bed when I went back to the tent. She didn’t look up when I entered. “Ashton was looking for you.”
I’ve always been a terrible liar and I hoped that Saffron wasn’t seeing right through me. While I trust Saffron, I knew her heart belonged to Max and I had a hard time believing that she’d keep anything from him.
“I saw him before he went to his training session.” I tried to keep my voice flat, disinterested.
She looked up at me. “You know, you’re only making it harder on yourself by carrying on with him.”
My mouth dropped open. How does she always know?
She piled the cards up into one stack in her hands and let out a sigh. “
You’re young. I get it. Just promise me something?”
I stared at her, still in shock over her last comment.
“Just promise me you won’t take it too far? I mean, kissing is one thing, but there are certain lines that can’t be crossed in order to secure a husband.”
My cheeks turned burned. “Saffron!”
“Just keep your virtue in tact, please.”
I covered my face with my hands. What kind of a girl does she think I am? My face was probably bright red. Dropping my hands, I tried to send the embarrassment away. “I’ve had this talk with my grandmother. We can skip the rest.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m serious, Wilona. I know you’re trying to find a way out of this marriage thing, but it’s going to happen anyway.”
My chest was burning. For a moment, I was back in the tent with Ashton, the lingering heat of his kiss was still on my lips. Saffron should know better than anybody how hard it was to give up love. I was going to fight for it. I didn’t ask to be a princess. I didn’t want a throne. Max did. He was making a choice and expected me to follow in his lead. Maybe Max could give up love, but I wouldn’t.
I am going to get out of this marriage thing. Just you wait. I almost told her as much, but it wasn’t worth the argument. And I didn’t want to bring it up until I had a plan. Two weeks, six days. I’ll think of something. In the meantime, I needed to keep her happy. I cleared my throat. “You have a promise.”
Saffron seemed satisfied with my answer and set the cards on a small table that had been added to the room while I was out this morning. I looked around the room. A dividing screen blocked Ashton’s bed. I wondered for a moment where the new furniture came from but decided it wasn’t important.
“We might not have weapons here, but I thought we could spend some time learning some hand to hand combat. Sound good?”
“Sounds like a great way to pass the day.” I hesitated, then added. “I should probably tell you about how I spent the morning.”
She put her hands up. “I don’t want to hear about Ashton. Unless you’re telling me you are no longer pure, in which case, I really don't want to hear it.”
My cheeks burned and I shook my head. “No, no. I met a sorcerer.” I told her about my lesson with Master Flanders and his promise to teach me again tonight.
She actually seemed pleased. “He’s a friend to the Ravens. I’m glad you are learning how to wield your magic. It would be nice not to have to carry you while you’re passed out.”
Blinking, I stared at her in shock. “Why doesn’t anybody ever tell me anything?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t realize you wanted to learn. Why didn’t you ask?”
Saffron had a point. I hadn’t asked about learning magic. Maybe I should be talking to her more often. For a moment, I thought about telling her more about Ashton, but that was probably taking it too far. “I’d really like to learn more combat skills from you.”
She smiled.
Saffron didn’t let me change from the lightweight dress I was wearing into trousers for our combat training. Her argument that I would be wearing dresses more often so I needed to learn how to move in them. I kept tripping over the skirt as I tried to use the evasive moves she taught me.
“Do it again.” She moved back to her starting position.
I sighed and moved back to where I had come from. My bow would be really great right about now. I ducked and twisted away as she came at me with a tall flower in her hand. It was hard to take her seriously when her sword was replaced by a flower.
The ringing of a bell offered a respite from the lesson. I wiped the sweat from my brow and put my hands on my side. “Time for a break?” How was she never tired?
Saffron tossed the flower on the ground. “I suppose it’s a good time. You should get some rest before your lesson tonight. Magic uses a lot more energy than you think it does. Max is always so tired after he… never mind. Just get some rest. I’m going to say hello to some of the other Ravens who are here.”
I headed back to the tent, grateful for the command to rest. My new life had not allowed for much in the way of down time so far. I wondered what it would be like if I couldn’t think of a way out of this marriage. I’d be shipped off and married to some prince. My stomach clenched. Not a prince, a king. Since the first moment Saffron had told me of my lineage, I knew I didn’t want to rule. Now I’d be forced to sit next to somebody while they did. I frowned. That’s probably even worse than ruling a kingdom in your own right. I tossed and turned on the bed, worried my anxiety would keep me awake. Exhaustion won out and I drifted into sleep.
In my dream, I saw a throne emblazoned with the Ouroboros of my family’s crest. Then I was sitting on it, looking out into a grand room full of people. I reached up and felt a heavy crown on my head. The room was filled with tapestries, the gold Ouroboros embroidered on them practically glowed. Queen of Illaria. Not some foreign kingdom. My kingdom. My pulse quickened. I can’t be queen. Max is supposed to be king.
Saffron woke me with a gentle shake. I sat up, panting and sweaty. What a strange dream. It took a minute to realize where I was. I’m in a tent at the Sorcery Trials. I jumped out of the bed. “What time is it?” Had I slept through my lesson?
“It’s okay,” Saffron assured me. “Master Flanders is outside waiting for you. It’s time for your lesson.”
“The second lesson we usually teach new sorcerers,” Master Flanders began, “is to enchant objects so they can float. It’s something that little kids really enjoy being able to do. However, I don’t see it being much use to you. The objects have to be within your line of sight, so it’s usually just as easy for somebody to take a few steps to retrieve the object.”
I thought for a moment. “Unless you drop a weapon and you can’t get to it.”
He smiled. “You are the weapon when you master your sorcery. But for the sake of appearances, or in case you have your own apprentice someday, I suppose I can show you how to do it.” He flicked his fingers up and a rock floated over to him. It landed at his feet with a thud.
I didn’t wait for instructions. I copied his movements and called over a rock of my own.
A half smile reappeared on his face. “That usually takes a week to teach a child. I expected you to be faster, but not that fast. How about this?” He lifted his hand and pointed his index finger. I watched the position of each finger on his hand to see how he lined them up. He drew a circle with the index finger and the noise from the people around us vanished. It got so quiet, I worried something was wrong with my ears.
Hesitantly, I started to speak. “What?” I jumped at the sound of my own voice. It was louder than I expected and came out in a sort of echo.
“It’s a silence spell. Nobody outside of the spell’s range can hear anything being said between us.” He repeated the movement with his fingers and the sounds of the people around us flooded into me.
I took my stance and lifted my hand. I pointed my finger and was careful to place the rest of my fingers just right. I made the circle. The sounds vanished.
I jumped a little in my excitement. “This is amazing.”
“The movements are important, as you have already figured out. But you can customize them to fit your own style. As long as the basic movement is there and you are concentrating hard enough, you will be able to complete the spell. He clasped his hands together in front of him and closed his eyes. The sounds came pouring back in.
I looked around. I must have lost my concentration. My shoulders sunk.
“That wasn’t you,” he said. “That was me.”
“But you didn’t even lift a finger. How?”
“Practice.” We won’t get there today. “But I want you to know that the highest levels of sorcerers don’t have to use their hands. If you ever find yourself facing one, you won’t have any hints as to what they are doing. Your brother, for example, rarely uses his hands.”
I forgot that Master Flanders was a Raven, he must know my brother.
“I’ve never seen Max use magic.”
“Pray you never see him at his full power. I have never seen a sorcerer so young with power like his. In fact, I have seen very few who ever attain power like his.”
A chill ran down my spine. I thought Ashton was powerful and he’s just an apprentice. Being defenseless against Max scared me. He was my brother and we were supposed to be on the same side, but I didn’t like feeling so helpless. Don’t trust anybody. Was Max to be included in that warning? My bow would be no good against a sorcerer if I ever had to fight one. My jaw tightened. “Teach me more.”
Master Flanders inclined his head then began a new spell. He pulled both hands up from his stomach to his chest, paused, and then raised them to the sky. He held them there a moment and then dropped his hands to his side.
I waited. Nothing happened. Then I felt a cold pinprick, a drop of rain. And another. And another. A light sprinkle rained down on us. Almost as quickly as it started, it stopped.
He raised his eyebrows. “Your turn.”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I centered my hands level with my midsection, and raised them to my chest. In my mind, I pictured thunderclouds, with lightning and pouring rain. I imagined wind blowing through the grassy meadow. I thought about the sound the rain would make as it pelted the canvas of the tents. Pushing my hands to the sky, I dropped them to my side so hard they slammed against my legs. I stood with my eyes closed, willing it to rain.
A thunderclap sounded from above. I opened my eyes and looked up as the first drops began falling on me. They were large drops and they were increasing in size. Thunder sounded again. Wind blew past me. The temperature cooled. I looked up at the gray clouds and laughed. I made rain. And not just rain, a thunderstorm.
Master Flanders put a hand on my shoulder. “Your brother can’t do that.” He looked up at the sky. “I don’t know anybody who can do that.”
My clothes were soaked and sticking to my skin. My hair was plastered against my face. I pushed it out of the way. “What does that mean?”
