by J. P. Larson
“Eva!” I whispered.
She giggled. “Caught you.”
And then she went to town, tickling me while I lay, paralyzed from her spell. But finally, I said, “Enough! Please, Eva.”
She rotated around, looming over in the dark. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“Entirely yours.”
“Tell me you missed me.”
“You know I missed you.”
“Good.” She settled down along me before passing a hand over me, pulling away the paralysis. But then she began touching me another way.
Celebration
Eva and I stood together, holding hands and staring at the doors leading into Queen Hallamarie’s court. We were both in lovely gowns. Mine was deep green, and hers, by my request, was the color of rose quartz, the color of my magic when I thought about her. Other than our size, there was nothing to suggest we were sorceresses. We were simply two women, minutes away from becoming a married couple.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I love you,” I told her.
“I love you, too,” she said. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, and so, together, we stepped forward. As soon as we began to move, the guards opened the doors, and inside, a herald announced, “Magus Eva Truebright and Adept Kia Shortshadow!”
The people applauded as we came into view. And then the musicians started. We had planned on simply walking to the queen, but Eva pulled me to her, holding her arms up for dance embrace. I laughed and moved to her. We paused, and then we were dancing, twirling as we made our way up the aisle.
I had eyes only for Eva, but I caught glimpses. The room wasn’t full, but there were a lot of people here, more than I had expected. I didn’t really register specifics, but then we reached the queen, both of us laughing. Eva hugged me, and then we both turned to Hallamarie. She was smiling broadly.
The music ended a moment later, so someone was watching to have timed it that well. Marie let the sound settle and then said, “Oh, a happy day.” She made a sweeping gesture. “There may be a few more here than you expected.”
Eva and I glanced at each other, and then we turned, looking out. Grandmama and my parents were in the front, Iladarta, Quartain, Lenda, and Astari finishing that side of the front row. On the other side was the entirety of Eva’s family; they had all come, even Maureen with little Tendril, and they were smiling.
I saw Cleo two rows back, and then beside her, her daughter, Alexid. Cleo blew us a kiss.
Everyone from the school was there, literally everyone. Lunia and Lorelai were waiting at the front with us, but Framara was seated behind Mama. We saw students and instructors and all the swordsmen and women.
But then I saw, sitting together, Hallow, Larpeen, and Sytara. I looked further, and every sorceress I could think of was there. I looked around, somewhat overwhelmed. Marie set a hand on my shoulder and the other on Eva’s, and said quietly, “This doesn’t happen for every sorceress, but when one is a Magus, and the other an Adept on her way to Magus, this is what tends to happen. One of you welcome them.”
“Eva,” I whispered, and she nodded.
She lifted her voice. “We weren’t expecting so many, but we’re touched. You are all welcome, and we want to thank you for sharing this day with us. You have surprised us, but we have a little surprise for you, too.” And then she pulled me slightly to the left. “Lunia. Lorelai.”
Our swordswomen stepped forward, meeting in the middle, then stepping into the place we had vacated, now holding hands.
“There are two weddings today,” I said. “Four women stand before you. We are two and two, but also a different pair of two and two, and together, four. Lunia and Lorelai are every bit in love as Eva and I are.”
It was Mama and Ivarine who began the applause, but we’d prompted them ahead of time. It took nothing for everyone else to offer approval of the plans, and when they finally settled, the four of us were facing Marie.
“Well,” she said. “Shall we begin?”
About the author
J. P. Larson lives in Minnesota. His household includes The Lady and The Dog. It is unclear which of the three is the most spoiled.
He likes hiking in the mountains (which isn't easy while living in Minnesota) and scuba diving (ditto). He consoles himself by feeding the muse.
J. P. can be reached via his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/author.j.p.larson. You can email him at [email protected]
Works by J. P. Larson
The Dawson's Star Series
Adrift
The Cartosia Series
Arnikan
Countess
Vastoria
Unseen
The Lothen Series
Return to Lothen
Lothen Desert
Far From Lothen
Lost in Lothen
A Spell for Kia Series
Initiate
Novice
Apprentice
Journeywoman
Adeot
Short Stories
Forever Friends
Hell Hath No Fury
Velvet Dreams
A Spell for Kia: Adept
Copyright 2020 by Joseph P. Larson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
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License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of Contents
Games
The Nature of Magic
Unloved
Late Night Visitor
Exam
Part Two
Hiding
Reunion
Home
Duties
Youngster
Eva's Home
Northmere
Instructor
Part Three
Winter
Friends
Separation
Family
Celebration
About the author
Works by J. P. Larson
The Dawson's Star Series
The Cartosia Series
The Lothen Series
A Spell for Kia Series
Short Stories
