“The Aellei, on the other hand, are magic. I call it forth in spells. She herself commands it as an extension of herself, like breathing.”
“Interesting.” Marcus sat up straighter. “Which leads me to something I’ve been thinking about for some time. The magic of our affai. Both Samantha and Tessa are powerful humans with an exceptional call to magic. Their essence calls to the elemental in Darius and myself. Even in Tanselm, our affai stand out more for their powerful energies than their foreign birth.”
“This is so,” Darius agreed. “Samantha’s powers have grown significantly since arriving in Tanselm. Believe it or not, I’ve taught her a few useful spells. Just basic stuff we learned when young, but she casts them like a sorcerer.”
“Spells?” I didn’t like the sound of that, especially coming from Darius. Aerolus was the only one of the Royal Four with the capacity to wield mage energy properly.
Darius shrugged, appearing uncomfortable. “Uncle, if I could show you?” He tapped his temple.
I nodded and allowed him to share a brief mental projection.
“Ah, spells.” Relieved, I smiled. “As in, a speedy way to dispense clothing, increased stamina for lovemaking, the ability to do what with wax, exactly?”
“You get the picture,” Darius growled, his cheeks flushing. He glared at me and said to Marcus, “I don’t know what the hell you’re laughing about. Samantha talks to Tessa daily, so I know you’ve taught her the same things.”
I raised a brow at the guilty look on Marcus’ face.
“Now hold on,” Marcus said. “Tessa’s a siphon. I didn’t teach her the spells.”
“No, you used them around her enough that she eventually absorbed them from you,” I said drily, secretly pleased they’d been sharing their magic. Boosting it with the love and affection they felt for their affai. Still, they deserved a little needling. “It’s good to know the Storm Lords are making good use of their time preparing for the enemy.”
Both brothers scowled, their energy in tune and growing as they turned their hostility from each other toward me.
Such growth, such power. And all on the heels of falling in love. I hoped Alandra wouldn’t disappoint Aerolus. With her magic and love, I could only imagine the strength Aerolus might one day wield. And that edge might be the push the Royal Four needed to oust the Dark Lords from Tanselm once and for all.
“Relax, you two. Your affai do you credit. I’m pleased you both found exactly what you needed.”
Marcus nodded. “Tessa is perfection. I couldn’t agree more.”
“Yeah, she’s the only woman who can stand your attitude,” Darius muttered and gave his brother a rude hand gesture he’d learned in this mundane plane.
“Back at you. It’s no wonder a woman who looks like Samantha can be such a pain in the ass. You found someone just like you.”
Darius brightened. “She is a hot handful.”
Marcus rolled his eyes.
“So back to your original question, Uncle.” Darius ignored his brother’s muttering. “I like Alandra. I know what the Aellei are capable of. But in my opinion, a woman who risked her life to save Tanselm and my brother can’t be too terrible. From the way she looked at Aerolus, I’d say she’s got it bad.” His red eyes glowed with approval.
“Much as it distresses me, I have to agree with the fire-breather.” Marcus arched a thumb at Darius. “From what you’ve said, she saved my life and Tessa’s. I have no doubt the Nocumat we encountered would have devoured me whole. And if she’s been here for an entire year watching us, she could have done us harm, yet she didn’t. I’m glad she’s here, helping us. And to have captured Aerolus’ heart, that is no mean feat.”
“True enough. And yet,” I paused, unable to put into words the feeling that wouldn’t go away. When I’d attacked Alandra, I’d felt her vast magic, had sensed something familiar about it. The woman was of Shadow. This I knew. But why would an Aellei fight to save Tanselm?
Aelle, though beautiful, spacious, and full of interesting areas where Light met Darkness, couldn’t compare to the majesty of Tanselm. Had I been in the queen’s position, I might very well have schemed for our land.
Drawing from Tanselm would be like exchanging pale moonlight for burning sunlight. So why would Alandra willingly leave her world of beauty to come to Seattle — a mundane plane of existence filled with dreary days, which the Aellei would categorize as unsightly? And she’d also volunteered to babysit an enemy Light Bringer. One of the Royal Four, no less.
My instincts were never wrong. Almost never wrong, my conscience prodded as an image of Lexa intruded. Frowning the thought away, I focused on the here and now.
I weighed my words carefully. “Since your brother has never before failed us when we most needed him, we should support him by giving Alandra the same loyalty he gives her.”
Marcus smiled. “Nicely said.”
“Not bad for an old man,” Darius chimed in, grinning when I narrowed my eyes.
Old man?
“I can’t say I’ve ever met a sorcerer who’s older,” Cadmus added from the hallway, staring without surprise at his brothers.
