“You don’t believe that I can do it?” She asked.
“No,” he said. “I’m certain you can.”
“So what is it?”
He looked out the dark starlight flecked window. “It’s impressive. No one else has that ability.”
Maeve’s mouth fell open, a small laugh escaped her lips. “Was that a compliment?”
Mal’s eyes slid back to hers. The corner of his mouth turned slightly up.
“Merlin,” said Maeve. “I almost can’t believe it.”
“Enough,” he drawled. “I want to see.”
Maeve hesitated. “Alright.”
“I’ll arrange it,” he said matter-of-factly.
They abandoned all talk of her exclusive abilities and returned to the lesson at hand. After another hour, Mal decided that would do for the day, and left her to the homework for her other subjects. As expected, she spent the remainder of her day in the Library.
As much as Maeve Sinclair hated to admit it, her lessons from Malachite were rapidly paying off. In only a few weeks, Professor Hummingdoor had noticed, and much to her dismay had applauded Mal in front of numerous students, for her improvements.
She received a letter from her father, stating how proud he was that she had found a solution. Also included in his reply was a stunning sapphire ring. Engraved on the band was the Sinclair Family Motto: usque ad mortem.
The ring had granted her an exaggerated eye roll from Abraxas and a comment about being spoiled, which Maeve chose not to hear.
Chapter 4
It quickly became colder in on Vaukore Island, where seasons didn’t exist, but the island’s ancient magic allowed them to experience them all the same.
The first light snow had come, sprinkling the ground with shiny flecks of white, but inside the castle by a crackling fire, Mal and Maeve were perfectly warm.
On one of the desks was a copy of The Starlight Gazette someone left behind. The front page read:
GERMANY BOMBS MORE HUMAN CITIES AS THE WAR CONTINUES . KIETEL UNACCOUNTED FOR, SOURSE CLOSE TO THE DOUBLE O SAYS HE HAS ABANDONED HIS POST AS CAPTAIN UNDER PREMIER SINCLAIR
Maeve glanced at the headline, her stomach sinking.
“Will you be participating in the first duel tomorrow night?” Mal asked Maeve, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“Oh, no,” said Maeve. “That’s not exactly my thing.”
“Have you ever dueled before?”
“Plenty. I grew up with it. It’s just. . . not my thing.”
Mal scrunched his face. “That’s odd.”
Maeve shrugged.
“No,” said Mal cooly. “Don’t shrug it off. I want to know why.”
His eyes were fixed on her. They were dark as the sky between stars, swirling like the nights sky.
Maeve sighed. “I don’t know why.”
Mal was quiet, clearly thinking. “I think I do.”
