“This book from the Restricted Area on memory charms.”
“Any better luck translating it?”
Maeve sighed. “Not really. It’s not just the translation, though. The handwriting is abysmal too.”
“Do all spoiled witches grow up learning French? Or just the Sinclairs?”
Maeve frowned.
“Don’t fret. Merely being playful.”
Maeve smiled softly, returning to her reading. Mal was silent for a moment.
“Set aside your book.”
She looked up at him and obeyed. Pulling herself off the grass and crossing her legs beneath her. He was silent for another moment.
“I’m going to do it tonight.”
Maeve sat up straight, her eyes wide.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Maeve exhaled loudly. “Wow.”
She stared at a spot in the grass that was slightly brown.
Mal was going to perform a Vexkari. A dangerous and dark bit of magic. Her mind flooded with concern. What if it went badly? What if he got hurt? Was it even wise to perform the spell in the castle?
“Maeve.” His smooth voice pulled her from her thoughts. “This castle holds ancient power, a protection over all of us. It’s-”
“The safest place to do it,” she finished for him.
Mal was not present in the Dining Hall for dinner, but shortly after she came across Roswyn running his monitoring duties for him on the fifth floor.
“Mal would have given you this, so I won’t be doing anything less. You’re lucky he’s not here, though. You know he’d be disappointed in one of his Draconem breaking the rules without asking him,” said Roswyn. “Now, get.”
The boy hurried past Maeve. Roswyn saw her and laughed.
“Bet you can’t stand me doing your prized Paragon duty,” he said.
“You’re putting far too much stock in my feelings towards you,” said Maeve walking past him.
“I figured you’d be with him tonight. Guess he didn’t deem you important enough to be included in whatever it is he’s up to.”
Maeve stopped abruptly, turning towards him and dramatically dropping her jaw. “He didn’t tell you?”
Roswyn’s face dropped. Maeve smiled wickedly, throwing her head back as she laughed.
Magic fluttered across the back of her neck, knocking her off balance. She stopped laughing and gasped.
“What’s the matter with you?”
“Dammit,” muttered Maeve as she shivered. It was the second time this week she felt that unwanted Magic.
Roswyn rounded her. “I asked you a question.”
