Sidonia’s smile slid from her face, and she shook her head, her braids following the movement. “Erica Musgrove is as small-minded as most of Lynoria. If it wasn’t for her family connection to Olympia, I would have tossed her out years ago. As it is, it seems unwise to be on the receiving end of the Imperial Witch’s ill will.”
“Even still. She is causing unrest. It would be a mistake to condemn a powerful witch just because Erica can’t begin to manifest an ounce of that kind of magic.”
Sidonia watched him carefully and for a minute he worried he had said too much. That she saw more than he had been willing to give away, but she merely lifted her cup and took another sip.
“I do not intend to see either of the Marudas sisters leave this institution, though to sate Musgrove and the unrest she has stirred up, I am holding a traditional tribunal, and I will need you to prepare the youngest Marudas for that.”
Icarus fought against the relief that worked its way through his chest. Even though he considered that it might be better for them both to be far from Calder and his uncle’s plans. He would need to keep an eye on them, but that was the last thing he needed to be doing.
Icarus didn’t appreciate the way Sidonia watched him in the way she did when she knew something he wasn’t saying. There were very few people he worried about disappointing and the woman before him was one of them. The longer he stayed, the more he ran the risk.
He stood from the chair, his body absent of the pain that had been there before. “Thank you as usual.”
“Icarus,” she warned. “You know I am always on your side.”
Icarus stilled beneath her words. Gods help him, but he did know that. She might be the only person since he was a boy that could say those words and he’d believe them. Pain of a different kind lanced through him at the knowledge. She deserved better than what he was giving her after everything she had done for him.
“Goodnight, Sidonia,” he said as he opened the door.
“Goodnight, Icarus.”
He shut the door and retreated into himself as he should have done in the first place.
Chapter fifteen
Arabella Marudas
Thehazymorningglowcaressed Ara’s skin as she shifted underneath the pile of blankets she had accumulated. Thoughts of her sister's new familiar floated through her mind. Tisi, which the snake seemed to begrudgingly allow Ara to call her, was just as formidable as Seren. It made sense that they should belong to each other. Lifting her arm, Ara watched as the sun’s light danced over her skin, fascinated by the way it seemed to anticipate her movement. Her trance was broken by shuffling from beneath the blankets, which subsequently led to a small red ball of fur poking his head out and glaring at her.
“Well then, Juniper, you may be able to sleep all day, but some of us have things to do.”
In answer, Juniper rubbed his face against hers, the purr coming from him radiating with pleasure. She knew her familiar had been worried and stressed about being subjected to Tisi, but he would be just fine.
She might have been content to lie in bed for hours if it weren’t for the distinctive rumbling of her stomach. Making short work of getting ready for her day, given the promise of food waiting downstairs, Ara prepared to leave when a light tapping on the window sounded. Turning, she saw a raven she recognized as Cal’s familiar. Horacio.
Opening the window, Horacio stepped in, eyeing Juniper warily who sat poised on the side of the bed. When he was satisfied that the fox would not make an attempt at him, he dropped a small scroll from his mouth and cawed loudly before flying away.
Meet me at the boundary. I have snacks.
-Cal
Didn’t she just promise Seren she wouldn’t go traipsing into the woods to meet with devilishly handsome wizards? The thrill that shot through her stomach told her she was going to break her promise despite her good intentions. How long had she imagined this moment or some variation of it? At first, it had been just his handsomeness that drew her attention, but then it was how she had witnessed his interaction with Ariminta at one of the cooperative magic events the schools took turns hosting in order to improve relations between witches and wizards.
Ariminta had thrown herself at him, ever sure of how desirable she was. Most of the other wizards eyed her and attempted to get in her good graces, but not Cal. It was as if he had seen through her in a moment. He had quickly disentangled his arm from hers and informed her that he was still recovering from a case of the pox and if she valued her good looks, she would do well to stay away. Ariminta had recoiled with horror and left him. Cal, however, turned inexplicably to where Ara had been watching and winked at her, making Ara’s face flush before turning away abruptly.
He always seemed to be alone despite the fact that he was heir to Mistral Hall. The other wizards interacted with him pleasantly, but there was none that he seemed to call a friend. It both saddened and intrigued Ara as if there were more to him than anyone knew. Roxie teased her endlessly and told her to just go talk to him since his eyes caught hers just as much, but Ara couldn’t bring herself to. It would have been like breaking a beautiful spell too early. What if she spoke to him and he treated her like he did Ariminta or maybe it was all in her mind? Maybe he was only ever catching her eye because she was staring at him. She’d rather live in ignorance than have her hopes shattered. Then Seren said he asked for her and everything changed.
The decision was made before she finished reading the note. The air was crisp as the magic the witches used on the equinox permeated the earth. Fall had come to Calami, and its brisk morning air was a welcome change. Ara’s feet moved as if she knew the way without having to think about it. Just beyond Calami’s boundary, underneath a shadowing of trees, Cal sat upon a small blanket laid with what looked more like a feast than snacks.
As Ara’s boots crunched the fallen leaves, Cal’s eyes shot up to meet hers. Her stomach did a flip that was both welcome and entirely unsettling. Cal stood and jogged over to meet her before offering her his hand as if he would escort her to dinner. Without hesitating, she took his hand as he led her to their small picnic. The smell of tea and pastries lingered in the air.
Cal settled in next to her and poured her a steaming cup of tea, giving her a crooked smile. “I wasn’t entirely confident you would come.”
Ara took the tea and lifted it, smelling notes of lemon and mint. “Because meeting outside of school functions is frowned upon?”
His smile slipped as his eyes roamed over her face. “Because I hurt you. I’m sorry, Ara. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but that doesn’t excuse it.”
She could practically feel his guilt ravaging her, but she placed her hand over his and hoped her sincerity would be enough to assuage the blame he placed on himself. “I know you didn’t mean to, Cal. I’m not upset about it at all. You don’t have to make grand gestures to apologize.”
