Instead, I rose to my feet and left the room, going to my chambers and returning a few minutes later.
Taking a seat beside her again, I handed her the object I’d retrieved.
She looked at it in obvious confusion, her brow furrowing. Then she looked back up at me.
“A mirror? Why did you give me this? I have no wish to look at myself.”
“It’s not for looking at your reflection,” I explained. “It’s for seeing your family.”
Raewyn’s cheeks pinkened, and life came into her eyes, emphasizing just how dull they’d been moments earlier.
“I can see them with this?” she asked, sitting up straighter and staring at the looking glass. “But how?”
“Auspexiate magic. Auspex Caxton used his glamour to imbue the mirror with the power to see things far away.”
“But I don’t see them.”
She turned the mirror side to side, even shaking it. “Maybe it won’t work for me.”
I smiled at her adorable impatience. “It will, Wildcat. But you have to focus. Gaze into it while thinking of the person you want to see the most.”
Going still, Raewyn held the mirror up in front of her while her expression turned serious and intent. After a minute, she began smiling.
“I see them,” she exclaimed. “I can even hear them.”
Tears streamed down her face, and she began laughing.
“They’re talking about their new cow, what to name her.”
Raewyn’s delighted gaze moved to me. “They have acow, Pharis.”
I smiled. “I told you they were fine. They have everything they need and want. I’ve made sure of that.”
“Thank you,” she breathed as her eyes returned to the mirror.
“Oh, the girls look so beautiful—and so much older already. I’ve never seen them so plump and healthy. And Papa looks good as well.”
“He’ll be dealing with ardent suitors from the village before you know it,” I said. “And as promised, I’ve made sure the girls have generous dowries.”
“So this is how you’ve been keeping an eye on them,” Raewyn said in wonder. “Why did you not tell me about this before?”
Because I’ve been using it to keep an eye on you.I did not share that thought with her but kept it to myself.
As the mirror showed you what you most wanted to see, it most often held images of Raewyn, wherever she was in the castle and whatever she was doing.
I fell asleep every night gazing at an image of her pretty head on her pillow.
Though I’d never intended to share with Raewyn that I had such an ability, the look on her face now made giving up my little secret more than worthwhile.
She was happy again, and that was all that mattered.
“Have you used the mirror to see your brother and sister?” Raewyn asked.
“On occasion, yes,” I admitted. “We were once very close. I miss them.”
It was true, though seeing them again in person was out of the question. If King Stellon ever found out what I’d done, one of the former “Three Pillars” would be losing its cap.
Nodding, Raewyn went back to staring into the mirror.
