“Some earth and fire babies can manipulate metals, while some fire and air users can use lightning,” Rowena explains. “But usually, the child will take after one or the other parent’s ability.”
We begin walking on the path back to the castle, my boots slipping several times on the ice. Rowena grabs hold of my arm, trying to steady me, but both of us end up fumbling around. I hold my arms aloft, wobbling until I find my footing. Our gazes meet, and we holler with even more laughter.
I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.
“What about the other two…” I try to remember what Barnham told me. “Evokari and Remedari?” My growing curiosity gets the best of me.
“Those are just as rare.” Rowena doesn’t seem to mind filling me in. “Rather than focusing on the elements, their magic focuses on the physical. They are kind of… counterparts, offshoots of one another. Evokari can manipulate things totheir will, whereas Remedari bend themselves to get the desired result.”
“I see…” My mind drifts to Lunithia. “Is that how the King made the man you froze disappear?”
Rowena giggles. “You catch on quick, Rae. Yes, Wrath can make people disappear into nothingness. Evokari are known for being destructive,” she adds. “Most Remedari are healers, making them invaluable because they're scarce.”
“Fascinating,” I reply, walking under the large archway as we enter the castle.
Dropping Rowena’s arm, I push open the large wooden door for us to enter the castle. A rush of warm air greets us, a relief from the weather outside. I tap my boot against the ground, trying my best not to track snow through the halls before we walk.
“I love the cold.” She frowns. “I wish I could be back home in Myragos. The hot springs in the snow are the mostdivineexperience.”
“You should go. I’m sure your father misses you,” I tell her as we stroll through the castle.
She shakes her head. “I cannot. If I travel home now, my mother will surely force me into an arrangement.”
“Ah, yes. The lovely Natalia Bainbridge.” A voice cuts into our conversation. “She is… a force.”
Glancing back, I see Barnham approaching us. He wears a long, thick coat with a fur-lined collar, brown trousers, and knee-high boots. His thick beard has grown fully for the winter, and he scratches at it absently as he yawns. I still want to know about the chunk missing from his ear.
“Hello, Barnham,” I greet him.
“You’re putting it lightly, cousin.” Rowena lets out a defeated huff. “My mother is a tyrant.”
“I was trying to be kind.” Barnham chuckles. “Raelys, the King wishes to see you.”
Dread fills me.
“All right,” I reply sweetly, trying to hide my apprehension.
“Chat soon, Rae.” Rowena waves goodbye and departs.
Barnham and I stroll down the corridor together. It completely slipped my mind that I agreed to help with my mother's journal. The days after the festival have been a blur of work and checking in on Rowena, my focus elsewhere.
“I saw you push Rowena out of the way in place of yourself,” Barnham finally says. “Although I don’t fully trust you, you have my thanks.”
“Are we turning over a new leaf, Barnham?” I tease, a smile forming on my lips.
“That’s a stretch.”
Barnham holds the door open, letting me step inside before he closes it again, sealing me in. Wrath sits at the head of the table, eyes scanning over a letter as he reads. As I take a few more steps into the room, his gaze lifts to mine, and I can immediately sense him growing weary from my appearance—disheveled once again.
“Raelys, why are you covered in snow?” he asks, exasperated.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him since the festival. After what occurred on the balcony, I took different routes across the castle and spent more time in my room, successfully avoiding him until now. Wrath doesn’t seem any different—back to his usual brazen self, which I suppose I should be grateful for.
“Rowena buried me with her magic.”
Wrath says nothing in return as he places my mother's journal on the surface for me. I put my right hand over the cover and try to remember the proper technique. Wrath steps behind me, pressing his palm against mine.
“You’re manipulating my magic with yours? Is that how it works?” I ask, closing my eyes as I try to steady my breath.
