“You will. Once you have completed your training and been inducted as a Voltarian lightning archmage.”
She squealed and clapped her hands.
Of course, she might not have much need to wear it now that the war with the dragons had ended. He almost laughed. Because there would always be wars to fight in. Perhaps Zephyrias and Voltaria would turn against each other now that they’d made peace with Draconia.
Or perhaps the Kingdoms of Voltaria and Zephyrias would look east. They’d start to take over their neighbouring kingdoms and territories, as they’d used to do. They’d be focused once more on extending their empire.
But Elias would not be a part of that. He’d be the husband to the dragon warrior. He’d live in Draconia, where no one would know what he was capable of. He’d have no need to don mask or robes ever again.
His chest tightened. Because although he was glad he would not need to kill or injure anyone again, he would miss being a mighty lightning sorcerer. He would miss the power surging through him as he battled.
“And are those your robes?”
“They are.” Elias’s deep-blue robes lay folded at the very bottom of the trunk. Elias touched the soft fabric.
“Will you put them on and show me?” She practically vibrated. “I’ve never seen a lightning archmage all dressed up before!”
“Why would you want?—”
“Please! I just want to see what you look like. I want to see the whole outfit together! I want to imagine how glorious you must have looked facing off against dragons during the war.”
“Keep your voice down. Don’t forget we are in the dragons’ lair.” Elias glanced at the door. It of course remained closed and locked.
And Gerard would not return for a while. He had plans to go see his aunt in Draconia that night. It would behours before he returned. That meant Elias and Colette had time.
Elias wondered if Colette might soon be placed with a new trainer, now that he would be moving to Draconia. Training her there, whilst trying to keep their identities secret, might prove challenging. And if their identities were revealed, some might think they’d been planted in Draconia for nefarious purposes.
And as much as Elias liked Colette, he’d breathe a sigh of relief if she was placed with a new trainer. He didn’t like lying to Gerard about his relationship with her.
“Fine,” Elias relented. “Consider it a reward for all the progress you’ve made.”
He donned the robes, tied his hair into a bun, and then settled the mask over his face. He stood before the mirror. Nothing obviously identifiable could be seen. The only part of him you could really see were his hands. They’d probably have covered those too, except it interfered with their magic.
Colette stood by the mirror, staring at him with her mouth hanging open. Then she clapped, bouncing on her feet. “You look marvellous! I can’t wait until I have my own robes and mask.”
Elias stared at himself for several long seconds.This might be the last time I ever wear this.Perhaps he should even dispose of them. No point keeping them around when he moved to Draconia. He touched the fabric, taking a moment to fix this image of himself into his mind.
He took off the mask and placed it on the table in the middle of the room. “Just keep training and studying, and you will be one of us in no time.” He walked towards the trunk and began to take off his robes.
The door handle rattled. Elias and Colette spun towardsit. He heard the distinct sound of a key being slotted into the lock.
Gerard! It was Gerard! He had returned early! If it was the servant, they would have knocked first.
Elias tore at the inner ties holding the robe in place. He yanked it off. Colette stood wide-eyed, completely frozen in place as she stared at the door. Elias threw his robes into the trunk and dashed towards the table where his mask lay exposed.
The door swung open.
Chapter
Fifty
Elias stood far too many steps away from the white mask sitting out in the open, contrasting so strongly with the dark wood of the table.
Why did I not consider that he might come back early?
“Colette.” Gerard’s gaze fixed on her. He took a few steps into the room, not even glancing at the table and the mask. “I didn’t realise you’d be here.”
Elias smiled, trying to slow his breathing. “We were just finishing up her lessons.”
