No pressure.
Quandary flew to my shoulder, snuggling against my neck.I’ve searched everywhere. The east wing, the crypts, even the servants’ quarters. No sign of who’s been draining your magic.
“Sadly, my hauntings have also not yielded any clues, and believe me, I’ve tried.”
I stroked Quandary’s head. “It’s not your fault. Not yours either, Cordelia. Your support means a lot to me.”
His wings drooped.I should’ve found something. Someone.
“We’ll figure it out.” I tried to sound confident, though my wavering lantern light suggested otherwise. “Maybe after tonight, when the dance is done, we can focus on tracking down whoever’s behind this.”
If we make it through tonight.
What if I couldn’t perform the dance? My magic could fail completely, and then I’d embarrass Kieran in front of his entire court.
I picked up the lantern again, determined to make it work. This time, I closed my eyes, searching deep within for the wellspring of joy that had always fueled my magic.
Images flickered in my mind. My sisters laughing in the garden. Grandmother teaching me my first spell. The festival where I’d met Kieran, his smile bright when he delivered my breakfast tray, something that had turned into an everyday occurrence.
More recent memories. Kieran’s face as he showed me his kingdom. His hands steady as he taught me the dance steps. The warmth in his eyes when he looked at me across a room. The way he held me at night.
“That’s it,” Cordelia said softly. “Now you’re doing it.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest, and golden light spilled from my fingertips into the lantern. For a moment, it glowed brilliantly. Then it faltered, dimming to a pale shadow of what it should be.
“This is hopeless.” I set the lantern down again, fighting back tears. “Maybe I don’t belong here after all.”
But that was wrong. Ididbelong here, with Kieran, and in this strange castle that was slowly becoming home. But if I couldn’t even maintain simple joy enchantments, what use was I as a magical ally?
“Now that’s just nonsense, dear.” Lady Cordelia spiraled up to the ceiling, then floated around my workshop, her silk robes trailing behind her like storm clouds. “I’ve been watching your efforts. Quite the stubborn little light, isn’t it?”
“It’s not the lantern that’s failing.” I gestured halfheartedly. “It’s me.”
Cordelia clicked her tongue. “Your light is being leached, dear. That’s not weakness, that’s theft.” She drifted closer, her cool fingers lifting my chin until I met her gaze. “Someone is draining you deliberately, and yet here you sit, still trying to create beauty. If anything, that demonstrates extraordinary strength.”
“Not enough strength to make it work, though.”
“Perhaps you’re approaching it wrong.” She picked up the lantern, turning it in the light. “You’re pouring more and more magic into it, trying to overpower whatever is draining you.”
“Isn’t that what I should do?”
“Not necessarily.” A knowing smile curved her lips. “Sometimes the strongest magic comes from where you draw your power, not from how much power you use.”
Quandary perked up on my shoulder.She makes a good point. You’re using your own reserves, but what about the connection you share with Kieran?
Cordelia’s eyes glowed. “See? I’m right.” She tapped the lantern with one long fingernail. “You and Kieran have created quite a bond. I can see it shimmering around you, even now.”
My cheeks warmed. “We’ve been practicing the dance.”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Her laugh tinkled like silver bells. “Your magic and his have begun to intertwine. Why not use that connection to stabilize your creations?”
It was a compelling idea. The way our magic had merged during our more intimate moments had been powerful, unlike anything I’d experienced before. But…
“I need to do this myself,” I said firmly. “Tonight is about proving I belong here, that I’m worthy of being his queen. Not about how well I can borrow his power.”
Cordelia’s expression softened. “Oh, child. No one said anything about borrowing. The magic between you isn’t his or yours anymore; it’s something new altogether. Something shared.”
Quandary nuzzled my cheek.I could fetch Kieran. He’ll come if I ask.
