My cousin and sister ushered me through the wrought-iron gate and into Grandmother’s private sanctuary. Stone pathways wound through beds of rare magical plants, hidden fountains burbled merrily, and wellawisp lanterns floated at strategic points, their soft glow strengthening as twilight deepened.
And there, waiting beside a mooncusp archway, stood Grandmother and the most intimidating man I’d ever seen.
Raoul Emberforge, King of the Emberforge Dragon Territory, was tall, at least a head taller than most men I knew, which put him at least two heads above me. An impeccably tailored dark suit encased his broad shoulders, complete with tails, and I didn’t spy a thread out of place. His dark auburn hair had been swept back from a face that appeared carved from stone, all sharp angles and severe lines. His amber eyes were fixed on me with so much intensity that it was all I could do not to step backward. Instead, I made myself walk over to stand beside him, Sasha and Veronica following.
What struck me most was how perfectly ordered heappeared. Every element of his appearance was precisely arranged, from his spotless shoes to his perfectly knotted tie. He looked like someone who had never experienced an unruly moment in his life.
The contrast to my disheveled state couldn’t have been starker.
“Ah, there she is,” Grandmother said cheerfully, as though I’d arrived exactly on time. “Raoul, may I present my granddaughter, Adele.”
He inclined his head stiffly. “Lady Adele.”
“Um, hello,” I said, desperately trying to focus on the moment rather than the equations still swirling through my mind. “I’m sorry about the delay. I was tracking a fascinating correlation between pressure systems and thermal patterns that could revolutionize predictive weather magic, and I lost track of time. But the data suggests that we might be able to predict weather thirteen months in advance rather than just one if we account for the resonance frequencies of air currents when they?—”
I stopped, realizing I was rambling about research to a man who’d been kept waiting for two hours on his wedding day.
His expression didn’t change, though a muscle ticked in his jaw. “I see.”
Around us, the air temperature fluctuated wildly, growing uncomfortably warm before suddenly chilling. A light breeze picked up, rustling the leaves of nearby bushes.
“Adele,” Grandmother said softly.
“Sorry.” I tried to rein in my unintentional weather manipulation.
Fletcher, sitting on my other side, whined, and I absently patted his head.
“The centaur officiant kindly agreed to return when youarrived,” Grandmother said. “He should be here momentarily.”
Raoul studied me in a way that made me want to check if I had dirt on my face. Knowing me, I probably did.
I tried to stand still, but my mind kept drifting back to my research. If my calculations were correct, the implications for agricultural planning alone would be revolutionary. Farmers could plant crops knowing they’d be watered appropriately and receive the correct amount of sunlight, and preparations for natural disasters could begin months earlier. In fact?—
“Lady Adele,” Raoul’s deep voice cut through my thoughts. “Is the temperature change deliberate?”
I blinked, aware that the garden had grown significantly warmer. “Oh. No, I’m sorry. It happens sometimes when I’m thinking about other things.”
His eyebrows drew together. “You manipulate weather unconsciously?”
“Only small changes,” I said quickly. “Usually. Unless I’m really distracted. Or excited. Or upset.” I paused. “Actually, yes, it happens rather a lot.”
Before he could respond, the centaur officiant arrived, looking slightly winded. An older centaur, his flowing white beard matched his palomino coat.
“Shall we proceed with the ceremony?” he asked, sounding remarkably patient for someone who’d been called back after hours.
“Yes, please.” Grandmother positioned me opposite Raoul beneath the mooncusp archway.
I tried to focus on the ceremony, I really did. But while standing across from Raoul, watching how the lantern light caught the copper highlights in his hair, my mind kept returning to my research. What if I could convince him tolet me set up weather monitoring stations throughout the mountain ranges? The dragon territories had some of the most interesting atmospheric conditions.
“Lady Adele?” The centaur’s voice pulled me back to the present.
“Hmm? Oh, yes. I do.”
“That was not the question,” Raoul said. “He asked if you had brought a token of commitment.”
“Oh.” I patted my dress, though I knew I hadn’t brought anything. “I don’t… I accidentally left it in my room.”
“As her guardian, I’ve held it for her.” Grandmother produced a delicate silver chain with a small crystal pendant. “This weather stone has been in our family for generations. It changes color with atmospheric conditions. It’s quite fitting for a weather witch’s marriage.”
