“I...uh,” began Gynelle, putting down her glass and spinning around toward the rest of the company. Cassia’s had been so completely unremarkable. If Gynelle’s had been the same, she would have said so at once. But Cassia knew her sister must be holding everything back, unwilling to expound.
She must defend Gynelle against any nosy inquiries. She did not wish Gynelle to feel pressed to expose something personal.
“I do wish to share mine,” said Cassia loudly. “For it was nothing remarkable. I simply watched myself walk toward a mirror on a table just as this one and take it. I was in a room surrounded by mirrors, nothing else.”
At such a retelling the Clovises clapped. Cassia was sure they would have clapped at anything, even if one had said the whole mirror had turned solid green. Caliazo, however, wore a curious frown and pensive, drawn eyes.
“Who’s next?” asked Cassia, trying to buy time for Gynelle to recover. She took a shaky Gynelle by her shoulders and led her gently to her seat.
“The Clovises,” said the Magess, “and then Caliazo, for I shall not take a turn, having already looked into the glass many years ago.”
Of course she wouldn’t subject herself to anything uncomfortable.
With alacrity Master Clovis sidled around Gynelle. Cidel, with more decorum, stepped past the sisters.
“Are you alright?” whispered Cassia as they sat down.
“Yes,” whispered Gynelle. “Mine wasn’t boring at all, Cassia, it was—exquisite. I was surrounded by gold. Mounds of it. In the shapes of things too, a golden horse, a golden rose, even a statue of someone all in gold.”
Cassia attempted to school her features. “That is...incredible.” She didn’t have time for more before Cidel and her husband snapped up from their mirrors.
“I saw myself in the shadows of Rosings’ great awning,” said Master Clovis, a few moments later as he pulled up to his squatty height. “Surrounded by ample funds, truffles, and several people vying for my attention.”
A rather uncreative and predictable scene—except for the people vying for attention. Could that really be true?
Cidel then gave a sheepish smile toward her husband and the Rettons. “I saw myself surrounded by several amiable youngsters…” she said as she let the sentence hang, unfinished.
Cassia had to admit the mirror did seem to fit each person. But why had hers just been the same scene—her standing in front of a mirror? Was she really so dull that she would see nothing more illustrious that a repeat of her present action?
Mage Colonel Caliazo stood up next. “We must not forget me,” he said, “for it might have changed since the last time I inquired of the Dionian mirrors.” He walked over to Cidel as she placed her mirror down upon the table. After a few moments, wide eyes turned toward them. Everyone waited anxiously. Caliazo lowered his shoulders and seemed to gather his words carefully. “I saw myself surrounded by...friends. Some familiar, others unknown. I don’t know what to make of it…”
The Magess had grown exceedingly less interested and more vexed by the time Caliazo had finished looking in his glass, if her pout and folded arms were any indication. Apparently there hadn’t been enough juicy secrets divulged. “Well, there you have it.” She nearly shooed them out of the sitting room. “I am feeling quite fatigued. Make sure to leave your dresses, ladies. You had all better return home for the evening.”
Cassia watched as Cidel raised her brow and Master Clovis jumped up. “Oh, yes, we are quite tired as well.” He then offered a yawn so forcefully it must have been fabricated. Gynelle curtsied, always in control of her perfect manners. “Thank you, Magess,” she said.
At this the Magess beamed. “Now I know tomorrow is your last day. Please do come take luncheon with me!”
“We would be delighted,” answered Gynelle. Cassia noticed the Magess hardly looked at her.
“And I shall come take my leave tomorrow morning beforehand,” Caliazo whispered to Cassia as he walked her to the front door. Cassia smiled. His last visit had been pleasant, perhaps this time would hold more banter that was somehow full of meaning.
Once dismissed the party hurried home to the rectory. The Clovises, obviously excited by the prospect of children in their lives, whispered together the whole of the walk. Cassia dared not talk of their evening until she and Gynelle lay settled in the guest room bed.
“Surrounded by gold.” said Cassia finally. “Much better than a woman holding a mirror. You don’t think it could mean…”
Cassia heard her sister’s breath catch. “Yes, Cassia. The gold statue was Blythesome. I’m afraid I’ll never get over him. He’ll be my golden idol and no other man will ever be able to stand as great as he.”
“Oh Gynelle, don’t say that. Maybe...maybe it means there is hope for you.”
She offered an optimistic smile as she nestled further into her covers.
* * *
Though Cassia looked forward to his visit, Mage Colonel Caliazo called as early as a gentleman ever should. She had luckily attended to her trunks the night before and the maid had finished her hair before Gynelle’s.
“I brought you these,” said Caliazo as soon as she stepped into the room. A bushy bouquet of flowers, not perfectly matched but still beautiful, protruded from his fist. “Would you care for an early walk this morning?”
Cassia nodded, unsure of the Colonel’s intentions, yet the flowers seemed promising. She dearly loved his company, and she felt she had formed an attachment to him. But as he was always so amiable, it was hard to knowhistrue feelings.
