Embarrassment flooded Cassia’s whole body. Had she implied such a thing? Sometimes her words blurted out before she could register their effect. “No, he has not,” she said standing firm. “He has asked if he may write, and visit…”
“And you have not rejectedhim,I am to understand…” Darkwood interrupted, stopping his pacing and clasping his hands behind his back as he directly faced her.
“No sir, I findhismanners quite refined and pleasant, and wholly without coercion.”
Cassia waited to see if the cold wind she often felt from him would come, but Darkwood’s nostrils flared as he deliberately clenched his fists. Then, an overwhelming cold wind seemed to emanate from every part of him, different than before. This time, it didn’t feel like it was aimed for her, but rather the wind was everywhere at once. The new spring leaves quivered in the trees, and the dappled forest light dimmed to gray. The trees seemed almost to pull in toward them, and Cassia felt pressed upon in every direction, an instant headache throbbing in her temples.
Then, in an instant, it was over, as though Darkwood somehow pulled it back into himself. He drew himself up, his broad chest filling with air. “Thank you, Miss Cassia, for explaining so fully your disgust. I will take my leave.”
He offered a curt bow and spun on his heel. Cassia exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d held. As he walked out of sight she collapsed against the nearest tree, her eyes falling closed.
High Mage Darkwood had just proposed. The compliment was not lost to her, but how had such an attachment even been formed? Wasn’t it clear, from the very beginning, that she did not enjoy his presence? Her eyes opened again and her hazy gaze took in the clearing. Theyhadshared one wonderful moment in this very place, with Ember. Now his anger, or power, or whatever she felt, affected even the trees and the space around her.
And oh, his awful delivery! How very gracious of him to “forgive” her magicless state and deign to ignore her family. Of all the unfeeling, discourteous notions, not to mention all the people he had hurt by his influence. With a short huff she took stake of the bouquet in her hand. Several petal-less sepals rose from the pitiful bundle. Proof that Darkwood ruined everything in his wake.
In an angry stupor she stomped back to the rectory, trudged up the stairs and collapsed on her bed. With every step she felt more and more fatigued and tired. Somehow all of her energy had drained from her. If she hadn’t been truly indisposed when the other women left for luncheon, there was every evidence she was now.
Chapter Eleven
“My goodness Cassia, are you unwell?”Gynelle said when she returned from her luncheon. “I’ve never seen you so pale.”
Cassia attempted to right herself on the bed, but her eyes wouldn’t focus on her sister. “I am fine. We must leave here immediately.”
“Heavens,” said Gynelle, “You reallywereill. How sudden this seems. There may be time yet to catch the mail coach home, if you think you are well enough to ride.”
“Yes...” said Cassia, staggering as she attempted to stand. “The last thing I wish is to remain here.”
After fetching her a drink of cold water, Gynelle nearly carried Cassia to the carriage. She said quick goodbyes to the Clovises, and the sisters were on the road before nightfall with Clovises’ manservant to attend them. The next morning they rode the whole day. It was a strained, quiet journey, and Cassia wished she had the energy to recount the events in the forest but found herself incapable of doing so. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so weak and disoriented. Finally, in the afternoon, she mustered her voice. “I do wish to explain all, someday Gynelle, but I find myself unable at present.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes,” said Cassia in a whisper. Somehow, High Mage Darkwood’s outburst of power had deeply affected her. She felt tired, worn out, both emotionally and physically. She knew what he did wasn’t pointed toward herself specifically, because she knew whatthatfelt like. All of those times with the wind he must have been trying to employ his power. But somehow, in the forest it was more, it seemed to affect everything, including herself this time.
Gynelle had been studying her face. “Cassia, even your eyes seem darkened. Please do not trouble yourself in explanation. You can share all in good time.” Gynelle grasped her sister’s hand and patted it.
* * *
Gaius did not do well when things were out of his control. And presently, everything seemed to be so. Caliazo had sensed his anger, maintained a wide berth, and left Darkwood to his moods, traveling to visit Colonel Brensweck at Delaford. Did Caliazo really love Cassia? Gaius wanted to challenge his cousin on the point but feared that might necessitate an explanation of his own feelings, and heaven forbid, revealing his failed proposal.
It simply would not do to stay in his aunt’s presence any longer than necessary. He needed to go back to London and start a full-time search for his relic. He could refocus himself in that direction. He hadn’t tried hard enough, that was all. Every time he remembered Cassia’s scathing reproach, he wondered why on earth he had ever left London anyway.
But he did not want to leave the Magess until he found out one thing. She was up to something, with those dresses and those ridiculous events, and he had to know what. Plus anything to take his mind of his failure would do him good.
“My dear aunt,” he said the next evening over a dull dinner of just the two of them, “Did you have any more events while I was gone?”
“Oh yes, dear boy,” said his Aunt, her sallow face lighting up. “The Mirrors of Dionia. You know Merlin’s story with that.” He nodded. “I borrowed them from a dear friend. You should have seen the lady’s dresses, so ethereal and reflective, almost like the mirrors themselves!”
He told himself to not picture Cassia in a striking gown.
“Did they recount what they saw?”
She smiled again, the wrinkles on her old face gathering together like ruching on a dress. “Oh yes, everyone except Gynelle. Surely you wish to know what was found?”
It took little to indulge his aunt, and though he listened to everyone’s answers, he couldn’t stop thinking of what Cassia’s had been. Her aunt claimed the young woman only saw mirrors. What could that possibly mean?
When the Magess finally paused, Gaius thought his aunt in such a pleasant mood she might actually capitulate to a nosy question, if asked with enough subtlety. He pressed his hands together and sent some magic toward the woman as he asked. “And why the ornate dresses, ma'am? I find them utterly brilliant, and quite charming, but why do you allow the lower ranks to wear them?”
Gaius knew his aunt, especially when not in the company of others, tended to drink too much. This evening was no exception, and he hoped her tipsy attitude would show in his favor.
