Cassia took two deep breaths, feeling just like she had when she had stumbled upon Ember.
She studied her boots. “I found you once in a forest and learned your secret. I suppose it is only fair that you come here and find mine, although I did not know it myself.” It was all she could accomplish saying in her embarrassment.
Cassia looked up to find High Mage Darkwood’s handsome jaw tight and his gaze locked on her own eyes so intently that she felt paralyzed. “Yes,” he said slowly. “What is happening here? You have always prided yourself on not trusting magic, as I recall…”
Cassia swallowed. Her hands clenched the sides of her dress.
“That is just it, sir. I believed so myself. I think my father did not wish us to rely on magic and tried to hide any talents we might have possessed. After Gynelle started showing she had magical abilities, I wondered if I was the same, and the farther I’ve come into Derbyshire, and especially these woods, I can’t ignore what I keep feeling.” She looked back at the log she wanted to move. “I do not know what my power may be, but I can say now that I do have some magic, for I have felt it.”
High Mage Darkwood took a step closer. His stare did not waiver. “You undoubtedly have magic, Miss Cassia. I have felt something coming from you, against my own magic, time and again. Indeed, I have wanted to pinpoint what your ability is exactly but haven’t been sure.”
Cassia craned her neck toward him, unable to move. “What do you mean?”
“Will you allow me to try and discern it?” He moved closer, enough that she could palpably sense some part of his power.
Cassia nodded.
He took her hand in his, turning it over a few times. She had remembered gloves, thankfully, but the warmth of his touch spread throughout her, energizing her. Holding one hand, he rubbed the fingers of his other together and ever so slightly spread his fingers. She felt the cold, pressing wind against her again before it immediately deflected.
“Wait,” he said. This time he made it more obvious, swishing his hand higher. Some invisible force escaped his hand, and pressed against her face, and spun back toward him, based on the way his hair blew. In an instant a large smile grew on his face.
“It’s incredible,” he said, his eyes wide and excited. “I’ve never seen anything like it. In all my training, and I had the best tutors and the best schooling. One master did talk of such a gift, but he’d never seen it himself.”
Cassia bit her lip and tried to not bounce on her heels too much, excitement coursing through her. She waited for what he would say next. He peered around and assessed the trees.
“I was suspicious, but I thought it impossible. Now I know for certain.” He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers, and dropped his voice low. “You are a mirror.”
The last word came with so much awe that Cassia knew it was important. But still—
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Forgive me, but I have never been taught, nor presented before court or a magistrate. My knowledge of magic is rather limited.” She offered a tenuous smile.
His eyes softened and he smiled. Cassia tried to still her trembling insides.
“It means,” he said, “that you reflect any magic sent your way. You are more impervious to the influences of others.”
His head tilted for a moment and then he quickly dropped her hands and stepped away from her. Cassia wished he hadn’t let go. He ran his hand through his hair. “It makes so much sense now. Your reaction to my outburst in the woods. Your dismal of any persuasion. And then there’s what I witnessed with my aunt's dresses. I noticed yours wasn’t even wet. The water was charged with magic, from the nymph, but yours did not absorb the water. She said as much to me. The dresses she lent you never absorbed...”
“So you were spying when you touched my hem?” she interrupted. “And I thought you so rude, or at the very least, utterly clueless.”
He shrugged, a wry smile pulling at his cheek. “I am more calculated than that, Miss Cassia.”
Cassia couldn’t curtail her smile but she didn’t dare keep his gaze. Instead she looked at her hands. “So that is why I saw only mirrors in the Mirrors of Dionia. All this time I thought I was just a heb, but it was a sign. This must be why Gynelle said she couldn’t improve my mood with her budding magic—”
“Do you see what this means?” said Darkwood, coming to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “It’s astonishing.” As soon as he said it, he must have realized how close they stood and pulled away again, a sheepish look on his face.
Cassia turned her head, for she too was blushing. She took a few steps in the other direction. “Do you know how—or could you—teach me how to use my powers?”
High Mage Darkwood centered himself and switched to a business tone. “Yes, to be sure. Though you have already been doing it.”
He came to her side. He gestured toward the ground. “You were just stepping directly over a ley line. I saw you step forward and back. Did you feel its power shock you?”
She nodded.
“Good, ley lines help replenish power. Only an especially powerful mage or magess can feel it so acutely. Your ability must be quite strong. Hertfordshire doesn’t have many, so you were more depleted there. Pemberley woods, however, have several strong ones. It’s why Ember likes it here.”
Cassia nodded slowly.
“Now, most power emits from one’s hands.” Darkwood’s tone became instructive. “Some people use a small gesture for their magic. If you are looking, this can tip you off. But if you really try to discern, sometimes you can feel it coming. Let’s practice.” He rubbed his hands together eagerly and gestured a few feet away where the moss thinned a bit on the forest floor. “Why don’t you stand there.”
