Cassia couldn’t believe the man’s excitement. He was a totally altered person from a month ago, no sense of self-importance permeated his every move, no reliance on his status or magical abilities.
Grateful for any direction, she nodded, and took her place.
“Now, close your eyes.”
She lifted an eyebrow.
“It will be fine, I promise. Closing your eyes will help you concentrate.”
She let out a small huff but followed instructions and crossed her arms.
“Now raise your hand when you feel something. It will be the precursor of my magic. It will come right before…”
“Before the cold, pressing wind,” she finished.
“Yes! It feels cold, does it? I guess it does match my personality.”
She opened one eye and laughed. He sent back a roguish smile, and she clamped her eyes shut again. His increasingly handsome face would ruin all concentration.
“Try to focus,” he said after a moment. Cassia took several slow breaths. Then, something started to sizzle. She didn’t hear it so much as she felt it. She lifted her hand, and an instant later, the cold wind met her face.
“Incredible!” High Mage Darkwood cried. “You can get even better at it, as you practice. You could get to where you could reflect magic before it reaches you.”
“So no wind at all?” said Cassia, opening her eyes.
“Exactly,” he said.
They practiced over and over. Sometimes Cassia missed it completely and her frustration rose. Then he taught her how to send out her own ability, to stave off his. It was exhausting work, and after what felt like a long while she finally remembered lunch.
“What about your luncheon?” she said.
High Mage Darkwood reached for a pocket watch, but his pocket was empty. His face clouded. He gazed at the sky. “You are right. I am sure it’s at least noon. I fear we must conclude for today.”
“Today?” blurted Cassia before she realized it. She gathered her skirt in her hands.
High Mage Darkwood’s mouth scrunched together. “Yes, I mean I’d be willing to teach you more another day, if you’d allow it.”
“Oh,” said Cassia. She did wish to learn more. Their last hour had been so enjoyable, informative, and comfortable between them. She smiled. “I’d like that.” She curtsied. “I’d better hurry back to meet my aunt and uncle.”
He nodded and took off quickly in the other direction.
* * *
“How good of you to come for lunch,” said Athelia Darkwood softly to the whole party after her brother’s introductions. Mr. and Mrs. Gareth and Cassia were ushered into a beautiful dining room with large windows overlooking the lake and woods, and though the room and view were beautiful, Athelia’s genuine demeanor stuck out the most. She had golden hair, with a slight hint of red. She was tall, like her brother, but it was her kind eyes that really left an impact. They were dark, and the more Cassia thought of it, the more she realized they were penetrating but earnest, full of depth, and staggeringly like the eyes she had seen in the woods just that morning.
The meal passed with the quiet hostess trying to propel conversation forward without much help from her brother. Cassia responded to questions whenever asked, but noticed High Mage Darkwood’s head kept deviating in her direction. Maybe he was as distracted by her new power as she was.
“While the men fish, I’d love it if you and Mrs. Gareth stayed for music. I have a few duets.”
Cassia smiled. “We’d be delighted.” She looked from her aunt to Athelia and in the process glimpsed High Mage Darkwood. He was watching her, and the sight of it unnerved her. She didn’t remember him being so apt to smile, and at Hertfordshire any pleasant look had never been towardher.
She glanced down and took a hasty bite of her meal. Was it possible she cared for him? Hewasan excellent teacher, that was certain, but he had also been kind, encouraging, open…
The men left a little less than an hour later and Cassia found she truly enjoyed time with Athelia. The young lady’s manners were kind, refined, and unpretentious. She smiled often and played her instrument with the most sophisticated technique Cassia had ever seen in a pianist so young.
The men returned from fishing later that afternoon, with Mr. Gareth boasting five trout and High Mage Darkwood only one.
“Mr. Gareth has bested me, that is sure,” said Darkwood with a smile. “I am usually better at the sport. On my own land too!” The men had already washed up, and Cassia and her aunt stood ready to take their leave.
