“Thank you for allowing us to come,” she said, and curtsied toward him.
“Oh, yes,” said Darkwood, his brow furrowing. “Please, let me walk you out.”
Mr. and Mrs. Gareth stepped hastily to the carriage and Cassia wondered if it was so she could have a moment alone with Darkwood.
“Athelia said she enjoyed a splendid afternoon,” said High Mage Darkwood, as they paced slowly past the door. “I think she’s sometimes lonely, and someone like you, a positive female influence, is good for her. I am grateful for it.”
Cassia felt her temperature rise and turned her cheek into her bonnet. “Thank you, I enjoyed today immensely.” She dropped her voice. “And thank you for this morning, it was most instructive.”
“Yes,” he said. They were almost to the carriage, and he raised his hand, helping her in. Looking down she realized a small piece of paper lay there. She closed her fingertips around the folded note. Had he written her something when he had washed up after fishing? “Thank you again,” she said, as he shut the carriage door. She tucked the paper into the ribbon below her bodice and the driver moved forward. Once back at the inn, Cassia hung up her jacket and bonnet and retrieved the note.
If you would venture a walk into the woods again, would Ember suit as a chaperone? Sunrise, if that is to your liking.
Cassia’s heart stopped a moment. He used to criticize her unaccompanied walks. The Pemberley woodshadproven more than beautiful, and completely safe, but she shouldn’t be alone with a gentleman under those circumstances.
However, she needed to hone her powers, and once they left Derbyshire, Cassia wasn’t sure who could help her again. If it were like this morning, once she did use her powers, he’d probably sense it. She didn’t have enough control for subtlety yet.
Ember might prove the best kind of chaperone. Cassia found herself trusting High Mage Darkwood. It had started with the letter he wrote her over a month ago, then, seeing the tastefulness of his grounds, his refined and loyal servants, and his unaffected sister—if they happened to meet again, she would enjoy it. Tomorrow morning, before the sunrise, she’d walk into those woods.
* * *
Heavy breathing woke Gaius. It was still quite dark outside, but he knew, even before he saw Ember’s hulking shadow, that he should hurry to the woods. He dressed in silence and exited through the back garden.
“Chaperones keep their distance, you know,” he instructed the dragon as they headed into the woods. “They are tactful and simply there for propriety. I know you like her, but I won’t have you upstaging me like last time.” The dragon moved his head from side to side and puffed a small blue flame. “Also, she’s not completely in control of her powers yet, so don’t get jumpy.”
The dragon almost seemed to nod. Then Gaius thought he heard something and froze. From several hundred feet away, Ember tensed as though he sensed someone. Gaius put his hand on the dragon’s neck and they waited.
Early morning light was just starting to add a glow to the world around. The figure of a young woman approached them, and Gaius found it hard to swallow.
“Well, hello,” her voice cried out. “You were serious when you said you’d come, and even bring a chaperone.”
Cassia was close enough now that her fine eyes could continue their spell over him. They seemed more golden than he had ever seen them.
“Uh...yes,” said Gaius, gathering himself. “I am a gentleman. And even if this is covert magic training, I thought a chaperone essential.”
“Well thank you,” said Cassia. “I’ll be able to return before it is even breakfast.” She sounded genuine and kind. There was a time she hadn’t thought him very gentlemanly, and that truthful accusation had stung.
“May I?” asked Cassia, gesturing her gloved hand toward Ember. Gaius nodded. She removed her glove and started to pet the dragon. Ember instantly began to purr.
“I think I have Ember to thank for not being completely afraid of all magic,” said Cassia. “I am sorry to say it, but I didn’t trust you when you first came. People spoke of yours and Blythesome’s power in such awe and somehow I never could trust your aunt and her magical displays. But Ember, he feels pure.”
Her gaze did not move from the dragon. Gaius thought that fortunate, for her eyes held their own power over himself.
“It is not that magic is good or evil in itself, for magic is just magic,” he began. Her eyes lifted towards him and he felt himself searching for something in them. He cleared his throat. “Each person chooses how they use their gifts, to help or hinder.” He walked to the other side of the dragon and cast his eyes down. “Shall we continue with your training?”
He found Cassia staring at him. Could she see through him to the guilt he tried to hide? He had often used his ability for base, selfish reasons, and she knew as much.
“Would you say you use your gift of persuasion and pressure to help? Or to hinder?” Her jaw angled, challenging him. She still didn’t trust him completely.
“My abilities…” He stopped himself. It was his own doing, not the magic’s. “I mean to say my choices have sometimes hindered others.”
“I see,” she said, with a measured tone. He had tried to be better, more cordial to her family, more selfless with his friends, but she still didn’t credit him with any sort of good manners.
He watched her swallow and begin again with an even tone. “So how do I use magic and not let it cloud my mind and soul like it did my father? That’s why he downplayed everything. His love of his magic led him to make decisions he still regrets.”
Gaius sighed and stepped closer to her. “I am not sure I am the one you ought to seek council from. I’ve used mine to gain power and prestige for so long. I’ve only just realized there are better, kinder ways to go through life.” He watched as Cassia glanced away from him. Ember flew in a circle above them.
He hung his head. Would she ever know it was because of her that he’d realized as much? He’d dissuaded Blythesome from Gynelle, made others bend to his will, proved a greedy businessman. Who could ever have an interest in someone as divisive and self-serving as he was?
