“Good day,” said High Mage Darkwood, “The weather is so fine this May morning, I have brought my sister and my carriage, hoping you’d all take a turn in it with us, but where are your aunt and…”
The words seemed to tumble out before he took stake of Cassia. His eyes then riveted on her, and she couldn’t contain her dread as larger tears bubbled out of her eyes uninvited.
High Mage Darkwood took a step backward. “I...I am so sorry to interrupt. I beg pardon. Is everything alright? Perhaps I can come again later. Or I can send Athelia in, for she might know how to help. Miss Cassia, are you ill?”
Mr. and Mrs. Gareth hurried in at this moment, with concerned faces, both looking in unison from Darkwood to Cassia. More of Cassia’s tears manifested and short halting breaths overcame her. She glanced from her aunt and uncle to High Mage Darkwood. What was there to do? How could this be?
Darkwood attempted to back out of the room.
A war of choices confronted Cassia. She ought not tell him, for this would raise a scandal and he would learn of it soon enough. It would be better to have him think highly of her for a little longer. But, he had also been the one who knew what Malum was. He might have knowledge on what Malum would do or where he might go. She had admitted to her own heart that Darkwood was trustworthy, hadn’t she?
Cassia gathered the pages of the letter and thrust them at her uncle. “Please read every word,” she stammered, trying to control herself. And then she bolted through the doorway. High Mage Darkwood had already exited the front door of the inn. Casting propriety aside, Cassia charged after him.
“High Mage Darkwood,” she said, and took his arm. “Please stop.”
The immediate alarm which shone in his eyes melted into so much genuine feeling and earnest concern that Cassia wished she could bottle it up and remember it forever. After this moment he’d never wish to see her again.
“It’s Alyria.” Cassia huffed, releasing his elbow, trying to explain in a whisper so Athelia, and the general population of the street, wouldn’t hear them.
He drew closer. “Yes?”
“She feels she has discovered the magical gift of dancing, and Lieutenant Malum flattered her so much about her possible gift that she has run off...eloped...with him. I just hoped you might have information to help my father and my uncle discover them. My uncle is to meet my father in London immediately.”
Cassia watched the look of concern in Darkwood’s eyes heat into rage, and then cool to something near hatred and disgust.
“That blackguard,” he muttered. “If only I had done more…”
He raced into the inn, and Cassia found herself standing dazed in the street, giving a pathetic smile to Athelia. Then Cassia turned, but by the time she staggered inside and back to her aunt and uncle, Darkwood merely said, “Good-bye” to them all generally and excused himself again.
He said it hastily, with no emotion. Cassia felt sure it would be the last time he would ever speak to her. What had he told her uncle? Would it be enough to help find Alyria?
And how could she never see High Mage Darkwood again, after she learned to care for him so much?
Chapter Fourteen
“Haveyou received any post from Father?” said Cassia as soon as she and Mrs. Gareth stumbled into Longbourn.
Gynelle met them at the door. “No. He left three days ago. Mother is in hysterics. Go and tell her of uncle.”
Mistress Retton shuffled into the parlor. “Oh Cassia. I haveneverbeen happier to see you. Your uncle has gone to London, I trust.”
“Yes. He should have arrived yesterday.”
“He will make things right. I am sure Alyria is not to blame in any of this. Who knew Malum would be so conniving...so untrustworthy…think of what this means!”
It was this point Cassia had tortured herself about over and over as their carriage bore them closer to home. How had she not spoken up against his evil ways?
Her mother had fled back into her bedroom, calling loudly for smelling salts. Once Gynelle delivered them, Cassia pulled her sister outside.
“This is all my fault. High Mage Darkwood told me of Malum’s awful past. You must promise to never repeat this, but Malum tried to coerce Athelia Darkwood to elope just last summer. Had I spoken up, had I sent a letter directly to Alyria or better yet been more open with both of you once I knew—” How had she been so focused on herself, why had she not shown more concern for her sisters?
Gynelle grasped Cassia’s hand, pulling her from her reflections, and peered into her sister’s face. “What happened in Derbyshire? I have been too preoccupied to notice until now. Cassia, you seem different.”
Cassia took in a deep breath. She’d wanted to share with someone, and this might be as good a time as any. “I’m not a heb, Gynelle. I...am a mirror. At least that’s what High Mage Darkwood called it.”
“What do you mean? And how...” Gynelle tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
“I deflect other’s magic. High Mage Darkwood, well he stumbled upon me trying to learn my ability,” she didn’t want to explain it all. “He taught me how to understand it.”
