Gaius had been kicking himself that Caliazo had made it to Hertfordshire when he himself hadn’t yet. But in this moment he had tried to save face. “And why, exactly, do you plan to go, Blythe?”
“I have made up my mind.” He thrust out his arm. “Don’t you change it. I am going to try my hand with Miss, or should we say, Mistress Gynelle Retton.” He twisted the golden rose between his fingers.
It was what he feared his friend would say. But it wasn’t quite a fear now. This was his friend’s prerogative to do so. And what was more, Gaius wanted to see Cassia. He hadn’t heard any official news connected with Caliazo, so perhaps it was worth a try.
They had arrived just a few hours earlier, determining to call midday tomorrow. Now the moon was strong, and Gaius rubbed his eyes a second time, for it seemed more and more like Ember had landed on his balcony. His breathing sounded extra heavy, and the great beast paced.
Seeming to throw caution aside, Ember breathed a blue flame. Something must be urgent. Gaius tore open the shutter and placed his hand on Ember’s neck.Longbourn. Danger. Coming.
Gaius didn’t question his feelings. Grabbing his cloak, he ran to Blythe’s stables.
If he rode as fast as he could, he would reach it in less than a quarter hour. Again he found himself wishing dragons were still large enough to ride.
The longer he galloped the more he wondered what harm existed at Longbourn. The family and house had no draw for anything dangerous. No one knew the two older young ladies had magic, and therefore no one would want to prey on their abilities. They shouldn’t be drawing any extra attention. Except that Gaius thought the middle daughter the most captivating woman in the world.
The air was cool and pleasant, though clouds seemed to be building with rain. Had the unknown danger not remained on his mind, Gaius would have enjoyed the ride. A few times he caught a glimpse of Ember flying above him, and then his strong wings would bear him ahead for a minute or two until he circled back.
As they crested the hill, Gaius thought he saw a fire sparking in front of the tall hedges of the Longbourn garden, but the gathering clouds made it hard to see. Squinting, he realized the fire was smoldering around the ankles of some woman. Was she on fire? What had happened here? Coming closer he registered a thick mess of wiry grey hair coming from a person lying on the ground. The old woman sat up, and Gaius was close enough now, he saw a wild fury in the woman’s eyes. She brushed a messy lock out of her eyes. Gaius couldn’t believe his aunt was at Longbourn.
“Aunt Hepsabah?” he called out. The fire from her dress had ignited a few of the small bushes around her, but she didn’t seem to mind. Nor did she seem to hear her nephew.
Gaius followed the woman’s gaze across the garden until he saw a young woman, lying in a heap. His aunt was stomping toward the young woman on the ground. The young woman’s dressing gown was covered in dirt. Despite the young woman’s state, Gaius recognized the profile, the delicate nose and captivating mouth that lay half covered by a cascade of brown hair. Her beautiful eyes were shut in pain. He swung down from his horse and sprinted toward Cassia, thrusting his hands out wide in front of her body.
“Leave her alone,” he screamed, blocking Cassia from his aunt. “I know of your evil, stolen power, and you will not use it anymore on her or anyone!”
The Magess’ eyes narrowed, but she did not stop pacing toward him.
“What have you done?” he screamed at her, not daring to break his stare or his protective stance, though he wished he could make sure Cassia was alive.
His aunt opened her mouth and threw up her hand. She tried to scream something toward him, but Gaius watched as nothing left her lips.
Stunned, the woman’s eyes widened with fear and she clutched at her throat. Then her eyes tightened on Gaius and she swallowed. Raising both hands slowly in front of her, she sent a huge thrust of magic toward him.
Grasping the relic, he summoned all its power to send what he hoped would be a more powerful thrust in her direction. He felt himself losing control like he had in the woods, but this time he did not try to stop it. He did not reign in his pressure now. He had learned to control it, for he hadn’t used it fully against Malum, but if his aunt had tried to kill Cassia he must be more forceful against her power. Who knew what she could do with all the magic she had stored?
He rubbed his thumbs against his index fingers then splayed his hands toward her. The ground seemed to cave in, an immense pressure pressing against even his own body. The hedges started to shake around them as a tree branch snapped and slammed to the ground nearby. Some kind of fierce twisting funnel of wind pressed toward his aunt, until it mixed with bits of fire and twigs from whatever she sent toward him. For a minute the elements collided and fought and then fell still to the ground.
When it finished the Magess gathered herself for another blow and Gaius knew she was trying to use some kind of magic beyond her normal ability. The woman raised her hands again and this time Gaius felt the pocket watch, but it had been so drained from the last blow, it offered almost no extra power. He felt deep within himself, but his hands were weak. His inner force was depleted. He wasn’t accustomed to such physical outpourings of his power.
He knew he might have enough power to shield Cassia from whatever was sent by his aunt. He crouched down and covered her. And then, as the magic left his aunt’s hands, Ember flew between them and unleashed a funnel of fire toward the Magess.
When the smoke rose, Gaius beheld his aunt, hair scorched, wagging her fists toward the dragon. Her dress must have protected her, for only the edges of her unruly hair sizzled. Then she stooped over, clearly spent, and sent an evil glare toward Gaius. She stood, clearly dazed but managed to stomp her foot and spit on the ground. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. With a humiliated slump, and a few still-glowing embers, she retreated to her carriage on the other side of the house. As she stood on the carriage step, she again tried to yell at him, but nothing came. Gaius watched her the whole way, still protective of Cassia’s limp frame. As he studied the charred ground around them, he saw something glimmer. Stones, precious ones, shattered. His aunt’s sash.
As the carriage finally faded into the dark night, he turned around and allowed himself to assess Cassia’s state. With the back of his hand he brushed the hair from her face. Then he lifted her gently and cradled her head in his lap. He leaned his head down and listened for breathing.
It was faint, but it was there.
* * *
The last thing Cassia remembered was darkness. Now the darkness swayed back and forth, like black molasses. Then it settled again. Suddenly the rock she lay against felt warm. It felt softer too. How long had she been unconscious?
She tried to open her eyes, but they felt so terribly heavy. Her ears worked though, for words started to register.
“If I had come from London and told her myself, maybe I could have prevented this.” A man’s voice spoke, scratchy and strained. “Thank goodness for you, Ember—”
This voice she knew, and it wasn’t possible. It verified her state. She must be dreaming—or passed on.
“I should have protected her.”
