“None that I’ve felt or that are well mapped. Meryton seems quite void of magic.”
Was that all these men cared about? A ley line, Cassia knew, was an invisible river of magic that ran through different parts of England. She understood magical abilities depleted with repeated use, but a person could draw more power or refresh theirs when a strong ley line was nearby.
Caliazo stopped a moment and looked past his cousin at Cassia. “Forgive me for even speaking about that. It was just what we were discussing when you came upon us.” He smiled as he continued his conversation. “Have you lived in Meryton all your life?”
Cassia was grateful for some kind of conversation directed toward her, though it felt odd speaking over the somber obelisk of a man between them. “Yes. My father prefers it here. He isn’t too fond of, well I suppose ley lines and all you spoke of just now, so Meryton suited his fancy. And Longbourn is a good house.”
Caliazo nodded and Darkwood peered at her with intense disapproval. Cassia brought her hand up to the tip of her nose. A raindrop had somehow made it past her bonnet and the sky darkened quickly.
“I did not expect rain,” Gynelle called toward her sister. Gynelleneverexpected anything contrary, not even in rainy England. They could turn back toward home, but Cassia knew they were closer to Netherfield than Longbourn by a good mile.
“Will you both come to Netherfield?” an increasingly wet Blythesome called over the rain. “You may stay until it passes.”
Cassia had just crested a hill and Netherfield could be seen a half mile away.
“Thank you so much,” Cassia heard Gynelle say.
At least the rain and the necessity to hurry made it so she didn’t have to keep up a conversation with High Mage Darkwood so near. He was too sullen, not apt to easy words.
Cassia knew she was the faster walker, but it wasn’t until she and High Mage Darkwood and Colonel Caliazo came up the park that she realized Gynelle and Mage Blythesome had trailed even farther behind.
“I do hope they come quickly,” Cassia said quietly, “or Gynelle might catch a chill.”
“Yes, that is true,” said the sedate voice of High Mage Darkwood. “May I fetch you a blanket, and one for your sister as well?”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” said Cassia, surprised at his awareness.
Colonel Caliazo had stopped near them and seemed to study Darkwood for a moment. A warm breeze seemed to brush her cheek for a moment. It almost smelled of peppermint. Soon Caliazo was at her side.
“I am so sorry about the rain,” he said. “Your dress—the hem is nearly ruined with mud.”
“It is no matter,” she smiled. “I often go walking in this dress.”
Darkwood returned with blankets and Cassia wrapped one around her. They still stood on the threshold of the entryway, waiting for Gynelle.
Colonel Caliazo stepped closer to Cassia, but High Mage Darkwood’s long stride beat him to her as he extended his arm. “May I escort you inside?”
“I had better wait for my sister.” At such a statement, the pompous High Mage Darkwood’s haughty brow furrowed. She guessed he wasn’t often turned down. She marveled he would even offer. The cousin seemed much more amiable, but his arm was not the one before her.
“Are you sure? It is drafty here.” She watched his right hand ball into a fist as it hung at his side.
“Yes quite, sir. I have a strong constitution. I often walk alone in the country and am not afraid of rain.”
She saw him peer at her, seemingly miffed at her audacity. He then stared intently and rubbed his right thumb against the index finger in agitation.
“You are sure?” he pressed. Cassia thought she felt something tangible, like a brisk wind, blow toward her face, pressing into her, and then rebounding away again. His eyes focused on her own.
She nodded and smiled and said in an easy voice, “Gynelle is almost here.” Then something else, something warm and swishy, and slightly of peppermint brushed her neck, from the Colonel’s direction. Their eyes met and he smiled at her. Caliazo looked from herself to Darkwood.
A small grunt drew her eyes back to Darkwood in time to notice his eyes widen in frustration, his angled jaw clenching. Something grew tense and strange between her and High Mage Darkwood, but luckily Gynelle came inside then, Blythesome’s arms nearly propping her up.
“It was ever so slippery,” Gynelle said, clearly fatigued, her dress entirely bespeckled with mud. “Thank you, Mage Blythesome, for your help.”
“Here, let me assist you inside,” he said, not leaving her. Darkwood handed the other blanket to Blythesome who placed it on Gynelle. “Let us take your sister to more comfortable rooms,” said Blythesome as he led Gynelle to the banister. Luckily it was a short flight of stairs.
At the top of the stairs, Cassia let herself finally glance from her sister to Darkwood and Caliazo who stayed below. High Mage Darkwood rubbed his fingers against his palm as he paced the floor. Colonel Caliazo did not move, standing quite composed and whispered something quietly to his cousin.
Again she felt a gust of something pass through the stale upstairs air. If she could have quantified it, she’d have said it felt cold and jagged. It also carried a weight, like it pressed against her, but only for a moment. She couldn’t be certain, but she felt it came from Darkwood’s presence. Why did he seem always disapproving of her? She didn’t trust him, that was certain. She would focus on Gynelle and stay as far away from him as possible.
