Cassia tried to swallow; her mouth dry. It seemed paralyzed too. Perhaps the Magess had been successful. She felt a warm hand graze her cheek.
The touch produced enough feeling that she struggled again to open her eyes. Slowly, they fluttered open, at first recognizing nothing but the darkness of the night. Then a blurred face came into focus, closer to her own than she had expected. Dark, serious eyes. One lock of hair falling down. And a mouth that crested into the most genuine smile she had ever beheld.
“Miss Cassia.” His breath warmed her skin, almost as much as her name from his lips rallied her soul. “I am so sorry. How could I let this happen to you?”
“It...it isn’t your fault.” She felt a smile spreading on her lips.
Darkwood’s eyes furrowed with concern. “Miss Cassia, why are you smiling? Surely this is no time for lighthearted—”
“No, it’s just...that I spoke. The Magess said she’d steal all my power of speech.”
“That explains it then,” said High Mage Darkwood. “She couldn’t issue a word. Ran away like a dog with its tail between its legs. You are a most powerful mirror.”
She delighted in the smile on his face until her doubt of his feelings registered.
She frowned, and he noticed. “Are you unwell? What can I do?”
He shifted his weight trying to create some sort of proper distance between the two of them. His actions clearly admitted it. He was only impressed by her power and nothing else. Yet why had he come? And how had he known?
“Nothing, I am well.” She pulled away from him and leaned herself against the nearest rock.
His gaze hardened and he shook his head. “Then what is it? Your countenance changed so quickly.”
She was unwilling to answer his question. “How do you come to be here, High Mage Darkwood?”
He looked over his shoulder toward the dragon that was pacing a few feet away. “Ember warned me I must come to Longbourn straight away. You see, Blythesome and I had just returned to Netherfield earlier this evening. I never should have sent Caliazo to deliver the news of your sister. It should have been me, so you would have known my feelings well before my aunt confronted you.” He cast a long glance toward the ground. So that was what he meant when she first heard him speak.
“You were in London, with Caliazo? Did you help with Alyria’s situation?”
He merely nodded. “Yes, and do I have the pleasure of wishing you joy on your upcoming marriage to my cousin?”
Cassia felt her eyes grow wide. She couldn’t suppress the laugh that bubbled up, though her torso hurt at such an action. “Engaged to Caliazo? Heavens no. I haven’t had feelings for him since I left Rosings. It turns out he did not either, for I am a mirror! I simply reflected his own romantic magic onto himself.”
Cassia observed Darkwood relax his shoulders and lighten several degrees as he rested against the stone behind him. He let out a chuckle and shook his head.
“Tell me what you did in London, I want to hear it from your mouth.”
He was still for a moment and then gave a soft smile, giving a few details of the whole situation she had never known. Cassia marveled at his goodness. He was behind it all.
Then she watched as his eyes turned grave. “I should have been the one to fight my aunt.” he said. “Why ever was she here?”
A wry smile tugged at Cassia’s cheek. “To defend your honor, actually.”
He sat up taller and turned fully toward her. Realization seemed to etch slowly into his face. “She thought you a threat.”
Cassia nodded. “She tried to make me promise I would never enter into an engagement with her beloved nephew.”
His eyes met hers, less serious than she had ever seen them. Now they seemed vulnerable and kind. If she knew any better, she’d say the sentiment savored strongly of…
“Cassia, you are too good to trifle with me.” He reached down and clasped her hands in his. “If you feel the way you did at Rosings, please tell me at once. My wishes have not changed. It would make me the happiest of men if you were to be my wife.”
Cassia couldn’t breathe for a moment. Then she found her voice. “You know,” she said, trying to calm her ever increasing heartbeats. “I haven’t thanked my teacher yet. Had I not learned how to use my powers with intention…”
He dipped his head, so his stare met hers. “And can you tolerate that teacher enough for him to be your husband?”
She brought her face close to his. “I should think so. This once I shouldn’t deflect his offer, and instead accept the goodness that is trying to persuade me.”
“I’m not using my magic, Cassia. I am in earnest.”
