“Magic isn’t a living creature,” Rakel said.
“Well, I’m not ready to admit defeat. I’ll drag you across the continent if I have to—though our best bet would probably be Baris or one of Ragnar’s elf-friends.” Phile paced back and forth. “We can wait for the elves if we have to—a ship of them are sailing to the continent—but they’re leagues away, still.”
“What is to keep you from using your magic that you’ve already pushed into the country?” Farrin asked.
Rakel blinked. “What?”
“Your magic dusts Verglas like frost. Ever since you defeated Tenebris, I’ve felt it. Why can’t you use it?”
Rakel felt hope, fear, and embarrassment twist her heart in one confusing mix.If I could still use my magic…but how likely is that?Of course, that’s exactly what she’d done when she shattered her ice-castle. She used the magic built into it.
“Maybe.” She was afraid to hope.
“Try it!” Phile urged.
Rakel licked her lips and rose from the bench. She crossed the courtyard and admired the way the silver moonlight played on the glacier. Thinking of what she wanted to do, she extended her hand and reached for her loose magic.
For several long, frightening moments, nothing happened. But just when she was about to give up, she felt a whisper of magic stir in her palm. It took a while to build, but when she had enough, she looked out at the glacier and built a horse-sized ice statue of a reindeer.
I still have magic—it hasn’t left me!
Phile whooped as the sculpture was shaped and molded, sending little chips of ice flying. Farrin took Rakel’s free hand and squeezed it.
Again, she reached for her magic. It was still slow to respond, but it moved as she directed, creating a doll-sized replica of the Verglas palace. Feeling for the boundaries of her magic, she stirred the wind and created a puffy cloud that started to drop fat snowflakes on their heads; she even dared to tug at the snow of a nearby mountain.
Each time, her magic moved as it always did.
“There’s a long gap until it responds,” Rakel said.
Farrin nodded. “I imagine it takes more time now that you are pulling at a magic source outside of your body.”
“Who cares if there is a gap? You still have your magic, Little Wolf!”
“I do,” Rakel smiled at the pair. “I’m very happy, but it will take some getting used to. I still feel the void, and…”
“And?” Farrin prodded.
Rakel hesitated. “And I won’t be able to use my magic fast enough to be any good in combat—or to block any kind of strike against me.”
Phile’s smile dimmed. “Oh.”
Rakel smiled. “I would rather take what I have than to be cut off entirely.”
Farrin tucked an arm around her waist and spoke into her hair. “Your magic won’t be needed for combat. No magic user with a hint of dark or twisted magic can pass through Verglas.” He kissed her temple and held her close.
Rakel tilted her head. “Do we know that for certain?”
“Oh, yeah,” Phile snorted. “For weeks, Grimick tried plotting a way into Verglas. Every night you could see where he would be—a giant ice wall would flare up and block him. Farrin’s right. You won’t have magical combat in Verglas again.”
“But what about those without magic?” Rakel asked.
“Ah, yes. Your powers only protect Verglas against the magical,” Phile said.
“You don’t need to react swiftly, Rakel.” Farrin used his fingers to tilt her face up so she would look at him. “I will stand with you. No one will pass through me.” His gray eyes glowed with joy, and Rakel found herself smiling in return.
“Good lord, there’s enough love out here a king could choke on it. I’m going to retire and leave you two to your own devices, but Rakel?”
Rakel felt her cheeks heat with a blush. She cleared her throat and pulled back from Farrin so she could face her friend. “Yes?”
