Smith moves his hand down to mine and clutches it. “I can make you a magician again.”
“How . . .”
“My spell,” he says. “I could cast it on you.”
“But I’m not a mage—”
“You were thegreatestmage—”
“That was never true—”
“It wasliterallytrue!” He squeezes my hand. “You may not have been the Chosen One, Simon, but you were the most powerful magician our world had ever known. Don’t tell me you weren’t a mage . . .”
“Smith . . .”
His eyes are shining. He’s looking at me like we’re old friends. Like he knows me inside and out. “I didn’t cast the spell tonight,” he says, “because I was saving it foryou.I knew you wouldn’t want to be part of the spectacle tomorrow, onstage . . .”
“I don’t know what to say . . .”
He picks up my other hand and laughs. “Say yes!”
I shake my head. “I gave magic up to make things right.”
Smith’s face goes soft. He holds our hands between us. “Simon, you made the ultimate sacrifice so that our world could heal. Now let me heal you.”
58
SMITH
One day at a time, Evander always says. One chapter.
This is my Simon Snow chapter. (Simon Snow,what a name! What an advantage. He even sounds the part, I’m almost jealous.)
This is where I heal him. Where I prove my power.
I’m not like those who have come before me. The false prophets. I’m not likehim.He failed them. (Good name be damned! Good hair. Scarlet wings.)
Mypower won’t fail.
My plan won’t fail.
I’ll fix their fallen idol, I’ll show him every mercy—I’ll restore him to glory.
I’ll restore the whole World of Mages to glory.
I’mthe one the prophecies are all about. I’ll make this place like it was in the legends. With heroes. With miracles. Withmagic.
This is my story.
This is my Simon Snow chapter.
Once upon a time, I met an injured soldier.
Once upon a time, I took his hands in mine.
He’ll look very good standing next to me in the White Chapel.
He’ll sound very good spreading my good news.
