This is why I’m supposed to create firelight at night, so sleep and time can renew my magic. I love my invention, but it’s powerful and energy depleting. And currently I’m having time management regrets. I sway again, my body practically slamming into the guard’s. He catches me, this time by my shoulders.
“Yes, definitely burned out. You’re going to pass out soon. I promise you’ll be safe when you awaken.”
“No I won’t.”
“I can assure you, by the honor of Raja—”
I interrupt so I don’t have to hear the full name. I can’t bear the reality of it in full. “No, I mean I won’t pass out. I just need a few minutes.” The dizziness should fade in about five minutes. It always does. Blackness clouds my vision, but it won’t take over. The guard’s hands still hold my shoulders. Another bout of light-headedness hits me. I grab his forearm as an anchor. His skin is cool. I’m not only burning out but burning up.
“Do, um…do you mind if I…” He finishes with something, but I can’t make out the words. Blood, my brain’s swimming. I need to sit. Thinking I could stand in this condition was foolish. As I release the tension in my legs to crumple, the opposite happens. This man…thisboyhas the nerve to pick meup.I am in his arms, pressed against him. His left biceps digs into my back; the other arm hooks around my legs. Huh, he smells of frost. My nose notes it as if that’s an important element to life right now.
Oh blood. What’s going to happen to this guard when Raja Jatin finds out this man is carrying his betrothed? It’s too late. I’ve messed up. I can’t say anything anymore. I’m swimming. Guess I won’t need to ask Zara later how the parade went. I have become a part of it after all.
Of all the wild things one would expect at a homecoming parade, like an assassination attempt, for instance, a peasant girl throwing herself in front of an elephant is low on the list. Deep, actually, as in, I hadn’t planned for it. Hadn’t been watching the crowd for speed spells that would propel a girl into our path. I mean, what a way to go, death by royal carriage. Gods. A moment after she rolls to the ground and I calm the elephant, I understand. Not a suicide gone awry; a rescue gone well.
And now, somehow, I’m holding this burned-out witch in my arms and carrying firelight in my pocket. When her arm spilled to the ground like it was paralyzed I knew. Burnout. It’s drastic, but I guess for a peasant one act of bravery can use up a limited supply of magic. Still, I haven’t seen someone suddenly deplete themselves of all their magic since seventeenth year, when one of my classmates was trying to create a fifteen-meter wave. He fell to the sand like a coconut and had to be hauled off to medical.
She will surely pass out too, but I refuse to leave her in the street. The plan to take her to Azure Palace formed before I could reflect on all the potential downfalls. Like if Adraa is there already, what will she say when I bring in this dust-covered, unconscious girl? What will Father say? At this moment, I don’t care.
“Zaktirenni,”I whisper, to give myself a little strength. I don’t exactly have a good hold on her, having had to do the whole catch-and-lift motion all at once. I adjust and feel my orange magic take hold. The silk of her skirt shifts under my hand. Thank the gods she is wearing pants too.
I don’t carry her far, but those six meters ooze intimacy. She heats my chest like the sun has melted between us. That’s probably the burnout. Probably. I’ve never carried a girl before, never done much of anything besides talk to a witch. That’s the problem with a long-term engagement. You always feel obligated, guilty to do anything or form anything but friendship with the opposite sex. Besides, I had studying, and that was always more important.
The girl’s eyes are closed, but by the way she clenches and unclenches her hand against her forehead I know she’s still awake. The sun blankets her face, a dirty face. But under the dirt…I can’t help but stare. She’s beautiful; thick black hair windblown and scrambled, long dark eyelashes over even darker lively eyes. With my magic, the girl is light, but even if she were heavy, I would like this. She smells of mud and grass rippled by wind, fresh and real, like when rain wafts spring through the air. And the warmth, it’s…nice.
“Watch your head,” I say.
She leans against me, her soft breath tingling my neck. A shiver dances down my spine. I don’t know why I have such a strong reaction, but I hold her closer as I crouch and shift to enter the carriage. I place her on the plush blue cushion and suddenly, just like that, I’m not touching her anymore. The humid summer air strikes me—it’s freezing.
“I’ll be right back.”
She nods, then seems to register something and grabs my arm as I move away. “The boy, please. Make sure he doesn’t run. Bring him here.”
I bend forward. “He’s obviously not your brother. So, who is he to you?”
She shrugs. “A thief.”
What? I know my surprise shines through the mask of calm I’m trying to wear. But who can blame me? This is more than I anticipated. The academy didn’t provide training on beautiful girls who run toward enormous elephants to save criminals.
“All right,” I answer, schooling my features. It’s one thing I can honestly say I did have daily practice in at the academy.
“Thank you,” she says, before leaning forward to hold her head in her hands.
Once I’m sure she’s not going to say anything else I ease out of the carriage. Kalyan frowns as he talks to the boy. Kalyan frowning? Never a good sign. When my friend spots me, he walks over, leaving the kid with Samik.
“Jatin, I think the boy is a thief and the girl was running after him to get back what he stole.”
“Yeah, I know. And this is what he took.” I dig the orb from my pocket and hold it up.
“Simple red magic?”
“No, it’s firelight.”
“As in Lady Adraa’s invention?” Kalyan inspects it. “Doesn’t look like much to me. Maybe a little redder than normal fire.”
“The boy said it’s firelight. Now I want answers. Those two have piqued my interest.”
“That could be their plan, to get close to the maharaja or toyou.”
