Catching the idea in Marek’s mind, Loska angles downward.
Marek leans his chin against Sei’s shoulder. “There’s a storm coming. Want to help me hold it off?”
Sei’s surprise is palpable. “You mean as a grail?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“Yes! Absolutely, yes.” Sei reins himself in. “I mean, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Marek kisses Sei’s neck, right under the helmet. “Not up here, though. Loska’s bringing us down.”
He wants to concentrate on one thing at a time. Flying might be second nature, but Marek still has to pay attention in case something goes wrong. He intends to use Sei’s magic as safely as possible.
That’s why the rain today is a perfect opportunity. Lightning would be too dangerous a test case. The region below is a sparsely inhabited expanse of forest. Few travelers pass through, even though the bloodsucking shadow-sloths only come out at night. Marek will only have to worry about Sei, Loska, and himself.
I can take care of myself,Loska says, affronted. He pulls up, and the air echoes beneath his wings.
Sei rocks back against Marek for the landing. He’s steadier than he was during their previous flights.
Marek holds onto the excitement in Sei’s voice to quell his own nerves. If this is a disaster, they’re never doing it again. Marek has plenty of magic, and that’s before considering his dragon. He doesn’t need to risk Sei’s wellbeing to grasp for more. But Marek is willing to try since it means so much to Sei.
Loska sets them down in the middle of a wide dirt road. He sits up to watch birds as Marek leads Sei to a nearby clearing.
Distant thunder rumbles, and the air is damp by the time they reach the clearing. A great monarch of a tree took down its neighbors when it fell in some long-ago storm, and now rests as a moss-covered wall. Feathery silver grass rustles around their feet. With his pink jacket, Sei is the brightest thing in the entire forest.
“All right,” Marek says. “How does this work?”
Sei prods the ground with his toe, then sits cross-legged. He begins peeling off his gloves. “We don’t always have to touch, but physical connection helps when you’re new. Take my hands?”
Marek sits cross-legged in front of Sei. As the tiniest raindrops begin to tickle, Marek takes Sei’s hands.
“You’re going to do most of the work,” Sei explains. His enthusiasm has cooled to more serious composure. “I can’t use or control my magic. I can’t even feel it until someone else calls it.”
“Just tell me what to do.” Marek is the novice here, and Sei is the expert.
“First, try to feel my magic. Just like finding your own magic. Linking is also easier when a mage and grail have been intimate with each other. Whatever intimacy means to them.” Sei glances away briefly. “Go ahead and try.”
That much is familiar, in theory. Thinking about it in relation to himself and Sei is still strange. Marek closes his eyes and searches.
And it’s easy.
Marek’s own magic is a constant, chaotic storm inside him. A rioting force of nature. Sei’s magic is a well of clear, quiet water. Endless and still. Marek’s soul has never felt so parched.
Their magic is so different. How can Marek use such quiet power?
When Marek opens his eyes, Sei sits just as quietly as the magic inside of him. Raindrops glitter in his hair and trace sensual paths down his cheeks.
“You found it.” Sei’s eyes curve in a smile. “Well done.”
“Can you feel that?” Marek asks.
“Not yet. Now, take a bit of my magic and use it for something small. See what it feels like.” Sei squeezes Marek’s hands. “Starting with lightning would be unwise. But don’t worry about taking too much from me. I’ll tell you if you need to stop.”
Marek rubs his thumbs over Sei’s knuckles. “You can’t stop me from worrying.”
Sei’s smile deepens. “Don’t blame me if you wrinkle.”
Marek grins back, then takes another deep breath. Sei does the same. Marek watches Sei this time as he finds Sei’s magic. Searching uses a sense beyond sight, beyond touch. When Marek circles the edges of Sei’s power, Sei tenses, then relaxes.
