CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE MAGE SCHOOL WAS always our purpose and guide. What we did, we did to ensure the school’s future.
From Ozora’s personal journal.
Taenya and I lounged together under the common tent, sharing a bottle of wine and a bit of blissflower.
It was late, but neither of us cared. That damned map was finished, and we deserved some celebration, even though our situation had become drastically more perilous.
Couldn’t do anything about it right now, so might as well have some fun and relax.
Magelights in their crystal containers danced, giving the tent and stone walls life and movement. Or was that just my head making them swim?
“I thought I was dead a few times. No saddle, no lashings to hold me on. Just my strength,” I told Taenya. “I’ve flown on eagles, flown on your dragon, but this was the scariest flight of my life. Had to hold on for real, and I am not used to that.”
It was true. Flying on Cleobah was a whole different level of terrifying exhilaration.
Her frame was altogether different from that of a horse or an eagle.
I’d had to grip tight with my legs and clench my fists in the ruff of longer fur and feathers around her shoulders with nothing but my strength holding me on as we soared over Hastrior.
What had seemed like a good idea on the ground was more unnerving than I’d expected, but I’d gritted my teeth and held on.
I’d regret it the next day, though. Already, the stiffness in my legs reminded me I’d used them more than usual.
“Do I seem the muscle-y type to you?” I flexed one arm while Taenya doubled over with laughter. “Hey, I’m a mage, not a fighter,” I reminded her, triggering a fresh bout that had her wiping her eyes. “I don’t need muscles to be in shape,” I finished, letting her have her moment.
“I wouldn’t have dropped you,” Cleobah murmured from her spot nearby. She’d piled a bunch of cushions together, making a big fluffy bed that she was curled up on. “That was the most gentle flight ever.”
Fraser walked out of the keep, heading toward the cliff, and it was abruptly ten times hotter in the tent. I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back the sharp inhale that leaped into my throat.
Black leather breeches clung to his muscled thighs and ass, and a tight black leather vest molded to his pecs and abs. He’d pulled his long mop back into a slick, severe braid.
“Why all the leather?” I did not tell him he looked hot enough to scorch. First, he already knew. Second, his ego didn’t need any more stroking.
His arms were bare, and the magelights glowed on his coppery skin, casting bright highlights and deep shadows on his biceps and forearms. My fingers and palms itched to caress those tight curves and dips.
I clenched them into fists to suppress the urge.
Between the map and his work on Mayhem, we hadn’t talked about.
..it, and I didn’t know what to think. I was muddled, and only one thing came to mind when he looked like that.
He whipped his head around. “Why are you still awake?” That was definitely a demand, not a question.
“Guess you didn’t see us.” I pointed to myself, then Taenya. She lay draped across one couch, and I sprawled on the one opposite the glowing brazier. Typically, I welcomed its warmth in the late-night coolness, but since spotting Fraser, the tent seemed overheated.
If I hadn’t been facing the gate of the keep, I wouldn’t have seen him. Also caught the look of surprise that he promptly smothered, and turned into a glare.
“You’re looking very dangerous tonight, Fraser.
” I pointed out. They were nigh invisible, but he had to have at least a dozen daggers hidden in those tight leathers.
I’d seen him train with them, slipping the thin blades out and whipping them at his targets faster than the eye could follow.
His only visible weapon was the longsword on his back. “Expecting trouble?”
No, he was the weapon. A bold warning. An unmistakable threat.
Especially in those black leathers.
My mouth went dry, and I grabbed for my wineglass when I pictured peeling that vest off him.
“Who’s waiting on the beach?” Taenya asked, voicing my next thought. “Cassyrra says there’s a rowboat and man down there. Got some plans in town?”
“Oh, come on! Really?” He went straight to belligerent, which could only mean...
“Nailed it,” I said to Taenya, holding up one hand in acknowledgement.
“No!” Fraser spluttered, deflating momentarily.
“Well, yes, but...it’s...” With lips clamped on what he tried to say, he stalked into the tent, eyes grim.
Obviously unhappy we’d spotted him, he braced his palms against the back of the sturdy couch.
I got an up-close view of his fierce, stubborn expression as he bent over, leaning in for emphasis.
“Look, it’s nothing to do with either one of you.
Okay?” He spoke softly, almost reassuring, but the dangerous edge was razor-sharp, and he directed his warning at Taenya as much as me.
“This is my personal business.” He straightened and waved one pointed finger at both of us.
“So you can reload your pipes and glasses and have a wonderful rest of your night.”
“So sensitive. Why would that be?” Cleobah purred, lifting her head from her paws. “Seeking long-lost treasure, Fraser?”
“No questions from you, kitty-cat,” he snapped before spinning on his bootheel and disappearing into the dark beyond the tent.
“I think he really likes me.” I looked over my shoulder at the sphinx, who slow-blinked at Fraser’s retreating back, her expression pure mischief.
Narrowed eyes on her feline face, plus the tiniest lift of her lips made her look uncanny, predatory.
I’d seen the cats of the keep wear a similar expression when hunting, just before they caught their prey.
We all stared after him but, Fraser was long gone.
His boots rang, then faded as he descended the stone steps to the beach.
Cleobah’s brows lifted, and in her gaze was something like concern, that vanished as quick as I noticed.
The normally talkative sphinx said nothing more, just stood and walked out into the dark.
Not following him, is she? But no, she walked in the opposite direction.
“That’s not suspicious, is it?” Taenya asked.
“Stalking out of here looking like a murder about to happen and clearly unhappy we saw him?” She sat up and stared off into the dark, but not toward the cliffs and steps where Fraser had disappeared.
Cassyrra was invisible in the field beyond until she hummed, igniting the lines and swirls along her wings and flank with a faint lavender and sapphire glow.
“Should we go after him?” I asked. “Do we care if he’s going to kill someone?”
Taenya shook her head. “Cassyrra isn’t worried about him. Says he can handle himself.” She stood and stretched. “I’m for bed. If he’s not back in the morning, then I’ll worry.”
She strolled off into the dark, heading for her dragon. I read for a little bit after she left but soon sought my own tent. Sleep didn’t come though, and my head had cleared. I couldn’t stop thinking about Fraser. He’d become distant after we started mapping the sigils.
Okay, after we kissed.
It was awkward for both of us to be together, which was very little since we found the sigils.
Training and the mage school were halted while we figured out the more immediate threat.
Finding the Cilirian and the sigils became a priority and a welcome distraction, with the bonus of keeping us far apart for most of the day.
Lately, I only saw him when he emerged from his tent for breakfast. For the last few days, he’d returned late, after I was asleep.
I did not know how I felt about us. That kiss.
It burned, and the memory kept me awake as much as the shame.
I had to be the worst sort of hypocrite to long for him so desperately after hating him for five years.
Only a month ago, I’d have turned him into a starling for sure if he'd crossed my path.
Why the hell did I kiss him? I tossed and flopped. My discomfort had nothing to do with my bed or position; rather, it was an ache I tried hopelessly to deny. That, and the nagging worry that he was headed into trouble, and I didn’t want him to get killed, meant sleep stayed far away.
Whatever. It’s his life. We aren’t a thing. I rolled over in my bed, trying to find a more comfortable position.
“I know you’re awake. Can I come in?” Cleobah’s voice came from beyond the thick canvas wall. Both moons were out, and bright enough to cast her leonine shadow on the wall.
Magelights ignited in their crystals when I stood. Shuffling across the rugs, I untied the lacings holding the tent door closed.
“You might want to put on different clothes for this excursion.” Cleobah walked in and crossed over to where I had a small cabinet and a dressing table, looking over my things.
“Am I dressing for a fancy party?” I asked as she pulled a couple of necklace talismans from my collection, dragging them across the wood of the dressing table with one claw tip. She didn’t scratch the surface, despite the size of her paw and claw.
“It’s a party, alright.” She snickered. “Not fancy. Wear those.” She thumped the dressing table holding the talismans she selected with her paw, making them rattle. “Then pick out something dark and tight-fitting, something you can be...flexible in.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, then winced, even as I scooped up the two necklaces made of silver and gemstones.
I’d asked her about the future, and instead of glancing at what talismans she’d selected, I shot a quick, apologetic look in her direction and obediently draped the chains around my neck.
She gave a me a brief, tight stare in answer, as she sat, with her lips sealed, and looked over my wardrobe.