Page 158 of A Cursed Son

Something’s different, though. There’s light around him, light everywhere. I look beyond him, and realize that the ornament with crystals in the ceiling is casting a purple light, like a magical chandelier.

He turns, looks at the crystals and the sanctuary, then at me again, his eyes wide, his mouth open. “You lit it.”

“I…” I’m not sure I can comprehend this. “How?”

He sits, looking so impossibly good looking. “I think… They’re beacon stones, Astra. That’s what they are.”

I sit as well. “But purple? I thought they could only be clear or red.”

“It’s not common knowledge, but they can turn purple. Sometimes. I myself only learned about it a few days ago.”

“What does purple mean?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” He smirks. “Love.”

I punch his arm softly. “Very funny.”

He laughs.“It’s true. Do you want to bet?”

“No, I…” I look at the crystal formation again, its long filaments emitting light in several shades of violet, purple, and lilac. Of course I want to believe it’s love, our love manifested in the ceiling, lighting this sanctuary, but I’m pretty sure the explanation isn’t as magical. That said, I do take in his meaning, his words. Love.

I look back at him, but his smile suddenly fades and the light in his eyes dims.

“You’re an orphan, right?” He asks. “They said nobody knew who your parents were. Is that true?”

What an odd change in subject. “Yes. Why?”

He bites his lip. “I think you’re Tiurian, Astra. Partly, at least.” He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “I can’t believe it, can’t believe I didn’t see it. Get dressed.” His voice is dry, harsh.

My legs tremble and I feel cold all over, unable to process his reaction. It’s true I never told him I’m Tiurian, but I never expected him to react like that—especially now, after everything. “What if I am?”

27

Here I am, stunned, my Tiurian origin revealed and slapping me in the face.

Marlak’s already putting on his trousers. “Tiurian magic can be traced. The worst type of people and creatures will chase Tiurians hoping to activate magical stones. The rivers must have kept you concealed, and I think this sanctuary might be safe, but I’m not sure. That day, with Nelsin, do you remember casting any magic before the creatures showed up?”

“No. And after they came, it was just light. That’s not Tiurian magic.”

He sighs, while putting on his shirt. “I bet you wouldn’t even know it. You have no clue what kind of magic you have. Isn’t that right?”

“I…” I don’t know what to say. I’m feeling stunned, dizzy, nauseous. “It’s not my fault.” Not my fault that I am what I am, not my fault if I don’t understand my magic. I stare at my clothes scattered on the floor, unsure what to pick first.

He lifts my chin and makes me look at him. “Wife, I’m not angry at you. I’m worried. Imagine if you, by accident, cast some magic on our way here or when we spoke to the Nameless. Just imagine it. There could be bloodpuppets or mercenaries out there looking for you. We need to get back to the river. Right now.”

I’m trembling as I put back on my underwear.

“We’ll look at your magic, Astra,” he adds, his tone soothing. “And figure out a way for you to conceal it more effectively. There must be a way to do it.”

“I’ve never heard that Tiurian magic could be traced.” I can’t imagine that Otavio would have kept something like this from me. “Maybe you’re exaggerating.” I’m trying to put back my leggings but struggling as it’s sticking to my skin.

“Am I?” He raises an eyebrow. “Every time you used magic outside a river, someone tried to attack you.”

“When we met, I used it.”

“Incredibly, that day you used most of your magic while on a bridge, Astra, and maybe my magic concealed yours.”

“Go out there and do some strong magic, then,” I say as I put on my blouse.

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