Page 18 of Alpha's Magic

“Do you want us to just take care of it?” he asked gently, and I nodded with gratitude.

He took my hand and led me down to the beach and I stood a little apart from them as they said some words that sounded religious, and I think they prayed to their gods. Then Lex threw the ashes up high into the air, waved his hand and a strong ocean breeze, full of salty sea air came rushing past out of nowhere, swirled the ashes even higher up until they looked like a flock of dark birds flying together overhead, and then they swept them out toward the horizon. They flew out to the farthest waves where the sea met the sky and disappeared.

“Goodbye, my friend,” I whispered, touching the amulet and sending the words to him on the wind and spray. “Safe travels. You gave me back my life and I loved you, and I don’t know if I ever told you. I hope you knew anyway.”

I turned away, my tears blinding me, and I felt Asher’s warm arm wrap around my shoulders.

“Come on,” he said softly. “You’ll ride with me. With luck, we can make the king’s castle by early tomorrow.”

Chapter Seven

Leo

He put me up on his big horse in front of him and held me there with one hand around my waist. It was a big horse, mostly white on its body, mixed with colored hairs, but his mane, his tail, his lower legs and even his head were black—Asher said he was a roan. He was a gorgeous animal, though he turned his head and rolled his eyes at me when Asher lifted me up on his back.

“What’s his name?” I asked Asher and he smiled.

“Moonbeam.”

“Oh, that’s pretty.”

The horse snorted and shook his head as if he knew what I’d said and took exception at not being called “handsome” instead. Asher pulled me closer against him and wrapped his cape around both of us.

“Tell me more about your magic. Has any more of it returned yet?”

“I don’t know, really. I haven’t tried to use any of it. I guess I got out of the habit after so many years, and I kind of forgot what to do.”

“It should come back to you.”

“You have a lot of magic.”

“Yes, Morovia is full of witches, and always had been. Not dark magic, though. The kingdom was almost destroyed by it once long ago and now all dark magic is strictly prohibited. That’s one reason my friend Lex is so wary of you.”

“You think my magic is dark and I’m a warlock? I’m not. I take after my father and his magic wasn’t dark.”

“I don’t think you’re a warlock—not yet. But you could become one if we’re not careful with you. Your father’s magic may not have been dark, but I’m afraid yours is. A bit.”

“No, that can’t be right. My father would have told me.”

“You said he talked to you about will and intent. Perhaps he did know and was trying to teach you not to have ill will and bad thoughts about others in case you lost control. You were only ten when he died, you said.” His words made my head reel.

“I don’t understand any of this. How can you believe I have dark magic? I’ve hardly used any magic around you. If I had, I’d have fed myself after Grimora died instead of practically starving for the last few days before you two arrived.”

“I never said you were particularly good at it.” He laughed as I sputtered in outrage. “I’m teasing, but if you doubt the darkness of your nature, think back to when we spoke holy words on the beach. It distressed you, didn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly. I think I was only upset by what was happening.”

“I know you were. But the prayers didn’t help, I think.”

I thought back to that moment on the beach, listening to them chanting over Grimora’s ashes. I hadn’t liked it, but I thought it was because Grimora wasn’t all that religious, and he might not have wanted that ceremony. The words had sounded foreign and unpleasant somehow and seemed to swarm in the air like annoying gnats. Could that mean my magic was dark? I was unconvinced and insulted that he’d implied anything about me could be like that bitch queen Rozamond.

Feeling a little angry, I leaned away from his body and immediately missed his warmth but was far too stubborn to lean back again.

“Well, what if I do have dark magic? What then? Will you try to purge it from me?”

“That depends on what Harrison says. It’s not up to me. If the priests have their way, they surely will.”

“I don’t believe in your priests, and I don’t answer to your king. None of them have ever lifted a hand to help me or my family. Fuck them all.”

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