Page 25 of King of Fire and Scales

Drake had been so mesmerized by Thalia’s candescence that he didn’t notice the shocking transformation of Evanth.

He was upright and leaning against the bed frame, struck with a boyish grin. He looked like an entirely different man, having traveled back in time nearly a decade. His spirit was pulsing, and the joy in the room was contagious.

“Evanth?” the king said.

He was eating over a tray of breakfast food, a tall stack of pancakes shaking as the youthfully charged man bounced up and down in delight. He was lost in his own reverie, and Thalia’s joy was palpable.

“He’s busy,” Thalia said, giggling with a musical tempo.

“And hungry!” Sorcha jumped in.

“Tell me everything,” Drake said, dodging the desire to take Thalia’s hands in his.

“Well, Pyralis showed me a few books in the library, then Sorcha showed me how to follow along with the spells. It really didn't take much, but it was like…"

She began to choke on her words. Sorcha sat next to her, that smile eternal and steady.

“She was so good, My King,” Sorcha said like a proud sister. “It was as if the magic was lying dormant in her, simmering, waiting to be called. I simply showed her how to say its name.”

Drake moved his eyes between Evanth, Sorcha, then Thalia. Thalia wiped at the corner of her eyes, rapturous with solace.

“Though, once he is finished eating, we should leave him to rest more,” Sorcha said, leaning in close to Thalia. “The molecules—the small gathering of matter I told you about—they need time to settle once they’ve been awakened. I know he will want to do back flips, but this is going to take time.”

Thalia agreed, and the king and Sorcha excused themselves while Evanth finished off his meal.

Thalia came out, closing the door gently behind her.

“You were right. He was ready to go hunting,” she giggled, covering her mouth adorably. “I persuaded him to keep resting. Will you call Nerin in case he starts wandering the hallways?"

Drake promised he would. Sorcha then gave him a bow, a satirical smile painting her lips.

“I will retire to my suite now. Your lesson went well today, Thalia. Celebrate it.”

Thalia said her good-byes, as did the King, and they were left alone. Thalia buzzed like a firefly.

“I can’t stop smiling,” she said, tugging at her cheeks. “I cannot believe this has been living inside me for so long, and I had no idea."

“It’s quite miraculous, isn’t it?” the king agreed. “You likely require some rest as well. Would you care to dine with me tonight in town? There is an establishment I would love to show you.”

Thalia agreed without hesitation, unconsciously caressing her collarbone as she did.

“I would be delighted.”

THIRTEEN

THALIA

Thalia spent the remainder of the day submerged in pure bliss. She hadn’t seen her father so healthy since her mother had passed. It gave her a sorrowful kind of pang in her heart to remember those free, wholesome days. But she knew even deeper within the wells of her soul that her mother would be just as enthralled by his convalescence.

And it was all because of her. Her hands had touched her father’s forehead, the conjuring that swelled within the bones of her body bloomed like some inexplicable rose, and they had healed him.

It happened in a feverish moment, the speed of a galloping horse whipping by. He had been lying there in a terrifying catatonic state, then hardy colors rushed into his face. When he’d opened his eyes, Thalia saw herself reflected in them, the identical shade of hazel, brimmed with golden light.

Like magic.

With the heavy worry of her father’s state vanquished Thalia was free to spread her wings along a scene that she had barely tread on. The exploration of the opposite sex.

She flitted through the garments in the closet with a girlish mirth that the witch had never been privileged to indulge in. Sure, she had a few boys smitten with her in the village. She knew that most men were gluttonous for what lay between her legs.

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