Page 13 of Flowerheart

I could only hope he would succeed in helping me bless Papa.

Taking a gulp of air, I clasped Xavier’s hand, looking him in the eyes, and he didn’t flinch back this time. My heart soared into my throat as magic zipped through my veins, pooling in my palm. Light exploded all around us, golden motes floating around our hands and drifting by our cheeks like fairies.

And the light danced in his eyes. They were beautiful and warm, not flint-black but really a deep brown, and fringed with long lashes. Yet there were dark shadows beneath his eyes.

Xavier’s hand trembled, but his gaze didn’t waver as he spoke. “I vow to you, Clara Lucas, that I will teach you all I can, until the day you are able to free your father from the magic binding him.”

His words were soft, secret, but ricocheted somehow off the pale yellow kitchen walls and echoed through my mind.The pulse in his palm fluttered against my hand. The flecks of golden light thrummed in time with his heart.

Words spilled from me as if I’d practiced: “I vow to you, Xavier Morwyn, that upon the day I bless my father and free him of the magic binding him, I will give to you all of my magic. Willingly. Readily.”

He held my hand tighter. “Let neither of us speak of this vow to another soul.”

To have our hands clasped like this reminded me of our childhood. The secrets we’d kept for the other. The things we’d admitted with teary eyes beneath blanket forts. Such promises had felt so serious then.

Magic pulsed along my arms, aching like a pulled muscle. Then a bolt of electricity sang up my arm. I gasped and pulled back my hand. It stung as if I’d stuck it into a fire; and then, as quickly as they appeared, the lights and pain vanished.

My skin was not red and throbbing as I’d expected it to be—it was the same, if not for a thin black band inked around my ring finger.

Xavier flexed his hand, which now bore a matching black band. The skin of his fingers and palm were raw and pink.

“Your hand! Oh, Xavier, I’m so sorry—”

“It’s not your fault.” He turned to his potion case, which opened with a softclick. Procuring the little jar of salve from his bag, he nodded his head at it. The cork flew out on itsown. After he applied the cream to his hand, he bound the wound in gauze.

“Does it hurt?” I asked. In part, I wanted to know if Papa was suffering terribly from my hand on his cheek.

“It stings,” he admitted, and left it at that. Before closing his case, he placed a golden calling card and a square bottle into my still-gloved left hand.

“This is a sedative,” he explained. “Your father will continue to be quite frail. A spoonful will put him to sleep. And he won’t feel pain.” He pointed to the card. “If something unforeseen happens, burn that and I’ll come to help.”

I looked at the card, which simply saidHis Greatness Xavier Morwyn, Wizard.I felt a pang of envy. I was just as smart and talented as he was. I should have been called “Madam Lucas.”

Now I would never be.

I curled my hand around the little potion. “All right.”

“I’ll call on the Council shortly. I’ll explain the situation, get them to postpone the binding spell. And they’ll be able to provide additional aid for the both of you.”

I did not relish the thought of the Council visiting me a second time—but I needed help. I’d accept it in any form.

Xavier turned back to his case, sweeping it off the table.

“How will I afford to pay a Councilmember?” I peeped. “I gave you all the money I have.”

“Not to worry. You’re my apprentice now. They will tend to your father if I ask them to.” He lighted his handon the doorknob for one moment before looking back at me. “One last thing. I know we only live an hour apart, but perhaps it would be wise to keep your father far from your magic. Do you understand?”

I hesitated. He wanted my magic—he wantedme—away from my father.

“You want me to live with you?” I asked.

“Itiscustomary for an apprentice to move house.”

I couldn’t help but scoff. Customary? For one’s former best friend to act in the place of an older and wiser mentor? For a witch to accidentally curse her own father? For two young people to make a bargain likethis?

Xavier turned back to the door. “Will that be a problem, Miss Lucas?”

“No,” I said—though the thought of leaving my father behind in such a state made my heart sink. I squeezed the end of my braid with my ungloved fingers. “I’ll do whatever’s best for him.”

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