Page 128 of Kingdom of Dance

Obsidian rolled his eyes. “Of course he expected that. When have his expectations ever been reasonable? But I soon set him straight there. I told him that I’m going to train under Master Hughes, and that I will not, now or ever, accept any training from him.”

“How did he take it?” Zinnia asked.

Obsidian shrugged. “He tried to argue that he has stronger magic than Master Hughes. I told him that I didn’t care about that. I told him that it was thanks to him that I’d formed the false impression that magic was something twisted, something to be feared and hated. I said that I’ve come to understand now that it’s not his magic that warped him, but the other way round. He’s the one who’s warped, and it comes out in the way he uses his magic. I told him to his face that although I’m done being angry at him—it’s too exhausting to stay bitter about the past—I will never allow him any influence over my life or my magic.”

“Well done!” Zinnia felt like cheering, but that didn’t really fit with her whole clandestine rendezvous narrative, so instead she squeezed his arm. “I’m proud of you.”

Obsidian smiled down at her, his eyes as dark and compelling as ever, but perhaps a shade less haunted.

“So it really is true that he had no idea what Lorne was planning?” Zinnia asked.

Obsidian nodded. “There was no deception in his account. The fool just got greedy when Lorne approached him, with vague promises of fabulous power and impressive demonstrations to back it up. My grandfather gave Lorne the crystal he’d acquired with my magic in it and promised to set up a meeting between Lorne and me, but that was it. When he was unable to follow through, Lorne cut him out, and stole the rest of the crystals without his help.” He sighed. “It seems my grandfather can be a warped old miscreant without actually being a traitor.”

“No need to sound so regretful,” Zinnia laughed.

He smiled. “Of course, he still knew Lorne was an escaped fugitive, and he didn’t tell anyone. Plus he gave him the crystal, which he should never have done. But given that’s the extent of his involvement, he’s once again going to get away with merely a slap on the wrist. It rankles a little.”

“Don’t let it,” Zinnia told him firmly. “You have other, much more pleasant things to focus on.”

“About that,” said Obsidian, suddenly sounding a little nervous.

Zinnia raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“I have some news,” he confessed. “It was going to be revealed tomorrow, but I’ve been wondering if maybe you’d rather have a say than a surprise.”

“What is it?” Zinnia pressed, bursting with curiosity.

Obsidian searched her eyes as he spoke. “It’s about our living arrangements after the wedding. Is your heart set on living in the castle?”

Zinnia regarded him in surprise. “My heart is set on living with you,” she informed him. “Beyond that, nothing is set in stone. What makes you ask? Would you rather not?”

“What makes me ask is a strong conviction that we need a suite not attached to your sisters’ rooms,” Obsidian said firmly, and Zinnia couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory of their interrupted moment.

“I’m open to living up north, nearer to where you grew up,” she told him seriously. “Of course I am. But I admit I would miss the sea terribly. And I would feel torn about leaving Basil without my help. I always expected to be one of his main sources of support when he became king.”

“I’m not trying to whisk you away from your family,” Obsidian assured her quickly. “Or at least,” he amended, “not too far away. And Basil knows all about this. He’s been helping me.”

“Helping you do what?” Zinnia asked.

“I’m having a cottage built to the east,” Obsidian blurted out. “Up on the cliffs, looking right out over the ocean. It isn’t far—only a ten minute ride from the eastern gate and the castle. But it’s all our own. No relatives, no courtiers, only a few servants.”

“Oh, Obsidian.” Zinnia threw her arms around him, a lump of emotion rising in her throat. “It sounds absolutely perfect.”

He didn’t ask if she meant it. Of course he could tell she was sincere. She was going to have to watch that—no polite lies in their marriage.

“Basil really approves?” she asked, pulling back. “I would have thought he’d be concerned about the safety, outside the castle, even outside the city walls.”

“You will be safe,” Obsidian promised, the words ringing with sincerity. “I’m going to keep you safe. It turns out I have a considerable amount of magic at my disposal. You can be absolutely certain that I will never hesitate for a moment to use it to protect my wife and family. Our little seaside cottage will be guarded by every protection known to magic.”

Zinnia’s heart was full to bursting as she looked up at him. She was so proud of how far he’d come, and determined to walk the next part of his journey with him. One day he would be the most powerful enchanter in Entolia, she had no doubt. But that wouldn’t matter. As long as he was still her Obsidian, she would be satisfied.

“I don’t know what to say,” she told him softly. “You’re giving me everything I could want. I wish I knew how to do the same for you.”

“Youaredoing the same for me,” he assured her, his arms sneaking around her back and pulling her toward him again.

“I know!” Zinnia brightened. “I’ll ask Basil to organize another promotion for you, as a wedding present. Major Obsidian has a nice sound to it. Perhaps even Colonel Obsidian.”

“Don’t you dare!” Obsidian growled.

---