Page 52 of The Dark Mage
His voice wavered.“I was exposed in front of everyone: the townsfolk, my men, the captain of the guard.Everyone would report my magic, so I ran north.I ran until I found you.”His gaze softened.“And everything changed.”
He drained his glass and refilled it.The fire flickered and crackled in the hearth.Regret and shame chased themselves across his face like restless shadows.
Ren’wyn crossed the room and sat besidehim.
So muchpain.
They had endured so much death, hiding, and misery in their own ways.All for what?Their magic was a gift, not a curse.Her fingers brushed his knuckles as she whispered, “Your power is a gift, Fael.You are a gift to this world—and to me.From the moment you saved me on the riverbank, I’ve been free.I’ve been...more.”
There was so much more—things she didn’t know how to put into words.Things she wouldn’t say here ornow.
His voice was low and sweet.“You are the gift, Ren’wyn.”
She stood abruptly—too much wine, too much said.Her control felt like a single thread ready tosnap.
“Good night,Fael.”
“Good night, Ren’wyn.”
15
Warm spring air followed them south the next week.Ren’wyn spotted liverleaf three days into their journey on the cart—a sure sign of the changing season.She gasped, wide-eyed and smiling, and gently tapped the driver’s shoulder.
Fael followed her as she leapt down.She blew a kiss to the first cluster of flowers she found, then traipsed to the next patch of small purple blooms a little farther into the trees.There, she harvested the leaves into the small pouches she carried in herpack.
Her collection kit was a prized set designed by an herbalist in Orr, containing a variety of pouch sizes and parchment packets for pressing leaves or flowers or collecting pollen.It was her pride and joy—a luxury she’d never possessed before, due to Vair’s belief that plants were a waste of time.When she’d purchased it, Fael had said he’d never seen money better spent, and she practically swooned with pleasure.
Liverleaf gathered, Ren’wyn placed a sprig of lavender in front of the plants as an offering to the woods—a gift of gratitude, something she could otherwise use, to show her respect for the earth’s cycle.
Finished, she stood and brushed the dirt from her skirts, meeting Fael’s warm smile.Taking his hand, she walked back to thecart.
Ren’wyn had come to enjoy their slow travel—a night or two in a town followed by a day or two on the road.Each village and town was unique, and the style of dress evolved as they drew closer to Luremala.Dresses became more conservative, with detachable sleeves and high collars rising close to the collarbone.
The houses changed too—slate roofs and larger windows designed to catch the breeze.
In the next town, they traded their Terrepinian clothing for local outfits.Ren’wyn chose a frivolously pink dress for special occasions, as well as practical tan and gray dresses for everydayuse.
Fael selected light, flowing shirts with deep V-necks and the region’s signature tight leggings.Ren’wyn worked very hard not to stare at his backside in those leggings and knee-high boots—failing miserably and blushing when Fael caught her in the mirror.
“How do they look?”he asked, turning toward her in the back of the smallshop.
“You look fine,” she replied, annoyed at how breathless she sounded.“It’ll do, I suppose.”
“I think you more than suppose,” he grinned wickedly and prowled towardher.
Ren’wyn retreated.The chest-high rack of hanging shirts behind her pressed into her shoulder blades, halting further movement.Fael took another slow step, like an animal stalking prey.Electricity coursed through her veins.She struggled to breathe evenly and failed.Fael’s gaze slid to her mouth as her ragged breath escaped.
His lips parted, and she bit her own in response.
Just when she thought he would dip his head to kiss her, her back arched slightly, head tilting up.Fael’s eyes traced the line of her chin, drifting toward her shoulder.An emotion she couldn’t name flickered in his eyes.Then, he stepped back, the fire in his eyes guttering.
“You should buy an extra two dresses for travel,” he remarked, his voice neutral.
Ren’wyn, flushed and stunned, burned with embarrassment.
“Good idea,” she snapped and stalked off across theshop.
She didn’t see the look of self-hatred that passed over Fael’s face as he watched her go.
