Page 7 of The Dark Mage
Her question was answered when they entered Esrin’s personal suite.The black leather, dark wood, and cherry red detailing screamed opulence.A table set for three sat next to a small but well-stocked kitchen.Beyond an open door, a king-sized bed draped in a fluffy red-and-white comforter completed the overwhelming display of wealth.
“My father is governor of Ishvaen,” Esrin said, shrugging off their obvious surprise.“I’m rather welloff.”
Ishvaen.The city of lights.
Ren’wyn ached at the thought of it.Prosperous and clean, Ishvaen valued equality, education, and craftsmanship.Governed by Esrin’s father with the help of representatives from the major cities, it stood as a beacon of progress.Esrin would inherit the title someday.Ren’wyn nearly sighed with jealousy as Peria whistled in appreciation.
“I usually eat in the dining hall,” Esrin added, grinning, “but for two lovely women, I had to call in my personalchef.”
Peria looped her arm through Ren’wyn’s and teased, “Three bottles of wine?Whatever could you have envisioned for this night, alone with us in your personal apartment?”
Good gracious, Peria was shameless.She would gladly sleep with Esrin, savoring the luxury of his suite, then dissect the experience afterward—rating Esrin’s performance and the quality of the bed with characteristic flair.Peria’s unapologetic love of life was a welcome distraction for Ren’wyn.
“In my experience,” Esrin replied with a wink, “wine is a lovely way to enjoy the company of friends.Though if it wins me a companion, I won’t complain.”
His gaze caught Ren’wyn’s, and her stomach tumbled as she met the fire in hiseyes.
“Well, then,” Peria said, licking her lips.“Let’s eat.Ren’wyn and I are famished.”
They talked and laughed over a seafood soup starter, followed by chicken in wine sauce with mushrooms—each bite melting on the tongue with cream and aromatic spices.Esrin ended the meal with a rich chocolate cake.By that point, Peria had indulged in four glasses of wine, Ren’wyn three, and Esrin an entire bottle.
Esrin regaled them with stories, including one about stealing his father’s ship with his best friends to sail up the coast.The plan ended disastrously when they landed at his uncle’s estate.
“Apparently, my father sent word to flay us alive,” Esrin said, roaring with laughter.“So my uncle worked us for a week—chopping wood, harvesting corn, and sleeping in abarn.”
Ren’wyn clutched her sides, imagining this polished man covered in dirt and smelling of pigs.Peria’s head was thrown back as tears streamed down herface.
“At the end of it,” Esrin continued, “we had to enter the city through the main gates, stinking and filthy.I was mortified walking past the brothel, where the girls turned away in disgust.”
“This has been lovely,” Esrin said as the laughter subsided, swirling the last of the wine in his glass.His tone grew thoughtful.“I’m sorry we haven’t met beforenow.”
A small silence passed companionably.Then, he began again.Ren’wyn found herself leaning forward to listen.
“My parents discovered my powers when I was a boy.Apparently, I summoned a windstorm that grounded five ships after they took away my favorite pony.They sought out tutors and learned about Spyre through private inquiries.I’ve spent the last six years here.Someday, I’ll lead Ishvaen with honesty and equality.I’ll help hide those with magic however I can, just as my father doesnow.”
He looked at them expectantly, and Ren’wyn felt his silent request to hear their stories.
Peria spoke first.“I was lucky to be born on Anduan and receive my gift of empathy.My powers showed when I was six.I got so angry after losing a game that it overflowed into my friends.Together, we tore down a fishing hut and fence, broke windows, and bloodied our hands before my parents and another empath stopped us.The other empath calmed me and began my training.
“On Anduan, we don’t worry about attending Spyre.We train our gifted on the island, and the empire stays out of our business.I’m privileged, and I want more for our world.I want us all to be thatfree.”
Determination burned in Peria’s eyes, and Ren’wyn glanced away, smiling with pride.If anyone could bring Anduan into the fight, it was Peria.
“Until then,” Peria added, “I’ll learn to use my powers to influence the Council.I’m ready to help them rise against the emperor.I want it to be tomorrow, but I’ll start here by empowering my fellow students.”
The other two turned to Ren’wyn, who finished her glass of wine, swallowing the bitter taste of her future.
“I was born to a dark mage married to a lord who abused her,” Ren’wyn said softly.“My mother knew from the moment she held me that I had dark magic.A mage’s firstborn almost alwaysdoes.
“My power woke on my tenth birthday.The first shades I saw were my brothers and sister, who were miscarried.I still see them almost every day in theVoid.”
She kept her gaze on her wine glass, unsettled by her friends’ attention.
“My father is power-hungry.He can’t believe my mother gave him a worthless girl, and I’m sure he’d sell me out if he knew about my magic.He’s marrying me off this summer to gain land.Erst, my fiancé”—Ren’wyn’s voice cracked, but she continued—“hurts me for fun, but I’ll marry him because the alternative is exile.My father says it’s my duty to the family, to keep me from becoming a hindrance.I can’t run.I can’t say no.Where else wouldI go?”
Peria’s face burned with suppressed rage.Esrin looked stunned, his mouth slightly agape.Ren’wyn suddenly regretted sharing so much, recognizing that Esrin was practically a stranger.She sighed in frustration, cursing the wine and her loose tongue.
“I’m sorry,” Esrin murmured.
