Page 36 of Magic & Mochas
“No, it’s not forNyssa,”he ground out through gritted teeth.“It’s for my lovely little Clover.”
I sharpened my gaze, tempted to rip the rose right out of his hand and crush it.When I didn’t say anything, Rasmus began to fidget.Sure enough, he soon cracked under the silent pressure.
“If youmustknow, I intend to ask her to be my partner for the Moonlit Masquerade Ball.”His eyes flicked down to the boxes in my hand.“I see she’s already sent you to collect her dress, but that won’t be necessary; I’ve already picked out a much more refined one for her that will match my tuxedo.”
“I’m afraid you’re a little late.Clove will be attending the ball asmypartner.”I stepped closer, using my height advantage to tower over him, while letting wisps of shadows dance in the air between us tauntingly.“So I suggest you magic yourself up a new rose—perhaps a green one, to match the only partner you have left—yourmistress.”
Beads of sweat formed on his wide forehead.His eyes darting down to the boxes I still held was all the warning I needed.
When magic sparked at his fingertips and his rose transformed into a writhing whip with thorns, I was ready.I dodged to one side and lifted the boxes out of the way before the extending thorns could pierce them and ruin our outfits.My cheek stung, and I felt a trickle of warmth drip down my skin.
All this lazing about had made me rusty.
“How pathetic,” I spat.“Even if youdiddestroy her dress, you are the last person Clove would ever attend the ball with!”
I lashed out with my shadows, but scowled when they hit an invisible forcefield and slid harmlessly to the side.
“Nice try,” Rasmus said with a smirk.“But you won’t be able to get me with the same sneak-attack as last time.And Clove ismine—I just need to remind her of that fact, and we can go back to the way things were!”
Summon us, my lord!cried several of my shadow soldiers.
Your lord is not so weak that he cannot handle a single warlock alone,I retorted.Sit back and watch the show.
“Clove is her own person—she doesn’t belong to anyone,” I growled, preparing my shadows.“You chose Nora, and Clove chose me—accept it!”
While Rasmus was sputtering out his reply, I used my shadows to lift the boxes away behind me, and formed a sword made of living shadow in my hand.Before the warlock could process the sight of my new weapon, I had cut through his flimsy barrier and rested the blade at his throat.
He froze, his eyes going impossibly wide.“S-shadows can’t cut—”
I increased the pressure just enough to break the skin.The writhing whip in his hand wilted, the spikes shrinking back down into regular-sized thorns.
“Leave Clove alone.”My voice took on the rough edge I had used in battle.“If you dare to so much as look at her between now and the ball, your outfit will be the least of your worries.”
Rasmus’ throat bobbed, and when he realized I was being serious, he slowly nodded.“Fine.Let go already, you stupid adventurer.”
My eyes narrowed.His comment reminded me of how he had called me a murderer in front of Clove.My grip tightened, causing the warlock’s eyes to widen in fear.
“Would a ‘party murderer’ let you go?”I hardly recognized my own voice.The anger and resentment I’d been repressing bubbled up to the surface.
“No.”Rasmus started shaking, and tears welled in his eyes.
The sight brought me abruptly back to myself.What was I doing?Taking my anger out on this soft warlock wasn’t what I should be doing right now.
I had come here for a fresh start, and yet here I was, dwelling in the past and behaving like the sort of adventurer I had so wrongly been accused of being.But unlike before, I had someone waiting for me.Someone for whom I wanted to be a better person.
Without another word, I released Rasmus, who stumbled backwards, but managed to regain his balance before he fell onto the pavement.My shadows returned the boxes to me.
“Move on with your life, Rasmus,” I said as I turned to leave.“Clove already has.”
Instead of waiting for a reply, I strode away, leaving him staring after me.
Shall I continue to monitor the warlock, my lord?asked the soldier in Rasmus’ shadow.
Yes.He’s a stubborn mule, so I want him watched until he leaves Willowmere entirely,I replied.
Understood.I will continue my regular reports.
I used the short walk back to The Broom & Bean to get my emotions under control.I took a few deep breaths of the crisp October air, and let the chattering of distant voices and the peaceful chiming of some windchimes soothe my frayed edges.
