Page 89 of Forged in Cursed Flames (Crown and Crest 2)

Lady Ellaine sighs heavily, nodding. “What I’m about to tell you isn’t common knowledge. In fact, it’s a heavily guarded secret—one my nephew is desperate to keep hidden.”

She has our full attention. Even Bartholomew turns from the bird to listen.

“My brother was born without magic, and Augmirian suffers the same affliction.”

“The duke doesn’t haveanymagic?” Clover questions.

Lady Ellaine shakes her head. “In the past, High Vales born empty were considered an abomination and immediately put to death. Hundreds of years have passed since those barbaric times, but for the ruler of the dukedom to be bereft of magic…it’s unthinkable. My brother chose Ayan, knowing that he would restore the family line.” She turns to her nephew. “Your mother, though common, wielded powerful magic. You inherited it from her.”

“Too bad you can’t use it,” Lawrence mutters to Ayan.

“What?” Audra demands.

Ayan glares at Lawrence. “I can use it. I just can’t call it at will.”

A hush spreads throughout the foyer, until the only sound is Nielle as she flaps her wings, trying to draw Bartholomew’s attention once more.

“What do you mean?” Lady Ellaine asks once she recovers from the shock, looking worried.

“It’s complicated,” Ayan hedges.

“He was raised by Woodmores, my lady,” Pranmore says, scrutinizing Ayan. “He believes that because he was taught self-control and patience as a child, he cannot draw his magic, but in truth, a mind ward was placed on him at some point. I can see the edges of it.”

“A what now?” Ayan demands, turning to the Woodmore. “And what are you doing poking around in my brain?”

“A mind ward,” Pranmore explains. “It’s a difficult spell to perform, but if you were a child, it wouldn’t have been impossible. It likely kept you from accidentally injuring your Woodmore companions—or even yourself.”

“You think my grandmother blocked me?” Ayan demands.

Pranmore holds up his hands as if he doesn’t know. “There’s no telling who it was, and your grandmother likely didn’t have a choice if she wanted to keep you. Woodmores would be uncomfortable with a wardless High Vale in their midst.”

“I was a child!” Ayan exclaims.

“You were an unknown,” Audra points out. “You should know as well as the rest of us that our races have not had a history of peace.”

“Can you remove it?” Lady Audra asks Pranmore. She twists her hands at her waist, looking desperate.

Pranmore frowns intently at Ayan’s head, making the High Vale take a cautious step back.

Pranmore finally answers, “Possibly, but it would be better for Ayan if he broke it himself. It’s already fraying. I can’t imagine it will hold much longer.”

“What do you mean it would be better for me?” Ayan demands.

“Brains are complex,” Pranmore says. “I don’t want to do any unnecessary damage.”

“Alldamage is unnecessary!” Ayan exclaims. “What do I need to do to destroy the ward myself?”

Pranmore steps back. “Every time you successfully use your magic, the ward weakens. You’re going to have to utilize it more.”

“But I told you—I can only call on it when I’m angry.”

“You seem angry right now.” Lawrence smirks. “Why don’t you try to zap Pranmore?”

Audra scowls at Lawrence and steps between her cousin and the Woodmore. To Ayan, she says, “I will help you, but for now, you need to rest. It’s been a taxing few days for you.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Lawrence asks.

I begin to wonder if the prince is physically incapable of keeping his mouth shut.

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