Page 105 of The Holy Academy of Witches

The rest of the hour was spent amicably, mainly quizzing on the proper harvesting of ingredients based on the phases of the moon, and how to label them according to the current accepted practice for others to use in their enchantments. We didn’t talk about the book, or anything of major consequence, instead just enjoying each other’s company. Her last laugh fell short however, the dread of going back evident.

“You can take the pie if you want?” I said offering the strawberry rhubarb that was apparently impossible to find here.

“No, my mother would smell the sugar from a mile away.” She said sadly.

“Okay well, thanks for coming over. Let me know when your schedule allows another?” I said dropping into a posh accent at the end.

“Why? You already know everything you need to pass,” Adeline asked, pausing at my door. I dismissed the wards for her to exit. We started walking down the hall and I saw her pause at the stairs.

“Because we’re friends Adeline, and friends hang out during school breaks. Or so I’ve been told. And I doubt your mom would allow it otherwise.” I said honestly.

“Well… Alright then.” She finished after clearing her throat, and before I could answer she’d apparated away.

Fifty-Five

Sage

Adeline wasn’t able to ‘tutor’ again that week due to a series of parties being held in her parent’s circle. I’d sent my condolences and enjoyed every carefree evening reading smutty novels while curled up in my bed. It was during one such lazy morning of self indulgence that a heavy card stock invite fell literally into my lap.

The expensive calligraphy invited me to a Christmas Eve party at The Lynch’s. I sent off a disbelieving text to Cillian.

Sage: Really? Two days notice for a black tie event?

Crane-boy: Yes, well, my mother knows I like to disappear for parties, so instead springs them on me last minute. She sent your invite at the same time she told me. I think she’s hoping to prove you don’t exist so that I’ll marry one of the hundreds of other girls she’s inviting.

Sage: I’ll be there. Consider this my RSVP.

* * *

The central fountain of the Lynch estate sparkled with enchanted lights. The off white stone sparkling like a veritable ice sculpture in the brightened spray. The entrance was dark and as I pulled the chain to call someone, I worried about staining the new elbow length gloves my mother insisted completed my ‘look.’

A man happily escorted me to the ballroom, which was bursting with music, twirling dancers, suited businessmen, and silver platters of food. As I watched I realised my invitation must have included a different starting time than the rest. Shouldn’t surprise me with his parents both in politics, our every interaction was more likely to resemble a game of chess than a conversation.

I watched the crowd for a while before finding Cillian near the edge of the mayhem, his tall form bending toward a dainty figure with long dark hair. I bit my lip hard enough to bleed, out of annoyance obviously. I’d gone to such lengths to show up and put on a convincing show of our relationship and already he was blowing our cover.

The dainty ‘future Mrs. Lynch’ was in a floor length emerald green gown with elaborate black embroidery. I’d gone for a dark purple sleeveless number with white silk gloves that hid the mark, afraid glamours wouldn’t work in an older estate. Looking back at the figure I saw they’d turned slightly toward me. My heart jumped as I realised the girl was no prospective bride at all, but Adeline.

I berated myself, even as I buried the flood of emotions as I made my way closer. Cillian saw me first, his full faced grin making me equally embarrassed and irritated. If he said something smart I might not be able to help the answering jinx. These hairpins hurt and needed appreciating.

Adeline cut in front of him to wrap me in a sincere embrace. Taking advantage of our closeness she stated slyly, “You look amazing, I can’t wait to hear the story behind yours and Cillian’s arrangement,” I blushed. Of course he would have warned her, told her what he could. They were best friends.

Cillian came next, holding me just close enough to sell attraction and ease, without being indecent. I tried not to appreciate the foresight, or how he smelled.

“Will you do me the honour of this dance, Miss Williams?” He took my gloved hand in his and we were on the dance floor before I could make sense of what was happening.

He was a brilliant dancer, and it wasn’t long until any distance between us became a memory. He spun us expertly, my body melding and moving with his in a harmony I’d never experienced before. My wrist felt fuzzy from the closeness, as if it were humming its approval. It was nice, and the point of being here was to sell our closeness, so I enjoyed the way my skirts were flitting around us. I enjoyed his fitted jacket and regency-like high collar that emphasised his tall frame and polished features. The edges of my vision blurred as I looked into his sky blue eyes. I felt his bicep tense under my hand as his large hand flexed against my waist. If any other eyes followed us I didn’t care. I was here to pay my debts, to keep him safe, and selling the story was the least of my problems. I told myself that with each spin as one dance melted into another and another, and another.

When I was weak in the knees, from all the spinning, I tapped his shoulders and made my excuses. He neatly steered us away from the crowded dance floor. He continued walking with my arm tucked neatly under his before handing me off to Adeline like a proper 18th century suitor.

“I believe those dances will satisfy my parents for now, if you’d like to spend the rest of the evening in Adeline’s company?” The question was posed to me, but several wordless notes were passed between him and Adeline before they turned to me.

“Would you care for a tour of the grounds, Sage?” Adeline asked, her voice tailored into a tone I’d never heard before. It felt rehearsed.

“Yeeeesss?” I lengthened my answer with hesitation, my gaze flitting back to Cillian only just quick enough to see a slight mischievous smile on his lips before it disappeared behind his aristocratic mask.

Adeline, needing no further encouragement, tucked my arm into hers like Cillian had just done before whirling me around to exit one of the large glass doors to the West.

The waist high hedges formed a prickly maze that Adeline navigated with ease. The shrubberies grew in height until I could no longer see the manor or hear the party. She took us to a dead end before charming away a false hedge that led to a large tree. With a drawn rune she turned on the Christmas lights that wrapped around the trunk and hung from the boughs to illuminate a sturdy tree house and its winding stairs.

---