Chapter 15

With Xander knowing I was a magic wielder, he had encouraged me to practice magic again. He assured me it would be safe in his quarters, and I believed him, but I was still wary of Leo. The boy had always known this world—this hatred against Unnaturals. He was born in it. I didn’t know what he would do if he saw me performing a spell.

Still, I engagingly accepted Xander’s encouragement and trained regularly by doing spells. I always did so when I knew I was alone.

I was a little rusty, so I asked Xander if he had any books on spells or casting techniques in the estate. He had looked everywhere after I made the request, but the answer to my question had been “no,” and I received an unfortunate look from Xander, who knew this was important to me.

It didn’t surprise me that there weren’t any books on that subject anymore. After Osprey came to power, anything regarding magic was destroyed. Priceless knowledge simply vanished at the beginning of his reign.

It broke my heart.

I almost regretted my laziness when I had Otis, my old magic teacher, coaching me on that subject—what seemed like a lifetime ago.

Sliding my book to the top of the enormous oak desk in the library, I closed it with a soft thud. This had become my preferred spot to read lately. The desk was spacious enough to hold several books, and I could still spread my notes out without feeling cramped. I had been researching through charted maps and trying to recall memories of places where I might find some information on magic.

However, my efforts seemed to be going in vain. If I didn’t come across any books on magic or find a teacher who would be willing to teach me, I would be unable to learn anything new. I knew that trying to create something I had no knowledge of was extremely dangerous. Magic wielders dealt with raw, powerful energy that came from within. If a magic wielder tried to achieve something and lost control, it could be fatal. This was why Otis was insistent on perfecting what I could control and then moving on to more complex spells.

I let out a deep sigh, considering the possibility of checking out the black market near the docks. While it was shady, Seagull’s Bay was bustling with trade, and it was likely that something would land there that would interest many collectors. Wealthy individuals often flocked to get their hands on banned artifacts. I would have to ask Xander to take me out to the city to look for this.

Nevertheless, I wasn’t sure how he would feel about it. The black market wasn’t easy to find, and we would have to make inquiries before going there. It might be better to send someone on our behalf if it was too risky to go there in person. I didn’t want Xander to jeopardize his social standing because of me.

Leaving the estate and seeing the city would be great, even if we didn’t go to the black market. Since my indenture at High Hill Estate, I had never once stepped outside its grounds.

I had been to Seagull’s Bay only once as a young girl. The royal family had visited the district and renewed the oath of fealty from the previous lord who served this city. Unfortunately, I never really left the confines of our carriage or living quarters.

As the evening darkness settled in, the inside of the library turned dark blue.

I flicked my hand and created a small light orb, and it had my natural blue hue. I didn’t understand why my magic energy had this specific colour. I had seen my old magic teacher’s yellowish tint, and I knew my father’s magic was red. Otis had never explained why we each had a natural predisposition to a particular colour, but I was sure it must mean something. What other secrets were there to discover, I thought while gazing into the pale blue light. There was so much I didn’t comprehend about magic, and I lightly hated myself for not listening to Otis more. Maybe, had we had the time, he would have explained it to me.

Suddenly, a creak on the floorboards near the library entrance pulled me out of my thoughts. I quickly extinguished the orb, plunging the library back into darkness. The sound of a door opening followed, and a stream of light cut through the darkness. I sat quietly at the desk, not wanting to be found since I was unsure who it was. Xander had mentioned that he would be later than usual, and I knew that Leo had been given the evening off. This person who was now entering the library had not been announced.

 A slender person walked in with what seemed like dark brown hair pulled high in a regal bun.

“Ida, dear, are you in here?”

I relaxed as I realized it was Lady Lucia. She rarely came to her son’s quarters, and I wondered what she was doing here.

“Here, milady.” I scratched a match to light the oil lamp on my desk and stood up, respecting her status.

“Oh, my dear girl, I am so happy to see you!” she merrily said as she made her way to meet me.

I had been nervous about meeting Xander’s mother since we had officially “mated.” I knew she knew, but I didn’t know precisely what Xander had told her. I had to tread carefully because of that.

 “If you are looking for Lord Alexander, I’m afraid he will be available later tonight. You are welcome to stay and wait for him! Shall I fetch some tea for you, milady?” I asked out of habit.

“Nonsense!” She scoffed. “You don’t work for us anymore; you are our guest!” Lady Lucia smiled sweetly at me.

I followed her out of the library.

“I have asked to bring up some food and drinks and wanted your company for a late dinner. What do you say?” The lady’s grey eyes twinkled with the light from the oil lamp. Xander got his beautiful grey stare from his mother then. Hers was bluer, though.

“It would be my pleasure, milady.”

“Oh please,” she shook her hand in the air and scrunched her nose, “no need for formalities anymore, Ida. Call me Lucia,” she finished as she hugged me and linked her arm around mine to lead us to the main parlour, where dishes sat with tasty finger foods and a hot teapot. 

As we sat down to eat, we exchanged pleasantries, and I was immediately struck by how easy it was to talk to Lucia. She made me feel at ease, and I found myself enjoying her company even more than when I worked on her floor. It was almost like we were equals, even though I was a stranger in her home.

Throughout the meal, Lucia exuded a maternal aura that reminded me of my own mother. It was comforting to have someone care for me in that way, and I found myself feeling more at peace than I had in a long time. Leo wasn’t kidding when he said he spent most of his days alone. I was rather lonely when Leo went off on some errand, and I had this whole space to myself.

“You know, when I met Markus, it was somewhat like you and Alexander. It was a chance meeting,” she spoke softly and longingly. I knew exactly who she was referring to; it was Xander’s real father. “My father was against it, of course. I was promised to a very up-and-coming young viscount who would open a new business partnership most profitable to my father.”

She looked at her teacup distantly, like she was no longer in this room but back when her true love was still with her.

“And Markus, well, he didn’t come from the same background as I,” she said while clearing her throat. “He roamed the forest like a sprite, unbothered by the human politics surrounding his pack. He lived in his own little bubble that burst the moment we met. I was so terrified to see him at first. I had only heard tales of shifters. Nannies would use them to scare young children into listening to them, or else they would be taken by shifters. Never did I think I would stumble upon one while I was walking near the forest’s edge. But as soon as he shifted into human form and picked me up where I had fallen while I was trying to flee, I was smitten, and the rest was history. Despite being big and scary, he was so delicate and tender with me, like he was afraid to break me. His caringness didn’t fit the outside image of such a burly man.”

She slowly unbuttoned the collar of her dress and stretched the material to show me a blood-red scar on her shoulder. Aside from the colour, the two half-crescent moons were similar to mine.

“This happened on the day he was killed. It was once pale white like yours most likely is. It happened shortly after my wedding to Kestrel. I woke up to a searing pain in the middle of the night. It was as though I was dying myself. When I looked at Markus’s mark, it was bleeding red, and I knew something terrible had happened. I could no longer feel him with me, and the colour never returned to white.” She sighed as she redid the buttons.

Her hands were folded on her lap neatly, and I noticed her eyes were getting misty.

“When you have a fated mate, Ida, you can only have children with that person. Your mate becomes an extension of you, and I was a walking bloody open wound when I lost Markus. I didn’t know where I belonged when I lost my mate. Alexander is the only thing I have left of Markus. He takes more after me in looks, mind you. And I thank the Faiths every day for it, or else my husband would have been suspicious, but he has the same black midnight hair and the identical courage and spirit I loved in his father.”

Lucia forced a smile onto her sorrowful face. My heart ached for her. I wanted to say something comforting, but what could I say to ease her pain and suffering?

“I cannot imagine the pain you have endured since that awful night, but you soldiered on and are still here, taking care of the one you treasure most. The courage and strength I see in Xander come from you, not Markus. I’m sure he has other traits of him, but from the little I have come to know of him, he takes from you, and you have every right to be proud.”

Lucia let out a tiny chuckle. She had recomposed herself and gazed at me with loving eyes. “I am pleased to have had this wonderful talk with you, my dear Ida. And I will do whatever is in my power to ensure your happiness. I don’t know anyone more deserving than you to have my son’s love—literally, since you both are fated to be together. But I must warn you that your road together will be difficult and dangerous should it be known what you are for each other. So please be careful.”

Lady Lucia shortly returned to her quarters, leaving me alone with her last words.

I touched the mark Xander had left on my skin. The thickened skin where his teeth had pierced me was a constant reminder of our connection, and I wondered what would happen if something were to happen to him. Would the scar turn red like Lucia’s? I shook my head, trying to shake away the imaginary pain.

I remained in the parlour, staring deeply at the twinkling embers in the fireplace. The oil lamps had long since been extinguished, and now the only illumination came from the burning red and yellow embers. In that dim light, I felt uncertain about my future. Despite my hopes that our fates would not be identical, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my destiny with Xander was still uncertain.

I knew I could conceal my true identity, but I also knew that people had a knack for noticing things and would start searching for answers. It was especially true now that the city would learn that the heir to High Hill was no longer eligible. I just hoped to keep my secret identity hidden for long enough to let me tell Xander in my own time.