“I KNOW MY HUSBAND IS NOT HERE, but I can assure you that whatever we agree upon he will also accept,” Marquise Flock said with a gentle smile. She was sitting next to Henry on the green settee facing Lady Kalwen and Marquis Galley.
“That’s good to hear, Lady Flock.” Lady Kalwen nodded.
“House Flock is ready to take responsibility for whatever happened between our children,” she added.
Florence’s eyes were glued to the floor, she was too embarrassed to look up.
“Which is nothing, nothing happened,” Henry said with an exasperated tone.
“Are you telling me that what I saw with my own eyes did not happen?” Richard sat up in his chair. “I saw you kissing my sister with my own eyes.”
“Maybe what you saw was your sister kissing me?” Henry shot back.
“What?” The earl jumped from his seat. “What are you insinuating?”
“Henry, stop this,” Lady Flock pleaded.
“I am insinuating that I am a victim of your s
“IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME,” Daniel said as he lay in bed next to his wife. “I think I have to agree.” Magnolia faced him. “It’s nice and quiet, it feels nice after the past couple of weeks we spent in Geiranger.” “It was quite exciting, was it not?” “I would not say exciting, Daniel,” Magnolia uttered. “Both your friend and mine are in a delicate situation.” “To be more accurate, ‘your’ friend put ‘my’ friend and herself in a delicate situation,” Daniel corrected with lifted eyebrows. Magnolia rolled her eyes at him. “Well, they are getting married so there is no need to blame anyone anymore.” “I’m afraid Henry will blame Florence forever.” They were both silent for a long time, each thinking about their friend. The result of the Flocks and the Kalwens’ meeting was that Henry and Florence would get married. It was decided that the wedding ceremony would take place in a month. They did not want to r
MAGNOLIA WATCHED THE WOMAN who was sitting across the table from her with curious eyes. She was truly beautiful, her hair was black, long, and straight all the way to the bottom where small curls formed. Her skin was smooth and slightly sun-kissed, and her eyes were as dark as a moonless winter night. “I don’t recall that.” Daniel shook his head. “Oh, I do,” Laya shot back. “You almost passed out and I had to carry you back to camp.” “I will never admit to it, Laya.” He raised his eyebrows with a shrug. “I know you will not, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” They both look at each other for a moment before they burst out into laughter. Magnolia cut another piece of her mutton while trying to keep her emotions from reaching her face. She knew she was jealous. Her mind understood that it was silly, that they were only friends, comrades from the war. But she could not control her feelings. They seemed to have
MAGNOLIA SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM LAYA. She wished she did not have to lay eyes on her, but since she was in Salicera, there was no better person to teach her how to use her magic. ‘How ironic?’ The image of Laya saddling Daniel at the training ground and whispering in his ear tortured her again. Magnolia pressed her lips together in annoyance. “Daniel told me about what happened when you were attacked,” Laya started. “Would you mind telling me how you felt at the time?” Magnolia shrugged. “It was a really bad situation,” she said. “Daniel was injured, and the man was planning to kill him—kill us.” “Was it fear then?” Magnolia frowned. “I guess it was fear,” she answered reluctantly. “But I think there was something else, something I can’t really explain.” Magnolia did not share the part where she heard a voice that asked to let it out. “Alright, how about you start by trying to remember how yo
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, Magnolia had slowly been able to control her powers. She could finally call upon her magic without having to get angry first. Daniel had found an abandoned building about an hour ride from the castle. There was nothing around, so Laya went all out while training the duchess. It was quite exhausting for Magnolia though, especially that her mind was restless about her family. She felt a tightness in her chest every time she thought about them. “Would you like to go for a ride, Laya?” Magnolia asked with a hopeful voice. “You do realize that we ride for two hours every day to that Gods forsaken place Daniel found for us.” Laya expressed her dislike of that secluded building every chance she got. “I was thinking that maybe we could take a break from training today and visit a nearby town,” Magnolia suggested. Laya pondered the idea for a moment then smiled. The duchess had already made
“JUST DROP IT DEAR,” Laya chuckled. “Not everything about magic can be explained logically.” “But is there a possibility for me to also be able to communicate with someone far away?” “I really don’t know, asking me over and over again will not change that answer.” Laya had contacted Daniel the night before through thought transference to tell him where they were. Magnolia had told her that she had done it before on the red hill, she spoke to Daniel through her mind. But Laya said that the magic needed was different, since she was looking into Daniel’s eyes when that happened. Magnolia pouted. “Fine.” She pushed Thunder into a gallop. “Ah, can we just take it slow,” Laya complained. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to ride any faster.” “Maybe if you hadn’t eaten both your breakfast and half of mine, you wouldn’t be feeling so sick right now.” Magnolia rode away ignoring her friend’s pleas and leaving a storm o
MAGNOLIA AND KILLIAN STOOD THERE FOR LONG MINUTES, just staring at each other’s faces while holding one another’s arms. It was unbelievable to them, a miracle really, as each of them thought they were the last Gottanlich to be alive. “I’m going to be outside,” Laya told them before going up the stairs to give them some privacy, but neither of them acknowledged her. “I have so many questions,” Magnolia finally spoke, her unshed tears still shining in her eyes. “Come, let’s have a seat.” Killian guided her to the stairs and sat before she joined him. They were both silent again, just drinking each other with a smile. “I—I don’t have any memories of my childhood here,” Magnolia confessed. Killian’s knitted his brows. “I have only recently had one come back to me, the night the castle was attacked.” Killian’s jaw clenched at the memory. “I’m sorry I left you in that room,” he said with a hard voice. “Why didn’t
“I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY HE IS RIDING WITH ME,” Laya complained again. “I’m sorry, I forgot that Thunder doesn’t let strangers ride him,” Magnolia apologized for the fifth time. She was glad that they were almost home though, hoping that this was the last time she brought it up. She smiled to herself watching her brother’s back. “Can you not breathe on my neck,” Laya snapped at Killian, making him chuckle. “Is it funny to you? Maybe you should walk the rest of the way.” Magnolia joined her brother and laughed. “I know you’re hungry Laya, we’re almost home.” The mage didn’t answer because Magnolia was right. She was hungry and thus easily irritated. “Fine,” she mumbled between her lips. Then, a few minutes later, Laya nudged her horse into a gallop when the castle finally came into view. “Run, my boy.” The brown mare sped up as Magnolia followed closely behind. When they reached the entrance, Magnolia gave instruction
MAGNOLIA WALKED TO HER BEDROOM, she sighed in relief when Daniel was not there. She needed some time to collect her thoughts. She also needed a bath. Clara ran one quickly when she called for her. Magnolia soaked in the hot water and closed her eyes. ‘I have a brother.’ The thought brought a smile to her lips and filled her chest with warmth. Then she remembered what happened in the sitting room. She sighed. She did not want to be put in a position where she had to choose between Daniel and Killian. ‘Is it too selfish to want them both in my life?’ As soon as Magnolia stepped out of the tub, she heard the bedroom door open. She wrapped her robe around her and took a deep breath before walking out. Daniel froze when he saw her. “I thought you would be sleeping already,” he uttered. She stared at him for a moment. She was not sure how to bring up what happened with Killian. The room f