“Alright, I have it,” Isalla said, opening her eyes slowly, keeping a light touch on the mana within her. She was careful, though, since the first time she found it she’d touched too deeply and ended up draining all her mana in moments.
“Very good,” Vinara said, smiling as she nodded, her appearance almost enough to disrupt Isalla’s precarious control.
The succubus was different than the others that Isalla had seen in the hells so far, though she had the bat-like wings and tail that were common to them, along with short, thin horns from her brow. The odd thing about her was the demon’s skin color, which was a light shade of green, and blue tattoos ran down the sides of her face like ivy that framed her eyes and cheeks, then ran down her neck. Vinara was tall as well, with wavy near-black hair that reached the middle of her back. The strangest thing to Isalla was that Vinara preferred tight-fitting dresses that covered everything below her neck except for her feet and hands, and it was almost more distracting than other succubi who were barely wearing anything, since Vinara shared their lush figures.
“Good? I think it’s taken me what, a half hour each day to find my mana core? More the first time,” Isalla replied, feeling disgruntled and a bit despairing at the thought.
“Ah, but there you’re wrong. It took you an hour the first day, and you’ve been slowly reducing the amount of time it takes each day,” Vinara replied, smiling warmly, her bright emerald eyes glittering as she smiled, her lips the only splash of red on her body. “Today took you a touch under half an hour, which is good progress. You’re doing better than Kitania did at the same stage, in fact.”
“Wait, you knew Kitania when she was learning magic?” Isalla asked, almost losing her grip on her magic due to surprise. This was the first hint that Vinara had known Kitania, and that made her one of the few people Isalla had met that had known her. Aside from Ceriax and Estalia, of course.
“We were fellow students, and she desperately hoped to become an archmage in the future, at least at the time,” Vinara said, a smile flickering across her lips, and Isalla was surprised to see that she didn’t look very happy. “Unfortunately, she didn’t have much in the way of talent, so settled for protective wards, as it was the best talent she possessed. I felt rather bad for her at the time, though I’ll admit a personal satisfaction that she didn’t get everything she wanted. It’s a bit unfair of me, I’m afraid.”
“I see,” Isalla said, her eyes wide as she stared at Vinara raptly. “Then what was she—”
“Ah, ah… we’re here to teach you magic, not to gossip about Her Majesty’s daughter,” Vinara interrupted, clicking her tongue in disapproval as she shook off the memories, focusing on Isalla with a smile. “You’ve shown a mild talent for light magic, unsurprisingly, as well as with life and transmuting. What we have left to test is air, earth, fire, and protection magics.”
“Alright,” Isalla conceded, feeling a little more disappointed. She’d hoped to learn more about Kitania, but she should have expected the response. Vinara tended to focus on her lessons, and rarely deviated from her lesson plans. “I was hoping to have more talent than this, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“You’ve gone through over thirty fields of study and have found three talents so far, and I suspect you have at least one more. You’re doing well,” Vinara said, smiling again as she added, “If you had a strong gift for a type of magic, they’d already have trained you. Powerful gifts don’t precisely grow on trees.”
“You’re almost certainly right. It just doesn’t feel like I’m doing that well,” Isalla admitted, then stood up a bit straighter as her enthusiasm picked up. “Well, what are we starting with?”
“Protection magic,” Vinara said, picking up a sheet of paper from the table next to her and handing it to Isalla as she explained. “This spell creates a transparent, magical shield that will block blows, as well as a mundane shield for the caster, but must be wielded in the same manner. As with the other tests, we’ll see if you can cast it without instruction first, then move to coaching you through it.”
“Very well,” Isalla said, taking the sheet and starting to read it. The script was slightly hard to decipher due to the demon’s handwriting, but at least it was written in angelic. As she started reading the instructions, Isalla concentrated as much as she could, determined not to waste Vinara’s time.
Looking through the translucent wall, or at least translucent from her side, Rose watched Isalla work on casting the shield spell and let out a soft sigh. Vinara was coaching her through it, and while Isalla might be frustrated, Rose was startled at how quickly her lover was picking up magic.
“She’s working hard, isn’t she?” Estalia asked, startling Rose as she stepped into the room. Rose turned to face the queen quickly, her heart suddenly racing. Every time she saw Estalia was difficult for her, especially with the memories of her time in the spire. It helped that Estalia wasn’t trying to seduce her, but it was still hard when she was trying to resist temptation.
“That she is, Your Majesty,” Rose agreed, bowing her head for a moment, then glancing at Isalla nervously. “She’s also upset at how long it’s taking her, but I think that’s just because she doesn’t understand how hard learning magic can be.”
“True, and as such she doesn’t understand why those of us without her modest talent might be jealous,” Estalia said, sighing softly as she looked through the wall, a contemplative expression on her face.
Rose waited for a long minute, knowing that Estalia wouldn’t have come to find her for no reason. As she watched, Isalla managed to create a wavering shield in midair, one that wouldn’t be much good for blocking any attacks. Still, it was a start.
“I received word from the top of Hellmount about something interesting today,” Estalia finally spoke, glancing over at Rose, smiling slightly. “A small delegation from the Forest of Sighs has come to meet with me.”
“The Forest of Sighs? That’s from over halfway across the world!” Rose exclaimed, blinking in surprise. The elven nation had long been loosely aligned with the heavens, and to her knowledge hadn’t ever been on friendly terms with demon lords. After a few moments of thought, she asked, “Do you have any idea why they’re here?”
“They didn’t tell my agents, but I have my suspicions. Once they reach Silken Veils, I’m going to have them teleported to the palace to meet with me,” Estalia replied, her smile widening as she looked at Rose. “The thing that springs to mind, since I’ve never had any representatives of Alserah come to my court before, is that she is a goddess, and you remember what Eziel said about the arrow.”
“Oh! Of course, that would make a lot of sense,” Rose said, her eyes brightening in understanding, her heart leaping at the possibility that they were coming to discuss Kitania’s presence. “It isn’t guaranteed, but if Kitania appeared there it makes far more sense than them randomly choosing to treat with you.”
“Precisely,” Estalia agreed, her smile fading as she glanced through the wall. “I’d just ask that you not share the possibility with Isalla yet. While I don’t think she’d overreact, I do know that she’s been rather more… emotional about Kitania’s disappearance. With the escort I’ve provided, it should take no more than six days for the delegation to reach here.”
“I… well, you’re probably right. She’s already planning to wait two weeks for news, so getting her hopes up early won’t help any,” Rose admitted, looking at her friend a touch guiltily. “I’m not going to lie to her, though.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to. I’m just asking you not to mention it first,” Estalia said, nodding in agreement, and smiling gently at Isalla as she did so. The queen was quiet for a moment, then asked, “So… assuming Kitania is agreeable, you’re planning to try to share her affections?”
“What?” Rose almost yelped, her eyes widening as she blushed, looking at Estalia as the queen smiled, her eyes glittering with mirth. “I… what makes you think that?”
“I haven’t for
gotten our conversation in the foyer of Kitania’s home, Rose. Nor have I forgotten the rage and trace of bitterness in your eyes when you first arrived,” Estalia replied, her hands folded in front of her. “I found it obvious. When I met you in the Spire of Confession, for a time I thought you might have fallen for me, Rose. Your eyes were so bright, and you seemed so happy with things. However, that was… fleeting. Your feelings for my daughter, on the other hand… those seem to be stronger, even if you haven’t decided for certain as of yet.”
Rose shifted, blushing as her gaze drifted over the beautiful queen, and opened her mouth. She shut it again after a moment, then spoke softly. “Perhaps so. I just… you could steal my heart if you tried, I believe. You’re captivating, Your Majesty. I’ve never known anyone so beautiful and kind. Yet at the same time, you scare me a little.”
“Eziel. I didn’t want to do that. It’s something that would rightfully terrify others,” Estalia said, sighing softly as she looked into the room, her expression ever so slightly forlorn, which made Rose’s heart ache. “My power is such that I could seduce anyone, Rose. If I wanted to… well, you and Isalla would fall in love with me so easily. Yet I choose not to use my power in that way, at least not deliberately. I want those who love me to love me for who I am, not because they were made to love me. It’s why I never use the power that broke Eziel’s mind unless I have no other true choice.”
“I… well, I see,” Rose said, blushing slowly, then turning away as she asked nervously, “Have you used it before?”
“Eight times over the years that I recall. Only when the price of not using it was too high, or when I didn’t understand what I was truly doing,” Estalia admitted quietly, sounding slightly ashamed. “I wasn’t quite as nice in my youth, as I was influenced by my mother. Then I realized that the method wasn’t something that would help my goal in the long run. Kitania and I both desire the same thing, peace.”
“I see,” Rose said, swallowing as she considered what the queen had said, and everything that had happened here. She liked the palace, and thought she’d enjoy living in it, but at the same time she wasn’t sure that it was what would make her happy.
For a long moment, they were both silent, and Vinara handed Isalla another sheet of paper to study. Finally, Estalia asked, “Are you planning to visit the prisoners?”
“Yes, either tomorrow or the next day. I’m a little concerned that they’re going to react poorly,” Rose admitted, growing nervous again. The thought of visiting her old subordinates was worrying, considering how much she’d changed.
“The other angels should have helped them adjust somewhat, so hopefully it won’t be as bad as you fear,” Estalia said, then smiled as she continued, her tone light. “Either way, you have your own life to live. I promise, they won’t be held captive forever. I do perform prisoner exchanges on occasion.”
“True enough,” Rose said, her mood lifting slightly as she returned the smile. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“I’d like that. In any case, I’ll leave you to your own devices. Isalla seems to have her training well in hand,” Estalia said, giving Isalla one last glance before turning to leave.
Rose watched her go, then looked at her beloved friend. Isalla was concentrating on the sheet of paper intently, and after a moment Rose nodded to herself, murmuring, “She’s right. Isalla’s doing well. I probably should train a little myself. I’ve neglected my studies for long enough.”
Leaving the room, Rose headed for one of the training rooms for magi. She wasn’t the best with fire magic without Ember, but she could be better than she was. She would be better than she was. If she was going to help save the heavens from the conspirators, there was no other choice.
“Well done, Isalla. That’s the last of the tests, and it gives me a good grasp of your talents,” Vinara said, clapping her hands as the candle-sized flame roiled over Isalla’s palms.
Isalla nearly lost control of the fire, and it wavered for a moment, then she let it go out as she looked up at the succubus, blinking as she licked her lips, then spoke nervously. “Oh! Right… I was just so focused on the spell… well, what do you think? Am I any good?”
“You have a good deal of potential, Isalla. Though you lack confidence and focus at times, you have an analytical mind, and you’ve learned to control your mana reasonably well. You aren’t a top-tier talent, but you would likely do well in most mage academies,” Vinara said, her voice brisk and businesslike, and at the same time her words sparked hope within Isalla. “Your talents are in air, fire, light, life, and transmutation, all of which are useful types of magic. You’ll likely want to focus on a single one of them to begin with, or perhaps two, but you’ll be able to progress far with them. Assuming you can learn to focus properly.”
Isalla bit back the impulse to cheer, despite Vinara’s cautionary words, but she smiled broadly as she nodded quickly, happy as could be. “I’m glad to hear that! So, um, how long before I could reasonably use my magic for more than candle flames or the like?”
“Mm… likely a month, I’d guess. Then you might be able to heal minor wounds or throw a small ball of fire,” Vinara said, a slight smile on her face as Isalla’s confidence suddenly deflated. “You’d probably be better off fighting with a sword at that point.”
“What? B-but you said that I had a talent for fire magic,” Isalla protested, honestly a little stunned and crestfallen.
“You do. However, magic takes years of hard work to advance in, Isalla,” Vinara said, her smile fading as she spoke sternly. “I’ve been learning for over a millennium and I’m not an archmage. Certainly, I don’t have an extreme talent, and I don’t have the incredible motivation of a human’s limited lifespan, but I’m nowhere near becoming an archmage. You’re starting from nothing, so it’s going to take you time to build up your knowledge. And even that requires that you work for it.”
“I…” Isalla began, then stopped and chastised herself internally. She should have known better than to get her hopes up. She’d heard a few tales of how hard it was for magi to learn magic. So she took a deep breath and bowed her head, speaking contritely. “My apologies, Vinara. I guess I got so excited at having a magical talent that I got ahead of myself. I should have known better.”
“It happens, Isalla. I don’t blame you for getting excited. I might blame you if you’d gotten angry with me telling you the truth, though,” Vinara replied, smiling again as she nodded in approval. Then the succubus laced her fingers together as she stretched her arms above her head as well as her tail and wings, several joints audibly popping before she relaxed and continued, ignoring how Isalla blushed and looked away. “That said, I believe that’s enough for now. Based on what I’ve seen of your mana, you should be almost entirely out.”
“That’s right,” Isalla replied, feeling slightly frustrated as she sensed how low on mana she was. “It goes so fast.”
“That’s because you didn’t have to use it before this. Your mana is much like a muscle. If you don’t use it, it doesn’t grow stronger, and can even weaken. If you use it, it’ll slowly grow larger and stronger,” Vinara said, smiling wryly as she did so. “Mortals tend to have it grow much faster than us, unfortunately. I’ve heard some people think it’s because mana fuels our immortality. In any case, it’ll take a few months before you form a true mana core, then it’ll be easier for you to recover and control.”
“Ah, that would explain it,” Isalla said, feeling relieved at the explanation. “So, what do you recommend I do in the meantime?”
“First, you’re going to need to decide what sort of magic you want to focus on to begin with. I’ll teach you a few spells of each, and from there it’s a question of studying and practice,” Vinara explained, walking to the door and opening it for Isalla, her tail flicking steadily and a twinkle in her eyes. “It’s just like swordplay.”
“Fair enough,” Isalla agreed, glancing around the small room, then heading for the door. After a moment, she added, “
I suppose I should go get the final fitting for my armor over with. Is it weird that I find the artificers creepy? They’re just too… enthusiastic.”
Vinara simply laughed as they walked down the hall, but despite that, Isalla felt her mood improving. Now all they needed was to rescue Kitania and she’d be ready to take down the traitors in the heavens.
Chapter 20
“I feel like I’m going to vanish into the curtains. Or the sheets,” Kitania murmured to herself, looking around her room again and feeling a little uncomfortable. Oh, she wouldn’t vanish into most of the furnishings in the room, her skin was a darker pink than most of them and her purple hair would stand out starkly, but it didn’t change the fact that even the carpets came far closer to her skin tone than she was comfortable with.
“Ah, well,” Kitania said, sighing as she walked over to the windows and looked out them, not quite believing what she was seeing.
Unlike the room she’d been in before, this one had a view of the forest, and a tiny part of Kitania trembled at the sight of the trees, along with the towers beyond them, extending above the trees like ivory spears. She hadn’t seen them before, but she knew spell towers when she saw them. It would take an army to break through the magic spell towers could unleash, and any army would take heavy casualties in attacking so many of them. Even if they got past the towers, they’d have to deal with the palace wall, which wouldn’t be easy. Obviously, the elves hadn’t forgotten how the armies of the hells had driven through part of the Forest of Sighs to attempt to breach one of the gates into the heavens.
Turning away from the window, Kitania debated on what to do. She reached up to touch her bare neck, still shocked that Alserah had removed the restraint collar. It had been completely outside her expectations, and Kitania let out a soft sigh as she considered the furnishings. She fit in about as well as a troll in an angelic ballroom, considering her current clothing, but there wasn’t much she could do about that. Kitania only had a single decent dress, and one of the servants had decided to launder it.
Mortal Gods (Mantles of Power Book 2) Page 17