by Naomi Lane
“That’s… interesting.” Sebastian stood back up and stared at the room. “When I’ve done this before, I only saw them glow momentarily then fade. Now it seems to have taken root somehow.”
Jenna walked over to stand next to him. “What does it mean?”
“No idea, though I haven’t been down here in a couple years. My magic has grown in strength since then.”
“The place is a bit dreary, but with your magic, it’s rather pretty now.” She smiled at him.
He shrugged.
“What do all the symbols mean?”
“They’re called rota, great symbols of magic power. I only know the ones on the ceiling, though. I use them in my magic.” He pointed to each in turn. “That one means Power, usually magical power, that one Honor, but associated with royalty, and finally defense, or Protection.”
Jenna stared at that last one a little longer and pulled out her charm from around her neck. “It’s the one on the charm you gave me.”
“Yes,” he replied. “May I?” She unclasped the chain and handed him the charm. “It could use a boost,” he said. “Wait a sec.” The Prince, still inside the magic circle, clutched her charm tightly. She felt magic begin to stir, and the rota meaning protection began to glow brighter. After about a minute, Sebastian’s hand also began to glow. Jenna grew worried, but then he gasped, and the flow of magic ceased.
She breathed a small sigh of relief. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Here you can have it back. It should be stronger now.” He took a few steps toward her and handed it over.
“The symbol for protection began to glow when you were working.”
Sebastian stared up at the ceiling. “Really?”
She nodded.
“I’ve never interacted with the room’s magic like this before. Try it on.”
Jenna slipped it around her neck and instantly felt a change. “It is stronger. I can feel it.” She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. “Thank you.”
He smiled and brought his other hand to her cheek then leaned in to kiss her. Until that moment Jenna hadn’t realized just how much she missed the Prince. He kissed her gently as his hand trailed down her cheek to her shoulder, her arm and then grabbed her other hand. She squeezed them both as she leaned in a little closer.
She caught some excitement from the Prince’s mind, but it was interrupted suddenly by the sound of scraping stone. Sebastian broke off the kiss, and they both stared in confusion at the center of the chamber as a hole had appeared, and through it rose purple cushions on a reclining platform.
“Huh,” was all the Prince could manage to say. Still holding hands they both approached the strange new objects. “I swear I didn’t summon it.”
“A little dusty, but otherwise intact,” Jenna remarked, after touching the cushion’s surface.
Without warning, Sebastian grabbed her around the waist and brought her down onto the cushions with him. “Well, whatever it is, it’s damned convenient.”
Jenna laughed startled. “Sebastian!”
Then he kissed her again, so hard it pressed Jenna’s head deep into the pillow she rested on. She was still surprised and felt a little awkward. He stopped to give her some air, stroking her arm. “Are you okay?” he asked, softly.
As she looked into his eyes, she took a breath and then nodded. He was a little gentler this time as he leaned in to kiss her and stretched out by her side. She responded a bit more positively and put her arms around him, bringing him in closer. As her hands kneaded his back, she felt her legs intertwine with his through her skirts.
After a few moments, Sebastian paused in the kissing and placed his temple next to hers. She let her magical senses expand, reveling in his desire for her. She hoped he could also pick up some of her response through the mind-link and attempted to deepen it. Once the stronger link was established, she surprised him when she rolled back into the cushions, bringing him on top of her. He smiled and kissed her again, deeply. Her lips parted, and she felt his tongue gently enter her mouth seeking her own. This surprised her, but she found she rather liked it and relaxed back into the cushions, her hands moving to his scalp. He then began kissing her face. “…mmm… missed you Jenna,” he whispered in her ear before beginning to kiss her neck.
As he moved lower down her collarbone, she closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation, until suddenly the pleasure she experienced through the mind-link escalated dramatically. She couldn’t be sure what was going on so dulled the link to prevent herself from losing control. It caused her eyes to fly open, and she then noticed a flash of light from the corner of her eye. This startled her enough that her body tensed, and Sebastian stopped, pulling back away from her.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
He suddenly seemed self-conscious, and she was sorry to be so abrupt, but she pointed to the wall where one of the rota was glowing violet.
“That’s odd,” he said. As they stared at it, the color faded back to white.
“You’re sure you don’t know what the symbol means?” she asked.
“No, though violet is associated with mind magic,” he replied.
“Magic has color? Like with the Crystal Spring mage testing?”
“Well… generally the color isn’t inherent in the magic; the convention was just created to identify the seven lines. Some artifacts make use of it, including the Crystal Spring, though the spring water is a bit mysterious.”
“You think the Arcanum sensed our mind-link?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Sebastian relaxed back into the cushions and put an arm around her to try to help her relax again. “I wouldn’t worry. It’s gone now. You know you could always ask Lord Harcourt about the rota. I hear he is an expert.”
Jenna thought of the symbols around the magic mirror she now realized were rota. “He hasn’t shared any of that lore with me, but I might ask.”
They continued to rest on the platform, Jenna lying inside the cradle of Sebastian’s arms, her head resting on his chest. He made no move to do anything more intimate, so Jenna was able to relax again.
“Sebastian?”
“Yes.”
She sighed, knowing he might not like her question. “Have we just gone crazy? I mean, what we’re doing… it’s just so… wrong in every way. I mean, not wrong in how it feels to us, but you know—”
“I know. I confess that I didn’t really think things through before I kissed you that first time. I just wanted to and did it. Now I try not to think about it too much. Well that is, I think about you all the time, just not in that way, I mean… I’ve really screwed this up, haven’t I?”
She smiled. “No, no. I understand. I feel the same way, actually. If I try to think about a future with you, the Queen’s voice as she told me that her sons will marry noblewomen pops into my head.”
“Uh, Jenna I…” The Prince’s face flushed.
“Oh, that’s not to mean, that’s what I expected. I mean, of course I’m not ready for marriage, not at all. Sorry.” Jenna’s face fell.
The Prince squeezed her arm reassuringly. “I… understand how our difference in social status is a problem.”
“I just feel as if you’ll be made a squire soon and leave the palace. I’ll probably just go back to Salara, and we’ll never see each other again. It’s depressing.”
“I try not to think of it that way. I just try to enjoy every moment I can with you.”
She smiled again. “That’s sweet.”
“And as for becoming a squire soon, I’m not sure about that.”
“Really? Why?”
Sebastian paused for a few seconds. “If I tell you a secret, will you swear never to tell anyone?”
“Of course.”
“Jenna, this means that you agree to be very, very careful that you mind what you say.”
“Oh. Well… all I can do is my best, but I would never willingly hurt you.”
He took a deep breath. “All right. I’ve been considering aba
ndoning the knight training and entering the Tower.” He said it quickly such that it came out in a bit of a rush and then took another deep breath as if a weight had been lifted.
“Oh really?”
“Yes. The magic of the Towers has always interested me, but to enter one is just so taboo that I never seriously considered it until… I’ve realized how much I don’t want to just do what my brothers and father did and pursue knighthood. My strength is in my magic, and the best place to study and practice magic at a high level is still in the Towers.”
Jenna was confused by something he said. “Why would entering a Tower be taboo?”
“You spend all that time there, and you don’t know?” Sebastian’s eyes went wide.
She shook her head.
“Ah, well, that’s… unexpected.” She shrugged. He thought a moment before attempting to explain. “For several generations the Towers have decreased in importance among the Sevalian nobility. Instead they have become a place to stash… dirty laundry.”
“Dirty laundry? Like what?”
“Well, if Sir Raymond’s father had known about his son’s… preferences before he had become a knight, then most likely Lord Tal-kenn would have sent his son to the Tower, to avoid the shame of raising him.”
“I see. I had no idea.” Jenna’s head still swam with the implications. She wondered if people thought less of her for training there, as if mind magic weren’t bad enough.
“Well, it’s not all that way. Some people do go voluntarily, especially women, and Lord Harcourt strongly resists anyone being forced to join the community.”
“Sebastian, they won’t think you’re… like Sir Raymond if you decide to enter Harcourt Tower, will they?”
“Probably.”
“That’s awful. I mean I have nothing against Sir Raymond, but it seems so wrong. I was always raised to think the Towers protected the realm.”
“I know, and they do, but it’s just how people think.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Sometimes I just think the whole concept is crazy, and I’d better just forget it.”
“No, no. Sebastian, I think it makes sense. Just look around this chamber. Who else could do what you’ve done? And the reason you can reach me in mind-link so easily is because your magic is so strong.”
He nodded.
“Have you thought about asking Lord Harcourt about it?” she continued. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask some questions. He’s not like me. He can definitely keep a secret.”
Sebastian chuckled. “I have thought about it, but finding an excuse to talk to him…”
“I can help.” She smiled.
“I’ll think about it some more.”
She nodded. “Just let me know when you’re ready. And if you change your mind, I won’t think less of you either way.”
They lay in silence for a few more seconds before Sebastian sat up. He kissed her palm. “We should get back before we’re missed.”
She stood up with him and stretched. After they were clear of the cushions the platform automatically sank back into the floor. “I wonder what else is hiding under there,” she said.
Sebastian shrugged. “Like most things about the Arcanum, it’s a mystery.” He led her to a different door, opposite the one they had entered through. “This should get us to the East Wing a little quicker,” he explained.
As they exited, Jenna asked, “Will the magic stay activated?”
“The mage lights will go out as soon as we leave, but I’m not sure about the rest. The magic in the walls has a content feeling to it, as if it may stay awhile. Maybe we should return sometime and check on it.”
She nodded, smiling at the thought of being with him again as they made their way back to the main palace. He parted ways with her at the entrance where Becca had first shown her the passages. It was nearest the Ladies’ dormitory.
“Talk to you tonight?” Sebastian asked.
“You mean via the link?”
“Yes.”
“Sure.”
“Good. Later then.” He kissed her gently before she slipped through the exit and into the Royal Suite library. She easily made her way back to the dormitory, but no one was there. She grabbed a book to read and headed downstairs to a sitting room where some Ladies were playing cards. She took a seat and tried to distract herself with the book. It wasn’t very effective. She thought about what Sebastian had told her, and itched to learn more about the history of the Towers, but mainly she thought about him. She sighed. She would miss him again.
Once the long afternoon and evening were complete, Jenna relished the chance to go to bed. There she could concentrate properly to be able to mind-link to Sebastian. She closed her eyes and tugged the link gently to see if he was ready.
Sebastian?
Jenna!
Is it okay to ‘talk’? she asked.
Yes.
I miss you already.
Me too. I enjoyed our… time together today. Jenna felt a sense of excitement from him through the link. Even a flash of his memory as he kissed her entered her mind.
Could we do it again next Sevday? she wondered.
Maybe… but actually I’ve been thinking. His emotions grew more serious. I decided I do want you to ask Lord Harcourt if he could meet with me. Next Sevday is the most logical time.
Oh. Jenna was happy he was pursuing the idea of entering the Tower. She understood how much magic meant to him. I can ask tomorrow and get back to you. I’m sure he’ll agree to it. He’d be a fool not see how special your magic is.
We’ll see. Suddenly Jenna felt a spike of fear. Peter’s here, gotta run. Sorry. Later.
The link grew cold, and Jenna sighed, silently cursing Peter’s timing. She wished she could link to her brother and tell him to go do something else, but she didn’t think he would approve of her relationship with Sebastian. She was certain he trusted the Prince; he just wouldn’t want another scandal.
She consoled herself by replaying the day’s events in her mind, starting with how handsome Eamon looked teaching her swordplay, and how enjoyable it had been. Then she thought of how wonderful it was to kiss Sebastian. When she thought of his tongue against hers, her heart started to beat faster, but she knew it was useless. It would be another week before she could spend more time with him, and even then, the meeting with Harcourt would probably get in the way. Thoughts of her magic teacher made her wonder about the rota and why that one symbol had glowed violet. She knew her magic was connected to it somehow, but she didn’t understand the mechanism.
Eventually she dozed off and began to dream. She stood in the Arcanum, staring at the glowing symbols. She began to see them swirl around her, at first overwhelming, but then Sebastian was there, and she suddenly felt grounded. Without words, he began to kiss her, and she knew instantly she would like this dream.
As his tongue found hers, he clutched her tightly. It was only then that Jenna saw she was naked. His hands on her bare skin felt warm, and her pleasure increased. The violet rota symbol began to throb in her consciousness. As Sebastian’s lips found her breasts, she suddenly felt a wave a pleasure more intense than she had ever felt break over her. The rota symbol blazed with fire and then went out. She heard a small laugh from Sebastian, and when she looked down he faced her. Jenna was confused when she saw his eyes had turned dark. “Little Mage, so delicious.”
The sound of the Dark Mage’s Khazaran accent coming from Sebastian’s face jarred her enough that she instantly woke up. She found herself lying in her bed covered in sweat, her heart racing.
Chapter 23
“Miss Mallory, I ask once again for you to focus,” said Lord Harcourt, annoyed with her lack of progress in getting past wards with her sight. He had been increasing them in strength until she couldn’t get through. “I know you’re better than this.”
“I apologize, My Lord. I didn’t get enough sleep last night.” The dream had so disturbed her that she had tossed and turned until dawn. She had considered telling her teacher about it,
thinking the Dark Mage could have pierced the wards, but she had convinced herself it was just her imagination.
“Hmmm…” The high mage stared at her. “Just last night or recurring?”
“Just last night. I had a nightmare.”
“You want to discuss it?” He actually sounded concerned.
“Not really. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Well, maybe we should switch to another topic for the day. Do you have a request?”
Jenna pondered his question. It wasn’t often he gave her such freedom. “I do have something I want to ask you about, two things actually. First of all, what are the rota?”
His eyes narrowed. “Where did you hear that term?”
“Prince Sebastian told me about them. He didn’t know much, but said you were an expert.”
His eyebrows rose. “Did he? Well, actually I have studied them extensively. They are magical symbols created by the Tower Lords and Ladies years ago to facilitate magic stored in powerful artifacts. They kept the lore a secret so that those without Tower training would not be able to access such power. I am afraid I may not tell you much more than that unless you wish to enter the Tower circle.”
His tone of voice was so matter-of-fact that Jenna did not think he meant that as an invitation, but she did not pursue the subject either. “Then we can discuss the second thing. Prince Sebastian attempted to teach me how to make a mage light, but it didn’t go well.”
“The Prince has been busy teaching my pupil, I see. When was this?” he asked.
“Several weeks ago. During the recess.”
“You could have mentioned something earlier.”
“I know,” she replied. “I just didn’t think about it until now. I must have been distracted by the Dark Mage.”
Harcourt pursed his lips. “Please, tell me about what happened.”
Jenna explained about trying to make a light and how she had first compelled Sebastian to do so. Then she also explained how when attempting to make her skin glow, the streams of magic met, and her hand caught fire.