The next few days went by in a kind of daze. There was a funeral, and although not king yet, he still hadn’t decided if he was taking it yet, Daniel held a trial and had his brother as well as all the knights involved all executed for regicide and treason.
Daniel and I kept our distance, sort of. We’d been dancing around the subject of us the whole time, but we were both too focused on other things. I spent a lot of time with both Marie, who was my best friend, and with Bell, my precocious apprentice. It would take time to heal from this, for everyone.
I also took a few hours and visited my old demesne. After they stopped attacking me, I gave my planned speech that I’d intended for the battlefield. I was afraid they’d all go on as usual, fearing that if they showed their true colors everyone else would turn on them for being weak.
So I explained to them that they were alive simply because none of them were murderous backstabbing assholes, and that they should work together. Then I left them to figure the rest out for themselves. I’d wanted to give them a chance, but I wasn’t going to hold their hand…
Chapter 30
It was late, and I was out in the garden getting some fresh air. Something about defending them had made the biggest difference I thought. When I’d even risked myself in the battle, and almost died from Timothy’s betrayal. It made a bigger impact than the gifts had. The weather, the fountain, the healing, all worthwhile and important.
But that day I’d stood and bled for them, and they knew it.
There were exceptions of course, those that hated me and always would. That was life, if I had no enemies I’d be doing it wrong, but I had no doubt I was truly welcome here now by most.
A throat cleared behind me, and I turned around slowly. I smiled when his eyes didn’t meet mine, at least for a few moments as they roved up my body.
He asked, “Aren’t mages supposed to wear robes?”
I’d worn my blue dress today, the one that hugged my curves, but teasingly hid underneath flowing sheer fabric.
I smiled a bit naughtily, I was tired of dancing around the subject, “Yes, except the ones that are shameless enough to use any means to attract and seduce a certain prince.”
He sighed and shook his head in faux disgust, “You truly are a dark mage.”
I giggled, “So is my evil and helplessly depraved plan working?”
He closed the distance between us, and I forgot to breath for a moment. Then he leaned down and claimed a scorching kiss that was entirely too long and too short at the same time.
He led me over to a bench and we sat together. Probably a good thing, I truly was shameless when it came to him, I was lucky he was a gentleman.
I asked curiously, “So have you decided yet? The throne I mean.”
He blew out a breath, “It’s up to you.”
I frowned, “How is it up to me?”
He explained, “I’m torn in two directions. I never planned on ruling, that was my older brother’s job. I liked being in the knights, and liked the jobs of a spare prince. Oversee the military, visit other kingdoms for treaties and negotiations. I love that stuff, and Marie would make a good queen whether she admits it or not. She’s so much like her mother was before father’s death.
“On the other hand, as king I could do a lot of good, I could help you make this kingdom ready for more mages. You and Bell are a good start, but I think we ask too much of you. You’re doing three jobs right now, and Bell can only take over one of those in another year or two. Marie would grow into the other position eventually, even if she is suited more to be queen right now. She’s certainly brave and smart enough to do what’s required.”
I shook my head, not seeing at all the connection to me in any of that, “So how is it up to me?”
He smiled and stole another kiss that took my breath away. My heart felt like it would pound out of my chest.
The dress had clearly been a good plan… No, inspired genius.
He said, “It’s simple really. By tradition the monarch has never married a mage, much less the court mage. So if you turn me down, I suppose I’d take the throne. I’d hate every day of it too, you don’t want me miserable do you?”
I gasped, “Was that a proposal?”
He shook his head, “No, that was the stakes of the proposal, this is the proposal.”
He slipped off the bench and onto one knee.
Everything started to go blurry and my chest filled with pain, had I been poisoned?
I gasped a breath of air. Oh. Right, breathing is important.
“Will you marry me Cassandra? Will you forgive me for being such an ass?”
I laughed, “Yes. Please. And yes, if you forgive me for lying to you, and trust I won’t do it again.”
I slipped off the bench and hugged him.
“When?” I asked with an edge. My whole body was tingling with need, and his hands set my skin afire wherever he touched me.
He replied fervently, apparently not immune to my charms either, “As soon as we crown my sister we’ll make her marry us.”
I laughed, “No arguments from me Danny.”
I was a dark mage.
I was also more than that, a light mage, and a mage of neutrality. I refused to let expectations and the past define who I was, what I was. Dark magic could be used for evil, but it could also do good. I knew from her notes, Silvia hadn’t believed that, but she was wrong. She couldn’t separate the human sacrifice she was forced to perform, which was the blackest evil, from dark magic itself. I can’t blame her for that though, and I’m glad that didn’t happen to me.
I’d taken my place by right of power, and kept it the same way. It seems to have turned out, that I’d also get to enjoy it. Perhaps I even redefined what a dark mage was along the way.
Maybe one day we’d even make peace with Zual, we already had one demesne on the same page. Half of the rest of them were destroyed. If that day ever came, maybe then I’d destroy the charging enchantments, but only for the passes.
Whatever I did, no matter what new magic I might create in the future, I’d enjoy life with Daniel while I did it.
And isn’t that the whole point? What good was all my power if I couldn’t enjoy it?
I laughed in joyful frustration when he went to steal another kiss, and I heard Marie disapprovingly clear her throat quite loudly behind us…
Afterword:
I hope you enjoyed this story, if you did please leave a review. Reviews are the lifeblood of independent authors, and I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback or opinions. This story was standalone in that Cassandra’s story is done. Obviously it built off the last book for those of you that read it, but reading the last book was hardly necessary for understanding. Either way, I had a blast writing it.
I wanted this book to be different from the last, yet familiar at the same time. I hope I struck the right balance to achieve that.
About the Author: If you have any comments or suggestions you can send me an email at [email protected] If you like my work, or even if you don’t, please consider leaving a review of this book. I can also be found at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7456808.D_L_Harrison
Other books by D. L. Harrison:
http://www.amazon.com/author/dlharrison
The Formerly Dark Mage, by D. L. Harrison – This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Silvia and takes place in a world unique and separate to our own.
Silvia is a dark mage. Unfortunately, she finds herself about to be sacrificed. Someone must have told her evil master about her plans to kill him and take over. After that, things just seem to go downhill. She has no choice but to escape the kingdom of Zual, something that to her knowledge has never been done before. She will need to deal with many issues she never had to face before.
Among those issues, the white mages, and her conscience.
The Rise of a Dark Mage - This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Cassandra, it takes place in the same world as The Form
erly Dark Mage, but happens three hundred years later, long after Silvia is gone and some shocking changes have taken place in the world.
Cassandra is a dark mage in the kingdom of Zual, she’s also a mage prodigy.
She hates both her kingdom, and her master. She wants him dead, not to take his place, but so she can leave and explore the world. Her ambition will drive her to rediscover the secrets of the strongest of magics.
She is determined to succeed, or she’ll die trying.
Celia Winters Novel Series
Witch’s Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 1
Celia Winters was raised by her single mother, and her earliest memories are of the store her mother owns and the nearby coven, who have always been her family’s close allies and friends.
She grew up believing her magic was weak, but she was satisfied with her life, and happy. She was a midwife, healer, and supplier of surrounding covens.
Then her mother died, and she’s about to discover she isn’t who, or what, she believes herself to be, not completely. She will learn that her entire life up until now was a lie. She’ll need to figure out her place, who she is when she no longer recognizes herself, and try to hold on to her closest friends as she gathers enemies for the simple crime of her existence.
She’s stronger than she believes, but will it be enough?
Power of Air Series:
Just a Psychic: The Power of Air Book One starts off this series.
Ben has grown up with missing memories of his early childhood.
He has known he was a psychic since his earliest memories, seeing the future and gaining knowledge with his gifts.
Is it possible he isn't just a psychic?
Ben's world is about to be turned upside down as he turns twenty-one, all is not as it seems.
Alicia Jones novels is a series that follows a bright young inventor and scientist named Alicia Jones. It is a space opera and light science fiction.
The first book is titled First Contact:
Alicia Jones is a genius, and a little odd. At just twenty-three years of age, she is close to finishing her doctoral dissertation. But when she tests her latest theory in the lab to generate a strong EM field, it has very unanticipated results. Results that lead to faster than light travel, and first contact with another race.
Her life just gets more complicated after that, when she finds out who she really is, and that the universe may not be as nice a place as she’d been told. Her determination to help keep Earth safe takes her to places more dangerous and strange than she’d ever envisioned.
Spirit Sorceress series, by D. L. Harrison is a new urban fantasy series. Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent the last one hundred years growing up and learning about her power in the forests near Seattle Washington. She’s about to make her debut in the big city, but not in a way she ever expected.
The first book is titled Spirit Sorceress:
Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent her unusually long childhood in the forest away from the city with her mother and father. After tragedy strikes, she finds herself alone and on her own. She knows that one day she’ll need to move to Seattle, and fully accept her birthright, and if necessary finish her training on her own.
But before she’s ready, and still in grieving, a rogue vampire and his band come along and change everything. She’ll need to learn her new place in the world, and find some allies quick if she’s to survive.
Book Description
Cassandra is a dark mage in the kingdom of Zual, she’s also a mage prodigy.
She hates both her kingdom, and her master. She wants him dead, not to take his place, but so she can escape the bond of magical slavery, and leave Zual behind to explore the other kingdoms of the world. Her ambition will drive her to rediscover the secrets of the strongest of magic.
She is determined to succeed, or she’ll die trying.
Note: This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Cassandra, it takes place in the same world as the stand-alone book The Formerly Dark Mage, but happens three hundred years later, long after Silvia is gone, and some shocking changes have taken place in the world.
It is not necessary to read the first book for understanding, but if you plan to read both, you should read The Formerly Dark Mage first to avoid spoilers.
The Rise of a Dark Mage Page 17