by Lucia Ashta
I, however, was a mess of confusing emotions. I was furious, sad, and still hopeful all at once, as I imagined a trained warrior wouldn’t be.
But when Galen brought his staff down toward my torso in as swift a strike as he’d made yet, the busy, panicked thoughts of my brain finally shut the eff up, and my body moved as if someone else were in control of it. As if I were strong and powerful.
Embracing the new sensation wholeheartedly, I rolled a millisecond before Galen’s staff hit, and by the time he spun back to pursue again, I’d rocketed to my feet. Instead of holding the staff in front of my body as I’d been doing, attempting to deflect the blur of hits, I grabbed the tip of the staff and begun to swing it above my head in a large, sweeping arc.
Galen couldn’t approach like this, and while he was busy seeking a way to penetrate my continually moving defense, I reached for my magic. It was now or never, that much was obvious. It wouldn’t take long for Galen to figure out how to respond to my new approach.
Shifting into my lion wouldn’t achieve much as I had no intent of mauling Galen, and unless I attacked with claws and teeth I’d be forced merely to run from his attacks. No, the better option was my mage magic.
I was a witch. It was long past time to start acting like one.
Too bad the only way I knew to guarantee something would happen was to make up spells on the fly. I couldn’t rely on my goopy magic to show up on command; it never had before. And I’d just have to hope I didn’t turn the prince heir of the fae people into a barking dog. I doubted they’d forgive that one. I was certain the king wouldn’t.
While I continued to wind the staff above my head, moving it as fast as I could, Galen studied my swing, beginning to bob his head like a child seeking entry into a moving jump rope.
I didn’t have much time, maybe half a minute, tops. Galen was already looking for the way in, and if he got to me again, that’d be the end of this duel. I just knew it. He wouldn’t let me get up again. If his skill level was what I thought it was, his father wouldn’t accept anything less.
I spoke the first words that crossed my mind. It was all I could afford to do.
“You are strong, but I am stronger.
I am a mage, and now I call on my magic.
I drape you in a bubble of goo, my magic … holding you … suspended until I release you.
My magic is golden, it’s like a bubble of light,
When you are within it, it’s the end of the fight.”
Yeah, not my finest composition, but Galen looked like he was moments away from finding the way to penetrate my defense.
“I cast this spell right now. I drape Galen, prince heir of the fae, in my bubble of golden goo.
And I win this fight.”
I dared to close my eyes for a quick moment, just long enough to send a rush of the magic that now continually bubbled inside toward the intent of my spell. The moment I felt my magic surge forward at my request, I snapped my eyes open.
Just in time to see Galen duck under my swing, staff extended. But as he snapped his staff against my ribcage with a loud whack, a thick, golden liquid appeared directly above him and began to flow down toward him.
“Oh!” I added quickly. “And I end the effects of this spell when I utter the words ‘bubbly pop.’”
I grimaced at my lack of grace thinking on my feet, but I was grateful I’d thought to add in a reversal clause. My magic reacted to the addition to it; I felt it responding, as if my magic were just another one of my senses.
Galen’s silver eyes were wide with shock, and though his body continued to move, the golden goo had already begun to coat him, trapping his head right where it was, making for a comical image: his body was trying to run away from the rest of him, reminding me of a cartoon.
As the goo slipped down the small, elegant plaits in his hair, he resumed his struggles tenfold. But his head was fully fixed in place, and while the goo dripped down, coating the entirety of his body as it went, it also expanded, working to circle him in a larger bubble that would surround him by about three feet.
The crowd was so silent I almost forgot hundreds of people were watching. When the goo reached Galen’s shoulders, he stopped resisting, staring at me instead.
I met his wild stare, feeling my magic streaming its power into the completion of the spell. The spell I’d created, though silly and perhaps a totally impractical way to go about immobilizing someone, was alive. Like an animal, my magic fed it, lending it the energy it needed to reach completion.
The golden magic continued its downward and outward momentum until it reached his hands, forcing him to drop his staff with a dull thud against the sand beneath his boots. He was now contained within half of a bubble, glowing and pulsing with life.
Though there was nothing that remained for me to say for the spell to reach fruition, I didn’t dare turn away from Galen. I consciously pulsed my magic toward him, keeping my attention where I believed it belonged, though this was nothing Professor Hapblomb had taught, mostly because I’d so far butchered most of the lessons she’d tried to impart. Just as I was a unique mixture of a mage and a shifter creature, so my magic was a unique application of my rarity. I was doing things my own way, and thank God it was working. Just in the nick of time.
Before Galen was fully encased in the bubble of my magic, I sensed movement behind me. I didn’t turn to see who approached, and by the time they were close enough that I could feel their energy at my back, I had a very good guess about who it was. I felt the king like a big, angry, petulant mass.
Swallowing thickly, I refused to turn until my victory was secured. I’d come this far, I was going to keep going.
At some unspoken signal from the king, I presumed, Cue came running out into the arena, more harried than before. He twisted his hands nervously in front of him, glancing between me and the person behind me, before nodding at him and turning toward the large semi-circle of supernaturals gathered around us.
The fairy cleared his throat. “The challenger, Rina Nelle Mont, has proven her worth. Though she used sorcery, she managed to reach a tie with our great prince heir, Galen Erion, who was clearly easily defeating her before she resorted to her magic, since her physical strength and warrior prowess were no match for our prince.”
Fair enough.
I winced, though I wouldn’t complain. I didn’t care how Cue was forced to spin the result of the challenge so as to appease his king. I didn’t want the king pissed off at me either. What he said was more or less true. Galen was kicking my ass before my spell.
“Our Prince Galen Erion is the winner,” Cue called out, a magnifying hand back at his throat. A smattering of confused applause circled the crowd. “He is the winner due to his clear superiority as a warrior. Rina Nelle Mont was unable to match his skill in battle.”
I nodded. That was definitely true.
“But our magnanimous king has made another pronouncement. Because Rina Nelle Mont proved resourceful in battle, though only in the use of her magic, he has also declared her a winner.”
A rushed wave of murmurs burst from the crowd, but all I could think was that this was an excellent result to the challenge. I had no desire to humiliate Galen, the king, or anyone. And Galen was overwhelmingly the better warrior.
After another glance over his shoulder for the king’s approval to continue, Cue announced, “Great people of the fae, Rina Nelle Mont has proven herself worthy to attend court.”
The crowd seemed confused, unsure how to react to the astounding results.
“Join me, then,” Cue cried out, “in welcoming Rina Nelle Mont to our court.”
With clear instructions, the crowd reacted, clapping, whistling, and hollering, but not so loudly that I couldn’t make out the calls of my family and friends.
“Go, Rina!” Dad shouted, with Ky imitating him.
I tried not to smile, thinking it’d be wiser not to celebrate that I’d gotten one over on the prince heir, but I couldn’t help myself. I bea
med toward the center stands, discovering identical expressions gracing the faces of my friends and family. Dad and Ky were happy. Ky was especially thrilled I’d recovered my lion, reveling in the bond we shared now that we were the only two mountain lion shifters in the entire world.
Before I realized what was happening, I was spun to face the opposite direction. Leander pulled me into his arms while I blinked rapidly, trying to process. When he pressed a kiss to my lips, the crowd went wild. Their shouts and cat-call whistles were deafening, and it sounded like most of them had begun stomping their feet against the wooden bleachers.
When Leander dipped me without breaking the kiss, the crowd somehow took it to the next level. Safe in his arms and the unexpected approval of his people, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, imbuing in that one kiss the three words I hadn’t yet said to him, but definitely would.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind or heart. I loved this man, elf, fae, winged-creature. And I’d earned the right for him to openly love me back.
I smiled against his lips, and he pulled me back to standing. Staring into my eyes, he grinned, and I didn’t think I’d ever seen him happier.
“Excuse me, son,” the king said from behind us, startling the crap out of me. With Leander’s kiss and the crowd’s celebration, I’d managed to forget about the stern king.
With a quick look from me to his father, Leander finally nodded, stepping back. I was forced to stare into the brilliant blue eyes of the king of all the fae.
He looked at me without speaking for so long that a trickle of sweat resumed its earlier march down my back. But then Leander’s mother joined her husband, and before he spoke she reached for my hands.
“Welcome to the court, Rina,” she said, and this time I was certain. She was pleased with Leander’s choice. “I’m glad my son will be able to openly court you.”
When her husband stiffened at her side, she ignored his reaction. “Aren’t we glad, Dillmon?”
I expected a stiff, forced reply, but the king finally sighed, and the stern burn of his bright eyes softened. “I’m not quite sure yet, but I think I might learn to be.”
Hey, I’d take it. “Thank you, sir, uh, King.” I grimaced. “Sorry, I’m not sure how to refer to you.”
“King Dillmon will do,” he said, but he also smiled, just a little.
I bowed my head to him. “Thank you, King Dillmon.”
“Now,” he grumbled, “will you release Galen from whatever you did to him?”
“Oh! Yes, of course.” Grimacing again, I spun to face the prince heir, who was completely immersed in a golden bubble. I’d kind of forgotten about him. Turning back to the king, I nodded. “I’ll release him now.” Since I wasn’t exactly sure how calling out the end to the spell would work, or whether it would work at all, I tilted my head back and called out loudly, “Bubbly pop!”
The king and queen’s eyebrows rose to their hairlines, but Leander burst into laughter. Pulling me back into his arms, he turned me to face his brother, and we watched together while my bubble of magic dissolved around the prince heir.
A wave of deep relief spread across me, leaving me sagging into Leander’s arms.
The moment the bubble receded, Galen bent to retrieve his staff, picking up my discarded weapon as he went, moving toward us. When he reached me, he stopped and looked me up and down, finally nodding.
“Well fought,” he said, seeming sincere, and then walked toward the weapon racks, depositing our staffs.
“You did it, Rina,” Leander whispered next to my ear.
Indeed I had. Despite impossible odds, I’d survived to live, love, and learn more about my magic. I wouldn’t take a moment of my bright future for granted.
“Now,” Leander said so softly that I leaned into his mouth to better hear him, “I’m wondering how fast I can get you out of this suit and into my bed.”
I threw my head back and laughed, finally truly carefree. “Let’s find out,” I said. “I’ll race you there.”
He and I pivoted on our heels and tore out of the Arena of Death and Defiance, leaving behind the bustling crowd and our friends and family. For the next few hours, we’d celebrate us.
Openly, freely, passionately, and wildly.
I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate the life I’d crafted for myself. I was a dual mage-shifter, and I was happy and in love. Against all odds, life was friggin’ awesome.
I giggled when Leander swept past me as he raced into the hall leading from the arena. I followed his fine ass all the way back to his room, where we stumbled into each other’s arms, crashed through the door, and lost ourselves fully to each other.
The Magical Creatures Academy series continues in Magical Creatures Academy ~ Next Level: Power Streak.
Preorder the next book in the series now and receive exclusive fan pricing!
Click this link to secure your special price.
Jas is about to take the spotlight. Don’t miss the spunky skunk shifter’s adventures as she, Rina, and their crew return for their fourth term at the academy.
Notes
Chapter 13
1 Magic boils and stews.
I am a mage,
And with this spell,
I stun you.
Want More?
The next book in the Magical Creatures Academy series:
POWER STREAK
Book One of Magical Creatures Academy - Next Level
~ Pre-order now on Amazon ~
Read about half siren, half angel Selene
as she fights to make her way to the
Magical Creatures Academy
in SIREN MAGIC.
~ View on Amazon ~
If you enjoyed this book, please spread the word by reviewing Mage Shifter on Amazon or by adding your review to the site of your choice. Thank you!
Want exclusive content and offers I share only with my newsletter? Sign up to be the first to find out when my next book releases.
Would you like to connect? I love chatting with readers. Find me in my Facebook reader group at facebook.com/groups/LuciaAshta.
Most of my worlds intertwine, and many of your favorite characters make cameo appearances throughout my other series. Find out how all my series connect at LuciaAshta.com/books/reading-order.
Encounter an error or problem with this eBook? Please let me know at [email protected].
As always, thank you for reading!
I write these books for you.
Power Streak
POWER STREAK
Magical Creatures Academy - Next Level: Book One
Jasmine has been around magic all her life. She knows the rules, and she loves to break them.
When she turned eighteen, her shifter powers manifested, just as she expected them to. When the Magical Creatures Academy invited her to attend the prestigious school, she wasn’t surprised. When she had a fling with a flirtatious fae over the summer, she thought nothing would come of it, especially as she’s had her eye on a mighty fine shifter at the academy.
But for once Jas is about to be shocked. The fae isn’t what he appeared to be, and neither is the amulet he left behind.
~ Pre-order now on Amazon ~
The Sirangel Series
Upper YA Urban Fantasy
The Magical Creatures Academy has sent its finest fairies to recruit her.
As a hybrid shapeshifter—half siren, half angel—Selene of the Kunu Clan is one of a kind.
It’s a label that makes her the target of a rebel faction of supernatural creatures that seeks to claim her power.
But her power is undeveloped and more a danger to herself than an aid. Yet her magic is her only advantage over the vicious vampires and fierce shifters who seek to eliminate her.
Soon Selene is on the run in an unfamiliar world and unable to return to her ocean home. At least she’s not alone. Quinn, a shifter with his own secrets, has her back. Selene and Quinn must find a way to escape those that hunt
them while surviving their unstable powers. But can Quinn help her stop vampires and shifters who’ve had centuries to master their abilities?
~ View the Sirangel series on Amazon ~
The Magical Arts Academy Series
YA Historical Fantasy
Isadora is recruited to attend a secret school of magic.
As she makes her way to the academy, a dark sect of sorcerers pursues her relentlessly, willing to use any spell in their vast arsenal of powers to stop her.
With the help of Trixie, her horse, a dragon named Humbert, and a clandestine band of magicians, Isadora will work to overcome the sorcerers to begin her education in wizardry.
What would you do if you were invited to study at the Magical Arts Academy? Enroll, of course! Join Isadora and her crew of magical misfits today.
~ View the Magical Arts Academy series on Amazon ~
The Witching World Series
YA Historical Fantasy
Magic is forbidden … but it’s coming for Clara.
With Clara on the brink of death, her father calls on a mysterious man whose expertise is in the banned arts. Now a wizard is her only hope of survival. Under his care, an unexpected side effect develops. Magic awakens in Clara, gifting her with a second chance.