They did, but between bites they talked. First on Will’s agenda was the ever-present possibility of his death. “How can you be sure no one will come up here?” he asked.
“I’ve ordered them not to.”
“Won’t that seem suspicious?”
Selene sniffed, then took another bite of her lemon tart. “It’s actually within character for me right now. I am currently in the midst of a tantrum according to Father.”
“A tantrum?”
She nodded. “We’ve had a few fights lately. I’m sure he thinks I’m up here sulking.”
For as long as he had known her, he’d never seen anything remotely like a sulk from Selene. Anger maybe, but she wasn’t the type one could apply childish terms to. “Won’t he come try to make up with you?”
“He hasn’t stepped foot in my room since I was six,” she said matter-of-factly. “When he decides it’s time to make up, he’ll order me to come to him. Then he’ll probably order me to apologize.” Her words were filled with bitterness.
That was the most absurd sort of parent-child relationship that Will had ever heard of, but given what he had seen of King Lognion, it was believable. “What are you fighting about?”
Selene paused, her eyes remaining fixed on the food, as though she was afraid to look elsewhere. After a moment she swallowed, then answered, “I don’t want to think about it. Now is all that’s important.”
Will frowned. “You can trust me. You know that. Just tell me what’s—”
She leaned across and put a finger to his lips, a haunted look in her eyes. “Please, Will. Just this once, let’s pretend we’re the only people in the world.”
“But,” he mumbled around her finger.
“No buts. It’s just us. There’s no one else and no tomorrow,” she said, failing to hide the desperation in her voice. “Just us.”
Will relented, unwilling to spoil the mood. He nodded and then nipped her finger. Selene jerked her hand back and smiled.
They finished the food then Selene brought up a new topic. “I want to learn those spells of yours. They didn’t teach anything like that at Wurthaven when I was there.”
“Which ones?”
“The flame thing you used to burn the demon for starters. Oh, and definitely the chameleon spell. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished no one could find me.”
He laughed. “Being a princess is rough.” Holding up one hand, he slowly assembled the demon-armor spell for her.
She made him do it twice more, studying the runes closely as they came together. Then she replicated the spell on her first try, constructing it perfectly. Will stared at her enviously. “You make it look too easy. Do you know how long it took me to learn that?”
“The more you learn, the easier it is to learn more,” she replied. “Even so, I should write this down so I can remember it later.” She went to a small writing desk at one end of the parlor and began making notes. A few minutes later she returned. “Now let’s see the chameleon spell.”
Being a sixth-order spell, that one took considerably longer, but he was still impressed with the ease at which she absorbed the knowledge necessary to replicate the complicated spell. In less than an hour, she had mastered constructing it and then she recorded it in her notes alongside the demon-armor spell. She did create an eighth-order spell while she was still at Wurthaven, Will reminded himself.
That gave him an idea. “I want to learn a spell too,” he told her.
“What spell?”
“The Princess Purification,” he said with a grin.
Her mouth went wide with shock. “Is that what they’re calling it? How embarrassing. That isn’t what I named it.”
“What did you call it?” asked Will.
“Selene’s Solution,” she said proudly.
It didn’t sound right to him. “Solution? There’s no solution involved.”
She shook her head. “You’ve been making potions too long. Solution as in ‘answer,’ not a chemical solution.”
“Oh, that makes more sense.”
“Why are you asking me? You can’t cast eighth-order spells yet, can you? Even if you could, the school has a copy. It isn’t a restricted spell, after all.”
Will called up the limnthal and summoned Practical Magic, then opened it and flipped through until he reached the blank portion near the back. “I want you to write it out for me and sign it too. That way I’ll have your autograph.”
Despite her maturity, Selene blushed, but her eyes had also noted the appearance of the limnthal. “Can I ask what that was?”
“Trade secret,” said Will. “Someday I’ll teach it to you,” he promised.
She sighed, then examined the book in her hands. “This looks rather old. Where did you get it?”
“It belonged to my grandfather. It was his favorite spell journal from when he was younger. He left it to me when he died.” Actually, it had been Aislinn who had passed it on to him, but he didn’t want to start another conversation about dealing with the fae.
Selene’s eyes softened. “This must be very precious to you. I shouldn’t write in this. Let me get something else. I have a few blank journals over here.”
She started to rise, but Will caught her hand. “It is precious to me, just like you. That’s why I want your spell in there, written in your own hand.” Selene blinked, and her eyes began to water. “Whoa!” said Will. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, then wiped her eyes. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. I’m just feeling sentimental.” She went to the desk and took her time carefully inscribing the spell in the book. After she finished, she sanded the page to prevent smearing, then closed it and returned the book to him. When he started to open it and read, she stopped him. “Look at it later.”
“But I want to look at it now,” he insisted.
“Later. It will give you something to look forward to.” Leaning forward, she kissed him. “I think I’m hungry again.”
Will smirked. “But we just ate.”
“That’s not what I mean,” she said.
He stood and sauntered toward the bed, then glanced back. “It’s the pink housecoat, isn’t it?”
“Definitely,” she replied. A moment later, she grimaced when she looked at the bed. The sheets and coverlet were in disarray, and there was also the embarrassing evidence of just how new they both were to adult pursuits. “Close your eyes,” she told him.
Will did but cracked one lid slightly, so he could watch what she was doing. Selene’s signature spell came together rapidly above her palm and then she released it, letting it expand to encompass the entire room. A gentle wind came up, tickling his skin as the spell performed its magic.
After a minute, she said, “You can open them now.” The room looked as though a team of maids had come through. The bed was made, pillows fluffed, and Will felt as though he had taken a bath. Idly he wondered if Selene’s spell would be less painful for cleaning wounds. He couldn’t be sure, but it had to be better than the rough personal bathing spell he had used in the past.
“Damn, that’s handy,” he crooned. “You know, that spell of yours is the whole reason I wanted to learn magic.”
“Oh, really?”
“Most certainly,” he lied with a wink.
“Let me show you some real magic, then.”
Sometime later, they fell asleep, and they continued to sleep through the rest of the night and much of Sunday morning. They enjoyed the rest of Sunday from the confines of her rooms, never wanting for more, and by the time night arrived, Will was devoutly wishing he could spend the rest of his days there. To hell with magic. To hell with demons. Screw all of it. Just let me stay here, with her. He no longer wanted anything, not even sex—his body was exhausted and his heart content. In fact, he was pretty sure he would be happy to just spend his days idly talking with her.
At the moment she was lying on her side, head propped on one hand. “I’m still curious,
” she said.
“About what?”
“The enchantment you pulled the book out of. It looked a lot like the graduation seal.”
“Graduation seal?” He was thoroughly confused.
Selene pointed at a point just above her left breast. “You remember it. The enchantment that allows me to communicate with my father.”
Something heavy formed in the pit of his stomach. She was referring to the heart-stone enchantment her father had put on her like some perverse slave collar. “The one he summoned you with that time?”
“Yes,” she said simply. “The enchantment you had looked similar.”
He couldn’t take it any longer. He had to tell her. “Let’s put me aside for a moment. You need to know the truth about that enchantment he put on you.”
She sat up, pulling the sheets up beneath her arms. “You didn’t even know what it was originally, but now you’re going to reveal some hidden truth?”
“It’s a heart-stone enchantment,” he said, rushing to the end before she could cut him off. “He’s bound you just like one of your elementals.”
Selene looked at him as though he had grown a second head. “It’s a graduation seal. Everyone gets one. You’ll get yours after you finish the fourth year. It doesn’t even look like the heart-stone enchantment.” To illustrate her point, she pulled the seal that held one of her elementals to the surface, along with the enchantment that bound her to her father. “See? They’re completely different.”
“One end is the master, the other is the slave,” said Will. “He could make you do anything, and if you die, you’ll remain bound.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Father is overbearing, and sometimes cruel, but he’s never controlled me, not the way you suggest. I’ve always obeyed him because I must. He’s the king.”
“Are you sure?” asked Will, his features showing disbelief.
Selene was beginning to grow angry. She put her hands firmly down on either side of her. “Yes, I’m sure! I argue with him all the time. If he had some hidden power built into this enchantment he would have used it by now.” She studied Will’s face, and when she saw he still doubted her she snapped. “Why won’t you believe me?”
He held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. “I want to believe you, but I learned this from someone I trust.”
“And you don’t trust me? Should I remind you which one of us knows more about spellcraft? There’s several hundred people with these. All of them respected wizards and sorcerers, all well trained in their craft. Do you think my father controls all of them? Who’s feeding you lies?”
He barely heard her though. In his mind he was replaying her earlier words, “You’ll get yours after you finish the fourth year.” The enormity of that statement stunned him. He’s using Wurthaven like a farm to create an endless supply of elementals. He doesn’t even have to kill them. Just wait for them to die from their abnormally short lifespans.
“Are you listening? I asked who it is that’s feeding you this rubbish,” she demanded.
Will looked at her sadly. “My grandfather. He told me about it. That enchantment, what you call a graduation seal, is the method for creating elementals.”
Understanding dawned in her eyes. “That’s why you called me evil, why you think sorcerers are evil. You think they’re all souls of people who were enslaved.”
“That was wrong of me,” admitted Will. “For evil you have to have the intent, but you were innocent. I didn’t realize that then, nor did I fully know why using elementals was wrong, but I know now.”
Selene scooted farther away, incensed. “So I’m a fool. Why do you put so much stock in what that crazy old man taught you? He was obviously crazy.”
“He’s been right about everything so far. Remember when you made that bet with me about whether it was possible to steal someone’s spell? He was the one that taught me that.”
She climbed out of bed and grabbed the dressing gown. “That’s why you keep refusing to accept an elemental? Father told me he made you an offer. Don’t you realize what you could have had?”
“I don’t give two figs about being a lord,” said Will acidly.
“No, you idiot!” she said, her voice rising. “Me! You could have married me! Did that ever occur to you? Then none of this would have happened!”
She was on the verge of outright screaming. Will had never seen Selene lose her temper like that before, and while he knew she was under a lot of stress it didn’t make sense to him now. He was missing something. “Then none of what would have happened?” he asked.
“Just go,” she told him, her voice empty. “You won’t believe anything I say anyway, since I’m evil.”
“I don’t think you’re evil.”
“No? Just a fool then, spewing lies my father twisted my mind with. Do you have any idea the lengths he’s gone to, the lengths I’ve gone to, to keep you safe? Do you think Count Spry would be satisfied with any amount of gold for the death of his son? But you won’t accept anything. You refused your father when he tried to help you, and you refused mine, even though he’s the king!”
Frustrated by his ignorance of whatever was going on, Will lashed out, “Did I ask either of them to help me? Why would they?”
“Why do you think Mark Nerrow kept going to that tiny village you grew up in? You won’t admit it. You’re too busy blaming him for leaving your mother, too busy hating him. He did it because he loves you.”
Will didn’t hate Mark Nerrow. He was too confused about the man to hate him, but the point was academic. It wasn’t what he really wanted to know just then. “And your father? Are you claiming he has some noble motive?”
Selene marched toward him, angry tears in her eyes. “No.” She punctuated the word and all those that followed with a shove. “He did it because I love you. Idiot!”
He’d wanted to hear those words, but not like that. Will couldn’t accept her explanation. Accepting it would mean he’d been wrong about everything. It would mean he should have accepted and become a sorcerer from the very beginning. “So, you think I should go find your father and tell him I want an elemental? Is that what you’re saying?”
Anger spent, she turned away. “No. It’s too late for that. That ship has sailed. Yesterday was our first day together and today will be the last.”
“Fine.” Will gathered up his scattered clothes and began putting them on. Once he was dressed, he headed for the parlor and the window.
Selene followed. “You don’t have to do anything strange to get past the ward. It has a simple password.”
“What is it?” he asked, feeling a combination of anger and sadness.
“William. The password is William.” The glow of the ward dimmed, and she opened the window for him.
It was already dark outside, but he cast the chameleon spell on himself just to be safe. He was so rattled that he botched two attempts to construct the spell properly. He looked at Selene one last time. “I’m going to save you. Even if you wind up hating me in the process.”
“You can’t save me, Will. I’m not being controlled by anyone,” she said sadly. “You can’t save someone from their own decisions, and I’ve already made mine.” He started to cast the chameleon spell again, but she put her hand over his to stop him. “Wait.” She pressed her lips to his. “I love you. Remember that later, no matter what happens.”
He frowned, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. “I love you too.” Then he cast the chameleon spell and followed it with the climbing spell before swinging his legs over the windowsill.
The climb down seemed to take forever, but he refused to look up. He didn’t want to know if she was watching. His eyes continued to betray him, and the stones were blurry in front of his face. All he could do was chant to himself, “Stupid, stupid, stupid…” though he wasn’t sure who he meant, himself or the woman in the room above.
Chapter 44
Will stared at the ceiling. He was on the top bunk, which he preferred even thoug
h the room was all his. The sun was coming up outside, which meant he was late for saber practice, but he couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to care. He’d spent most of the night staring at the ceiling without finding any better answers than the ones he already had.
He had slept a little, but he hadn’t needed much, due to his long nap on Sunday morning. The entire weekend seemed like it had been a dream, and contrary to his old fantasies, finally confessing his love hadn’t made him feel better.
He was miserable.
Things were clear between them. He had no more doubts about Selene’s feelings or intentions, and yet one basic thing stood between them—sorcery. She was both a victim and an unwitting perpetuator of the practice and to get closer to her either he would have to sacrifice his principles, or she would have to learn the truth. From the cold feeling in the pit of his stomach, neither seemed likely.
Eventually he rose and went to his classes, where he ran across all three of his various friends at different points. He declined attempts at conversation, though, beyond simple greetings. Janice seemed most sensitive to his dark mood, but she didn’t say anything.
When the time came for their dance lessons, he managed to get through the entire hour without crushing anyone’s toes. Dianne even complimented him. “I was beginning to despair of you ever learning last week, but you’re starting to get there.”
“Thanks, Mom,” he responded quietly. It was the first time he had used her familiar appellation since his duel with Dennis Spry, but she let it pass. He should have felt good about that, but it failed to penetrate his dour spirits.
Janice caught up to him as he was leaving. “Will. You seem down.”
He nodded; there was no point in denying it.
“Want to talk about it?”
She really doesn’t want to hear about my weekend in Selene’s arms, he thought soberly. He was sometimes dense, but even he knew better than that. “Not really.”
She was watching him carefully. “That’s not true. You do want to talk about it.”
“It isn’t something I should talk to you about,” he admitted.
“Why not?”
Secrets and Spellcraft Page 38