Read Online Bound by Magic by Jasmine Walt - Free Book Online Page A

something, or do you just come and go as you please?”
    “There are certain times of the year that we gather, but mostly we come and go of our own accord, generally when we are seeking guidance.”
    “Does she talk to you then?” The idea was half-absurd, half-intriguing – I’d felt Magorah’s presence at times and thought I’d heard His voice once or twice in moments of need, but I’d never out-and-out had a conversation with him.
    “She’s not a conversationalist, but she will provide guidance in moments of true need.” Iannis stared up at the statue, some undefinable emotion glimmering in his violet eyes. “Not very long ago I came to Resinah seeking advice on how to deal with a rather terrible dilemma. Her wisdom encouraged me to show mercy in a situation where the law would suggest otherwise.”
    “Huh.” I stared at the Chief Mage, wondering just what kind of situation had been so untenable that he’d sought out advice from his deity rather than enforce the laws he governed so strictly with. But I could tell from the look in his eye that he wasn’t going to say any more about it, so I didn’t press.
    “So did you bring me here just to show me the temple?” I asked, wanting to change the subject. “Or is there more?”
    “There is more.” The Chief Mage sighed a little as I turned to face him again. “I don’t condone your behavior in my office today, nor your absence from the Mages Guild this morning… but I do acknowledge that your education has been lackluster so far. I realized that you have not been given any of the education most mages already receive from their families by the time they begin an apprenticeship, and that because of your unusual power level I may have been harder on you than I should.” He reached into his sleeve, and pulled out a heavy, leather-bound tome. “This is a copy of the Residah , the book of scripture that holds Resinah’s teachings. Every mage reads this book early on, and it’s time you did so as well.”
    “You really need to teach me that trick sometime.” I took the tome from him gingerly, running my hand across the runes carved in relief across the teal-colored leather. “Being able to pull objects out of thin air would be a useful talent for someone like me, you know.” I’d decided that Iannis’s sleeve itself wasn’t enchanted, otherwise he’d have to move all the stuff he stored in there to a different robe each time he changed. Maybe he had some kind of mystical air pocket that hovered near his forearm.
    “I can imagine.” Iannis’s lips twitched into a rare smile, softening his stern features and drawing my attention to how handsome he was. “When you finish reading this, I will teach you the spell.”
    “Now that’s motivation.” I glanced down at the heavy book in my hand, not so much because I wanted to look at it again but because warmth was spreading through my cheeks, and I didn’t want Iannis to pick up on it. I’d thought that between moving out of the Palace and seeing him so infrequently, his effect on me would lessen, but the butterflies in my stomach were just as active as they always were when I caught brief flashes of humor, compassion or heat from him. The fact that we were alone here didn’t help matters.
    I raised my head as a thought occurred to me. “Why is no one else here?” I asked. “Don’t other mages come here to umm… worship? Or whatever it is you do here?” And wouldn’t there at least be attendants or something?
    “Yes, but I asked that the temple be cleared for our visit this evening,” Iannis said. “I didn’t want other mages to distract you.”
    He sent them away for me. More warmth filled my chest, followed by a healthy dose of shame, and I looked away.
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Hmm?” For the first time I could recall, confusion entered Iannis’s voice. “What for?”
    “For not thanking you.” Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked them away before turning to look