Read Online Bound by J. Elizabeth Hill - Free Book Online Page A

face. She wondered about that. She knew that some children who didn't have magic envied those who did, but Tavis was too old and seemed too practical for that. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "Aren't you going to grab your flint?"
    She smiled, thinking he was making a joke. When she realized he was serious, she started laughing, unable to help herself. At first, he looked confused and a little angry about being laughed at. Then it seemed to slowly dawn on him what she was laughing about and he joined her. It was several minutes before they stopped, both panting for breath.
    "Well, if there had been any doubt in my mind before that you didn't grow up around Magicia, I'm sure now," she said between gasps.
    "Yeah, stupid question," he said, still grinning broadly. Then he grew serious. "Fay, do Magicia ever teach people who didn't get to go to an academy? I mean, even just basic things. Or is that not allowed?"
    She raised an eyebrow at him quizzically. "It's not forbidden. I've just never heard of it happening. The Council Magicia tries to ensure that everyone who has the ability to do magic is given the opportunity to attend one of the academies, no matter what their background. And I can't imagine anyone turning them down. Why? Do you know someone who...?"
    She trailed off and waited for him to say something, not sure if she wanted her sudden hunch to be right or wrong, though she admitted to herself it would explain some things at least as much as it complicated others for her. He looked uncomfortable, as if he thought he had said too much. Finally, staring again at his hands in his lap, he mumbled, "I- I can do magic. Nothing much, really, because I didn't get to learn anything from my mother before she left. I was hoping- I wondered if you could teach me... something."
    Her own shock surprised her. Her hunch had been right, though she still found herself grappling with the implications. It didn't make sense to her though. She couldn't imagine choosing to bond with someone her own age who knew nothing of magic. And yet she couldn't ignore the way she was drawn to him, more than anyone she'd ever met. Was that why he had asked to travel with her, because he felt the same reaction to her? She shook her head at the idea. When she looked up, Tavis was crestfallen, his face a picture of embarrassment and misery. It took her a moment to realize that he had misinterpreted the gesture as a refusal. She thought about it for a moment and decided to check her theory. "Is that why you asked to come with me?"
    He looked up at her, his green eyes dark in the failing light, and shook his head with a frown. "No, that's not why. It's-" He stopped, and then said something else. "I didn't think you'd be allowed to, but I had to ask. I just- Never mind."
    Fay wasn't really listening as her thoughts spun in her head. No, she thought to herself, no, I would never choose to bond with him, but maybe I could teach him something, to get a feel for whether I should encourage him to ask for training from the academy in Rianza when he gets there. It's what Ganson would do, what he'd encourage me to do if he were- She cut that thought off and returned to her original idea. If his magical abilities were weak, she would tell him not to worry about it, since he would never find a partner once he finished his schooling, even if they let him in at his age. When she realized what she had just thought, she grew angry with herself. She told herself that it shouldn't matter if he'd find a partner, that he should have the opportunity to learn as she had. That decided her. "Yes, certainly, I can do that. Come sit beside me. It will make it easier."
    Tavis gave her a hopeful, incredulous smile as he moved to her side. She took his hand tentatively, trying to ignore the feelings it engendered now that she knew what they meant. She hadn't tried to teach anyone magic since her first year at Voleno, when Ganson had volunteered her to help with the first and