Read Online The Bronze Mage by Laurel Mojica - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Laurel Mojica
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asking.
"Trade secret," James replied a little smugly.
In the afternoon, James did withdraw to his room. Tabitha decided against making another practice sword. She was still easily fatigued and their walk had worn her out. Instead she opted for a long soak in the bath. This time she wasn't ensorcelled or falling asleep, so she really enjoyed it. Afterwards, she took her time with her hair and attempted to arrange it in something more like how she usually wore it. Since she had never done her own hair at home, except to braid it for training or horse riding, this failed. She ended up brushing it out and simply re-braiding it. Then she started looking through the armoire. If she was to return home the day after tomorrow, what would she wear? It hardly seemed right to reappear in hand-me-downs from a servant. Her one dress had no doubt been disposed of. The journey here had not been kind to the delicate fabric. Tabitha wished, not for the first time, that she had been wearing her sparring gear when she'd been kidnapped. It would have survived the trip well enough and been much more comfortable too. Well, whatever she wore, surely someone would recognize her. The guards knew her well enough.
At dinner, there was a lush bouquet with a dozen blooms, each unique. Tabitha accused James of showing off, which he took as a compliment. Afterwards they sat in the chairs by the fireplace, and he continued grilling her on what kind of a reception she could expect. He seemed truly worried. Once she had reassured him to the best of her ability, she asked the reason for his concern.
"You won't be the first young woman I've sent home. They weren't all greeted warmly by their fathers."
Tabitha was slightly stumped, unsure how to tactfully ask her next question. James waited. Finally she settled on: "I'd been under the impression that the others came more willingly than they left?"
James's face grew very serious. "It would be wrong to place blame equally on each of them. Some only thought they came willingly."
"Why didn't anyone notice the spells you used?" Gifted mages could see spells in great detail. Even magic sensers, who lacked the ability to cast spells, would know if a spell had recently been cast on a person or object. And although people with any level of magical ability were rare, surely a father whose daughter was seduced by a mage would seek one out?
"None of the mages in Xentia were willing to cross me."
"You don't seem very fond of preference spells now."
"I'm not." He half-smiled as he added, "But I do find them useful."
Tabitha gave him a hard look. "If you break your word this time, you'd better decide you love them."
"So it seems."
After that, James led the conversation in more congenial directions. When he started describing the northern mountains, Tabitha listened raptly as he detailed his travels through them. He took notice of her interest and continued to describe places he'd visited that she had only read about: Xentia's eastern bogs, Westphal's coastline, a volcanic island in the western sea. His descriptions were thorough. She felt that she would recognize the landmarks, the wildlife, the smells of each place if she ever had a chance to visit them.
"It's getting late. You should sleep." He sounded regretful. Tabitha realized he was right. She felt stiff from sitting so still while listening to him.
He stood and offered her his hand. She hesitated, then took it, not certain if the gesture was part of the agreement. If he'd been a friend, would he have offered? Or was that crossing the boundary from friendship into something else?
She wasn't surprised when he didn't release her hand after pulling her to her feet. She side-stepped around him, drawing slightly away.
"Friends, remember?"
"Who are you keeping yourself for?" James sounded frustrated. Maybe even jealous. His gaze was intense.
Tabitha wondered if he really could have broken his promise at the border just to avoid saying goodbye. Her heart
"Trade secret," James replied a little smugly.
In the afternoon, James did withdraw to his room. Tabitha decided against making another practice sword. She was still easily fatigued and their walk had worn her out. Instead she opted for a long soak in the bath. This time she wasn't ensorcelled or falling asleep, so she really enjoyed it. Afterwards, she took her time with her hair and attempted to arrange it in something more like how she usually wore it. Since she had never done her own hair at home, except to braid it for training or horse riding, this failed. She ended up brushing it out and simply re-braiding it. Then she started looking through the armoire. If she was to return home the day after tomorrow, what would she wear? It hardly seemed right to reappear in hand-me-downs from a servant. Her one dress had no doubt been disposed of. The journey here had not been kind to the delicate fabric. Tabitha wished, not for the first time, that she had been wearing her sparring gear when she'd been kidnapped. It would have survived the trip well enough and been much more comfortable too. Well, whatever she wore, surely someone would recognize her. The guards knew her well enough.
At dinner, there was a lush bouquet with a dozen blooms, each unique. Tabitha accused James of showing off, which he took as a compliment. Afterwards they sat in the chairs by the fireplace, and he continued grilling her on what kind of a reception she could expect. He seemed truly worried. Once she had reassured him to the best of her ability, she asked the reason for his concern.
"You won't be the first young woman I've sent home. They weren't all greeted warmly by their fathers."
Tabitha was slightly stumped, unsure how to tactfully ask her next question. James waited. Finally she settled on: "I'd been under the impression that the others came more willingly than they left?"
James's face grew very serious. "It would be wrong to place blame equally on each of them. Some only thought they came willingly."
"Why didn't anyone notice the spells you used?" Gifted mages could see spells in great detail. Even magic sensers, who lacked the ability to cast spells, would know if a spell had recently been cast on a person or object. And although people with any level of magical ability were rare, surely a father whose daughter was seduced by a mage would seek one out?
"None of the mages in Xentia were willing to cross me."
"You don't seem very fond of preference spells now."
"I'm not." He half-smiled as he added, "But I do find them useful."
Tabitha gave him a hard look. "If you break your word this time, you'd better decide you love them."
"So it seems."
After that, James led the conversation in more congenial directions. When he started describing the northern mountains, Tabitha listened raptly as he detailed his travels through them. He took notice of her interest and continued to describe places he'd visited that she had only read about: Xentia's eastern bogs, Westphal's coastline, a volcanic island in the western sea. His descriptions were thorough. She felt that she would recognize the landmarks, the wildlife, the smells of each place if she ever had a chance to visit them.
"It's getting late. You should sleep." He sounded regretful. Tabitha realized he was right. She felt stiff from sitting so still while listening to him.
He stood and offered her his hand. She hesitated, then took it, not certain if the gesture was part of the agreement. If he'd been a friend, would he have offered? Or was that crossing the boundary from friendship into something else?
She wasn't surprised when he didn't release her hand after pulling her to her feet. She side-stepped around him, drawing slightly away.
"Friends, remember?"
"Who are you keeping yourself for?" James sounded frustrated. Maybe even jealous. His gaze was intense.
Tabitha wondered if he really could have broken his promise at the border just to avoid saying goodbye. Her heart
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