Page 23 of Pawns of Fate
“The trickiest part is removing the spell,” Matthew said, noticing Rose’s curious glances. “Even though the runes are small and simple, they can cause a small explosion if actuatedincorrectly. This spell has to be applied directly to the throat.” Matthew scratched his neck. “You can see the elevated risk.”
“I’d never thought of that,” Rose replied after sipping some wine.
“Aural magic like yours is more gentle by nature,” Nicholas interjected, “There are a lot of rules to follow with spellcasting, and the more complicated the spell, the more rules there are.”
Her future father-in-law nodded in agreement. “There’s also a higher chance that mana flow is disrupted and everything explodes with a complicated spell. Pure elemental magic is simpler and less risky in that sense.”
York scoffed as he waved a half-eaten turkey leg around. “I’ve burned down a few trees that would disagree with you.”
“True, but that isn’t the same as losing control of a spell. Those trees still burned down because of a lightning strike. Losing control of a spell, especially one that uses elements for which you don’t have an affinity, warps the magic entirely.”
Rose was fascinated by the conversation of the three men. She’d tried to get her cousin Hermes to discuss his magic studies a few times, but he’d brushed her off. She’d read multiple books about elemental magic and spells, but hearing the information firsthand was much more interesting.
“I thought that elemental mages didn’t always use spells?” she asked Nicholas as she scooped some mashed potatoes onto her spoon.
Nicholas sipped his wine, then answered, “They do for more powerful magic.”
York rolled up his sleeve and thrust his forearm in frontof Rose to show her three silvery runes, circles of interwoven lightning bolts and ancient text. “I can channel enough lightning mana to kill a mountain troll with this,” York said. “Without a spell, I can barely manage enough lightning to shock a raccoon.”
“Have you been practicing lightning magic on raccoons lately, York? That’s an unusual training method, even for you,” Nicholas said.
Rose tried to keep the smirk off her face, but the thought of York running around and electrocuting small forest mammals was just too much.
“York doesn’t shock raccoons!” Ava interjected.
“I’m sure he doesn’t,” Rose replied gently.
Nicholas exchanged a glance with her, neither holding in their laughter well.
After the meal, the servants quickly cleared the tables, a small band of musicians appeared, and the dancing began. Rose was amazed at how fast it happened. Everyone at this castle worked in complete synchrony, as if their roles were choreographed.
She danced with Nicholas first, then York. Several of the knights asked to dance with her and took the opportunity to introduce themselves. Every one of them engaged her in pleasant conversation about her life at Castle Sharp. She’d never had this much fun at a social event, since she’d always spent them attending to Ghislaine or Luanna. Before Rose knew it, she had danced for almost two hours.
Ava invited her to get some fresh air and take a break outside. Rose happily took her up on the offer, feeling an ache in her feet and sweat at her brow.
“I’m so impressed you can dance with that full skirt and stiff bodice. I don’t think I’ll ever learn to be a lady like you,” Ava said.
“My etiquette tutor used to make me wear dresses like this and walk around the entire Robson estate. She’d make me start over if I tripped, wobbled, or slouched. It was torture then, but now I’m glad I have the skill.”
“You’re such a good noble lady! When they had this banquet for me, I fell on my face as the marquess introduced me. I couldn’t dance with anyone but York because he had to hold me up. I couldn’t walk in the dress they gave me, and it was only half as fluffy as yours,” Ava admitted.
Rose chuckled.
“Don’t laugh!” Ava said as she, in fact, laughed. “Perhaps I should walk around the estate in a ball gown. Lyla or Nicholas would be delighted to chastise me and have me start over with any misstep.” The women shared another burst of joyful laughter as soft footsteps approached.
“Ava, could I trouble you for one last dance?” York asked, interrupting their break. “Then, I think we should retire for the night.”
“Of course, my love. Rose, will you come with us?”
“I want a few more minutes of fresh air. I’ll come in a little while. Don’t wait for me,” Rose replied.
Ava hugged her, then went with York, leaving Rose alone for the first time all day.
Rose let out a deep exhale. The banquet was almost over. At this point, it wouldn’t matter if she returned. She brieflyconsidered going to her room, but a mischievous idea struck her as the faint strands of music from the dining hall tickled her ears. What if she wandered the gardens, just for a little bit? She wouldn’t explore too far, but some solitude and space from the loud, boisterous banquet hall felt right. Rose was typically left to her own devices, so the busy schedule she had maintained lately felt unnatural, though not unwelcome.
Rose glanced behind her, checking to see if anyone was watching. When she confirmed no one was around, she kicked off her shoes and gingerly stepped off the porch to explore the garden.
The cool night breeze caressed her skin, a relief after spending hours in a banquet hall surrounded by throngs of people. She looked up at the night sky, noticing how clearly she could see the full moon on this cloudless night. Its gentle light guided her into the terraced garden.
