Page 32 of Immortal Origins
Ambrose stared at them in horror. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s alright.” Magnus waved her down. “They’re fine. Everyone is fine.”
The ones who had protected their ears now looked to the scorch mark in the middle of the courtyard from where her lightning had struck. The other three checked their ears for any lasting damage, one shot her a look of disgust while the other two gave her forced smiles, which she was grateful for but knew they were just being kind.
Why couldn’t she control her magick? What waswrongwith her?
She couldn’t even soak in her victory, knowing she had no way of controlling it. She was lucky the field didn’t burst into flames and burn them all alive.
Akadian was the only one smiling at her.
The temperature in the air dropped so fast it made her skin raise and her hair straighten. A chill crisped the air as their breathing became a visible cloud that froze. It was as though death itself reached his clammy hands across the yard and curled its bony fingers at them. The temperature dropped so rapidly those without quick reflexes froze entirely.
The group cried out to a boy as his skin turned to ice and the light left his eyes.
His name was Tarryon, still just a juvenile and about to come of age after the Harvest Festival. Ambrose closed her eyes and tried not to think of the innocent face that had told the group just days ago about the girl he planned to ask to marry him at the festival.
His older sister—Willow—let out a growl of rage and agony as she launched herself at the being that entered the courtyard behind Akadian.
Casimir swatted her away with enough force she went flying across the yard like she was nothing more than a pesky insect. When she landed, her body froze, cracks forming as ice encased every part of her, her lips purple and eyes a milky white.
Ambrose dipped her head, unable to look at the fallen mages.
Didn’t she know that was suicide?
“I’d say our unexpected Trial Champion is doing rather well for herself, wouldn’t you say Akadian?” Casimir purred.
“Indeed,” Akadian replied shortly, all amusement gone from his face.
Ambrose hadn’t been face-to-face with Casimir since her trial. Her skin trembled as he unleashed a piece of his potential. A power so great she was aware that even now they were only witnessing an insignificant fraction of his capabilities. Unbothered by the mages that glared at him with hate or fear, Casimir trained his attention on the only one that mattered to him. His eyes as cold and calculating as she remembered, mirrors to a being truly made of nightmares.
“Yes… Yes… You have done well, haven’t you?” Casimir’s eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to her, ice cracking under his steps as he closed the distance. He was now so close, his breath froze her cheeks where it touched her. “Lightning is it? So you’re a fire mage now…” He glanced around the circle, emerald eyes falling on each mage one by one. “This is not to be mentioned outside of this circle. Anyone who speaks of this will be executed without trial.Is that clear?”
The mages shifted uncomfortably, bowing their heads as they murmured confirmation.
Ambrose struggled to keep her composure when faced with the monster in front of her. The power he wielded not only over Ice, but over her aswell. She wasn’t sure if she imagined it but she could’ve sworn she saw Akadian step towards her as Casimir got closer.
“Nothing I would get excited about,” she feigned.
Casimir tugged a piece of her hair, twisting the white strands between his fingers. “Oh, I think it’s worth gettingveryexcited about.”
She tried to focus her thoughts.
“What makes you so interested?” she challenged.
Casimir dropped her hair and placed his hand on her cheek, caressing it with fingers so cold they burned. “I’ve never seen a servant behave the way you have in all my time of existence. I find it intriguing beyond words. Consider me invested.” She wasn’t sure why, but Ambrose was sure that was the truth and a lie at the same time. “Besides, we’ve never had a criminal enter the trials before. We’re in unprecedented times, and I prefer to be on theinsideof history books.”
Chapter 13
The silver curve of the crescent moon was the only light that broke through the sky as Valdis stood in the window of the keep, leathery wings tucked behind him, as he considered the words that had just been relayed to him by his second in command.
His claw-like fingernails dug grooves into the stone as the rage inside of him knew no end. “Why isn’t the mage dead yet? And what of the royal who failed me?”
“My Lord, you know this is a… delicate matter. We must use the right discretion or we risk too much. Divine Law has been enacted which makes this situation… tenuous at best,” the being offered from a bent knee. “I beg you for patience.”
Valdis turned and grabbed his lesser’s face in his hands, claws digging into his skin. His wings burst from his sides and filled the high tower, deep-violet mist drowning the kneeling being in its acid coils. “Donotlecturemeon Divine Law.”
“Of course not, My Lord. I didn’t mean to offend.” Crimson coated his tongue as he breathed the purple plume. “I simply mean to remind you how sensitive this can be.” He bowed his head further, blood sinking down the back of his throat. “As far as anyone in the palace is concerned, she’s a mage who has shown no aptitude for any of the Elements and remains Unclassified. I’ll make sure to silence anyone who witnesses her magick. They won’t speak or I’ll cut out their tongues. I’m keeping this contained while we find the right solution.”
