Page 58 of Vow of Magic
“Planning a political marriage alliance?” He laughed it off until he realized I wasn’t laughing too.
“Not entirely planning on it but it could be in my future. I want to be prepared for anything and everything. I don’t particularly like surprises.” He approached my door with heavy shoulders. “Is there a reason you came to visit today, Jesper?”
“A little part of me was hoping you changed your mind,” His smile was sad. “But that’s okay, I would love nothing more than a tour of your city. Do you think you could make time for me for a quick walk?”
I grabbed my cloak from the chair and quickly fastened it. “Of course. I’ve been wanting to visit for a while now!”
He tucked my hand into his elbow and led me down the stairs. This time Reva was a few steps behind us. She winked when I turned back to give her the face of where the hell have you been? Her responding smile was entirely too wicked. She was still hoping I would sleep with him even if nothing came of it. I wouldn’t do that to either of us.
Outside the castle gates,the city was alive. It was beautiful and already filling out with color. The snow was bound to stop any day now and spring was right around the corner. Neighbors spoke animatedly as they passed each other on the street and music played from somewhere deep inside the homes. It reminded me of the keep somewhat. The feeling of belonging and being alive was like a contagious spark in the air. It was a refreshing, cozy feeling.
The people stopped to stare as Jesper and I walked down each row of homes. We smiled and greeted them warmly but their eyes showed their distrust in Jesper. Maybe we needed a celebration to introduce my people to the people of this place. He was polite but he recognized their fear and the uncomfortable air when we passed. There was no way around it, unfortunately. They would need to be around the Shadow Elvesmore. A proper introduction to the army would help, but we would need more than that. A spring celebration and greeting was in order. With a little love and some care, this place would blossom into a beautiful city.
When we got to the edge of the city and to the thick trees, Jesper stopped and bowed to me. “I appreciate your kindness and being willing to show me your city. In just a short time it’s already begun to thrive, I can’t wait to see what it will become in a year’s time.”
Him and me both. “Thank you for coming to visit.”
His purple eyes gazed up at the darkening sky above us. “I can feel a change in the air. The magic is shifting.”
“Is that a good or a bad thing?” I could feel Reva almost inch closer, either to protect me from whatever omen he was about to let out or because she was nosey. There was always a good chance it was both.
“I wish I knew, but I can feel it. Be careful.” He nodded to Reva before he slipped into the woods.
“What do you think that’s about?” Reva asked as we walked back through the city, toward my looming castle.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like the sound of it.”
The people were mulling about as usual, no longer staring as we passed and I wondered if it was all Jesper. He was a sight to behold, which reminded me. “What do you think of a spring celebration to introduce some of the other subjects?”
“I would love nothing more than to have an excuse to get slutty,” Her grin was feral and I loved it. For too long I’d missed her easygoing personality and her wicked expressions. She’d always been a wild card but as of late, the spark inside of her had dimmed. I would do anything in my power to get that back.
“Any word on the pub?”
Her brown eyes sparkled. “You mean the brothel?”
I rolled my eyes and bumped her with my elbow. “You know what I mean.”
She motioned me to follow her down an alternate street and I laughed when I saw it. Right in the center of the wooden sign hanging by the door, someone drew a huge pair of boobs. If Ash hadn’t left us, I would have fully assumed it was her handy work. In scrawling, messy handwriting the sign read The Wobbly Shammies.
What a name. I coughed out a surprised laugh. It explained the massive pair of boobs on the sign, that was for sure. There were no lights on inside and the door was locked up tight, but it seemed like it was coming along nicely. Ash would have been proud. All the way back to the castle, I grinned. I hoped it was one of the most popular places in the city—all for Ash.
As I brushed out my hair for the night, I watched Reva lay across the end of my bed with a book over her face. “Do you want to plan the spring celebration?”
The book fell straight to her face and she sat up quickly. “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I asked,” I shrugged as I turned to watch her outside of the mirror’s reflection.
“Why would you ask me that?” She dog-eared the corner of her page and I swore I felt my eye twitch but I chose to ignore it—just this once. There were more important things to discuss and focus on.
“Because I think you would be perfect for the job.”
One of her red brows lifted. “Do I look like a party planner to you?”
“I thought you might enjoy it,” I turned back to the mirror and worked some more knots out of my ends. My hair was harder to tame these days. The air was dryer here, the wind was always blowing, and the luxury soaps I was used to back at thekeep hadn’t come with us. I wondered if someone in the town made the soap and if I could buy some. My hair was struggling.
She laid back down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. “I never thought I would be anything better than a guard or a hired sword. I never imagined myself as anything else.”
“Well,” I turned around in my seat and pointed the brush at her. “If you want the job, it’s yours. The other subjects know you and I trust you.”
