“Did you know her well?” I asked.
“Ah, yes. Very well. We were children together. She lived in the house beside mine.” Xavier expelled a short laugh. “Myfondness for her grew over time. I was four years older, you see, and thought her awfully annoying when we were young. Yet, no matter how rude or unpleasant I was toward her, she wasn’t fazed and latched on to me. This little girl with golden curls followed me around everywhere and was always rambling about something, whether it be a sweet treat she craved, a rabbit she saw in the field with themost adorable floppy ears, or a flower with pretty petals.”
The ache in my chest deepened, and I hugged my knees tighter.
“My family owned the apothecary in town, and Cynthia would often come in and browse the shelves when I was helping out in the shop,” Xavier continued. “We then became attached at the hip, going everywhere together. She became my best friend. It wasn’t until we were in our teen years that I began to view her differently. The little girl who annoyed me for so long grew up to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”
Holy crap.My heart rate spiked. Could Xavier be my dad? Lupin had said my dad was someone of importance… and a powerful mage seemed important.
“I never acted on my feelings,” he softly said, answering my unspoken question. “I was too focused on my studies and training to become a professor of magic. One afternoon, she brought over a bundle of raisin cookies, my favorite, and sat with me while I read over textbooks to prepare for an upcoming exam. She brought a book with her too. ‘It’s about love,’ she told me. And I said, ‘You’re only seventeen. What do you know of love?’ Cynthia looked at me then, in that soft way she always did. She didn’t give me an answer, but looking back on it years later, I almost wonder if she was referring to me.”
“What happened to her?” I could barely get the words out. The flood of information had me feeling all sorts of things.Happiness because I was learning more about my mom, things I’d wondered about. But also sadness. For Xavier. For myself.
“The townsfolk say Cynthia vanished,” Xavier answered. “Yet, I know the real truth. One I’ve kept silent for all these years.”
Anticipation and nerves had my sternum in a tight grip.
“I suppose there’s no harm in finally speaking of it.” He peered up at the moon. “There’s freedom in finally unleashing the things you’ve kept locked inside your head.”
“Unleash away,” I said, trying not to seem too eager. “I’m all ears.”
“You don’t mind? I’ve already rambled enough.”
“I don’t mind at all.” I looked up at the moon too. A faint ring was around it. Some people believed that meant snow was coming.
Xavier was quiet for a beat or two before releasing a slow breath. “In order to tell you how it ended, I must first go back and tell you what set that end into motion. It was toward the beginning of spring. King Eidolon was interested in our mines and journeyed here to tour them. A festival was held in his honor. It’s not every day we’re graced with royalty.”
“The king was interested in the mines?” I asked. “Why?”
“We were at war with Haran at the time, though a ceasefire had recently been called. The war wouldn’t be truly over until certain conditions were met. Still, the king is a wise man. Peace never lasts forever, so he was trying to secure resources in case the situation turned for the worse. The mines contain certain gems that can be used in powerful spell work. Much like the stone in that necklace you’re wearing.”
My hand jumped up to it on impulse. “It’s hidden by the cloak. How did you know about it?”
“I sense the power.” Xavier offered me a gentle smile. “I take it your physician crafted it for you? If so, there’s no doubt abouthim returning your love. A spell such as that one must come from the heart.”
My eyes watered. “How did your wind spell reach me then? It’s supposed to stop physical and magical attacks.”
“Probably the intent behind it,” he answered. “I didn’t want to hurt you, so it wasn’t necessarily a magical attack.”
That would explain how Rowan was able to use his shadow magic with me too. The intent.
“Anyway, to answer your question about the mines.” Xavier’s smile sobered. “The king has an order of mages who specialize in magic-related combat techniques and use the gems for staffs, wands, and charms such as yours to enhance their abilities. There are precious metals in the mountains, as well, that strengthen weaponry. Intended for the First Order of Knights, I assume. So the king met with the lord mayor to arrange a supply of these resources to Bremloc.”
Of course, the First Order got the best weapons, even though the Second and Third Orders saw the most combat. Such bullshit. I shoved down my bitterness and stayed on topic. “What does King Eidolon have to do with my mo—er, Cynthia?”
Xavier stared at me with a type of look I couldn’t place. Interest, maybe. Or suspicion. But maybe that was just my anxiety for the near slip of the tongue.
“As I said, a celebration was held in the king’s honor. Cynthia rented a stand in the market to sell her desserts at the festival. She hoped it’d be the start of that dream bakery she always wanted. However, her heart was too kind. She gave most of the goods away to people who had little to no coin. I scolded her for it, and she said she couldn’t bear to see anyone go hungry when she was around to prevent it.”
More tears welled in my eyes, and I turned my face to subtly wipe at them. I was a lot more like her than I thought.
“I planned to finally confess my feelings for her after the festival,” he said with a shake in his voice. “But fate had other ideas.”
“How so?”
“The king’s younger brother accompanied him to Exalos. Such a charmer, that one. He made all the women swoon.”
I stilled. Sawyer’s uncle. The one who broke the truce with Haran and sent the two kingdoms back into war. There was a loud ringing in my ears. “Was Cynthia one of those women?”
