my churning emotions on my affinity fire as well as the ceaseless press of magic in the room.
Perhaps sensing how troubled my fire is running, Lukas’s hand firms around mine and he sends a new line of his own fire out to me, and then a potent line of earth magery to flow around my jostled affinity lines. His shield pulls in taut, taking firm hold of my magic and smoothing it into calmer lines.
I can feel what you’re doing, I try to convey to him with a wordless glance. Thank you.
Lukas nods and sends me a knowing look.
The traditional line of guests begins to stream by to offer up their obligatory congratulations, a knot of Level Five soldiers pausing before us as Aunt Vyvian gets up and steps away to converse with a small group of Mage Council members.
“A Blessed Sealing to you, Commander Grey,” a black-bearded Mage heartily congratulates Lukas as he salutes him. I draw back from the strong water and air power rushing off him, a fusillade of magic almost powerful enough to cut through Lukas’s shield. The Mage’s eyes flick toward me with unkind mischief. “Looks a bit spooked, your maiden.”
“Of course she does,” the soldier beside him says, smirking good-naturedly at me. “She’ll be seeing his sword work firsthand tonight, won’t she now?” They all look to Lukas, since he’s the only one of us included in their jesting.
My cheeks heat, resentment curdling my emotions as I keep my eyes militantly focused on the table before me. I’ve no desire to take in the gloating looks on their faces as they revel in their private knowledge of this thing they’re alluding to, the finer details of which have been kept from me solely because I’m female. And it strikes me—it’s not right that they all know so much and I know so little.
“That’s quite enough, Hale.” Lukas says it pleasantly enough, but there’s an unmistakable edge to his tone that unsettles their collective magic.
“A Blessed Sealing,” the soldier beside Hale amends with a slight bow, quickly retreating into formality. “May your union bring forth Mages for the power and glory of the Ancient One.” The sentiment is echoed by the other soldiers as they take their leave from us.
“Sanguin’in,” Hale rakishly tosses out in parting, his eyes flicking toward me with a look that borders on a leer, and the others echo the traditional cheer.
My fire rouses in response, uncomfortably hot, and I look to Lukas, wanting to lash fire at the next person who utters the phrase Sanguin’in.
Lukas’s fingers trace mine as if reading the angry flare of my lines. He gives me a decisive look and gets up, gently tugging my hand. “Come with me, Elloren.”
Feeling both besieged by the threats bearing down and incensed by our traditions, I rise and let Lukas steer me down a side aisle, his shield rapidly shredding as my magic slashes against it. We duck into the indoor forest until we’re ensconced in a small grove of Silver Pines, their smell a sharp, spicy tang on the air that barely registers through the angry flow of my magic and the onslaught of external power clamoring against my lines.
Lukas pulls me into an embrace, his fire running in a hot, urgent stream as I immediately realize he’s feigning our sneaking off to kiss.
“I can read more than just your magic now,” I frantically whisper, my lips brushing against his ear. “I can read everyone’s magic. When Vogel pushed his power inside us during the Sealing—it triggered something. I can read every single affinity line in this room.”
“I gathered as much,” Lukas whispers back, drawing away slightly and giving me a serious look. “He’s amplified something in us both. I’ve a much clearer sense of your magic. I can sense its strength and flow even when I’m not touching you.”
A rattled surprise takes hold, since I know Lukas has never been able to read my magic without touching me, and he’s never been able to read anyone else’s magic but mine. “Can you sense the magic in the room, as well?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No. Only yours. And only faintly when I’m not touching you. When we kiss, though...” He pauses, his fire surging toward me. “It’s like your lines are as clear to me as my own.”
“I’ve a clearer sense of your affinity lines as well,” I shakily tell him, “and it’s heightened when we touch.”
Lukas smiles slightly at this, his brow lifting. “Should make