Chapter 50
With Aterna Magic forged against her bones, Maeve had never felt more certain of her place in the Magical world.
Her legs were tucked beneath her at the center of Sanctum. The smooth stone was neither cold nor warm against her skin, as though the temple maintained its neutrality through and through. The three white trees told her much without ever speaking.
“There is truly so much Magic in the air here,” she observed.
Reeve hummed in agreement as he circled the trees.
“It almost feels similar to Vaukore,” she said. “In the way that my home on Earth felt alive. Like it had its own thoughts. Its own feelings.”
“Enough Vexkari will do that,” answered Reeve. “This place is older than we can fathom. These trees were likely the first life here. At least,” he said, his fingers brushing the smooth bark, “that’s how they feel to me.”
She recalled how strong she’d felt in the library at Sinclair Estates when she cast the brutal spell that removed Mal’s Dread Mark from her chest. It must have been the same feeling Mal had when he relied on the strength of Vaukore to experiment with Vexkari.
He turned towards her and seated himself on the steps leading down from the trees.
“You get out of there the moment something goes wrong, Maeve.”
She nodded. “I will.”
A few hours ago, it was only a theory she’d written down weeks ago when studying Shadow Magic in Judyth’s memories of Vaukore. But she’d pulled it off successfully, twice. Once was good luck, twice was understanding, as her father would have said.
Afraid to attempt a third practice run and deplete her energy entirely, she now prepared to jump into two minds at once: Shadow’s and Mal’s. Shadow’s first, to distract her, and Mal’s second to speak to him without Shadow’s interference.
One-hundred-and-thirty-two seconds.
That’s how long she’d been able to hold on to two minds, separating herself between them.
She closed her eyes and, with a strong breath, jumped into Shadow’s mind. She allowed the void, the darkness, to hold her, not calling Shadow’s memory or current state forward. Just nothingness, until she sensed her enemy. With a youthful voice and a sinister signature of Magic, Shadow spoke.
I was wondering when you’d come talk to me.
Maeve didn’t reply right away.
I’ve been waiting months for those jealous eyes to seek me out.
Jealous. Jealousy wasn’t what she felt.
She feltdisgusted.
How’s your cousin and the boy? I was beginning to wonder if he’d ever leave my castle. I tried so hard to break him.She laughed.Such loyalty to the Dread King.
If Shadow wanted to listen to herself taunt and talk, then Maeve would let her. That would enable her to speak to Mal with greater ease.
“I want to help you,” said Maeve, “if you’ll let me.”
Doubt filled the empty air.
“You haven’t managed to become with child, yet,” said Maeve.
That doubt turned to fury.
“I can help you.”
And how,she hissed,can you help me?
“Because I’ve remembered now that conceiving Maxius was different than any of the other times Mal reached his climax.”
