She tugged on the cord and found that it was taut, as strong as the leather of Carmine’s harness.
‘It goes both ways! You worked it out. You’re a magic genius.’ She kissed him. ‘How does it work? Are we the only ones who can see it?’
No, Felix told her. In fact, the cord was not only visible to the people around its two anchor users, the solidity translated as well. As long as the magic remained charged and the two anchor points connected, anyone would see or feel its effect. More than that. The cord could sustain weight.
Asta was amazed. ‘That’s not a perception. How did you get it to do that?’
‘Magic,’ Felix answered, his eyes twinkling.
He showed her how to secure and release it, how to make it strengthen and stretch, how to lock it and retract it, all while he kept the magic charged for her. She practiced until she got it right, and he kissed her, proud of her progress. When she was done, he reduced the length and coiled the shimmering cord around her arm, wrist to shoulder like she was his sculpture and he the artist. She admired the magic sheen against her skin.
‘Can I keep this?’
‘I made it for you,’ Felix said, smiling modestly. ‘Just remember, it won’t do anything if it isn’t attached on both ends.’
‘Oh, I see how it is,’ Asta laughed. ‘This is how you keep me from running away again.’
The sad look on Felix’s face made Asta regret her words.
‘It doesn’t actually have to be me on the other side. You could use it with anyone you trust. Even Carmine. Just do it like I showed you.’
She smiled at him, wishing she could reassure him. ‘I still need you to charge it, don’t I?’
‘That’s true.’ He smiled back a little wanly. ‘Just ask me. I’ll turn it on for you and power the magic. Whenever you want it.’ Felix released the charge, and the light faded to nothing.
Asta pressed her hands to her forehead. ‘Felix, this is brilliant. Like, groundbreaking.’
‘It’s just a hobby.’
‘Stop it. If you were literally anyone else in the world, you would be the most kick-ass illusionist anyone ever heard of. Sucks for you that you’re also an extremely talented, sexy-ass rider with access to the best dragons in the world.’
‘Yeah, sucks for me.’ Felix dropped his hands beside him and looked up at the ceiling.
Something in his voice made Asta lift herself on her elbows to study his face.
How had she been so stupid? Suddenly, she understood what he had been trying to tell her for so long– not just this week, but ever since Pillar. Since Medley, even. All those fake smiles. All those hours casting illusions when he was supposed to be practicing his jumps. A thousand, thousand clues.
‘It doessuck for you, doesn’t it? Not just the attention. You hateallof it.’
She had been so focused on herself that she hadn’t thought it was possible for someone to have her dream and not want it. But of course, he didn’t want it. He never had.
Felix blinked quickly, and Asta didn’t need any magic bonds to know that tears were stinging his eyes. ‘Whatever. It’s okay,’ he mumbled.
‘Fuck that. It’s clearly not. Why do you do it?’
Felix squinched his eyes closed. ‘My family needs me. There has to be a champion in every generation. Otherwise, the Seraphins don’t work.’
‘But you did that already. Last year. So, now you can stop, right?’
Felix was silent.
Asta tried another tack. ‘I know she’s agirl, but why can’t your sister take a turn? She’ll be old enough to race in a few years.’
Felix shook his head violently. ‘Absolutely not. I’m not doing that to Monika. I won’t let them have her, too.’
‘Fine. But I still don’t get it. You did your part. Why not walk away?’
Felix rolled to the edge of the bed and put his feet on the ground, then stood up. Every movement looked so slow and tired. ‘I can’t, Asta. I made my choice.’ He grabbed his undershirt and shorts from the ground and put them on. He tossed Asta hers.
