Page 14 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

“What does your magic feel like?” he asked.

I woke up before I could answer.

As the prior morning, the house was quiet and dark when I stepped out of my room, but it was less chilly. When I made my way downstairs, the fireplace was already lit, and I smiled softly, touched by Killian’s thoughtfulness.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” the butler greeted me when I entered the kitchen.

He handed me a steaming cup of coffee and offered a warm smile. I found it easier to smile back as I thanked him, curling my hands around the drink. After Gray and I had reached an understanding last night in the library, the sense of dread about the fate of my kingdom had lessened just a fraction. The oppressive feeling was still present, but a glimmer of hope burned next to it now, dousing some of my anxiety.

I walked over to the dining room and peered out through the glass doors at the patio outside. I had decided that if Gray was out there, I would not intrude on his solitude and would have my morning coffee elsewhere. When I found the patio empty, I reached for the door handle to step outside but hesitated, trying to decide if I needed the blanket in case it was cold.

“What are you doing?” came Gray’s voice from behind, startling me.

“Stars, you scared me!” I exclaimed, placing my hand over my racing heart. “I was just looking to see if you were out there. Yesterday, I sensed that you like your quiet time in the morning. I wasn’t going to intrude.”

His dark brows lifted in surprise. “That’s very perceptive of you.”

“I like my solitude, too, so I understand,” I explained with a small smile.

He held my gaze for a moment, as if trying to decide whether he should let me join him on the patio. Finally, he reached for the handle and opened the door.

“You can join me if you want.” He gestured for me to step outside.

“Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I wasn’t.”

I walked out and settled into the wicker sofa while Gray took a seat in the chair. We sat in silence for some time as the lord read a book and drank his coffee. I sipped my own drink and looked out at the flourishing gardens around us. It wasn’t cold, and I was comfortable in my long-sleeved lilac dress, not missing the blanket.

Thinking back to my painting from yesterday, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. What does my magic feel like? I sat unmoving, searching within for an answer. When I had found it, I opened my eyes and said, “I have decided what my magic feels like.”

Gray looked up from his book. “What does it feel like?”

“Like a well in my chest.” I placed my hand over my heart. “I don’t know how deep it goes, but I can feel my magic there, silent and waiting.”

“I see.” He ran a hand over his jaw in contemplation. “The well from your painting?” I gave a small nod in confirmation. “Right now, your magic is stagnant at the bottom of that well. You need to move it and eventually bring it up to the surface.”

Feeling up to the challenge, I inhaled and closed my eyes again, trying to visualize a well inside me with water so calm, it didn’t move or make a sound. I tried to make a ripple in it with my will, but nothing happened. Concentrating harder, I imagined that I was running my hand through the water, but it remained still. I couldn’t touch it.

I blew out an exasperated breath and opened my eyes. “It’s not working.”

One dark brow lifted as Gray’s eyes lit up with mirth. “It will take time.”

Time. The one thing we didn’t have. The lord wouldn’t find this amusing if he knew the truth about the wards.

“How often do you visit the border?” I asked as I reached for my coffee.

“Every week. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious,” I said nonchalantly, bringing my cup to my lips.

Should I tell Gray about the wards weakening to prompt a sense of urgency about my training? I gave a slight shake of my head, dismissing the idea as soon as it popped up. The lord couldn’t get inside my head and stir my powers awake. Only I could do that.

“What does your magic feel like?” I asked him as I set my cup down.

“It is a part of me,” he replied without hesitation. “My powers and I are one. They’re always at my fingertips. All I have to do is reach for them.” His gaze stretched past me. “Do you see that afflicted tree over there?”

I turned around and searched the gardens. Because of their thriving condition, it took me a few seconds to find the young crape myrtle Gray was talking about. Once I had, there was no mistaking it—the sooty mold on its bark and the lack of foliage were sure signs the tree was sick.