Page 106

His eyes softened, and for just a moment, his mask fell. He wasn’t fine. They both knew it. He cleared his throat. “Nothing a bottle of whiskey and a vial of direweed can’t fix.”

Before she could protest that the last thing he should do right now was mix alcohol and narcotics, he flipped his coin and disappeared.

31

Mira hadn’t heard from Dawson in two days, which seemed inconsiderate, given that he had almost died. Once someone almost dies in front of you, the least they could do was send a measly scroll. She had refrained from asking how he was doing. He would hate the question and wouldn’t give her a straight answer anyway.

Thankful for tonight’s distraction, she coin traveled to the opulent opera building in Tallan. Ella had invited her. Oliver’s friend played the violin in the orchestra and had gotten them tickets.

Ella had lent her the formal dress, which was too sparkly for Mira’s taste, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. At least she had long gloves to cover her scar.

The opera had been built for the king’s amusement back in the day and still drew large crowds every year.

People were already seated in the plush velvet seats, whispering in hushed tones. Mira’s shoes seemed to get swallowed by the thick carpet as she walked farther inside. Heavy curtains obscured the stage from view.

Mira checked her ticket and made her way up the side stairs to the private box on the left side of the stage.

“Saved you a seat.” Ella patted the chair next to her.

When Mira sat down, Ella handed her a paper bag filled with sour green apple candies, the ones they used to buy at the candy store after school.

“This seems unladylike,” Mira said, but popped a piece in her mouth anyway, and Ella smiled.

For a moment, Mira was twelve again, trying out a spell to turn her hair straight. That spell had failed and instead made her curls stick up straight in the air while Ella rolled on the floor laughing.

From up in the balcony, Mira had a perfect view of the orchestra pit as the musicians began to tune their instruments. She shifted in her seat, trying to sit up straighter. The auditorium was packed, aside from a private box across from them that sat empty. In the crowd, she recognized several Wielder students and even Highmage Tinley.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Mira said to Oliver.

“Of course. Glad you could make it.” He handed her the program. “Are you familiar with Frightful Few?”

“Yes, I saw a production of it at Scion. How’s the apprenticeship at the council going?”

“It’s good.”

Ella rolled her eyes. “Don’t be modest. He was invited to present some of his healing work to Primemage Corvin.”

Mira swallowed at the mention of the name.

Ella had always been there for her, but now, Mira realized, it would be Aidric she’d go to for help. He wouldn’t hesitate.

A pang of sadness went through her. Who was saving him? Corvin needed to be stopped and Aidric freed from the permanent enthrallment.

Oliver pushed his glasses higher. “It sounds more important than it is.”

She desperately wanted to warn him about Corvin, but she couldn’t. The enthrallment was not her secret to share, and even if it was, would he believe her?

“That’s amazing, Oliver. Does that mean you have been to the Primemage’s office? I’ve always wanted to go.”

He gave a nod. “It’s not nearly as big as you might imagine.”

“Really? Nothing exciting? Not even a mysterious relic or a large safe?” Aidric had said Corvin never parted with Mercer’s amulet, but perhaps he did when he was sitting alone in his office?

Oliver shook his head. “No, just a normal office. Very modest.”

The sound of all those string instruments getting tuned increased like a wave picking up speed and then it fell quiet. The lights dimmed. The occasional person cleared their throat.

Ella leaned in closer and whispered to Mira, “My parents are throwing a party for being the first in the family to get into Ivercrest. It’s on my birthday next week, and you have to come, no excuses allowed.”