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When they went down to the entry hall, Cassia gaped at the table under Lio’s Ritual tapestry. It was covered in cups of all kinds, from ceramic mugs to silver goblets to crystal chalices. Piled all around the vessels or tucked inside them were more scrolls than she could count. The library door fell shut. The towers of scrolls collapsed and spilled all over the floor.
At that moment, the front door swung open, and a suckling dashed inside. A garland of red roses decorated with silver stars adorned his courier sash, and there were as many sweets in his satchel as letters.
He dropped another armful of scrolls on top of the heap, arranged half a dozen more cups wherever they would fit, and spoke around a huge candy braid. “Happy Gift Night, Firstgift Komnenos. Welcome to Orthros, Newgift Cassia.”
Newgift Cassia. That sounded wonderful.
She beamed at the small, cheerful herald of Solstice and her new life. “Thank you.”
Lio reached into his pocket, but his hand came out empty. “When you get back to the Couriers’ Circle, spread the word that we’ll come by later with tips. Generous Solstice tips.”
“Thank you, Firstgift!” The courier bounced back out.
The door popped open three more times, and three more couriers bedecked in festival treats added to the hoard before Lio and Cassia managed to collect the lot of it and restore it to some kind of order on the table.
She picked up a filigreed copper coffee cup she recognized as one of Uncle Argyros’s. “Whatisall this?”
“Cups are the traditional gift of congratulations when someone finds their Grace. I can make us some glass cabinets, so we can display them in our residence for years to come.”
Cassia found Lio’s smile infectious. “What beautiful heirlooms they shall be.”
“As for the scrolls…” He searched through the stacks, extricated a particular one, and presented it to her. “Can you read the address?”
She peered at the tidy lines of Divine written on the outside of the scroll, then shook her head. “I still need to work on my reading.”
“Interesting. Rapid verbal aptitude and intuitive lip-reading, but no corresponding affinity for the written word. I need to do more research.”
“Did you say affinity? You’re still convinced I learned Divine quickly because of magic?”
“And so is the rest of Orthros. These scrolls are official affinity reading invitations from various magic circles. It’s part of every newcomer’s acceptance into Hesperine society. Any circle whose power you might possess reads you for their affinity, so you can find the right mentor for your study of magic, which will in turn help you decide on a service and a craft.”
“But I’m not even a Hesperine yet.”
“You don’t have to wait for that to find out what your affinity is. Since we haven’t a clue, every circle in Orthros is drooling to read you first and discover you before the others.” Lio tapped the scroll he had handed her. “Including the Circle of Thelemancers. With shameless ulterior motives, I encourage you to accept this invitation from my uncle first.”
“I don’t have your affinity,” she scoffed.
“Do you remember when, at Solorum, we talked about how sites from the Mage King’s time feel to you? You accurately described the auras of the palace and the Font of the Changing Queen.”
“I’m sure everyone can feel the power in those places.”
He shook his head. “Anthrian spells make your hair stand on end.”
“That’s because I’m a heretic.”
“Your blood brings roses and coffee trees and Sanctuary wards back to life.”
“It was your blood,” she insisted, “and the sacrificial nature of Makaria’s magic.”
“Cassia.” He took her hands. “Youarea mage.”
In the quiet entry hall, she could hear her own heart pounding.
“That’s completely impossible,” she said. “I’m just good at listening.”
He gave her a considering look. “Why does it bother you that you have magic?”
“It doesn’t bother me. Of course it would be wonderful. But I don’t.”
