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Solia sighed. “Very well. I can agree to that. As long as the choice is entirely Cassia’s own.”
“I would never allow anyone to interfere with her right to make that decision for herself,” Lio promised. And if Solia chose to take it as a warning instead, so be it.
If his Grace-sister thought he would meekly carry out her tasks without challenging her in return, she was mistaken. Meekness wouldn’t win respect from a woman like her. But testing how far he could push her would be a dangerous endeavor.
Lio walked Solia back to House Komnena. She strode restlessly along Founders’ Way, past the residences of the elder firstbloods and cedars just as old. It seemed the walk had been a good suggestion on his part to help her work off some tension. Besides, they needed to spend more time together without Cassia to mediate. Even if that time consisted of silence colder than the polar wind.
He led Solia under a four-pointed arch, the side entrance to his and Cassia’s residence, through one of the red stone courtyards. A few potted plants stood about like cheerful heralds of his Grace’s ambitions to turn every nook into a garden paradise.
The voices of the Eighth Circle drifted from the coffee room. Lio and Solia entered to find Cassia ensconced on a sofa between Kia and Nodora, with Knight at their feet. Xandra, Mak, and Lyros sat on the couch across from them. They faced each other over coffee cups, pie crumbs, and a Prince and Diplomat board. The game, known as Kings and Mages in the shadowlands, demanded intense focus, but they appeared to be laughing more than strategizing. Solia halted on the warriors’ side of the table and tilted her head at the chaotic playing pieces.
Lio crossed to Cassia’s side and leaned on the back of the sofa to give her a kiss. “Princes versus diplomats? Who’s winning?”
“No one has any idea, but it’s great fun.” She took his hand, worry lurking under her cheer. The glance she cast between him and Solia appeared casual, but his Grace missed nothing with her keen observations. “Did you two have a pleasant visit with Kassandra?”
Lio hoped she would see that she need not fear the labors after all. “Your sister has approved my offer to be your magic teacher.”
“With me as an adviser throughout the process,” Solia added.
Cassia’s face was neutral, but there was a hint of hope in her voice. “You two intend to work together to help me with my magic?”
“Yes, my rose. We will also consult with experts along the way, starting with these five right here.” He swept a hand out to indicate their Trial circle.
Xandra blew out a breath. “We’re all more expert than we’d like on living with magic that doesn’t behave itself.”
Kia straightened her favorite turquoise mantle. “I’ve collected all of Orthros’s extant written sources on Lustra magic for us to begin analyzing. We have a pile of scrolls to get through.”
“One good swing of my fist ought to get through them fairly quickly,” Mak said.
“I’ll make you read twice as many just for suggesting it, you lunkhead,” Kia griped with affection.
Smiling, Lyros sat back on the couch. “I’ll help with reading. When we’re not casting wards to prevent accidents during spell casting practice.”
“Is it very many scrolls, Kia?” Cassia asked, trepidation in her aura.
That was Lio’s question too, although he was worried about there being too few, rather than too many.
“It’s a new frontier in magical research, shall we say,” Kia replied.
“That’s what I was afraid of, but we’ll make the most of what we have.” Lio rested his hands on Cassia’s shoulders. “With all of us reading through them, they will be manageable.”
Solia gave Cassia a considering look. “Does reading give you headaches?”
“She remembers every word she hears and can read lips in multiple languages.” Lio knew Cassia’s struggles with literacy were the last thing she wanted to admit to the sister she admired.
“It’s no fault of your attempts to teach me as a girl,” Cassia hastened to say. “Unfortunately…completing my education is proving more challenging than I expected. But I am making every effort.”
Solia shook her head. “Your mother had headaches, too.”
“She did?” Cassia frowned. “But she was a temple-educated woman. She wouldn’t have had any trouble reading.”
“When her soothsaying began to awaken,” Solia explained, “she could barely read for months, she said. Even when her magic settled and she could tolerate texts again, she always learned better from listening than she did from reading.”
“Oh.” Cassia was quiet for an instant. “Then…I’m not a slow learner.”
Solia sat down next to her on the sofa. “You’ve never been a slow learner, Pup. You simply learn in your own way. Why do you think we relied so much on recitation when I was giving you lessons?”
Cassia let out a breath, her aura nearly sagging with relief.
