Chapter 2

I returned to the house soaked and furious. For the former, I had only myself to blame. Zoning out in the rain really wasn't a good idea.

"A guardian angel watching over us…" I grumbled in a barely audible voice and tightened my grip on the dim source of light.

My footsteps echoed through the gloomy hall, made the old wood of the wide staircase creak, and died away at the entrance to the living room. This was where Tessa liked to spend her evenings sitting in an armchair near the fireplace.

She wasn't alone. Reef walked in circles around her, shaking some piece of paper. It was a letter. I should've gone in, but something made me linger at the door instead. Tightening the wick to keep out the glare of light, I leaned against the half-open door.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked. "Did you see what happened with Laira? You should've warned us."

Even without using any magic, my brother and I easily read each other's emotions, and sometimes even shared them as if they were our own. When I was sad, Reef also felt depressed, and vice versa.

Today I felt with every cell of my body how delighted he was with the arrival of the general, but alas, I couldn't share this joy with him.

I was too worried about our future.

"He never contacted me or gave any kind of hint that he was interested in having a role in your lives, so I concluded that Sheir Eskorn forgot about the promise he had made to your parents," Tessa justified herself. "How was I to know that he would appear so unexpectedly! Pop out of nowhere!"

"Makes sense…" Reefer glanced at the paper again. "Father speaks very fondly of him, and to be honest, I'm also starting to like the general."

Beginning another circle around aunt's armchair, Reefer continued.

"What are we going to do with Laira?" He again looked at Tessa.

She, as if sensing that I was near, evaded answering his question.

"Do you really want to leave? Laira is right, it won't be easy."

"Right now Crower is my entire world," Reefer said softly. "And that… That's not enough. I crave for more."

I barely managed to restrain myself from bursting into the room and explaining to him what this "more" really was. Exhausting workouts, dangerous trials, harsh mentors. And then there was the neverending cycle of wars Ergandar simply couldn't get enough of.

Weinand got one thing right. Reefer wasn't a boy anymore. He was a man. But he was too used to the fact that there was always someone nearby who he could rely on, and who could solve all of his problems. He was also an all-rounder mage with an unstable gift, which was even worse than having your power not manifest at all.

My magic was rebellious and capricious, but over the years, I had learned to get along with it. The hardest thing was to keep it hidden from others.There were only five people working at our family estate: a cook, two maids, a coachman, and a gardener. I didn't see them that often, so there was no risk of them finding out. But if Eskorn managed to take me to the crowded capital, someone would be bound to notice something odd about me, sooner or later.

Spirits, don't let this happen!

Talking about the spirits, I turned around and tiptoed my way back to the stairs. Trying to talk to Reef now is useless, we'll only quarrel. But there was someone else that I could definitely talk to.

To get to the chapel, I had to go out into the rain again. The storm somehow managed to get even worse, and behind the muddy veil, the jagged outlines of a small building with a domed roof were barely visible. I involuntarily thought of Eskorn.

I wonder if he safely returned to the capital… The roads must have been washed out. It also got colder due to the icy winds, as if autumn was already uprooting the thresholds of the empire. Perhaps I was too harsh on him.

Pushing open the heavy door that creaked under my hand, I darted inside and looked around. I lit the candles, illuminating the old altar and the three steps leading to it. Still trembling, I raised my frozen hands to the flame that fluttered above the candles. My gaze slid over the faces in the old portraits. My ancestors… Great mages, commanders, and conquerors. My father will join them as soon as his soul finally merges with the new world. Here, in this small hall, we kept the memory of all the men of our family. Well, men and great-great-grandmother Mev who dared to challenge centuries-old traditions.

Truth be spoken, things didn't end well for her, and if I behave imprudently, my fate won't be any different.

So…

"Ashvy, are you there?" I spoke, kneeling down as usual.

The guardian rarely responded immediately, so I had to be patient. But now I didn't really have any patience left to share.

"Ashvy!"

Silence.

"Ashvar-Ainakhar-Rinar, at least once in your life remember what you've been created for!"

"Oh, keep it down, will you... Coming!" came a growl from the darkness. "I thought I made it clear that I don't with to be disturbed on weekends and holidays."

Here we go again…

Each magical family had its own guardian. Dragons, phoenixes, basilisks… they were all faithful servants of their masters. And then there was Ashvy, nothing but a pain in our asses.

For several centuries now.

"We've already discussed this a hundred times, Sunday is my day off," the guardian continued mumbling. He was walking backwards toward me, thinking it would add more weight to his words. "Saturday is over in the blink of an eye, and on Friday and Monday I'm involved in spiritual communion with the ancestors all day!"

"Today is Wednesday," I reminded him as I watched him slowly turn around to face me.

"I don't accept visitors on Wednesday." He grimaced, as if tasting a lemon. Do guardians even eat lemons?

"I'm getting married."

He was about to be sassy with me again when he choked on his words, flapping his short wings hysterically.

"Excuse me? Have you completely lost your mind?!"

Needless to say, his wings were useless. Ashvy couldn't fly, though he could run very fast thanks to his long legs. Despite his modest size, he was quite noticeable – multi-colored feathers covered his entire body, glimmering like gems in the dim candlelight. He was especially proud of his famous curved horns. And during his moments of discontent, which invariably accompanied his bad temper, he used them like a battering ram.

Jumping up to me, he indignantly butted me in the side. Thank the spirits that I was wearing a corset, otherwise he would've left bruises.

"Ow, stop that!" I protested, fighting the urge to slap his chicken bottom. "It's not my decision, they're forcing me!"

"You will be the end of me, Laira. See this feather?" He plucked one out and brought it up to my face. "It has turned gray! Gray! All those shenanigans with your powers caused me horrible headaches that deprived me of my beautiful colors… And now marriage!" He turned around theatrically and tossed the feather up in the air. It softly landed on the stone floor.

"That feather was always gray…" I muttered under my breath.

"What was that? Ah, no matter." He waved me away with his wing, like I was an annoying fly. "Since you're already here, I guess it can't be helped… Tell me everything! Who and for what sake wants to marry you?"

Sighing heavily, I told him all about the general and his grandiose plans for me and my brother.

"Ah, yes, a classical ambush," the guardian said thoughtfully. "What are we going to do about it, Laira?"

"That's what I'm supposed to be asking you. Any ideas? Suggestions?"

"Have you considered murder?" Ashvy looked up at me, the tips of his wings touching in front of him. Noticing how I blinked in shock, he heaved a deep sigh. "Not yours, silly girl. Eskorn's murder."

"That, uh…" I caught myself thinking about fertilizers again. "That does sound tempting, but let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Ashvy started pacing through the chapel, lost in his thoughts. He turned to me after a couple of silent moments.

"But have you considered murder? We could make it look like an accident. I know this one guy who –"

"Ashvy!"

"You're no fun," he pouted. "Then I suggest amnesia so that he forgets about you and Reefer."

"I'm afraid to ask how you intend on doing that…"

"Oh, he could, you know, slip and fall down the stairs, or lean just a bit too much out the window," he grinned.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I'm doomed."

"Me too, Laira, me too. Again. If people find out about our little secret..."

Ashvar expressively closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Maybe you can ask the ancestors for advice?" I asked pleadingly.

That's what I came here for. To ask the spirits for help through Ashvy. But Ashvy only let out a condescending chuckle.

"You are very well aware of what their answer will be. They will be delighted to have Reefer study at the academy, but you... They don't want to have anything to do with you. And they will never forgive you."

"Even great-great-grandmother Mev?" She was my last hope. The only one who can understand the gravity of my situation.

"I don't want to talk to that… that…" He flapped his wings as he tried his best to think of the juciest insult. Having failed, he grumbled. "I don't want to talk to her. And she doesn't want to talk to me either. She never respected me and all the things I've done for this family! She never even considered me a guardian of this family! Ungrateful old hag…"

"You could try being nice to her for a change..."

"I'm nice to everyone, Laira!" Ashvy exclaimed, offended. "But not everyone knows how to appreciate that."

"Ashvy, I'm begging you. I'm desperate." I folded my fingers in front of me and gave the guardian the most beseeching look I could muster. I also flapped my lashes a couple of times, to add to the effect.

A few seconds later, Ash couldn't stand it anymore.

"Fine," he muttered, sighing heavily, and started retreating into the darkness. "I'll try to talk with the witch. Ah, the things I do for you, Laira… Even putting my own health at risk by laying my eyes upon that hag again…"

Gradually, his voice subsided, and the candles went out one by one. Rising from my knees, I grabbed a kerosene lamp and ran back to the house through the garden, under the veil of randrops.

Sleep. I desperately need to get some sleep. There's nothing more I can do today. I didn't want to talk to Tessa or Reef anymore. Not today. Not now.

Having changed into something dry and comfy, I collapsed on the bed, utterly exhausted.

Falling asleep, I prayed to the spirits to help me, and not leave me to the mercy of fate.

And not to have bad dreams.

***

The spirits heard my prayers. My usual nightmares – frequent guests of my subconscious – didn't torment me. I dreamed of something entirely different. Of the debutante ball, the general, and my first dance with him. Why with him, and not one of the many suitors present, I had no idea. But it was Eskorn's hand resting on my waist. His other hand gently touched my palm, intertwining his fingers with mine. He looked me in the eyes, but I didn't dare meet his gaze. My heart skipping beats, I instead observed how his uniform fit his handsome body, perfectly tailored for him and decorated with orders and insignia. His hand on my waist sent shivers down my spine and made my blood rush into my cheeks. The worst thing about all this was... I didn't want this dance to end.

I jerked up, tossing my covers aside in shock. My heart was racing, and when I saw Ashvy's face looming over me, I almost got a heart attack. I squeaked in fright.

"What… What are you doing here?!"

"Eek!" He almost toppled off the bed, but somehow kept his dignity and only ended up falling on his behind. "Silly girl…" He shook his head. "You were the one who gave me a task! I'm here to tell you the news."

Pulling up the covers, I took a deep breath to try and calm down. Thank the spirits that hellish dance was only a dream.

"News? You found out something?"

He looked around furtively, as if checking my room for spies and eavesdroppers. Ash didn't like leaving his chapel. For all he was concerned, he could sit there for decades on end. And if he needed to leave it, he did everything in his power to remain invisible to others.

Ashvy was embarrassed by his appearance, although he would never admit it. It wasn't always like that. He looked different once. He was a majestic guardian, like all other higher beings, although I've heard legends of his bad temper. Ashvy could fly... He was powerful once. But then great-great-grandmother Mev happened, and everything changed for him. He was punished for serving a rebel.

At the age of eighteen, women's power gets sealed. This is the law, an unbreakable rule. And Mev kept her gift against all odds.

So did I. But unlike Mev, I'm not about to lose my mind and go on a rampage.

To avoid that, all I need to do is stay away from men.

"The witch says that you need to get married."

As if.

"Ashvy, now is not the time for jokes." I sighed heavily.

"Oh, please, do you take me for a fool?" He snorted, waving me away in his usual manner. "You need to get married, but... only for show. No consumption! No carnal pleasures with your fake husband! Of course, he'll have to play a part by keeping it a secret. Manage that and you'll get that army upstart off your back. What do you say?"

Ash stared at me with unblinking eyes.

I stared back at him.

"And how am I supposed to find a man who'll agree to that?"

Jumping onto my leg, Ashvy walked over it busily and propped his wings on his hips.

"Only you can figure that out, Laira. There aren't many men in the vicinity, but I'm sure you can find some kind of swineherd or someone like that..."

I tried to imagine Eskorn's reaction to my marriage to a swineherd. Although... Why would I care about his reaction? This is my life, and my decision. Opinions of others don't matter.

I'd make my own choices before someone else makes them for me.

Weinand Eskorn

"So, how did meeting the twins go?" Rager Clert undid the buttons of his uniform and leaned back in his chair, relaxed.

"It could've went better," Weinand replied with a grim grin.

The redhead's impudence and utter lack of hispitality left a bitter taste in his mouth. He had to spend the night in the first roadside inn he came across because Wayart refused to take him to the capital. Eskorn perfectly understood his horse, he wouldn't wish for anyone to be outside in that weather. But poor Wayart still had to stay out. They left him at the gate to stand in the rain like some beggar.

She'll only make things more difficult, he came to a disappointing conclusion.

"Was it really that bad?"

"As bad as it gets," Weinand replied, pouring himself some more wine.

"Do you think the boy can't handle it?"

"On the contrary, Reefer didn't disappoint me. He's a wonderful young man, you can feel his father's power running through his veins. Although he seems somewhat... carefree for his age. But the academy will fix that, no doubt."

"That's for sure," the colonel chuckled softly.

Clert had been teaching at Calderock for several years now. As the Academy's former student, he knew it well. Too well for his liking. He'd get an inexplicable need to fetch a pitcher of something strong every time he'd remember his student years.

"Then what's the problem?"

"His sister." Laira Noero. Weinand thought of her name, as if he was trying to taste every sound.

It's a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Her honey eyes are so bright and expressive, and when she's angry... It seems as if a flame flares up in them.

"Eh? Why? I remember Countess Noero, she was a woman of rare beauty and grace." Rager smiled involuntarily, remembering the happy couple.

"Because of her wild temper and unwillingness to get married."

"Oho? Now that's interesting." Having emptied his glass, Clert send the maid to the cellar for a bottle of Phlosian 1660. "Why wouldn't she want to get married? I thought she'd be glad to escape from that wilderness."

"I thought so too, but it turned out that Shiari Noero has no complaints about her life in the village."

"Well, then she's on a good path to become a wife of a swineherd!" the colonel burst out laughing, imagining an heiress of a noble family wearing a skirt tucked into her belt and chasing pigs through lakes of mud.

Eskorn didn't find that funny at all. Rising from his chair, he paced around the living room with a frown, going over all the possible candidates for Laira's hand. He never dreamed that someday he'd have to be a matchmaker, but... Life works in mysterious ways.

"Has the hidden gift already manifested in Reefer?" Clert asked, wanting to divert the general's attention to something more pleasant.

Eskorn slowed down and folded his hands behind his back.

"I didn't ask, but he's either too modest to confess, or he has no powers yet."

"It's about time…" Clert muttered. "I wonder if he'll be a time turner or an illusionist… Both had manifested in the Noero family."

"He's versatile, we know that much. I'm not worried about his future. As for Laira..."

"Oh, forget about her! If she wants to stay in the village and become a spinster, let her be."

"I gave my word," Weinand stubbornly repeated the phrase that became like a prayer for him. "No swineherds or spinsters."

Clert shook his head. "Weinand, stop torturing yourself… It's not your fault. Noero didn't die because of you."

"It was I who should've been in Noero's place. I should be the one six feet under," he said gloomily.

"You're a noble fool," Clert sighed. The maid returned and he motioned for her to fill their glasses with wine. "Come, let's have a drink. Together we'll come up with a plan for how to reason with your Shiari."