A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire, #1)

by Jessica Cluess

find a dash of insolence to be quite enjoyable from time to time.”

Yorkshire’s natural splendor.” I rolled my eyes. Outside, it sounded as if the rain were drowning the countryside. We’d have such delightful mud. Agrippa laughed.

sketches. It sometimes feels as though young women are trained from birth never to contribute anything original to a conversation.”

You are a lost Babylonian princess or You are a rare species of cod.

“Over there,” Magnus called, pointing to the front of a beautiful building, “is the Theatre Royal. I should take you for a show sometime. Have you ever been to the theater, Miss Howel? Do they get much Shakespeare up in Yorkshire?” His smile was full of false innocence. “No, but I can spot bad acting when it’s right in front of me,” I said. Magnus laughed so hard I feared he’d fall off his horse.

“We might cause a scandal, a young lady and a gentleman going to the kitchen without an escort. We should shock them by baking something together.”

“Oh, will she?” Magnus said, studying his fingernails. “Where does that leave me? Handsomest sorcerer of the age? I’m more than just a pretty face, you know.”

Rook nodded toward the door after Magnus had gone. “He seems to like you.” “Sadly, that feeling is not mutual.” I spoke a bit louder than necessary. Around the corner, I heard a laugh.

“Quite all right, miss.” She bent to pick up the pieces, joining me crouched on the floor. When our eyes met, we burst out laughing. I had a magic stave. What was a broken cup compared to that?

Magnus put his hand to his heart. “Dear God. Has Lord Blackwood deigned to speak with me? Is anyone paying attention

to this historic moment? Will there be commemorative dishware?”

“Hypatia of Alexandria, the teacher. Much

“I’ve no wish to see the inside of your five favorite taverns,” I said, biting back disappointment at missing a lesson. “Don’t be absurd. I’ve eight favorite taverns, thank you very much. Besides, Blackwood’s coming along.”

“Blacky, much as I adore your conversational contributions, I really think we should focus on enjoying the day,”

life. Just between us, if I’m to choose between Korozoth and a Yankee

tavern brawl, I’ll take my chances with old Shadow and Fog any day.”

read tarot, tell your fortune, traffic with spirits, and raise the dead, but only on a full or new moon, and never on church holidays.”

“I’m sure she’ll be back,” Eliza said, attempting a smile. Sure enough, after a stunned moment, Voltiana returned, composed. “Forgive me,” she said, flicking away a tear from her thin cheek, “the challenge was almost too great. But I shall triumph.” She pointed at me and nodded. “Yes, girl. You will be my masterpiece.” Perhaps I should run.

No pinks. Pink will be the death of you, and green will turn you sallow. Yellow might work, but only the right shade. Ivory! It’s the only thing. What do you think?”

“He’s not the Magnus seal bearer; his cousin is. And his cousin is fat and married. Shame.” She sighed. “One never thinks of handsome boys as being without wealth. Beautiful women who live in poverty are an everyday tale.”

“I’d a new coat made especial for the occasion, and Korozoth should see it while it’s still in fashion.”

“Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum,” he called, and kissed a crucifix that hung about his neck. “Italian sorcerers,” Magnus muttered as the net swelled. “They take war so seriously.”

Affection pulsed through me. “If there’s one thing I took from those Sundays in church, it’s that we’re called to love the lowest.” “And the sinner? Should we love him, too?” His voice was rough and low. “No one’s ever beyond redemption,” I said, surprised by his tone. He shivered, bowing his head. Concerned,

He snorted. “Lord, it’s as if William Howel rose from the dead and returned to lecture me in a dress. That’s a dreadful image.”

Knowledge is as powerful as fire. The brighter it burns, the more it devours. Now we must pay for our lessons, little one.” He extended his hand, fingers wiggling.

“There’s his brooding lesson at dawn,

followed by instructional despair at teatime.” Magnus walked backward to look me in the face. “I didn’t imagine you’d be so masochistic as to like someone who dismissed your lowly birth.”

groaned, the only appropriate response to such an idea. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m here to be commended, not to catch a husband.” “But it would be so nice to check both off your list at once, wouldn’t it?”

“Don’t be so hasty to rule out gentlemen’s understanding,” Magnus said. “There are some who admire a capable girl. One of them might be closer than you think, if you’d take the time to notice what’s before you.” He leaned closer.

For a second, I didn’t dare breathe. Since our moment in the library, Magnus had returned to his old, harmless flirtation. I’d half hoped it would stay that way. He sighed gently and said, “Can’t you see the way Palehook looks at you?”

For a moment, his expression didn’t change. This had been a grave mistake. Then his ears parted to the side. His black eyes glistened. He hugged the onion to his chest, sniffled, and said, “I’ve been in this house six months, and no one’s…welcomed me yet.” I’d no idea how a sprouty onion made one feel wanted, but there were many things I didn’t understand. “I’m glad to have been the first.”

“You young girls are all the same. ‘Oh, my life is so impossible. No boy will ever desire me, and I’ll live alone in a hovel with sixteen cats. Such is my woe.’ ” He said it all in a piercing, effeminate voice. “I don’t pity myself. I simply know that I’m not easily loved.”

No one’s designed a new sorcerer’s seal in ages, so it’ll be marvelous! Are you partial to unicorns?” “Not really,” I said with a smile. “Oh. Well, just a small one, then.”

you?” Mr. and Mrs. Magnus would be accepted by society. I would be an outcast because loose women must always know their place.

“No one innocent life is worth more than another. Ever.”

“They tend to look suspiciously on any woman who dares to challenge their authority.”