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But you are the only one in this town who does not fear me. And I reward such valor.”
Above the desk, shelves lined the wall, burdened with leather-bound spell books, stacks of paper, jars brimming with crushed flowers and salt crystals and swan quills, ornate ink pots, cast-iron spoons with jewels embedded in the handles, silver bowls nestled into each other, a potted fern whose wilting leaves dangled like unrequited love.
Love this description
My dimples I had stolen from my mother, and I knew my father softened at the sight. “It means I hear you, Papa.”
Depending on what energy force the magicians preferred to cast with, we needed things like food, drink, sleep, good company, books, art, music, and solitude to refill, or risked burning ourselves into oblivion.
“Sever occisio loredania. I have come to challenge you, Mr. Madigan. I have come on this new moon in the month of September to win the right of guardianship and the title of warden for Hereswith.”
Why though like you dont want to live here
It was over. I was vanquished. And through the eddy of draining water, Lennox grinned at me.
Noooo
My face warmed when I saw him holding my drawings, these intimate pieces of my heart. He paused to study one, transfixed, and I snatched it from his hands.
And I wondered what sort of things would haunt my sleep, if I ever gave my mind and heart the chance to dream.
They had parted ways seven years ago. I remembered how they had reached a point when all they did was bicker and argue. They held different ideologies about magic and the intent behind spells.
Damn what an adult reaaon to break up
My mother studied metamara and used its whimsy on the stage, captivating audiences as she transformed one thing into another. She believed magic should be fun and entertaining, and my father, with his rigid avertana opinions, believed magic should only be used in logical, practical ways. As a means to guard and defend others.
Team dad
I buried my opinions, but I was angry. At him, at the Vespers. At myself for losing a challenge I should have easily triumphed. And the anger smoldered in me like a star.
Wanted—a warden partner for Phelan Vesper, with the territory of 1 Auberon Street to 36 Yewborne Street. All magicians are welcome to audition, and interviews will be held from eight o’clock in the morning until noontide at the Luminous Society Museum in Old Village, on Wednesday next. Contact Mr. Vesper for more details.
“I think you are rather brilliant. And you’re not here by mistake.”
“But after I beheld what you did to his clothes today . . . I do hope you will accept.” I couldn’t help but laugh, true and heartfelt, even if there was only half a heart beating within me. “Then I am one step closer in accepting the offer, Mrs. Stirling.”
“It’s mine by law, but it answers to her, I think.”
An old story came to mind, the one Imonie had told me of the woman of the mountains and her twin boys. They had been identical, often switching roles to protect each other from punishments. I wondered what it would be like to so seamlessly change places with someone, fooling friends and family alike.
“Our relationship is one built on favors and debts,” he replied, still avoiding eye contact with me. “And I swiftly learned that we don’t work well together, and I needed a different partner on the new moon nights.”
“You were perfect the way you were, Clem.”
“Do you think she told her sons to take Hereswith, as a way to slight you?”
Too easy it probably has to do with proximity to the mountain
As soon as he is seated, the rapier in his hand vanishes, and the shadows who are crumpled on the floor are exposed for what they truly are: his wife and his two daughters. They lie dead in pools of blood, destroyed by his hand, and Knox lets out a wail that never seems to end.
Ouch
“I’ve never dreamt,” he replied, meeting my gaze. “But then again . . . I’ve never given myself the chance to.”
I hated how his words resonated within me. I hated how his words could have been my own. I hated how they made me want to ask him more questions.
I hated that he stored tiny trinkets in his pockets.
Girlie pop you like himmmmm
“Your eyes betray your thoughts sometimes.”
“If that is so,” Phelan said to me, his voice low with offense, “then read my eyes now. Tell me what I’m thinking.”
His eyes were dark, like new moons, and for all my bluster . . . I had no idea what thoughts haunted him.
Swoon
“A lovely tradition,” I said, and I meant it. I longed for this sort of camaraderie.
pros of the city are friends!
Madcap. Vulture.
“And if the curse breaks . . . we’ll all be without a job, won’t we?”
Logical lol
“But most madcaps believe it will come down to defeating a nightmare in the fortress.”
One that clem has def seen before
“You’ll let us know if he changes his mind?” “I promise,” I said, and to her great delight, I clinked my goblet to hers and Nura’s.
Def going to try to break the curse aret ya
I wondered how he would look with his hair loose, unbound.
“If you think I’m kind, then I’ve fooled you,” he said tersely. Shocked by his admission, I watched the rain drip from his top hat. “I’m no better than all the other nobles at court, and all of us play a game, Miss Neven.”
And I smelled the duke before I saw him; there was a strange scent in the air, like rotting parchment, followed by the sweetness of bergamot.
Sus
Phelan is destined to become one of the greatest magicians in Endellion, and I am pleased to know that he has found a good match.”
I asked, opening my ink and scrawling the date, his name, and his address on a fresh page.
I wonder if her handwriting will evetually betray her
This nightmare felt fabricated. I didn’t believe Lord Deryn had dreamt it last night.
Trust your instincts
He bowed his head in acknowledgment, and I sensed the deceit as if it were a diamond hanging from his neck, sparkling with each of his unsteady breaths, giving him away.
If you wanted to be warden elsewhere, I could make it happen for you.”
Wy are you curious????
And I was beginning to think he knew I was lying, too.
If you lose, you’ll have a terrible nightmare when you fall asleep.”
WHy play lmao
Mazarine had once been the spymistress of the mountain duchy. She was one of the seven cursed, which meant she could not die, nor could she dream. And if she could not dream, surely my father would have known. All this time, a wraith from Seren had been living beneath his watch, in our town. And he had never said a word about it.
I sensed the visitor’s presence, like a winter shadow had fallen over the table.
“I’m disappointed in you, little brother. You couldn’t find a prettier partner?” Lennox asked. “She’s so plain. I would grow weary of looking at her every day.”
Ew fuk you too
“Hereswith,” Lennox scoffed. “What a joke of a town.” “We have our agreement.”
Oh???
“Remember your purpose, Lee. You won’t have to be there for much longer.”
Selfish ass
Dreams are missing from the book of nightmares.”
“The whole purpose of us taking Hereswith was to find the dreamless sleeper.
That Ambrose Madigan was a wily one, as if he knew one day we would come, seeking the troll. He has protected her well.”
No way they almost mether though. Fate that clem intervened
The sound of him speaking my name was like an unexpected kiss on the mouth.
