“It all happened rather quickly,” Nora said as if she were talking about the weather. “But I met Lucius while our countries were working together to clear a monster infestation in the wild lands to the south, near where Rentley stands today. We worked together for many weeks, and despite my parents’ wishes, we fell in love.”

  Despite herself, Aiela’s lips curled into a smile. “You’re right. That does sound scandalous. Was the other guy important?”

  “He’s a prince,” Nora said. “Not an important prince, mind you. Serian’s monarchs do not hold much real power and they have many princes. Still, a prince nonetheless. Lucius took me with him right after one of our battles. We headed straight to Gran Odolen to be married. Shortly after, I enlisted as an Imperial Battlemage to work alongside him.”

  “Your family must have demanded you back,” Aiela said. “Not to mention the Serian government, given your capabilities.”

  “They did,” Nora said. “But Lucius and I were quickly growing important to the Empire. Even back then, everyone knew he would succeed his father. And I-”

  Nora paused, suddenly looking pained.

  “The Eternal Pyre,” Aiela said for her. “Odolenia’s greatest Fire Mage. People used to say you had a near-infinite capacity to channel Mana.”

  Nora said nothing, staring at her own hands with a look of remorse. Despite her silence, Aiela understood. Mana Sickness had brought her very low, indeed.

  “But I think I get it,” Aiela said. “Your power allowed you to be with the man you love, regardless of the expectations you had to meet.”

  A small smile formed on Nora’s face. “Precisely. And you already know this, but you will be far more powerful than I some-”

  Nora’s speech was cut short. Her body quaked as she broke into a coughing fit, doubling over in her chair. Her tea cup fell to the wooden floor, shattering into bits of ceramic. As her coughing continued, a glowing blue liquid flew out of her mouth and onto the desk. Cassie was quickly at her side, laying a comforting hand on her lady’s back.

  Aiela resisted the urge to cast healing spells on her. Nora’s illness was a deterioration of her body’s ability to use Mana properly. Haphazard attempts to treat her with magic might only make things worse. Aiela noted the concerned but unsurprised look on Cassie’s face. This was clearly not the first time this had happened.

  Nora’s coughing continued for several minutes, until just as abruptly as it began, it stopped. Her symptoms seemingly abated for the moment, Nora sat back in her chair as Cassie grabbed a small broom and pan to wipe away the ceramic shards.

  “Allow me, Cassie,” Aiela said, directing her Hidden to gather the sharp fragments. “Safer that way.”

  “Much obliged, Miss Aiela,” Cassie said with a bow.

  Aiela then used Reach to grab an empty bottle off one of the shelves. She used Manipulate Water to siphon the blue-glowing goo off the desk and into the glass container.

  “Are you-” Nora began with a look of discomfort. “Are you bottling the Liquid Mana I just discharged?”

  “Only to dispose of, Lady Nora,” Aiela said. “Mana doesn’t stay liquid for long, so it’s not like I can use it.”

  As Nora took a moment to recover in her chair, Aiela could now see clearly the signs of her weakness. Nora had such an aura of power and control about her that Aiela had missed them the first time: The unnaturally pale complexion, the sunken eyes, the thinness of her face.

  If it had been most other diseases, Aiela might have been able to do something, even as she was now. But for some reason, none of her knowledge of biology ever included anything about magic. She could spot genetic defects, get a rough idea of how an egg would look once grown, even alter a species in ways some would consider miraculous. But for all the knowledge in her memory, she knew little about Mana and Mana Sickness. All she learned, she’d learned as a child living with Oma Mala.

  “As I was saying,” Nora said, somewhat less graceful than she had been earlier. “You’ll be stronger than I am someday.”

  Aiela nodded in understanding. If Nora didn’t want to talk about it, then she wouldn’t.

  “Of course,” Aiela said. “After all, my original teacher is stronger than even you.”

  “How is your dear grandma?” Nora asked. “Have you spoken lately?”

  “Not often,” Aiela answered. It was the truth. Oma had been visiting less and less as time passed. She would have been upset, but she knew Oma Mala’s power. It was like trying to ask a god to play favorites, even if Oma was a few steps short of actual godhood.

  “I see,” Nora said with a look of resignation.

  Aiela hadn’t forgotten how Nora had suddenly started feeling better after she’d agreed to take Aiela in. She’d always had her suspicions, but-

  “If she hops by,” Aiela said. “I’ll ask if she can do anything for you.”

  Nora’s eyes widened, then a small smile graced her lips. “Thank you.”

  Aiela shrugged. “I can try, but most likely she put things back the way they were because she didn’t think you were holding up your end of whatever bargain you two struck.”

  “I hardly think that’s fair,” Nora said. “I’ve given you a home and if we’re being honest: You’re less of a servant and more like a ward in this house.”

  Aiela craned her neck, her face construed in thought. “Are you certain that’s it? She didn’t inform me of what deal you two struck. Truthfully, she didn’t even tell me you had one, but it was easy enough to figure out when Venza said you were looking a lot better after I arrived.”

  Nora’s lips pursed into a frown. “I see. I’ll think about it.”

  “While you’re thinking,” Aiela began. “Please reconsider trying to take advantage of my poor mental state in the future.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Nora said.

  “I understand you’ve opened up to me while I am-” Aiela paused, not sure of the right word. Vulnerable didn’t feel right. “Like this.”

  “Of course. I can imagine you must be in anguish right now,” Nora said. “I figured you needed a bit of company.”

  “And I appreciate that. But I don’t appreciate how you’re hoping that by opening up to me while I’m in this state,” Aiela spoke. “I will suddenly tell you Venza’s actually an incredible spell-caster who rivals even me.”

  Nora’s face looked like she was in thought, hands once again steepled together in front of her mouth. She didn’t speak, seeming content to let Aiela continue.

  “While I am not quite in my right mind as you have clearly surmised, I have never lied to you about her ability to use magic. Something is blocking her ability to use her Spheres. There have been many times where she would have been hurt without my magic supporting her. Believe me. She would have done it herself if she could.”

  Nora gave her a long, hard stare before heaving a sigh. “You’re right. I apologize.”

  “Because you’ve been caught?” Aiela asked with a smug grin.

  “Precisely,” Nora answered with a matching grin. She looked worse for wear, but Aiela thought that the expression on Nora’s face was the most genuine she’d seen all evening. “I should be presenting a better example by hiding it better.”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “Unbelievable,” Aiela said, feigning hurt. “To think my Oma trusted me to the care of such a foul, manipulative mage.”

  “Oh, come now, Aiela,” Nora said. “We’re both good at getting people to do what we want, unlike Venza and my husband. You can’t truly be offended by something you do all the time. Or did you forget how you played on Venza’s feelings so she would ask me to let you plant that behemoth of a tree of yours in the back?”

  “You’re right,” Aiela answered mischievously. “I’m only offended about how obvious you were about it.”

  “Still, I need to be certain,” Nora said. “Since we’re both schemers. Can you prove it to me?”

  Aiela frowned. “Once again, I’m afraid I don’t catch your meaning.”

  “That what I want for Venza is truly impossible,” Nora said.

  Normally, Aiela would have been annoyed. But now she understood why Nora had been so insistent: She’d gotten where she was because of her powers as a Battlemage, and Nora herself didn’t seem to care for tradition as much as Aiela had thought.

  “You want Venza to be like you,” Aiela said. “Not because you can’t bear her being anything else, but because being a Battlemage like you would be the fastest way to secure her position and the safety of Astamarr.”

  “Exactly,” Nora said, though she didn’t look happy. After all, the urgency implied something Aiela had just figured out.

  “Because you think you won’t be around to watch her for much longer,” Aiela said, feeling her own heart grow heavy as the words came out of her mouth. Aiela glanced at Cassie for confirmation, whose eyes now refused to meet hers. That was an answer in itself.

  After some time, Nora said, “Now you understand.’

  “I do,” Aiela admitted. “But that’s no reason for you to make your daughter feel so small. She’s always doing her best but you never acknowledge her. You’ve done nothing but tear down what she’s worked so hard to become.”

  “Are you-” Nora began. “Are you lecturing me on raising my own daughter?”

  Aiela opened her mouth to speak, but paused. Something about this felt oddly familiar. After a moment, she said, “I suppose I am.”

  To her surprise, Nora only smiled. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “Tell her that, not me,” Aiela said.

  “I will,” Nora said. “You’re defending her an awful lot considering how annoyed you are with her because of Lauren.”

  Aiela let out a soft sigh. “I love Venza. She changed my life. I’m sad right now but that doesn’t mean I love her any less.”

  “If it’s worth anything,” Nora said. “I’d rather you than Lauren, though I might be biased. You may not be highborn, but you have the power to win the favor of those who are.”

  “Given all this, are you still going to ask me to show you Venza can’t cast magic?” Aiela asked.

  There was a pause as Nora seemed to think. Cassie handed her a glass of water which she swiftly drank before answering again. “No, but I do want you to prove something else to me.”

  “What?”

  “I need you two to spar,” Nora said. “But I need you to follow my instructions.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I can’t do it myself,” Nora answered simply. “You saw what just happened. I’m not even using Mana actively and it still pools inside me like vile poison.”

  “I mean why do we have to spar with you telling me what to do?” Aiela clarified.

  “I want to see just how far she’s come,” Nora said. “It won’t quite be the same as fighting me, but if Venza wants my blessing, you and I both know there is only one way she can earn it.”

  “Power,” Aiela said. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But you promise? You’ll support her?”

  “If she wins without you holding back on her behalf,” Nora said.

  “Impossible,” Aiela said. “I thought you just wanted to see how she does. But we both know Venza can’t beat me by herself. I’m not even sure she would survive.”

  “Then let her gather her allies,” Nora answered. “Bring the whole town if she can convince them. Or would that be too much for you, granddaughter of Oma Mala?”

  In spite of the ridiculous notion, Aiela could only laugh. “Fine. Count me in. She can bring the entire Grey Guard if she can convince them. I’ll still win.”

  “We will see,” Nora answered simply. “Now, if there is nothing else, I would like to retire to my chambers. I am quite tired, as you can likely surmise.”

  “Understood,” Aiela said as she rose from her seat. “Good night, Lady Nora.”

  “Good night, Aiela.”

  “And thank you,” Aiela said before bowing her head and taking her leave.

  Unseen to her, Nora watched her retreating form with fondness and pride.

  As she closed the door with the bottle of Liquid Mana in hand, Aiela felt an odd tug at her heart coming from Lady Nora’s office. A familiar tug that reminded her of Oma. It made her smile. Perhaps, without realizing it, she’d started thinking of the Greyfields as family herself.

  Catching herself, then remembering she still had to deal with the Lauren situation in the morning, Aiela shook her head. “What am I doing?”

  She walked back to her room, thoughts somewhat clearer yet still turbulent.

  She hated puberty.

  Nora

  She heaved a sigh as Aiela left the room. Today had drained her utterly. Overseeing paperwork while her husband was in Gran Odolen, coming up with plans for dealing with the poisoned water supply only for her own daughter to resolve it herself. She would have been lying if she said she wasn’t proud of what she’d done, but the danger-

  Nora frowned. Most taxing of all, arguing with said daughter, her father-in-law, and even Vosmer over dinner had taken a toll on her.

  If anyone saw her like this, they would never have associated her with Nora Greyfield, the Eternal Pyre who could bathe entire battlefields with flame.

  “Sorry for keeping you so late, Cassie,” Nora said.

  No response.

  “Cassie?” she asked again.

  Nora immediately looked to where her attendant had been standing near the door, finding her still standing but completely unresponsive. Nora sprang to her feet.

  “Gwyn, to me!” Nora called out as she raised her right arm. A flash of light blazed out of her Amulet. The light coalesced into a shape on her raised arm, revealing a vibrant bird with red-orange plumage and the scent of fire and smoke. She came up to Cassie to find the girl snoring on her feet somehow, but otherwise she seemed unharmed.

  “Pah!” a voice spat from behind her. “Don’t you know it’s rude to show your cock to a poor old woman?”

  Nora froze for a second. She knew that voice.

  High-pitched. Creaking. Like an old door opening in the middle of the night.

  She’d heard it six years ago on the night Aiela had arrived. When she had appeared in this very same office, telling Nora to take in her granddaughter. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she slowly turned in place, finding that the entire room had gone dark, save for the light of the moon and the radiance of her Phoenix Familiar, Gwyn.

  But even his sun-like glow felt smothered, reduced to mere cinders in the face of such overwhelming darkness.

  Still, it was enough to see a new occupant seated in her chair: A hooded figure, with sharp iron teeth that flickered in the faint light, spread into an all-knowing grin.

  “Oma Mala,” Nora said. “To what do I owe this visit?”