Page 30 of Tides of Shadows

I steadied the water beneath our feet, and it lifted us slowly as though we stood upon an invisible plinth, ten feet above the sand. Aidenar bent his knees to keep balance, with his hands spread, seeking support. His silver eyes were wide, a small smile—the very one that always vexed me—of genuine surprise curved his lips.

Holding his gaze with deliberate satisfaction, I dropped us earthward and slowed the fall at the last moment.

The water slackened and set our feet gently upon the sand.

“You have convinced me,” he said, shaking water from his clothing as if it had all been child’s play. “I agree.”

“Agree to what?” I snorted. “I asked nothing.”

“I agree that you will teach me to control my power.”

I looked at him as one looks upon a half-wit, and let out a loud laugh that almost became a sob. “I will not help you. I don’t want to be in your company any longer. Leave me alone.”

“See now,” he said calmly, as if he had all the time in the world, “you will help me, though you don’t know it yet.”

“What do you mean, Cavareth?”

“I know you have spent the week bargaining for freight contracts for your Family, and that you fared poorly.” His voice carried that certain arrogance one learns under palace roofs. “I am here like a prince in shining armor to save you from your trouble.”

I wanted to strangle him for his swelling pride in his voice.

“What is it you propose?” I asked, feigning boredom.

“We make a bargain. You will teach me control and tell me what you know of the powers. In return I grant your Family some palladium runs along the coast. What do you say?”

I nearly laughed. “Why does your mother not teach you? Her last display was… remarkable. I have seen nothing like it.”

His face twisted at the memory. “She tried. But she uses Elementars only. That is quite another thing. Besides, dealing with her makes my head to spin.”

“It must run in your Family,” I muttered, he shot me a pretend-offended look. “Sorry,” I apologized with a little smile.

“So? Veymaris, what will you do? I am your last resort.”

There he had me. He irritated me beyond measure. And his mother even more so. Yet the thought of more parleys with old men and my pitiful attempts at negotiation sickened me. On the other hand, I didn’t want to be looked at as another girl hunting after Cavareth.

Perhaps I would teach him a few basics. I had only to ensure he did not betray me. His father and grandfather had reputations for honor, at least. I pondered a moment. I would not yield the bargain cheaply. I wished the agreement to be ours alone.

“Very well,” I said slowly. “First, we shall sign for five transports this month, with annexes for more.”

His eyes gleamed like silver beacons. “Excellent,” he thrust out his hand.

Before I shook it I added, “And no one hears of this, neither the contracts nor the lessons.”

Aidenar narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. “I can conceal the shipments in the ledgers. No need to mark them as carried by your vessels. And as for the lessons, I neither want to boast about my lack of element control.”

Typical Cavareth, vaunted strength and pretense. I had little choice. I took his hand. His grip was firm and warm. A strange shiver ran through me when he looked straight into my eyes.

“We meet tomorrow afternoon in the training room,” he said, releasing me. “I’m going out this evening, so I will not get up early.”

I watched him with scorn. “You want to learn the oldest and most powerful magic of our world and yet you must first go whoring?”

He puckered his face as though affronted in a theatrical way. “We have not begun proper lessons, and already you grow jealous. I admire your passion,” he said brightly, and turned toward his guards, who rode up on horseback.

At that instant I splashed his face with salt water.

“There,” he laughed, dabbing his face. “Until tomorrow, Veymaris. Do not think of me too much, or I will visit you in your dreams.”

Chapter