Page 41 of Tides of Shadows

“Yes. The vote. It is no secret that the Dominium stands on the brink of a change. Lady Cassandra, capable Regent though she may be in her husband’s stead, can no longer hold all threads together. And her son…” He grimaced faintly. “Too young for such a burden. Everyone knows it.”

“You place little faith in your future son-in-law,” I said. He laughed.

“Oh. Some matters must be anticipated in advance,” Eric replied. “Aidenar, despite his lack of seasoning, shows promise. And this news about his powers. Who wouldn’t want a grandchild from such a line.”

A grandchild.

The word echoed in my thoughts. Marriage. Children. This conversation was heading in a bad direction.

“So,” I said coolly, “What do you want to charm me with? My Lord.”

His gaze lingered in a way I didn’t like.

“You do speak like your father,” Eric said. “It is no secret that your finances are strained. When I take the Regency, many official contracts may be renewed. Including transports across the Dominium. Much work, much fortune. Enough to secure your Family for generations.”

“If… you win,” I corrected him.

“Better me than Dorthal,” he replied. “Don’t you agree?”

We stood beside a fountain. The same one where Magnus had pressed me. The nymphs were smiling at me. Coincidence?

“There’s still some time before the vote,” I said. “I will consider your proposal.”

“I hope you will, Lady Veymaris,” Eric said. “And I hope you remain in White City longer. The palace would surely benefit from such a rare pearl of the sea.”

He bowed and disappeared into the garden paths.

So the Election had truly begun.

Chapter

13

Ispent the next training sessions with Aidenar outdoors. He moved differently when the palace walls no longer penned him in. His power unfurled like a banner in the open wind.

I persuaded him to slip with me beyond the palace bounds. In truth the Regent’s heir ought not to wander without guards. Aidenar shook off his escort so none would ask where or why he went, and we made for the nearby meadows and the woods. I wanted to show him what he could truly do with his element.

We halted by a stream whose crystal water caught the sun like shards of glass. I fixed my will and reached into the current, stealing water from it. At first I drew only a slender thread, then more, until I could fashion rings that circled us like quick, breathing bands. They were kin to those that rose at our first meeting in the harbor, only now they were greater by far and steady as iron.

Aidenar strove to shape a spiral of air. He had power, yet his hand lacked measure. Each attempt sent the wind tearing from one side to the other, wild and scattered, instead of gathering into one coherent form.

“You lack the motivation again,” I said. “I must contrive something, else we will be stuck here till the world ends.”

“Would there be harm in that?” he murmured and sank upon the green grass beside me. He was weary, yet not angered as he often had been.

“You have duties,” I said, watching him from the corner of my eye.

“It is true,” he sighed. “Since my father fell into his slumber, my mother and I bear the burden of all things. And these lessons with you take no small portion of the day.”

His words pricked me, and he saw it.

“No. It’s not what I meant” he said quickly, pushing himself up on one elbow. “I do not resent a moment here. I only wish I could master this faster.”

“Believe me, you advance swiftly,” I said with a thin smile. “It took me years.”

“It is because of you. Alone I would still be rustling leaves.” He nodded toward the trees, and the branches stirred as if to make his point. “Even my mother goes easier on me. I think she begins to believe I can hold my gift.”

“Was she astonished when your power came upon you?” I asked softly.