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Corvus tried to imagine a life without the full range of magic, and he couldn’t even picture it. It was so far from what he had always known. A gentle poke in his ribs jolted him out of his musings.

“What are you thinking? You got a far away look in your eye.”

“Just trying to imagine a world with only lesser magic.”

Frowning, Pearl propped her head on her hand and gave a weighty look. “I’ve always hated that it was called that. Like it’s so obviously inferior. Not all of us have the means to get a 10 carat focusing gem when we’re three years old.”

Wincing, Corvus debated whether or not he should tell her he had inherited his gem at birth. Probably best he kept that particular detail to himself. But she must have read something on his face.

“You were younger than three?”

“Yes.”

“Come on - tell me the whole story. I promise I won’t tease you about how rich you are. I have to admit, I’m genuinely curious what it’s like to be surrounded by lesser and greater magic your entire life.”

Corvus wasn’t sure he believed her, but she was looking at him with an open expression and the full weight of her attention, so he answered. “We have a vault of focusing gems, and when a Winterbourne child is born, the first stop on the way home from the hospital is to go to the vault and see which stone resonates for you.”

“Resonates?”

“Basically, whichever stone glows the brightest when you’re placed next to it.”

“Fascinating. But how do they ensure it isn’t just glowing for the person who’s holding you?”

“Excellent question - they place you in a stroller with the longest handle you’ve ever seen so there isn’t interference.”

Pearl was leaning closer with interest, and it was distracting Corvus terribly, so he missed her next question. “Sorry, could you say that again?” He tried to listen this time rather than calculate whether or not they could get away with snogging in the corner of this pub.

“I said, do they ever re-test you? What if you resonate more with another gem when you’re older?”

“Oh, that happens periodically, but as a general rule you’re taken back on your seventeenth birthday to ensure it’s still the right stone for you, and it hasn’t changed in a few generations.”

Corvus watched as Pearl’s gaze unfocused while she was thinking, and he wondered again if he could kiss her. He’d very much like to kiss her. But when her next question worked its way into his distracted brain, he jolted upright. “Excuse me? You want to use my focusing gem?”

Blinking in surprise, Pearl smiled, “You’d think I just asked if I could use your toothbrush. I’m not going to get cooties on it, Corvus.”

Rather than placating Corvus, this only increased his indignation. “And what, pray tell, is a cootie? I assume you’re not talking about lice.”

Another eye roll from Pearl. “I always forget I shouldn’t use colloquialisms here - they’re constantly getting me in trouble. Cooties are a stupid thing that kids accuse kids of the opposite sex of giving them.”

“Like the dreaded lurgi?”

“Probably, if I had any idea what that was. Anyway, if you’re so worried, I’ll let you use my focusing stone too so we’re even.”

Corvus was sure Pearl had no idea what she was asking him. Surely she wouldn’t be so flippant if she knew that another’s focusing stone was only used in cases of extreme emergency and in a marriage ceremony to bind the couple together. So he simply said, “I don’t feel comfortable with that.”

And bless her, she dropped it. Even looked abashed. “I’m sorry, Corvus. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” He opened his mouth to reassure her - maybe try to explain, but she waved him off and changed the subject. “Mostly, I was just wondering if maybe my magic would be better or more powerful if I had a different focus. I’m struggling with a basic warming charm.”

Corvus found that to be a laughable idea. “Pearl, you forget I’ve seen you use your magic in class, to have a wall swallow Fred, to heal, and more. It’s more laser focused and precise than any I’ve ever seen, which is equal parts frustrating and impressive as your peer. I’m honestly happy to provide you with warming charms - makes me feel like I can contribute something to the relationship.” Not only must she have an incredible natural ability, but he could only imagine how hard she must have worked to reach the mastery she had at such a young age. It had taken his tutors years of work to get him anywhere near where she was.

“Relationship?” Pearl’s eyebrows were raised and there was a hint of tease in her voice.

“I mean…that is to say…” Corvus cleared his throat, stalling for time, and Pearl cackled. “You should see your face right now.” Kissing his cheek, Pearl said, “We don’t have to put a name on this yet. I’d like to at some point, but we can do it when we’re ready.”

And rather ironically, that made him want to shout to the whole cafe (or at least the workers who were left and staring at them pointedly as they got closer to closing time) about how amazing his girlfriend was.

Chapter eleven

Present - March