32

Calliope found Mido at the stables, the morning light streaming through the open doors. He brushed Lily as she picked through the hay on the floor. Calliope patted Lily's neck as she approached Mido's side and took the brush from him.

"What's going on today?" she asked as she continued brushing the mare. Mido leaned against the wall.

"Lily and I are training," he said.

"Don't be too hard on her."

Mido smiled. "She'll be fine. I'll be fine, too, thanks."

Calliope smiled but did not meet his gaze.

"What are you doing today?" he asked her.

Calliope shrugged. "Dunno. I guess I'll sit in the castle and do nothing."

Mido crossed his arms. "Come on, Calli, don't be like that."

She stopped grooming Lily and sighed. "There's nothing for me here."

"What are you saying? You want to leave?"

Calliope shook her head. "No. I don't know. I just hate being... human."

Mido sighed and began to tack his horse. He threw the saddle over onto Lily's back and tightened the cinch around her girth. She continued to graze on the hay and inched forward.

"I know," he said, his voice soft. He lifted Lily's head and put on her bridle. "Just enjoy not having to fight for your life, okay?" Mido mounted his horse and smiled at Calliope.

"I guess," she mumbled.

"We'll figure something out," he said. "We'll leave the kingdom if we have to. Don't worry about it for now. I have to go."

Calliope watched as he urged Lily to pass the rest of the hay lying on the ground. The two walked out of the stables and followed the road out of the city. Calliope stood for a few minutes and sighed. She made her way out of the stables and into the city. She wandered through the bustling crowd, lost in thought. She tried to imagine her life in the kingdom without her magic, but no matter what scenario came into her head, she couldn't help but to feel incomplete. Mido had the best intentions for her, but he couldn't wrap his mind around how she felt, unable to use her magic. No matter how much anyone tried, she was still a witch, and they could not change that.

"Magic! Magic!" little voices yelled behind her. Calliope turned as a group of children ran up to her, waving their arms and shouting. They tugged on her dress and surrounded her as she continued to walk through the crowd.

"Do the magic, Calliope," they asked her.

"No more magic," Calliope said, shaking her head.

The children whined in response and watched as she walked away. She ignored the pull in her chest to entertain them with her magic. She shuffled her feet along the cobblestone road as she made her way through the square. Her mind wandered as she attempted to blend in with the busy crowd. She couldn't imagine not being able to use her magic. But she couldn't imagine there'd be any place else for her to go where she could be free.

She let her eyes wander as she walked until they found William standing outside a little tavern. She searched for Jon, but the troublesome other half was nowhere to be found. She watched as a young woman skipped to his side. William bowed playfully and held a flower out to his visitor. She took it happily and kissed his cheek. They walked together, arm in arm, through the bustling city, lost in each other's eyes as the world disappeared around them. Calliope smiled to herself as she watched the young couple coo and giggle to each other.

Movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention and brought her back to reality. She recognized Barric and Carsen together, watching her through the crowd. She made no notion to show that she saw them. Instead, she continued to walk through the square, mingling with the crowd in hopes of making her way back to the protection of the castle.

Barric and Carsen followed her through the square, waiting for their opportunity. They followed as she made her way to the edge of the square and split up when she started to head towards the castle. They moved in quickly, cornering her just outside the square.

"What do you want with me?" she mumbled, her eyes on the ground.

"You've been breaking promises," Barric hissed at her.

"I haven't done anything wrong."

"Not yet," Carsen said. "We know you're game."

Calliope met their gaze. "There's no game."

"Just what a witch with a plan would say."

"You may have the king fooled," Barric said. "but you don't have me fooled."

"Get away from me," Calliope sneered.

"Or what? There's no one here to protect you now."

"I don't need anyone to protect me."

"Leave the kingdom," Carsen demanded. "Get out before we make you."

"You can't touch me."

Barric moved in, dagger drawn. He pressed it against her throat. Calliope didn't dare move an inch.

"Oh yeah? Who's going to stop me?"

"I'm warning you."

Barric pressed the dagger harder. Calliope could feel the cold blade starting to dig into her neck. Her blood boiled. She ached to use just a little bit of her magic; just enough to give them a warning, but it would only be used against her. She would become their enemy once more. She felt helpless under the weight of their threats. She held her breath and waited for them to make her move

The sound of steel being unsheathed caused Barric to hesitate. He looked up but did not budge. Calliope didn't dare take her eyes off him.

"Remove your dagger, now," Ian said, his voice a deep, threatening growl.

Calliope felt the dagger lift off her throat. Barric backed away, his eyes locked on Ian's. Calliope stumbled backwards into Ian's chest as he held his sword at the two men. Calliope turned to see a group of soldiers hurrying towards them, their own swords drawn. Barric and Carsen backed away, their eyes hard on Ian. They dropped their daggers and lifted their arms, revealing their empty palms.

The soldiers hurried to them and tied their wrists behind their backs. The two men glared at Calliope as the soldiers barked orders and threats at them and guided them towards the castle. Ian returned his sword and grabbed Calliope's shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking her over. "Are you hurt? What happened?"

Calliope closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm fine," she muttered.

"I'm so sorry," Ian said. "I should have been keeping an eye out."

"It's not your job to babysit me," she said.

"I should have been with you."

"I'm fine, Ian. It's fine."

"King Sloan will hear of this. He'll have them banished."

"They didn't do anything."

"How can you defend them, Calliope? They'll kill you if they get the chance."

"I'm the one that doesn't belong here."

"Enough," he scolded, his voice harsh. "You are one of us. You belong here just as much as anyone else. They will pay for this."

Calliope sighed, suddenly exhausted. She was tired of arguing. Tired of trying to make them see that she wasn't like them; that she wasn't human.

"You're a stubborn species," she mumbled.

A smile broke Ian's stern face. "Get used to it," he said, giving her a wink.

Ian guided her back to the castle, despite her retorts. She didn't want to be stuck behind those walls any longer, but Ian insisted, and she wasn't about to upset him. She sat on the grass in the courtyard and watched the clouds stroll by while Ian reported to King Sloan. After a few minutes, Ian returned, King Sloan at his side. Calliope stood and bowed to her king.

"Please don't kill them," she said.

King Sloan looked displeased. "Calliope, there is no tolerance for their threats, especially to you."

"I don't deserve to be treated any differently than anyone else."

"Calliope, you are already different than everyone else. You have earned your right here in my kingdom. You have more than proved yourself and your worth. Barric and Carsen will be punished for their actions."

"What will you do?"

King Sloan was quiet for a moment. "I will not kill them," he said. "They hardly deserve that. But they are no longer welcome in my kingdom. They are a threat now to you and my people. I will not stand for that."

"You're going to banish them?"

"You don't need to worry about them anymore, Calliope. Let me take care of this. It's my job, not yours."

Calliope and Ian bowed to their king and he made his way back inside the castle. Calliope sat back on the grass and sighed. Ian got down beside her and they watched the clouds in silence for a moment.

"You're not going to tell Mido, are you?" Calliope asked.

"Of course I am. He's going to find out whether I tell him or not."

"I don't want him to worry."

"He's always going to worry."

"Why?"

Ian turned to her. "Why? Because you're a friend. You're a good person. You saved his life. My life. We care about you. We want you safe."

Calliope shrugged.

"I guess the feelings aren't mutual," Ian said with a look of disappointment and hurt.

"No, of course it is. You know that. I couldn't have met kinder people."

"Well, we're just lucky we ran into one of the nice witches." Ian winked at her once more. He got to his feet and brushed off his pants.

"Duties call," he said, dismissing himself and leaving Calliope alone in the courtyard to daydream under the clouds.