Magic

"My lady, it's been three days since you left your room." Veda tries to reason with Gene. "Some fresh air would surely do you well."

Three days. It felt longer than that. Gene can't bring herself to leave her room. Even though she is sure it wouldn't be difficult for that sorcerer to reach her there, she is still scared to go outside.

"Did you bring breakfast?" she asks, ignoring her comment.

"Yes, my lady."

"Did you make it yourself?"

"Just like the past few days, my lady, nobody touched any of the food except me."

'Poisoning would be the best method to kill me if I am hiding in here, so I have to be cautious.'

"Good. Thank you." She gets out of bed and walks to the table. "You can leave, Veda."

"Do you want me to help you change, Lady Siv?"

"No, I'm fine." 

Gene hasn't worn a dress since the day of the picnic. She thought that there is no reason to if she is just going back to bed after breakfast.

She eats the little food she can bring herself to swallow, her appetite has been very poor. After that, she makes sure that Erling is guarding her door.

"Good morning, Captain," she greets her with relief.

"Good morning, my lady."

Gene closes the door and climbs back into bed, hugging her pillow tightly.

'Will I have to live like this even after Brandt and I get married? Are these attempts to prevent this marriage or do they just want to kill me?'

The thought leaves a bitter aftertaste. It would be a problem, she can't live the rest of her life in this terror. She hopes they will stop after the wedding. She decides to talk to Brandt to agree on a date as soon as possible.

"I will just have to survive until then," she mumbles to herself, not feeling very optimistic that she can.

Gene wished Colby could tell her more about magic. She needs to understand what she is up against. She wonders if she can call him, last time he said he could hear her voice. 

She sits up in bed and starts repeating his name in her head. A knock on the door makes her jump.

'That was way too fast.'

"My lady, I came to clear the table." Veda enters and walks to the table. "You haven't eaten much again. Do you want me to make you something different?"

"Thank you Veda, but I was not very hungry," she answers, touched by her thoughtfulness. "Could you please bring me some tea, though?"

"Of course, my lady," she utters as she is ready to leave the room.

"Make sure you bring two cups, Veda."

"Are you expecting a guest? Do you need me to pick a dress for you?"

'Obviously, I can't tell her that I am trying to summon a sorcerer to come see me using telepathy.'

"Well, just in case Prince Brandt pays me a visit soon."

"Of course, of course." She beams.

As soon as she leaves, Gene closes her eyes and tries to concentrate again.

"Colby," she calls in her mind. "I need to talk to you." She tries for about fifteen minutes, but unsuccessfully.

'Maybe my life has to be threatened for him to hear me.'

She rushes to the window, opens it, climbs up using a chair, and stands on the edge.

"Colby, if you don't come I will jump." She has a strong feeling that he will come.

She looks down at the rose garden beneath her. If she were to fall she would probably break a few bones but it's only the second floor, she is sure she would live. 

'I have to make him believe that I will jump.'

"I will jump," she repeated in her head.

'Well, here goes nothing.'

She leans in, ready for the fall when a hand snatches her wrist and yanks her back. They both stumble back and fall to the floor.

"What in the name of the Blue Fire are you doing?" Colby's angry voice comes through gritted teeth. 

Gene pushes to my feet and straightens her nightgown and robe. "I needed to talk to you."

"There would have been no talking if I came but a second late."

"Oh come on, it's not even that high."

"You are a crazy woman," he says with flared nostrils.

"I have been called worse." 

He stares at her for a moment, lost for words. "Fine." His shoulders seem to relax. "What do you need to talk to—" A knock interrupts him.

"Hide," she whispers before the sorcerer disappears instantly.

'That's a very convenient power.'

"I brought tea, my lady," Veda announces as she puts the tray and sweets on the table.

"Thank you, Veda."

As soon as the maid leaves, Gene rushes to the door and locks it. It would be a disaster if someone walked in while she had a man in her bedroom, especially dressed like she was. She regrets not listening to Veda earlier and changing into a dress.

"So?" Colby calls. He is already seated on one of the chairs. Gene strides to the one facing him and sits.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Lady Siv, I am quite busy. Did you call me here to have tea?"

She rolls her eyes at him and pours him tea anyway. She fills up her cup before looking into the man's eyes.

"I need you to tell me everything there is to know about magic."

"Do you expect me to sum up my studies of eighteen years into a few minutes?" 

Gene ponders the question for a moment.

'He's right.'

"How about the most important things that I should know?" 

Colby sighs audibly, then, he reaches for his cup and takes a sip.

"Magic happens when a person uses their energy, we call it the blue fire, to bring chaos into the energy surrounding them," he explains. "Obviously, not everyone has the blue fire in them, and some have it but it is too weak to even notice it."

"So are you saying that people other than sorcerers might be able to use magic?"

"Well, it's not enough to only have the energy, one has to know how to use it. Only by learning and practicing can a magic user develop their power."

'Well, this changes everything.'

"Do royals from other countries use magic?"

"I don't know about other nations, but every queen of Pyama is granted the power of the Blue Fire."

"Do you mean Queen Ylva can use magic?" she asks with wide eyes.

"Yes, just like you will when you become queen."

'Why is this the first time I am hearing about this?'

*********

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