Chapter 50

MAGNOLIA SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM LAYA. She wished she did not have to lay eyes on her, but since she was in Salicera, there was no better person to teach her how to use her magic.

'How ironic?'

The image of Laya saddling Daniel at the training ground and whispering in his ear tortured her again. Magnolia pressed her lips together in annoyance.

"Daniel told me about what happened when you were attacked," Laya started. "Would you mind telling me how you felt at the time?"

Magnolia shrugged. "It was a really bad situation," she said. "Daniel was injured, and the man was planning to kill him…kill us."

"Was it fear then?"

Magnolia frowned. "I guess it was fear," she answered reluctantly. "But I think there was something else, something I can't really explain." Magnolia did not share the part where she heard a voice that asked to let it out.

"Alright, how about you start by trying to remember how you felt and see if you can call upon your magic."

"Right here?" Magnolia asked. It would be a disaster if she caused a fire in the castle.

"Yes, it should be fine since I am here." Laya smirked.

'Arrogant much?' It took all her strength to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

Magnolia closed her eyes as images of Daniel on the ground flooded her mind. The dagger being pushed into his flesh. She squeezed her eyes and clenched her teeth, her blood pumped through her veins.

Laya watched her with fascination, but she could not feel any magic from her. Her approach was not working.

Magnolia tried her best, but she could not remember fully how she actually felt. She was scared for Daniel, scared that Baron Cross would keep his word and hurt Geoffrey. She was angry with herself because she could not help her husband. But she was missing something.

"I cannot sense any magic," Laya told her after a few minutes.

Magnolia opened her eyes, disappointment painting her face. She pressed her lips in a thin line. She was frustrated. Out of everyone, she did not want to fail in front of this woman.

Laya grinned before adding, "I can see that you are deeply in love with Daniel."

"Of course, he is my husband." Magnolia eyed her. "I don't understand why you say that out of–"

"Does he love you the same way?"

"Excuse me?"

Laya pushed to her feet and strode to the window, taking her time to answer. "I have known Daniel for a very long time and I don't think he shares your feelings." She shrugged.

'What?'

The mage kept looking into the distance while her back was to Magnolia. "I have seen him in love before," she added.

"Mage Laya." Magnolia stood. "Your speech is highly inappropriate and quite frankly, very disrespectful."

Laya turned to face her. "I am only looking out for you, Your Grace." She shrugged again while raising both hands. "You see, Daniel and I have gotten very close during the war, winter nights get quite cold as you know." She grinned.

Magnolia stared at her in disbelief, her blood was boiling inside and her breaths were short and shallow. She wanted to rip the woman's tongue out so she would shut up.

'Even if her words were true, why is she telling me? Does she enjoy making people miserable?'

She took a deep breath to try to calm herself. "Mage Laya–"

"You saw us this morning, in the training ground." Laya chuckled. "I guess it has been–"

Magnolia slammed her hand on the table, making the mage swallow her words. She looked at the duchess and instinctively took a step back. Her eyes were emotionless, dark, almost...evil.

Magnolia cocked her head to the side. "Mage Laya, I'm afraid you have the wrong impression about me."

"Is that so?" Laya asked, her voice not as confident as a moment ago.

"I believe you think you can disrespect me like you did." Magnolia blinked a few times, she was calm and her expression hinted that she was enjoying the conversation now. "But you are mistaken."

Laya decided to push her a bit more. 'Surely, I can handle the powers of someone who has never been trained.'

The fact that she could still not feel any magic from Magnolia gave her more confidence. "If telling you the truth is disrespectful–"

"Enough," Magnolia roared as flames blazed from her hands. Laya's eyes bulged. "Maybe I should see how long it would take to incinerate a mage. It only took a second to burn those men to ashes." She smiled.

A chill ran down Laya's back, making every hair in her body stand. The aura coming from Magnolia was so strong she had only felt such power when she was around Daniel, not even the king had this much magic.

'How is this even possible? Just a moment ago I couldn't sense anything.' Laya remained frozen in her spot.

"Ah," Magnolia sighed dramatically, getting Laya's attention back. "How boring, you are completely silent now."

She walked around the table to get closer to the mage. Laya took a few steps back, but the window behind her did not give her much space.

She considered jumping down for a second, but she knew she could not take this outside. She was not sure if the duchess would be able to control her magic.

"You really made me angry, Mage Laya." Magnolia uttered before she blasted her flames toward Laya.

The mage barely had time to form a protective barrier around her. The blast was so powerful it shattered all the windows behind Laya.

"Your Grace," she yelled so that her voice reached Magnolia over the sound of the flames. "I was only pushing you to make you angry, so that you can tap into your magic." Magnolia did not move, but Laya felt the fire decrease a bit. "I promise," she added.

Suddenly, the flames disappeared just as fast as they had appeared. Laya let out a breath she did not even know she was holding.

"You were trying to make me angry?" Magnolia asked. The mage nodded. "Was any of the things you said true?"

"None of them, I lied about everything I said." Laya smiled sheepishly. "I do apologize for that. I caught a glimpse of your jealousy and thought it could be useful. I see now that it was not the best of ideas."

"No, it wasn't. What if I had hurt you?" Magnolia was annoyed now.

"I'm afraid I underestimated your powers, Your Grace. I apologize for that as well."

Magnolia sighed. "I apologize as well. I should have controlled myself."

"Then, can we call it even?" Laya raised her brows.

"I reckon we can." Magnolia smiled.

"What in the name of the Gods happened here?" Daniel asked as he burst the door open.

"Things like this are bound to happen when training, Your Grace." Laya was the one to answer, ignoring Magnolia's questioning eyes.

"So much for keeping Magnolia's magic a secret," he said with a sigh. "I think we need another location for you, ladies."

"I think that is a brilliant idea, Daniel." Magnolia nodded as Laya agreed.