For the next two hours, I played with the water, making bigger and bigger spouts and whirlpools, small waves that broke against the shore, and even a plume of water that rose ten feet in the air and sprinkled down on us like rain. I marveled over each new trick, still unable to believe that I was the one doing it. The best part was that I never tired because I was using the water’s power instead of my own. If only my Mori powers came to me as naturally as this.
It was with great reluctance that I finally stood and released the power around me. My hands were wrinkled and white from being in the water so long, and my dripping clothes clung to me as I joined Aine on the shore. It was going to be a cold walk home, but I didn’t care because I’d just had the most amazing afternoon and I was happier than I had been in a long time.
Aine came over to take my hands in hers. “You did very well today, sister.”
“It was unbelievable,” I said, struggling to come up with a better word to describe the experience.
“I am glad you enjoyed it. Now let’s take care of this.” She waved a hand and my clothes were instantly dry.
“That is a cool trick.” I sat down to pull on my socks and boots and saw that the sun had started dipping toward the west. “I wish I didn’t have to leave yet, but they will come looking for me if I don’t get back soon. When will I see you again?”
“When you have mastered your water magic, I will come back. I do not like to stay long in this world anymore.”
“You could visit me at home,” I said hopefully.
She smiled and shook her head. “It is safe for you to walk among the Mohiri because you are half demon. I am a full Fae, and it would cause chaos if I appeared among so many Mori demons.”
“What would happen?”
“They would be confused, afraid, and very angry. Most Mohiri go their entire lives without meeting a Fae, and they would not be able to handle their demons’ reaction to one. I do not think your people would be too happy about that.”
I winced at the thought of dozens of Mohiri warriors thrown into a Fae-induced rage. “No, definitely not.”
She hugged me. “I will see you soon, little sister,” she said stepping back. She smiled and waved, and just like that, she was gone.
The next time I see her, I gotta ask how she does that.
Running feet alerted me to the hounds approach. They were panting and happy like they had spent the afternoon running around instead of sitting by the lake. I felt a stab of guilt for having so much fun while they were in a dream state, but they did not look any worse for it. To make up for some of it, we spent another fifteen minutes at the lake before I told them it was time to go home. It was very unlikely we’d encounter anything this close to a Mohiri stronghold that two hellhounds could not handle.
When we walked out of the woods just before dusk, I spotted Nikolas and Chris standing near the main building, facing the woods, and I knew they were watching for my return. I was pretty sure that if I’d waited ten minutes longer before coming back, I would have met the two of them in the woods.
I was changing for dinner an hour later when I heard someone outside my door. When I went to see who it was, I found an envelope that had been slipped under the door. As soon as I picked it up, I recognized the stationary. Smiling, I unfolded the paper inside and read the message written in his elegant handwriting.
I would be pleased if you would join me for dinner at seven this evening in the library. Desmund.
I stared at the note for a long moment. Desmund was inviting me to dinner? The same Desmund who had thrown a fit when I trespassed in his library less than two weeks ago? It amazed me how much he had changed in such a short time. The night we met, I thought he was the most unreasonable person ever, and now I looked forward to spending time with him.
Music greeted me as I approached the library, and I recognized it from the Beethoven CD Desmund had sent me. Inside, there was no sign of him, but I found a small table set for two near the hearth and a side table holding several covered dishes that smelled amazing and made my stomach growl.
“Sara, I am glad you could make it. I was not sure if you had already made plans for this evening.”
I turned to greet Desmund, and I was so surprised by the change in his appearance that I almost forgot to speak. He was impeccably groomed and wearing brown trousers and a beige jacket, looking every bit the English noble. But it was not his attire that shocked me; it was the color in his complexion and the warm easy smile he gave me. He still looked ill but so much improved since the last time I’d seen him. Was it possible that the small healing a few nights ago had affected him like this?