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“The dock reports you asked for,” he said, setting the manifest on my desk.

“Thank you, Commander. I’ll see you at the luncheon.” I ran my fingers through my hair, leaning on my elbows and staring at the papers.

“Cheer up, Your Highness. There are plenty of men in the kingdom who would love to spend their time being adored by beautiful women today.” He winked before he also departed.

Perhaps he was right. Maybe I was letting the stress of my duties weigh so heavily that it caused me to see problems where there weren’t any. Maybe a kingdom would always have issues. Obligations to the Crown, senseless crimes, unhappy citizens.

At least with a new name for the disappearances, I had something to investigate further. Tonight, I would flee from these isolating walls and continue seeking answers. I had to believe that with every new revelation, I’d be one step closer to helping my people.

I could only hope that I would have the company of a certain feisty female companion during my attempt.

21

Nora

Music and good-hearted conversation swelled the air. Glasses clinked together, sloshing ale over the sides and spilling onto the floor. All I could think while watching the display of vibrant smiles was, “glad I’m not the one cleaning it up tonight.”

While for my own leisurely activity I wouldn’t choose to spend time at a bar, I endured for Melody’s sake. Kenzie refused to join, not wanting to be associated with magic supporting folk. She didn’t say that in words, but she didn’t need to—it was laced in her tone. Melody had forced a smile to be polite, but I suspected it’d hurt her feelings. I hoped she’d be reassured of my support by joining her here.

At least this establishment didn’t sweat old ale from its pores like The Thirsty Tankard, and the pretzels were salted nicely. We arrived a bit early, not expecting the level of merriment that greeted us. Melody and I scoured the jovial faces amongst the crowd and whispered to each other when we spotted someone we knew.

“I wonder what magic they possess. What if it’s the same as mine?” The glint in her eyes told me that’s what she hoped.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, stuffing another complementary salty twist into my mouth.

Her lips pursed as her gaze perused the attendees, and her feet bounced in place at our tall table. The golden shimmer of her hair glinted from our tiny tealight. Eucinda wisely never allowed Melody out at such establishments unattended, and since she nor I held interest in bars, Melody never frequented. To her, this experience would be thrilling for many reasons.

“Do you think they’ll show their magic?” she asked without breaking her assessment of the room.

“Would you show yours?” I drew my lips in tight, knowing what kind of reaction that question would elicit.

“NO!” She peered around, as if someone could have heard, and was mortified.

I lighted with laughter. Being here was a big step in itself that I was proud of her for.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the weekly meeting of Magic Supporters. We are thankful you have the grace and bravery to commune with us tonight,” the woman who’d handed out the flyers shouted from the small stage. Roaring conversation quickly dulled to quiet whispers, all eyes drawing to the presenter.

“For those of you joining us for the first time, I hope you find our group kind and supportive. Now, not everyone here will wear a banner that indicates their support or possession of magic, and that is to be respected if we are to run into each other outside of these walls. What matters is that we make ourselves known to the world. Allow them to see that we are not monsters who hide in the dark, or seek evil, or to inflict pain.

“Some of us were born with magic flowing through our veins, others have been gifted. Regardless, the choice was never up to us. We’ve been placed on one side of a drawn line that existed long before we did. Well, most of us.” She winked to a salt-and-pepper-haired man who stood near the stage. He chuckled, clearly one of the oldest in the room.

I hadn’t been aware of ever knowing someone magic born, though I’m sure I did. That realization prodded me with a touch of shame. My attitude toward magic had mostly been impassive. It didn’t affect my life at all, and a person without magic could be just as deadly as someone with, so what should anyone care?

Perhaps that had been the wrong attitude.

Others in the room joined in the laughter, and all at once, any notion that the world could perceive this charming group of people as anything other than lovely pricked at my spine. Yes, the destruction of Argora Vale was deplorable, horrendous. But the actions of one group shouldn’t stain the reception of the rest.

I glanced at Melody, who listened intently, soaking in this group of strangers that shared something with her, something she’d been taught to hide. She’d always mentioned it to suitors, though, when things showed the possibility of becoming serious. I admired that about her. She wouldn’t subject herself to be with someone who wouldn’t accept her fully. She knew her value and wouldn’t dim her light for anyone.

“Do we meet others in their anger against us?” The woman encouraged the crowd for a response by raising her arms outward.

“No!” they shouted in unison.

“Do we remain bitter towards those who choose not to understand us?”

“No!”

“Hate will never be cured with more hate. Our treatment is unfair at times, yes, but we are responsible for forming the connections that will change the minds of this generation and the next!”