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“Of course.” Adelina rose, eager to leave the sudden taut atmosphere of his office. “I wish for your father’s speedy recovery.”

∞∞∞

The final two weeks of Adelina’s training passed in a blur. Her medallion helped her progress in the prism world, but with Filip away with his father, there was no telling how their magic would react together.

She took great comfort in the fact she’d mastered several other spells during her training.

The skills required to produce a golden orb and a flame, developed into much larger flames, ones under her control.

By the end of her training, she could manipulate the element with a wave of her hand, a flick of a finger, and with it, the flames would follow.

Adelina sat on her windowsill, tracing her thumb over the surface of her grandfather’s pocket watch.

Glancing through the window at the golden sunset, she bit the tip of her tongue.

Filip’s sudden departure hadn’t filled her with confidence—how could she reassure the members of the Embassy of her magical powers when the other half of her soul magic wasn’t there?

Natasha opened the door, then peered around it, bringing Adelina’s attention to her.

“It’s almost twilight, miss. I’ve drawn you a bath.

We should get you washed and prepared for your departure for the spring equinox.

You’ll need to leave tomorrow if you wish to arrive at the festivities in time. Remember, the journey takes two weeks.”

“Oh, yes.” Adelina slid off the windowsill, leaving the timepiece placed on top of the red cushion beside her.

“I’ve arranged for a new gown to be brought to the palace for you.” Natasha beamed as she guided Adelina into the corridor and towards the bathing room. “I’ll have it hung up behind the divider in your chamber this evening.”

“Thank you,” Adelina said.

She couldn’t find the will to further the conversation with her maiden—her mind was elsewhere, wondering what she might say to her parents and Damir.

Her mother had promised her Damir was doing well—his apprenticeship with Alexei was proving fruitful, and their business was growing. Similarly, her father’s stove workshop had been repaired and his supplies replenished due to Filip’s generosity.

Yet in the three months since her departure from Aramoor, she hadn’t received a single word from Damir. Not one. Her heart ached and her eyes burned. Had their kiss meant nothing? Their years of friendship tossed to the flames the second she left?

Natasha ushered Adelina into the steam filled bathing room, then urged her to strip and climb into the tub.

While Adelina soaked in the lavender infused water, Natasha headed to the door.

“I’m going to light the hearth,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. ”

Left to her own devices, Adelina’s troubled thoughts returned to Damir. Perhaps it was her own fault—she hadn’t disclosed her feelings for him before they bid farewell. If she had, maybe things would’ve been different.

Perhaps, simply, her affection was not reciprocated.

“I won’t accept it,” she said, wrapping her arms around her drawn knees. “I’ll speak with him soon—he’ll have an explanation. Maybe he hasn’t found the time to write.”

When Natasha returned to the bathing room, she assisted Adelina into her nightgown, then led her back to her chamber. The room was already warm and drenched in the orange glow of the hearth fire.

∞∞∞

On the first day of the weekend, Filip packed his luggage, and the servants loaded them into the carriage while he gathered his last-minute provisions from his office.

The key to the desk drawer was safely in his breast pocket—his journal stowed inside.

Pausing midway between the lit hearth and his desk, his mind returned to the dozen or so letters received from Damir over the course of Adelina’s stay at the palace. He’d burned them all.

A soft knock snapped him from his thoughts.

“Come in,” Filip said.

Adelina entered the room—soft brown curls framed her face and flowed down the length of her back. She wore a beautifully embroidered sarafan—its elegant stitching climbed her corset. The enchanted locket hung around her slender neck.

“Adelina.” He smiled. “You look…well. Will you be taking your new dress on your travels to Aramoor? The one Natasha picked up from the seamstress?”

“Of course.” She returned the smile. “I’ll be changing once Salma returns from the market. She will be accompanying me to the spring equinox. Before you leave to aid your father, I wondered if I could speak with you about my magic.”

He grabbed his coat from the nearby rack, then flung it over his shoulders, shimmying his arms through the holes.

“Apologies, but I mustn’t be kept long. I’ll be leaving shortly.” His gaze landed on the door.

“It won’t take a moment.” She stepped closer to him, edging away from the wall.

Her hand brushed her necklace. “Yelena suggested I speak with you. We are similar, after all, maybe there are things I can learn from you too. I’m worried my magic will be dangerous—you’ve seen what it did in the prism world. ”

He froze. He fought to keep his expression straight. “Your amulet will ensure nothing goes awry.”

He needed her to believe it, at least for the time being

“Is it enough?” She frowned. “Will the benefactors trust me when they learn I must rely on a bewitched pendant in order to keep my magic under control?”

“All will be fine.” Filip slipped past her, heading out of the room. “I must be going now. ”

She hurried behind him. “Can you assure me I’m not dangerous?”

Halting, he sucked in a breath, then slowly faced her. “I trust Yelena’s ability to teach you control. I also trust in Supreme Power—your connection to it is strong, and you are the only person to have such access to it in many years. Don’t forget it.”

He hurried out of the palace entrance before she could ask more questions. Once he was seated in the carriage, he glanced out the window—Adelina stood in the doorway, mouth open.

Slipping his fingers into his pocket, he withdrew a black, velvet box, then lifted the lid. A sparkling diamond ring lay between the cushions. He needed to wed her, and quick.