Page 26

The Trace

Steam from the metal bathtub plumed, making the air thick with condensation. Adelina leaned against the surface, the water lapping around her collarbones. Closing her eyes for a moment, she inhaled the sweet, floral scent of lavender.

Damir knelt beside her, lathering her arms in soap.

She sat forward as he trailed his soapy hands up her back, to her neck, and along her shoulders. He kneaded her muscles, then grasped the jug on the counter nearby. Once it was full to the brim with foaming water, he poured it over her roots and the length of her brown hair.

Sighing in pleasure, she closed her eyes. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“Hmm,” he muttered. “We should go down for breakfast shortly before we set out. ”

“Of course,” she said. “I have an idea.”

“What is it?” He leaned against the tub.

“I borrowed a stack of books from the library at the palace.” She twisted to face him—the water lapping around her chest. “If I can learn to open a portal into the prism world, I can practise my magic.”

“Prism world?” He arched a brow.

“It’s another dimension—a safe space for someone to practise their magic without repercussions on the real world.

” She smiled—a sense of pride filling her as she disclosed a piece of her magical knowledge.

“While I have mastered several spells, I need somewhere to continue my learning away from prying eyes.”

“Then a great plan it is.” He offered her his hands, which she accepted graciously. When she was on her feet, she stepped out of the bath, water droplets splashing onto the floorboards. “Get dressed, my dear, and we will begin our search for a place for you to study this…prism world.”

He winked, bent to kiss her forehead, then disappeared from the room.

∞∞∞

Filip’s carriage came to a halt outside the palace. Now his father was safely in the hands of an esteemed physician, he could return his attentions to Adelina. He’d need to act quick if he was to make her his wife—he’d already been delayed for too long.

The coachman opened the carriage door, Filip hopped from his bench, then strode through the open palace doors. The ring box positioned inside his breast pocket pressed against him—a constant reminder of his intentions.

He checked his pocket watch. Midday.

“Sir,” a servant said with a nervous and too-quick curtsey.

He glanced up, meeting her bewildered expression. “What is it?”

“It’s regarding Miss Adelina Orlova.” She paled. “We wanted to wait for you to return home before bringing such matters to your attention,” she rambled. “You see, a letter wouldn’t have reached you in time.”

“What’s wrong with her? Has she fallen ill?” He glanced at the staircase, in the direction of Adelina’s chamber. “Is Natasha with her? I’m sure she will tend to her every need.”

“No, sir.” She swallowed hard. “She has gone.”

“Gone where?” His patience wore thin. “I shouldn’t have to demand such answers.”

“I’m sorry, sir. Truly.” She flattened her skirts. “She and her chaperone, Miss Salma, have not returned from the festivities.”

“I’ve been gone almost three weeks,” he said. “Allowing two weeks for travel and a day of festivities, she should have returned a week ago.”

He set into a quick pace through the palace, heading towards the training room at the back of the gardens. The servant scampered to keep up as they passed other servants who tended to the flowers and herbs.

“Sir, we have already spoken to Yelena—she has not seen the girl,” the servant said .

Filip spun around, cheeks burning. “I will make my own enquiries.”

Wide-eyed, the servant girl curtsied, then returned to the kitchens.

In quick strides, Filip burst through the training room to find Yelena nose deep in a pile of books lying open on the table.

She rose. “Afternoon, Filip.”

“Where is she?” He ignored her pleasantries.

“I’m not certain,” she said levelly. “I received word from Natasha that Adelina borrowed some books from the library. Perhaps you ought to check in with her.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “If I find out you are lying, there will be repercussions. Severe ones.”

“There is nothing but the truth here.” She smiled through gritted teeth. “I assure you.”

Spinning around, he marched out of the room, across the gardens, then through the palace.

“Where is Natasha?” he asked a nearby servant who was tending to the vases of flowers in the foyer. “Send her to me.”

He didn’t give the servant a second to respond. Instead, he strode into his study, kicked the door shut, then planted his hands on the soft, wooden surface of his desk.

“Damn it,” he muttered to himself.

If Adelina was truly gone, he’d need to locate her and return her to the bosom of the palace as soon as possible. Their union needed to be blessed and consummated. If his father learned the truth—the girl was lost—he’d be ridiculed, having found her after a decade of searching.

The door opened .

He spun around to see Natasha stood a metre or so away from him.

“You wished to see me?” she said.

Narrowing his eyes on her expressionless face, he clasped his hands in front of him. “Do you have any idea where Miss Orlova is?”

“She went to visit her family for the Spring Equinox as planned, Sir,” she said. “I know of no reason why she wouldn’t choose to return.”

“Are you quite certain?” His tone was sharp.

“Yes, sir.” She curtsied, dropping her gaze from him to the floor.

Filip pressed his lips into a thin line. “I must find her. Call for the guards at once. It is time we paid a little visit to her hometown.”

∞∞∞

The rest of the week passed in a blur for Adelina as she and her new husband travelled from one tavern or inn to another. Within the next day or two, they’d need to move on to the next village, riding through the dividing woodlands to reach it.

When they rested, Adelina studied. Sat on one of the chairs at the wooden table beneath the window, she held the pages of her book flat and read each line over and over. Damir brought her a cup of tea and settled it on the surface in front of her.

“Have a drink,” he said. “You’ve been staring at those pages all morning.”

“I know.” She sighed, then blinked several times. A dull ache throbbed in her temples. “But I need to understand this stuff. Yelena created the portal into the prism world with no issues whatsoever. I’ve never done it before, only practised my magic inside it.”

“Why don’t you crack open the window? Let the fresh air clear your thoughts,” he suggested.

“I’m going to visit the market to purchase some more meat and bread for the next few days.

We’ll need to collect the horses from the stable and depart within an hour or two, so we get a few miles of riding in before dark. ”

She nodded, stretched, then unlatched the window. A cool breeze tickled her cheek.

Bending, he planted a warm kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

With long strides, he left the room, the sound of his footsteps disappearing as he descended to the restaurant on the ground floor of the tavern. The wall vibrated when the entrance door clomped closed behind him.

She sipped her tea, and between each mouthful of sweet berry contents, she inhaled deeply, counted to three, then let out her breath of air.

“Back to work.” She set the cup on its saucer, then scooped up her book.

Perched on the edge of the mattress, she returned her gaze to the portal spell. Each word was imprinted in her mind, meaning she was ready to put it to practice.

Rising, she flattened her skirt and flexed her fingers. With the book held in one hand, she positioned herself between the foot of the bed and the hearth, allowing enough space for the portal .

Casting another glance at the open page of the book, she cleared her throat in preparation of uttering the unfamiliar words.

Thaanariel malirasal.

“ Tha-thaanariel malir-rasal, ” she stumbled over the bulky, clumsy words of the complex spell. “ Thaan…ariel…mali…rasal .” She tried again, pronouncing the words in smaller chunks to familiarise herself with the syllables and pronunciation.

Setting the book aside, she held her hand in front of her, then drew a circle through the air like Yelena did during training. “ Thaanariel malirasal. ”

A golden spark hissed into existence, then disappeared almost as quickly as it’d formed.

She frowned, pressed her lips together, then swiped her pointed finger through the air once again in a more exaggerated motion. “ Thaanariel malirasal .”

Another flicker and pop of golden light. The portal formed tentatively, wobbling, and fading in and out of existence. It stabilised itself, shimmering around the edges. After a few minutes, a robust, perfect circle hovered a few inches above the floorboards.

The bedroom door opened, Adelina’s concentration shattered, and with it, so did the portal.

Damir stared wide-eyed at the space between them. “Did I see a portal?”

“You did,” she said a little tersely. “Just as I managed to open it.”

“Well, perhaps a tavern bedroom isn’t the best place for it.” He wedged a bag of food inside his luggage. “Come on, we should get a move on. ”

Nodding, she tucked her books into her own bag, flung the strap over her shoulder, and followed him out.

∞∞∞

Deep in the forest, Damir sat by the fire and watched the flames dance as their rabbits roasted. Stomach rumbling, he adjusted his position on the mossy log, then cast a glance at Adelina, who hopped out of the prism world portal.

She slid beside him on to the log, leaned against him, then rested her head on his shoulder.

He draped his arm around her and held her close. “How was it?”

“Good,” she said. “I have full control over my fire magic—there’s not so much of a concern there—but I am trying to master some other spells.”

“Such as?” He peered at her with curiosity.