Page 155 of Cursed Evermore

Their eyes glowed faintly, lit with a curiosity that almost mirrored my own. Taking slow, measured steps, I approached the one closest to the door. His breath misted in the cool air as he shifted, and for a moment I thought he might move away, but he stayed.

I closed the final distance and reached out, my fingers sinking into fur that was warm, thick, and impossibly soft. Beneath my palm, his heart hummed in a gentle beat, luring me to listen closer. I couldn't resist. I pressed my forehead to his side and closed my eyes, the deep, steady thud filling my ears. For a moment, the world beyond this stable didn't exist.

“I thought I'd find you here,” said a soft voice.

It was Arielle.

I straightened and faced her. Today she wore clothing similar to mine, her hair pulled to the side in a loose braid.

I gave her a small smile, feeling a flicker of embarrassment at being caught. I hadn't done anything wrong, but she was giving me that look. The one that told me she could see how deeply I was falling for this place.

“Hey there.” I gave the elk one last stroke. “I just wanted to see them.”

“No worries at all. We're starting today's session with lessons on being at one with nature, so it's good you're getting a head start.”

I smiled back at her. “That sounds exciting.”

Her eyes brightened. “It's one of my favorite lessons. You'll love it. And you're dressed perfectly.” She gestured toward my clothes with an approving nod. “Practical and comfortable. We're going to be outside most of the day.”

“Thank you for the clothes. And shoes. I really appreciate them.” I gave her a grateful smile. “You gave me an entire wardrobe.”

She chuckled softly. “I'd love to take credit, but that was all Wolfe. He got my seamstress to sort you out.”

Heat prickled up the back of my neck.

Wolfe. He'd gotten me the clothes? The thought threw me. I tried to ignore the flutter in my chest, but it was impossible.

He'd given me clothes to wear on the ship, but this was different and... well thought out. Still, I forced my focus back where it belonged. I needed clothes, so he got them. It was as simple as that and meant nothing more.

“Were they okay?” Arielle looked me over.

“Perfect. Thanks.”

“Great. Well, let's get going.” She waved me forward. I glanced back at the elk and moved to her.

We walked out of the stables. The day had brightened substantially, and all the morning dew was gone.

“How are you feeling today?” Arielle glanced back at me.

“I'm much better.”

“Now that you're stronger, your powers should be more aligned. There's no telling what we might be able to achieve today.”

“That would be amazing.”

We went to a clearing in the woods, far from the manor and the noise of the day. Arielle spread a blanket across the grass, and we sat opposite each other like we had yesterday. She reached into the basket at her side and drew out a black, leather-bound volume. It reminded me of Grandmother's grimoire, but this one hummed faintly in my hands, as if it already knew I was meant to open it.

She held the book up, showing me the title—Principles of Arcane Harmony. “This is for you.”

My eyes widened. “Me?”

“Yes. Every mage, no matter where they come from, has a copy of this book. This is the first book we read at Hyxian. It's so integral to the fundamental teachings they send it to you a year before your studies begin.”

Arielle handed it to me. I took it and held it as though it were my last meal. “Thank you. I've never had my own magic book.”

“I thought that was the case, so I got this copy from Hyxian for you. It will teach you absolutelyeverything. There are more advanced books, but this one is the heart of every spell we learn.”

“Wow.” I pressed the book to my chest. “Everything I learned about magic was from my grandmother's books. But those were mainly notes she'd gathered over the years. It would have been great to have a book like this.”