Chapter 23

Rain patters against the windowpanes,a steady drumming that fills the villa with a melancholy symphony. I sit by the window with my chin resting against my hand as I watch the droplets cascade down the glass, blurring the world outside. I sigh, my breath fogging up the window for a moment before dissipating.

My heart aches for my sisters. What I wouldn't give to hear their laughter, to feel the warmth of their comforting presence. On a day like today, we would have huddled together as we shared stories that only sisters can.

My thoughts bring a wistful smile to my lips, but it fades as quickly as the fog on the windowpane, dissipating into the stark reality that I may never see my sisters again.

I glance up as Jasce steps into his bedchamber. He moves with that assured stride of his, crossing the room to where I sit nestled near the window.

The corners of his eyes crinkle with concern as he crouches beside me. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," I say, though my voice lacks conviction.

Jasce cups my face between his hands and tilts my chin up. "I can sense when something is wrong. Will you tell me?"

I open my mouth to speak, but the words are like boulders in my throat, heavy and hard to dislodge. But this is Jasce—steadfast, unwavering Jasce—and hiding my feelings from him seems both futile and wrong.

"I miss my sisters," I say through the ache in my chest.

Tenderly, he strokes his thumb across my cheek. "I know."

"I feel guilty for leaving them."

"I cannot bring your sisters to you, but there is something I can do for you." He takes my hand and stands, bringing me up next to him. "Come with me."

"To where?"

"You'll see."

I follow Jasce as he leads me from his bedchamber.

The villa is quiet, save for the steady drumming of the rain against the windows and the occasional crack of thunder in the distance.

We walk down two corridors before entering a massive room, its high ceilings and tall windows giving it an airy, expansive feel.

Jasce moves to the shelves lining one wall, his fingers skimming over various objects before settling on a candle. It's unlike any candle I've seen before. The wax is a deep, rich crimson, shot through with veins of gold that catch the light as he lifts it from the shelf. The candle is set in an intricate holder, with the metal worked into delicate swirls and patterns.

He sets the candle on the table, takes a breath, then a small flame appears at his fingertips. He touches it to the wick, and the candle springs to life.

Jasce looks up at me. "Come closer, Annora."

I move to stand near him as the gold flecks in his eyes spark, and he passes his palms over the candle. The fire leaps higher, burning brighter. With a flick of his wrist, Jasce sends the flame dancing through the air.

The fire takes shape—a bird with wings spread wide, soaring right toward me. The flames pass harmlessly over my skin, filling me with warmth, before scattering into tiny embers.

"Just a little trick," Jasce says.

I meet his gaze again, awed by this glimpse of the power and artistry he wields so easily.

Then, the flames shift, spilling across the floor and blossoming into a shimmering vision that engulfs me. The walls of the villa melt away, replaced by trees and fields full of wildflowers. I turn and find water glinting like diamonds in the dappled sunlight. Children laugh and splash each other.

I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth as the vision solidifies into a memory I've not seen in over a decade. Asha and I, young and carefree, playing in the stream near the Bakva fortress. My sister laughs as she darts ahead of me, her legs kicking up flecks of water that make me squeal.

"Wait for me, Ash," I call after her.

I scramble over rocks and exposed roots, my lungs burning, but I don't care. The only thing that matters is catching up to Asha.

Finally, I tackle her, and we collapse in a tangle of scrawny limbs among the reeds. Asha grins and flicks water into my face.

Peals of laughter burst from my lips as I rush to my feet and chase after Asha once more. The sun warms my back as I leap from stone to stone.

Asha is always one step ahead, her laughter floating back to me on the breeze. My lungs burn as I push my little legs faster. I'm not about to let my sister beat me.

With a final burst of effort, I launch myself forward and tackle Asha from behind, sending us both tumbling into the tall grass. I pin her down, crowing triumphantly, only for her to flip me over and send us rolling down the bank in a blur of flailing limbs and delighted squeals.

We collapse against a mossy log, chests heaving, faces flushed and split into wide grins. Asha's eyes dance with mischief as she flicks a piece of grass at me. I wrinkle my nose and return fire, igniting a grass war that ends in breathless laughter.

But the moment doesn't last long enough before the world of my childhood retreats. My chest rises and falls with each breath as a bittersweet yearning tugs at my heart like the pull of an unseen moon.

Jasce steps closer, his presence anchoring me here, in this room, far from the stream.

I scrub my fingers across my surcoat and shake my head. "How did you do that?"

"Magic," he says simply, as if I'm supposed to know he can do this too.

"How?"

"It's called a memory candle."

"I didn't know that crimson magic could be so beautiful," I say truthfully.

I have always been taught that it's destructive, and it destroys, but the candle proves otherwise.

"It was so..." I trail off as I search for the right word. "…real." My brow furrows as a thought strikes me. "But...how? How did you pull that memory from my mind?"

The candle's soft light skims Jasce's strong features as he shrugs. "I didn't. The candle draws on happy memories and shares them. It must have known how important that one is to you."

I swallow, knowing I had forgotten about that morning with Asha. It was overshadowed by what happened later. Returning and finding our father gone, and our mother weeping.

Everything changed after that. Grandfather changed and grew harder. Our mother withdrew into herself and forgot about us.

I push aside those memories and focus on Jasce. "So, you didn't choose that memory?"

He shakes his head. "No. The candle has a will of its own. I simply use my magic to ignite it."

"Will you show me more of your magic?" I ask after a moment.

"Yes, but we need to leave the villa and go to an open space." He turns toward the door, and I grab my veil, place it over my face, and follow him into the corridor.

We walk in silence through the torchlight halls, past high arched windows, and frescoes splashed across the walls.

Jasce takes my hand the moment we reach the front door of the villa. A guard opens it for us, and we step outside. The rain eased to a fine mist, and the clouds hang low, shrouding the world in a gray veil.

"Where are you taking me?" I glance around the misty gardens. The rain has left everything glistening, as if the world has been reborn.

"To the stables."

Jasce's hand tightens around mine as he guides me toward a narrower path. It winds away from the sprawling villa, leading us deeper into the grounds. Ahead, I can make out a smaller building, its roof peaked, and its walls made of sturdy stone. The scent of hay and horses drifts on the breeze, growing stronger with each step we take.

Anticipation tingles through me as Jasce opens the door, and we walk into the well-lit space. Ten stalls line the walls, each one occupied by a magnificent horse.

Jasce addresses one of the stable hands. "Ready Vesper."

The man nods and begins to prepare the mare for our journey. Once he finishes, and we're all alone, Jasce moves to Vesper and strokes the mare's neck.

"This is Vesper. She'll carry us both."

I glance up at Jasce and grin at him. "Is this all an elaborate scheme to get me alone with you?"

Merriment dances in his eyes, a mischievous glint that sends a delicious shiver racing down my spine. "Of course, but you weren't supposed to guess my nefarious plan quite so quickly."

"Scoundrel," I accuse with mock severity. "However, shall I punish you for your wicked ways?"

He leans in close, his breath warm against the shell of my ear. "You could try hitting me, but I must warn you, I might enjoy it far too much."

"Then." I tap my index finger against my bottom lip as I think. "I'll shall have to be more creative with my punishment."

"Like what?" He grips my hips and pulls me against him. "What will you do to me?"

"Well…I could tie you up, then strip right in front of you." Heat warms my face at the thought of being so bold with him.

"Then, what would you do?" His eyes darken with desire, the golden flecks in his brown irises smoldering like embers. His grip tightens on my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh through the fabric of my surcoat, as if he's barely restraining himself from ripping the garment off me right then and there.

"I…" I hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Would you touch yourself?"

I gulp and shake my head as he picks me up and helps me on Vesper's back.

"Scoot forward," he says, and I obey, sliding forward enough for him to mount the horse.

He settles behind me, takes the horse's reins, and encourages her to leave the stables. My heart drums in my ears as we move into the open field, and Jasce drops one of his hands to my thigh.

"You should touch yourself, Annora."

"I thought we were done with that conversation?"

"We're not." Boldly, he shifts to holding the reins with one hand and uses the other to slide up my surcoat enough to slip his hand between my legs. "I want you to touch yourself right here."

"Right now?" I squeak out.

"Yes." Before I can protest, he grabs my hand and brings it to the juncture between my thighs. "Start with leaving your undergarments on."

"Jasce…"

He grips my hand and moves it against the silk material between my legs. "Do you like that?"

"Y-yes." I lick my bottom lip.

His hand leaves mine, but his presence remains as a lingering warmth against my back. I take a shaky breath and continue moving my fingers, the fabric of my undergarments adding a layer of tantalizing friction.

"Yes," he breathes against my ear, giving me an approval that sends shivers down my spine. "Good."

I let out a soft gasp, the sensation altogether new and overwhelming. I'm doing this. I'm touching myself. Under Jasce's guidance, yes, but it is ultimately me.

My fingers move on their own accord now, growing bolder with each stroke. Strangely, the fabric of my undergarments only heightens the sensation, the slight friction sending electric jolts through my body with every movement.

"Move your fingers in circles," he instructs.

I follow his direction, and a sudden surge of pleasure swells within me.

His arm snakes around my waist to steady me as our horse continues its leisurely pace.

"Keep going," he says, his voice a seductive blend of authority and encouragement.

Blazing heat pools in my lower belly as I continue the circular motions. My breath snags in my throat as the pleasure climbs higher and higher, threatening to spill over.

I can no longer smell the wildflowers on the breeze or hear the bird song in the trees. It's all drowned out by the throb of my heartbeat and the steady rhythm of my own exploration.

"Squeeze your thighs together," he says, his voice low and husky against my ear.

Obediently, I do as I'm told. The new pressure is intense—too intense—but the ache it stirs is intoxicating.

"Keep going," he encourages.

I slip my hand back between my legs and move in time with the sway of the horse.

"Squeeze again," he says, and I do, feeling a rush of pleasure so fierce it makes me whimper.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

It's terrifying and liberating all at once.

The wind blows across my face, and the sounds return as we continue to ride. But even the peaceful sound of the rustling grass and distant birdsong can't distract me from the growing heat within me.

My hand moves faster now, driven by an urgency I can't ignore.

"That's it," he says. "Just like that."

A gasp spills from my lips as a final wave of pleasure washes over me, so intense it steals the air from my lungs.

I slump against him, my hand falling limply from between my legs. The hotness in me slowly cools to a simmer, replaced by a pleasant weightlessness that leaves me feeling...liberated.

"I... I can't believe..." My voice trails off as I struggle to gather my thoughts.

"It's important to understand what brings you pleasure," he says.

I nod, not trusting my voice. His words swirl around in my head, creating a dizzying sensation that has nothing to do with the aftermath of what I've just experienced.

With a steady grip on the reins, he guides the horse along the path once again. The terrain shifts underfoot, and we pass by a massive boulder that stands tall against the passing clouds. Jasce steers the horse around it, the animal's hooves crunching against the dirt and sending small rocks scattering in its wake.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammer out.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I…you…" Frustration boils within me as I struggle to string together even the simplest of sentences.

"You do not need to apologize. This was for you."

The wind picks up around us, whispering secrets and caressing my exposed skin as Jasce pulls Vesper to a stop. He dismounts, then helps me from the mare's back.

"What are we doing?" I ask as I smooth my surcoat and glance around.

"You asked to see my magic." He ties the mare's rein to one of the only trees in the clearing, the leather creaking softly as he secures the knot. Then, he turns to face me. "You might want to step back."

My heart thrums in my ears as I obey him, taking several steps backward and internally bracing myself for whatever he's willing to show me.