A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1)(50)

“That’s good to hear. I was afraid you’d pledged your loyalty to the memory of Gwendolyn Agrippa.”

Palehook smirked. “I must acknowledge you as the chosen one. But I do still revere Miss Agrippa. She was a steadfast servant of the Order. She knew our ways.” He bowed to me. “She knew her place.”

He walked away, his coded threat lingering in the air, leaving me chilled.





The next day, Palehook arrived to observe a lesson. The butler announced him into the garden, where we’d all gathered to work. Agrippa believed that time out of the obsidian room would calm me, but it wasn’t playing out as he’d hoped. All my attempts to create a maneuver ended with me dumping a bowl of water onto somebody’s head. Poor Dee, still dripping, pretended he didn’t mind.

“What’s he doing here?” I whispered as Magnus fetched another seat. Palehook chatted with Agrippa over by the roses, swatting at some unseen insect.

“Just don’t set fire to anything you’re not supposed to,” Magnus whispered back. We stood in a line while Palehook eased himself into a garden chair and shielded his face from the sun with a paper fan.

“It’s a hot day,” he said as he helped himself to a cup of tea. “Why are you outside?”

“Some require the extra space,” Blackwood said. He didn’t mention my name, but Palehook instantly looked to me. Damn.

“Really?”



“Just polishing a few details,” Agrippa said with a concerned glance.

“Proceed,” Palehook said.

“I think we’ve had enough commendation practice,” Agrippa said. “Time for some dueling. We’ll be using water. Howel, Blackwood, you’re up first.”

I knew his plan was to get me out of the way as fast as possible, so Palehook wouldn’t sit there in anticipation. Blackwood and I took our places in the center and bowed to each other.

“Give me a moment to start,” I whispered. We stepped apart and bent our knees. The beginning was always difficult, like mentally lifting a sack of bricks, but after that—

A blast of water struck my chest. I cried out as Blackwood called the water back and then sent it toward me again in a rocketing mass. Shielding myself with a thought, I fell to a knee. The attack sprayed over my ward. I stood, anger spurring me on.

The water in my bowl splashed into the air, and shards of jagged ice formed. I’d actually done it. With a triumphant cry, I slashed over and over. The ice shot forward.

Blackwood crouched, spinning his stave. My attack slowed and the ice liquefied back into water. He’d taken control of my weapon. Panicked, I tried to regain the element.

Blackwood leaped into the air and swirled the water into a six-foot-tall spout. I screamed as the funnel bowled me over. For a moment, I struggled beneath it. I felt like I was drowning. Blackwood released the spell, and I lay on the paving stones, soaked to the skin and coughing. He offered a hand to help me up. I almost bit him.



“Excellent, Lord Blackwood. That was…original stavework, Miss Howel,” Palehook said. He turned to Agrippa. “You’ve such unorthodox ways of training.”

“I’m not certain I agree,” Agrippa said. I could hear his embarrassment.

If Death had come for me at that moment, I’d have hugged him in relief.

While Wolff and Lambe fought the next duel, I pulled Blackwood to the edge of the lawn and hissed, “What was that?”

“I won the duel.”

“You made me look foolish in front of the Masters.” I wrung out my sleeves as best I could.

“You accomplished that on your own,” he snapped. He applauded as Wolff struck the winning blow and said, “The Masters have a right to see your inconsistencies. You go from transforming water to ice in midair, one of the most difficult spells, to not knowing how to shield yourself from the simplest attack.” He scratched his chin. “It’s so strange.”

“So I’m not allowed a mistake?” I shifted nervously. Did he suspect the reason for my uneven performance?

“I’d allow a thousand if you improved, but if anything you’ve gotten worse.”

“Perhaps if you helped instead of flinging insults, we’d find a way to prepare me in time to be commended,” I whispered. Blackwood crossed his arms and regarded me with a look of smug satisfaction. “Have I said something amusing?”



“All you care about is securing your own position,” he said. “The responsibility means nothing to you.”

How could I argue? What he said was painfully true. Though that didn’t keep me from stepping behind a rosebush and cursing his name.

As Palehook was leaving, he bid me to speak with him. “Your performance is original,” he said, unsmiling.

“We’re working to steady my powers. I think we’re making great progress,” I said, a lie.

“Indeed. Master Agrippa continues to have hopes for your improvement.” He nodded. “I must admit, my confidence begins to wane.”

When he had gone, I went alone into the obsidian room and summoned my flames. I stared at my burning reflection in all eight walls. The fire whispered over my skin, its touch comforting as I stretched out my arms and tilted back my head. This was all that my power was good for.