Taken by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #8)(55)

“That was stupendous!” our host cried, striding forward. “My dear, I would never have guessed you capable of such a feat. And I confirmed that it was all your own doing—Iannis was simply standing by. How in Recca did you manage it?”

“When Iannis and I went to Manuc, I was sent on a training mission to the Tua realm,” I said nonchalantly, as if I were talking about the weather. “Time passes much faster in there, and during the week that passed in our world, I absorbed years of top-notch training that can’t be received anywhere else.” That last bit was true enough—there were definitely things in the knowledge Alara and Nalan had given me that humans didn’t know.

Astonished murmurs swept through the crowd at that news.

“The Tua?”

“I thought they were just an old legend.”

“I guess it has to be true, after what she just did.”

And on it went. Many of the mages looked at me with newfound respect. I struggled not to laugh at the confounded expressions on their faces.

“Well, that would explain your unusual mastery, though the strength you exhibited is just as extraordinary,” the Grand Master said. “I’ve never seen a first-year apprentice exert so much control over her magic.” Though he didn’t say it aloud, his scent told me he was still a bit dubious of my sensational claim.

“Indeed,” Iannis said, sliding an arm around my waist. “Sunaya will be taking the graduation exam as soon as we return from our honeymoon. As you have all witnessed, she is one of the strongest mages in the entire Federation, ready to claim her robes. She has learned some things, like the Tua language, that were new even to me.”

“Congratulations,” the Grand Master said, snagging a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and pressing it into my hand. “Let us toast to you now, Sunaya—to the end of your apprenticeship, and the beginning of what is sure to be a glorious and fruitful magical career!”

“I can certainly drink to that,” I said, lifting my glass to him. I drained my drink as everyone else in the room did the same, doing my best to hide the grin on my face. I knew better than to think I’d won over every mage in the room, but I’d managed to impress the Grand Master, and that sure as hell was good enough for me.





24





“By the Ur-God,” Annia exclaimed as our six-horse carriage drew to a halt. “How the hell have I never known this temple was here? It’s not exactly tiny.”

I grinned, the ball of nerves in my stomach lessening in the face of Annia’s awe. “It’s a closely guarded secret amongst mages,” I said as she stared at Solantha Temple, which had just shimmered into view. Inside, hundreds of mages from all over the Northia Federation were waiting to witness the wedding of the decade—the scandalous wedding of a Chief Mage and a shifter hybrid.

And amongst them were my closest friends.

“Don’t worry,” Rylan called to Annia as he slipped out of one of the temple’s side doors. His eyes sparkled as he looked her up and down, admiring her outfit. “I had the same reaction when I first saw the place. Best kept secret in Solantha, eh?” He winked at me.

“And good morning to you too,” I said, my lips twitching as he offered me his arm. “You ready to give me away?” Rylan was the oldest male in my immediate family, so the duty fell to him despite the fact that he was so close in age to me.

“I was born ready,” my cousin said, leaning in to peck my cheek. “You look stunning, cousin. Classy and sexy at the same time, with all that black lace. You’re going to knock their socks off in that dress.”

Grinning, I looked down at myself one last time. The seamstress had been furious when she’d learned I’d lost even more weight during my time away, and I’d promised her I would gain it back in time for the wedding. Luckily, I’d been able to keep my word—I filled the gown out nicely, and she’d only had to take it in half an inch at the waist. Gaining back ten pounds in a week was no mean feat, but Cook had helped me out in that regard, serving all my favorite dishes day after day.

But in the end, appearances were unimportant. I was about to give my solemn, irrevocable pledge to the love of my life, and receive his in turn. That was important, not the dress, or the number and importance of our guests. Inside that gleaming temple, Iannis was waiting for me.

“I’ll go on ahead,” Annia said, smiling at me. She gave me a quick hug. “You’ve got this, Sunaya.”

I nodded, drawing in a deep breath through my nose as I watched Annia disappear through the doors. The scent of dew-covered grass and late-blooming flowers filled my lungs, calming me a little. Iannis and I had decided on an early morning wedding—to start our life together as husband and wife with the dawning sun, which was cresting over the horizon even now, painting the sky in gorgeous shades of gold and pink.

“Come on, hot stuff,” Rylan said, nudging me a little. “Let’s get you hitched.”

I tightened my grip on Rylan’s arm as we slowly walked through the doors and into the temple’s packed interior. All eyes turned toward me, and I straightened my spine and held my head high, gliding across the runner as if I had all the time in the world. So much attention was a little nerve-wracking, but I was determined not to show it. I was thankful that at least no journalists or cameras were allowed in this sacred place.