Blood Lilies by T. A. Miles

Author:T. A. Miles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horror, demon, fantasy, magic, dark fantasy, war, battles, alternative lifestyle, mages, magic system, mages and magic, demons and magic, mage and magic, battles between fantasy nations

~

By midafternoon there was no telling that anything abnormal had gone on in the night between Korsten and his appointed physician. The matter was effortlessly put aside, each of them seeing to their own affairs and reacting to each other’s presence as unenthusiastically as they ever had in the past when they met again in the library.

Korsten walked the second level balcony slowly with a book cradled in his arms. Merran found a staircase to sit on and fell into typically silent and mysterious rumination. Eolyn currently occupied a space of his sleeve and Analee fluttered along in Korsten’s wake. Korsten wondered helplessly what the two creatures thought of their bond mates becoming bedmates, but didn’t dwell on it, concluding that, since Analee kept his soul, she must have felt incredibly good for a span. And then it was on to other matters.

“I haven’t heard from Ashwin at all today,” Korsten said to the Mage-Adept perched below. “What do you suppose has happened with Sharlotte? Why isn’t anyone saying anything?”

Merran waited for Korsten to finish before giving his answer. “The Council doesn’t make examples. The matter will be resolved discreetly and no one who wasn’t a witness to what happened to you will be made aware of it. Imagine the discord, possibly dissolution, if it were to be publicized throughout the Seminary. Friends and allies of Sharlotte taking her side, along with others. People who may be convinced not to trust you simply because you haven’t been here long enough for them to know you. Ashwin gaining enemies, trying to insinuate himself between his spouse and his obligation as Mage-Superior, which is to ensure the safety of his students as well as to educate them.”

Something occurred to Korsten just then. “Lerissa doesn’t know, does she?”

Merran shook his head. “There was no need to wake her, since I had returned and was able to resume my post as physician.”

I wonder if she’ll tell Lerissa. I wonder what Lerissa will think. She’s liable to be upset with me. Korsten walked to the railing and braced his book upon it. “You know, I don’t blame Sharlotte for what she did to me.”

“It cannot be condoned,” Merran answered. “And had no one been around to mend your ribs and put your face back to its flawless state, you might not find yourself so forgiving.”

Korsten’s eyes narrowed, but he decided not to admonish the man as the library doors swung open, admitting the very person Korsten wanted to see. He closed his book and headed for the nearest spiral staircase, which happened to be across the room from the one where Merran sat. “Ashwin, what’s happened? Is Sharlotte all right?”

The blond man stopped just inside the library. After a period of simply staring at his student, his expression for once unreadable, he tucked his hands into the overlong sleeves of his robes, then made his announcement. “Sharlotte has chosen to leave the Seminary.”

Korsten dropped the book in his hand and froze at the top of the stairs.

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