Swords, Sorcery, and Sundry: Edges & Embers One by Mina MacLeod

Author:Mina MacLeod [MacLeod, Mina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, fantasy, M/M romance, Edges and Embers
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Published: 2014-05-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

He dreams deeply—too deeply. He knows it's a dream, but he can't escape it.

When Sylvain opens his eyes, he finds himself staring at a pristine white ceiling engraved with the shapes of different birds. He looks at the whiteness for a while, shifts within the cocoon of silk bed sheets, turns into the feather pillow, and then remembers. Some mornings, he forgets that he resides at the Academy now.

He doesn't think he's finished sleeping; he's been staying up far too late the past few nights, disciplining himself and aligning his soul with the elements. He's only just earned his status as a true wizard of the Academy, but his tutors were quick to point out his weakness in Air. "Please don't be concerned," they'd said. "It's perfectly natural to be lacking in any one particular element; most wizards have mild-to-extreme difficulty with at least one." They did suggest he train diligently, working to better his alignment, so he could at least have a working knowledge of Air, and the ability to call upon it should it ever be an option he must choose.

Besides, Sylvain has learned from his old playmates in the streets that the common folk—and even young Aucherians—do not seem to understand the concepts of magical strength. Another child asked him to blow a lost ball out of a tree so they could continue to play, and Sylvain's admission that he could not was met with incredulous looks.

"What do you mean, you can't? Aren't you a wizard?"

He is now—and maybe he could even blow that ball out of the branches.

Burrowing into his pillow, he prepares to drift off again, until he notices a pair of blue eyes looking into his own.

"It's about time you woke up," Elan says.

Sylvain blinks. "How long have you been in here?"

"About half an hour," the other wizard tells him. "It's your own fault, really, for never locking your door." Elan props himself up on one elbow and frowns down at him. "What's wrong? You look glum."

"I just woke up," Sylvain reminds his friend in a dry tone. "And I wasn't quite finished sleeping, either."

Elan turns his nose up at him. "Well then, I suppose I won't give you the good news I was planning on telling you, seeing as how it appears I'm interrupting your beauty rest."

"Good news?" Sylvain's interest is piqued. "What about?"

Elan smirks down at him, blond fringe falling into his eyes. "The north wing of the library has been repaired. They finished the floors last night, and it's open for circulation once again."

The news is indeed good, and even compels Sylvain to sit up. "Really? We can have access to the books?"

"Beginning this morning at the eleventh hour." The smirk transforms into a gentle smile. "I thought you might like to join me for breakfast in the dining rooms. I don't feel like having the meal brought to my chambers."

"Of course, I'd love to." Sylvain slides out of bed and walks to his wardrobe. "Actually, come to think of it, I've slept a lot, and I'm hungry.

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