“Please sit,” Archmagus Ena instructed, as she closed her office door behind Velaya.

The Headmistress waved her hand and a purple cushioned settee appeared in front of her desk. Velaya sat down and instead of taking a seat within her customary chair, Ena settled next to her on the couch.

Velaya’s mind had been reeling as she had followed Ena upstairs. She now turned to her and was going to ask one of the hundreds of questions she had, when the Archmagus cut her off.

“I want to assure you that what you heard on the stairwell is nothing more than idle prattle,” her voice was soft but her eyes remained sharp. “My intelligence regarding Lord Doriel’s whereabouts confirms that he is alive and well.”

“Did he make it to Elyzeme? Has Queen Syndrianna captured him? Is she using him against my mother? Against you?” Velaya’s questions came in a panicked rush. Ensuring Doriel and her family’s safety was top of her mind. The rest of what she’d overheard, she’d address later. Ena raised her hand to silence her.

“I will reiterate what I said to Magus Tessa. Lord Doriel is still at sea and neither Queen Virfina or King Trelladain has any involvement regarding his movements.”

“But has she cut off contact with my parents? With Ayradora and with Manatide Tower?”

The Archmagus returned Velaya’s intense stare. It was clear she was wrestling with how much to reveal. Had Velaya been outside of this school she could’ve demanded to know. But she had no command here, and if Ena didn’t wish to reveal anything to her, there was nothing she could do.

“Please madam, I know politics have little place here, but this is my family they speak of,” Velaya begged softly.

To her surprise, Ena sighed and her eyes softened. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the Elyzeme Kingdom has long been displeased with how Bellaurose and Ayradora have handled those affected by the Corruption. When Queen Virfina was informed that Manatide Tower would be permitted to conduct trials, she withdrew what cooperation she had.”

Velaya searched Ena’s face. “It was my mother who approved it. The trials.” It wasn’t a question but Ena nodded.

“After what occurred during your first week here, she insisted that Magus Ossacus and his team be granted full access to study it. He’ll be the first to admit that he underestimated the severity of it. Your arrival earlier today was timely.”

Ena watched Velaya expectantly, willing her to address what they both knew was coming. Velaya stalled.

“My brother and Magus Tessa…” she said quietly, hoping to keep the hurt from her voice. She was unsure of how to ask or if she wanted to know the answer.

“That is a matter between them and not one I will speak to.”

It was clear she wasn’t going to say anything further on it but Velaya picked up on the sympathetic tone. She leaned back into the cushions, turning to look with unfocused eyes out the window behind the desk.

Until earlier, she’d never had any indication that Doriel had any sort of romantic interests with anyone. And whatever the situation between him and Tessa was, it was clear it was more than nothing. Was that why he was so willing to escort her to Moongate? Had he been meeting with Tessa in private? How long has this been going on? The sting of being left out of that part of his life hurt more than she was willing to admit. And did Athone know? Him and Doriel were as close as brothers. She wasn’t sure she could bear the thought of him knowing, with her being left in the dark. Especially not after what she’d revealed to him today.

She finally turned to look at the Archmagus, who sat patiently watching her closely.

“Will you be telling King Robert?” she asked, swallowing hard.

Ena knew she was no longer speaking about her brother. She cocked her head slightly to the side and for a moment her periwinkle eyes met with Velaya’s brilliant blues and a silent understanding seemed to pass between them.

“I do not think that would be wise at this time,” Ena said, and with the rush of the relief that swept through Velaya, she had to close her eyes to settle herself.

She felt Ena’s warm touch on her shoulder. “Are you certain you can trust Mister Valreale and Miss Rallothyra?”

Velaya opened her eyes, locking them back onto Ena’s. “Yes. I trust Athone and Rose,” she said firmly.

The Archmagus lightly squeezed her shoulder in acknowledgement, before standing and making her way around the desk to sit in her chair.

“Your parents do not know?” she asked, once settled.

“Just you three,” Velaya nodded, sitting up straighter.

“Good. Then you must maintain your Dark shield around your mind at all times. I understand it is getting much stronger. Miss Rallothyra’s shield is already powerful enough to protect her.” Velaya blinked in surprise but said nothing. “Without Mister Valreale having access to draw from the Dark, his mind is more vulnerable.”

Velaya felt a chill wash through her. “He won’t say anything.”

Ena’s stare was uncomfortably piercing. “I am not suggesting that he would do so intentionally.”

Velaya shook her head and said adamantly, “You cannot wipe his mind of this. That would be…” she searched for the words.

“In your best interest,” Ena suggested, curtly.

Velaya knew that she was correct, but the thought of pulling that back away from him, after she’d revealed it and he had accepted it so easily? She couldn’t do that. Now that he knew, she didn’t want to go back. She was aware she was crossing a dangerous line but the trust she had for Athone was growing deeper. She knew that if she were to look closely, it was due to more than their lifelong friendship. And she wasn’t prepared to dive that far down into the beating organ within her chest to acknowledge the true reason.

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“He’s strong with the Light. I’m confident he will keep this guarded,” she said with finality. She didn’t miss the disappointment that briefly crossed the Headmistress’ face when Ena nodded, and that struck a small blow to her.

They sat in silence for a moment as she wrestled with her thoughts.

“Will Barrett know?” she eventually asked quietly.

She saw it again. That subtle twitch at the corner of Ena’s eye and the ever so slight downturn of her lips. There was a story there that she was certain she would not be privy to.

“If you are careful, I do not imagine he will find out,” Arcmagus Ena said slowly. “But he, along with a few others here, do know of the prophecy. They will have eyes on you and there is only so much I can shield from them.”

“I have not done it often,” she said a touch defensively. “It’s very taxing.”

“Yes it is. Have you ever expelled all four schools of magic at one time before?”

Velaya nodded. “Only once, back home. I was practising shielding myself with all four forms. I wasn’t aware of how draining it would be. I was ill for a week after. My parents were deeply concerned but they never found out the cause.”

“Did you lose consciousness?” Ena asked, and when Velaya shook her head, she leaned back in her chair, this time impressed. “How long ago was this?”

“Six years ago,” Velaya said, casting her mind back.

Ena blinked in surprise. “You were ten.” Velaya nodded. “And you have not tried again since then?”

“No.” She flushed slightly. “I’ve been hesitant to do so again.”

“That’s more than understandable,” Ena said softly, and offered her a small smile. “I’d like to see you try again.”

“Right now?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

Velaya stood up and took a deep breath. Strengthened by the encouraged nod from Ena, she reached into her mana pool.

After the potion from earlier, it felt full and eager. All fatigue she’d had before had ebbed away in anticipation. One by one she reached for each. The Elements reacted instantly, and the other schools followed immediately after. She let them swirl around within her pool before she closed her eyes and doing what only an Omnimage was capable of, she pushed them all out at once, willing them to provide her with a protective barrier.

A brilliant purple aura burst forward and surrounded her. She could feel her mana rushing through her - a floodgate opened. She clenched her jaw and tried to stem the flow of it, demanding it to calm. It took every ounce of her concentration to try and stem the flow of it, but it was no different than straining to dam a waterfall with cupped fingers. The more it poured from her, the weaker she became, and she could feel herself sweating with the effort.

“That’s enough now.” Archmagus Ena sounded far away.

Closing her eyes, she used the last bit of her strength to cut off her mana before falling back onto the couch.

When she opened her glowing eyes, the Headmistress had moved to crouch before her. What could only be described as wonder, covered Ena’s face.

“How do you feel?” she asked softly, shaking her head in awe.

“Tired.” Velaya managed a weak smile and received a brilliant one from Ena in return.

“Incredible,” Ena muttered to herself. She placed a large mana potion within Velaya’s hands. Velaya did not know when she had retrieved it. “Be sure to drink all of this.”

She leaned back again and began drinking the potion. Her entire body felt drained and she closed her eyes between sips, taking time to catch her breath.

Ena was standing again and waved her hand so a plate full of chocolates and desserts appeared on her desk.

“I need to step away for a few minutes. You must eat something,” she said. “I’ll return shortly.”

Velaya could only nod her agreement and listened as the Archmagus left the room.

~~~

She did not remember falling asleep, but when she woke, she could feel the warmth of a thick blanket above her and could hear the soft whirling of strange instruments and the gentle scratching of a quill against parchment.

When she cracked open her eyes, she was still in the Headmistress’ office. Ena was sitting at her desk, writing by the soft glow of a candle. It was still dark outside but Velaya could make out the slight pink daring to appear on the sea’s horizon out the window. She must’ve been asleep for hours, having spent most the night there.

When Velaya stirred, the Archmagus looked up. She appeared tired - having clearly not slept herself.

“You still need to eat something, Miss Rosemore,” she said, pointing to the platter of desserts that Velaya had left untouched.

Velaya felt her face flushing as she dragged herself into a seated position and reached for a square. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep here.”

Ena was watching her closely. “That’s quite alright. What you did yesterday was extremely taxing on your body. I would never have permitted you to leave until I was certain that you had faced no ill effects.”

It was said casually, but Velaya had picked up on the tenderness and vulnerability there. She ate quietly while the Archmagus returned to her writing and she watched her for a moment.

“Barrett knows you’re an Omnimage too, doesn’t he?” she asked softly.

Ena’s quill froze, but her eyes did not leave the scroll. Velaya wasn’t sure if she was going to respond. Maybe she had guessed incorrectly.

“Yes, he does,” she eventually said, laying her quill down to look over at her. She looked paler than usual causing the dark circles around her eyes to appear more prominent.

“Why were you not summoned?” Velaya asked, knowing she was treading through dangerous waters.

“The King does not know.”

Velaya’s face scrunched in confusion. “How is that possible? I thought Manatide Tower keeps a list here of all known Omnimages within the world.”

“You will not find my name on it. We had an … arrangement,” Ena said softly, and Velaya could’ve sworn the temperature in the room dropped.

“You and Barrett?” Velaya pushed.

Ena nodded slowly. “That’s right.”

“Is it safe to assume you won't disclose what that arrangement is?”

Ena laughed then, clear and deep. Smiling, she picked up her quill and tapped the edge of the platter with it. “Eat, Velaya.”