Although Cassian hadn’t obtained the information he was seeking, he found something else that was just as valuable: the secret behind the magic of light.
Cassian bid farewell to Barto and approached Maya’s table, saying,
“I’ll come back another day for you to read that book to me.”
“Make sure to bring enough money next time; I promise it won’t be cheap.”
“Can I ask you one last question without you asking for more money? You’ve already taken everything from me.”
“I like you, so yes, ask.”
“Where did you get that book?”
“This book was my father’s. An elf gave it to him a long time ago and taught him the language of the elves. My father used to mention him a lot; I think he said his name was Ethan.”
“Thank you for answering my question without asking for my clothes.
“If You don’t bring enough money next time, I might just do that. Safe travels, Prince Cassian.”
Cassian couldn’t hide his astonishment and asked her,
“Did you know who I was?”
Maya smiled and said to him,
“This is the information guild; we know many things.”
“Goodbye, Maya.”
“Come back soon, Cas.”
Cassian returned to the temple, and when he arrived, it was already past midnight, so he had to wait until the next day to talk to his brother and tell him everything he had discovered.
***
Abril dreamed of her mother again. They were both resting under the shade of a large tree, her mother combing her hair with caresses as light as a feather, making Abril feel safe.
“I always wanted to take care of you like this, comb your hair, and spend time together, but it wasn’t meant to be; my life ended too soon.”
“I always thought I was alone and that there was no one who loved me.”
“I was always there, but your magic was sealed, so you couldn’t see me, no matter how hard I tried.”
“Mom, how can I control my magic?”
“That won’t be easy. Your magic has always been contained, which makes it harder to control. But don’t worry, I’ll help you with that. I’ll teach you the secrets of your magic, of your legacy.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“But remember, your magic must remain a secret. I don’t know what your father would do if he found out you possessed such magic.”
“Has Dad always been a bad man?”
“No, but darkness took over him, erasing all the good and pure that was in him.”
“Darkness?”
“Yes, just as you are a bearer of light, there is darkness born from the hatred and resentment of men.”
Abril’s mother placed her hands on her shoulders and said, “You must be strong, my little one, because someday you will have to fight that darkness.”
After that, Abril woke up. Alessandro was stroking her cheek and asked her,
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have a nightmare?”
“No, I was dreaming about my mother, but lately, I can’t understand what she’s saying.”
Abril saw that the sun had already risen and said to him,
“Looks like it’s a beautiful day today.”
“Yes, but it might rain this afternoon.”
“Really?”
Alessandro had wind magic and could sense through the winds when it would rain.
“Yes, so try not to stray too far today.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
When Cassian got up, the first thing he did was go look for his brother. When he opened the door to his room, he found Alessandro; apparently, he had also come to look for him.
“Were you headed somewhere?”
“I was coming to find you.”
“Have you been able to find out anything?”
“You’d better come in.”
Alessandro entered the room, Cassian closed the door and said to him, “The intelligence guild couldn’t find any information about Abril’s mother; it’s as if she didn’t exist before marrying King Venobich.”
“That can’t be.”
“While I was waiting to get the information about Abril’s mother, I met a girl who had a strange book.”
“Have you found a girlfriend?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lessan, that’s not it. What I mean is that she told me about light magic, the magic that Abril possesses.”
“Really?”
“And you won’t believe what she told me.”
“What?”
“That only elves possess light magic.”
“Do elves exist?”
“Apparently, yes, but they live hidden in their kingdom, and that’s why no one knows about. them. But as I was saying, it’s a very rare magic, even among elves, only those of noble blood, the elven royalty, possess it.”
“But Abril is human.”
“I don’t think she is.”
“Are you telling me my wife is an elf?”
“Yes, although not entirely. I think she’s only a half-elf. I think Abril’s mother was an elf, which is why no one knows anything about her besides her name, Sophia, and that she was King Venobich’s first wife.”
“That’s insane.”
“I’m not sure if that’s the case, but otherwise, how could you explain that she continues to communicate with Abril after death through dreams? No wizard has been able to do something like that.”
“So Abril not only has royal blood from King Venobich but also from her mother, who was an elven princess.”
“That’s what I think, but I’m not entirely sure. I’ll go back to the guild and ask for information about the elves.”
“Why didn’t you do it while you were there?”
“They charge you for every question you ask there! I ran out of money; if I had asked another question, I would have ended up losing my shirt.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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