Page 41 of Unexpected Magic

Getting to his feet, Jasper said, “I have a report to write. I shall bring my lap desk up to Dee… Lady Cordelia’s chambers, and work on it there.” It was not a request. The meeting had lasted more than two hours, and he felt the separation from Delia like an open wound.

Lady Margate raised her eyebrows and decreed. “You shall stay out of her chambers until she has been seen by Lady Bright, and you shall be permitted entry only once both Lady Bright and Lady Cordelia herself give you leave.”

She must realize that she could not keep him out if he insisted on going in. Nobody could keep him from Delia, not even every member of every Council of Mages in the realm. She was relying on his good manners and his respect for her position.

Neither would constrain him if Delia was in danger. He attempted to speak to her mind to mind, as he did in dragon form.Delia? Are you well? Are you safe?

It worked. The answer came back.Jasper! Yes, I am well and safe.

May I come to see you?

Later. The healer is due to visit shortly. After she has confirmed my recovery, I plan to have a bath. If you have time, could you visit when I am up and dressed?

I always have time for you, Delia. Let me know. And call me if anything or anyone bothers you.

Do not fuss, Jasper. Lady Margate and the maid have been very kind.

He was almost disappointed. Not that he wished anything else for his lady, but he had no excuse to override Lady Margate’s command. “Very well,” he told the enchanter. “I shall wait. Please let me know as soon as possible.”

Lady Margate was eyeing him curiously. “Were you talking to someone? The Lady Catalyst, was it? I sensed… the edges of a conversation, I suppose one could say. Not the words, but more a sound, except there was no sound.” She gave her head a quick shake as if frustrated at explaining an experience for which she had no words.

Lady Margate was, of course, a powerful enchanter, but Jasper was still surprised she had “heard” anything. He made a mental note to figure out how to shield his mental conversations with Delia from outside observers.

There was no reason why he shouldn’t tell her the truth. “Lady Cordelia and I can speak mind to mind. It is useful when I am in dragon form.”

“Yes. I can see how it would be useful. You love her, then. And she loves you.”

Delia loves me? His heart leapt at the thought. But how on earth did Lady Margate deduce that?

She could also see into his mind, apparently. Or maybe his feelings were clearly written on his face, because she said, “You forget, Baradine. My mage-gift is strongest in matters of the heart. I have done extensive research into magical spells that are linked to romance and other types of love.”

Jasper had forgotten. Her love magic was one of the reasons that Lady Margate was a successful matchmaker.

Lady Margate was providing examples. “The magical strength a mother finds at her command when a child’s life depends on it. The bond between parent and child, siblings,lovers and friends that allows one person to know danger threatens the other, even if they are separated by oceans.”

Her smile was that of an expert sharing superior knowledge, slightly condescending. “Speaking mind-to-mind is vanishingly rare, and all the examples in the literature have been two people who are in love with one another. Ergo, you love the Lady Catalyst, and she loves you.” Her decisive nod said this was the last word on the subject.

I love her. The words settled peacefully into Jasper’s soul, bringing conviction with them. He loved her. Now all he had to do was convince her of that fact.

Chapter Seventeen

Lady Bright gaveDelia a clean bill of health, and she was soon luxuriating in a bath and then being dressed in new clothing of a much higher quality than anything she had ever worn. The maid also insisted on styling her hair, so that a stranger looked back at her from the looking glass—an elegant lady with ringlets that tumbled around her familiar face—still common brown, like her eyes, but both somehow prettier than she had ever seen them. She was wearing a gown of dark red, richly embroidered in greens and golds. It must have cost the equivalent of the income from an entire harvest back home.

Jasper’s voice in her head had been silent since their exchange before the arrival of the healer, but she found herself wishing he would come now, to see this new her—this exquisite creature who looked as if she belonged in Jasper’s world.

Thinking of him must have alerted him, for he was suddenly speaking in her mind.Delia? Did you need me for something? Is something wrong? I am on my way now.

Nothing is wrong, Delia assured him.I shall see you shortly, then.

He must have been close by, for she only had time to move to a chair near the sofa that was occupied by Lady Margate and her skirts, and to say, “Jas—Lord Baradine is coming. I should like to see him.” The knock on the door coincided with her last word. She could sense Jasper’s presence on the other side.

The maid checked for Lady Margate’s nod and then answered it. “She is expecting you, my lord.” She stepped out of the way, and then Jasper was in the room, examining her with both his eyes and his mage senses.

“You are better,” he said, relief coloring every word.

“I am. Come in and have a seat, Lord Baradine.” Delia waved to the chair next to her own.

Instead of sitting, he dropped to his knees next to her chair. “I am so sorry,” he said. “I should have realized that translocation would rip your mage-gift out of the world around you. I hurt you.”