Loathing Magic

VI. Ankan

Light came in all of a sudden and it was blinding. I'm dead ....

Elydia blinked several times before she could keep her eyes open long enough to take a look around. She recognized the familiar shapes of her bedroom. No, I'm alive!

"Is there anyone here?" she tried to shout, but her voice wasn't strong enough.

Jonthar rushed to her. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he said with a smile.

Nothing could make her happier than this. "You heard me!"

He nodded and delicately held her hand. "There's someone else you should thank."

"Who?" She touched her womb. "Please tell me the baby is still inside me!"

Jonthar nodded again. "You've been lucky, more than lucky."

Elydia frowned. "That bitch has to pay!"

"I've already taken care of that."

"You did?"

"Before sunrise I went back to Drahmar and sneaked in Uvynia's quarters."

"And ...?" she asked, hoping to hear of the unspeakable horrors he'd inflicted on her to avenge his lady.

"I've erased her memory. Of you, of us, of everything that happened." He looked quite proud of himself.

She pouted in disappointment. "And that's all?"

"Well ...." Jonthar lowered his gaze. "I didn't feel like beating her up."

"That woman knew you: Who the hell is she?"

"Just a coworker of mine. She's the Secretary of Arcane Matters in the Republic. I couldn't possibly kill her."

"It still doesn't make any sense, unless ... what's going on between you two?"

Jonthar sighed. "She was once my lover, decades ago. But Uvy still dreams of getting me back, and that makes her jealous of any woman I meet."

In that moment, Dórel entered the room. "Ely!"

Her mood improved at once. "So nice to see you again! But ... how did you know?"

"I called him," Jonthar answered her. "He helped me in healing you. I couldn't have done it on my own," he admitted.

Dórel winked at her. "I would've stopped to see you anyway! I got back to the continent just a tenday ago."

"It was a lucky coincidence," Jonthar commented. "Listen, Ely. We have one issue to discuss."

Elydia moved her pillows in order to sit up in her bed. Now she could look at them from an angle that made her feel less helpless. First she turned to one man, and then the other. "So? Does anyone care to elaborate?"

It was Jonthar who did. "We need to conceal your pregnancy."

"Is that it?" she said frowning.

"It's not that easy. The Order Mages might figure it out, just like Uvynia did."

"I know some enchantments ...."

"Those won't be enough," Dórel stepped in. "Even if you use a true illusion, another Mage could always detect it."

"Why should they be looking for them anyway? Nobody goes around with no protection on."

"It's still a risk," Jonthar insisted. "Your friend here has a solution."

Elydia glowered at Dórel. "And that would be ...?"

"The Fairy Queen. Her Magic is above ours."