A Heart in Flames #2 (Howl's Moving Castle fanfiction)

Chapter 24: Creatures of Light

There was hardly a soul who didn't fear the Royal Sorceress. Her prestige in the art of magic and vast knowledge of the world overwhelmed the land of Ingary so well that no one, not even the Royal Family, was confident enough to stand up against her.

Madame Suliman knew this very well. She made sure no one would question her or become more powerful. For if just one soul discovered her weaknesses, if just one sly person figured out the secrets she locked deep inside herself, then everyone would see behind the mask she built around herself.

"How was that, Mother?"

Madame Suliman pulled her gaze away from the pouring rain trickling down the clean glass windows of her sanctuary. This was her comfort; her realm of control.

She nodded toward her son. "Yes, Owen. Your powers are definitely near mastery."

Owen crossed his arms. "Shall I perform again, hoping you'll watch me this time?"

Suliman, having been outed by her son for neglecting him again, sighed. "I have a lot on my mind. I would prefer that we train at a later date."

Owen scoffed. "Of course. Always later, and never now." Even in his adult years, he still held tantrums like a child.

He turned to walk out until he felt a pressing urge to do the exact opposite. It was a feeling he'd always had, yet never felt confident to share aloud - not even to his own mother. She never fought for him, never praised him in front of her other amateur students. He was far more intellectual in the art of magic than most of them were combined.

He had given her everything, and now he wanted just one ounce of truth from her.

Owen held his stance. "Why is this Howl Pendragon more important than me?"

He couldn't see her, yet he knew his mother was appalled by the accusation. "Owen, that is completely out of place and out of context. You are my son."

"Only by chance." Owen scolded. He turned with a burning rage toward Suliman. "Had Howl been fortunate enough to be born as your son, you would gladly show him off to everyone in Kingsbury, to the entire kingdom!"

"That is enough." Suliman stood from her chair and walked rigidly toward Owen. "A grown man acting like a child - I did not raise you to be envious. You have had everything you ever needed or wanted for twenty-two years all because of me, because of the status I have held for half a century! I will not be spoken to in such a vile tone from my own son."

"I won't stand to be second best anymore." Owen said, his eyes returning to the glare of his mother's. "Why do you favor him over me? Why do you favor all of your students over me?"

Suliman refused to speak. Her breath was heavy and fast-paced as she exhaled through the slits between her teeth. Owen would not release his glare from hers, hoping for some form of honesty from his mother. She was beyond wisdom; she was beyond talent; but as a mother, she failed him day after day.

And in that glance, in that brief moment she witnessed her son - and her mask dropped.

Owen stared wide-eyed. He didn't know how he couldn't see it before; or maybe he chose not to see it, willingly shielding such truth from his already fragile heart. As much as she played him as this amazing magician and gave him so many opportunities to learn from the masters, she would always see him as a disgrace to their family.

Owen clenched his fists. "Is this because of who I am? Is this because of my source?"

Suliman turned her back and walked to her chair. "Howl Pendragon is the magician I have been looking for since before you were born. I will not let this opportunity go to waste."