Shadow of Dusk

Heart's Magic

When the door shut behind Robert and the guards, Cailin stood up and stared at Liam.

            “Why?”

            “Because Tristen warned me about a dark magic, and I need to know if this is the real Tristen,” Lian said lowly.

            “You’re talking about Assumption” Cailin replied.

            Liam nodded.

            “Yes, I know about that magic,” said Cailin softly. “My grandfather told me. My mother discovered the way through it under his tutelage.”

            “Cailin,” said Tristen. “You know me. You know who I am. I love you. I wouldn’t hurt or betray you.”

            “I know that,” said Cailin, not looking at him but at Liam. She leaned close to him and she suddenly felt weak. She did not know how to fight the magic that was Liam. He wasn’t being vindictive or hurtful. Even though he was protecting himself, she knew he was protecting her—despite what he felt about her—and his people. She could see the good man that he really was, and longed for him to see the good in her, too.

            Cailin took a deep breath. “I’ve never fought this dark magic.” She looked at Liam closely, wishing it were more, but said, “You need me because you think I can. But you don’t know me. You only know I’m part veredian.  You don’t trust magic. You don’t trust me. How do you know I’ll be telling you the truth? If I can even tell for myself,” she added.

            “Listen, Cailin, this man is not Tristen. Tristen would have been more composed to the guards rather than act like a guilty man. He is not the man you hope he is, and that means that the man you love is dead. You are the only one who can find that out. And when you do, you won’t be able to hide your grief. That’s why I know you can do it. I have no other alternative but to trust you.”

            She felt a little stung, and the slight truce they had wavered a little. And yet…he was right. If this was not Tristen, Tristen was dead. She knelt at Tristen’s his feet again.

            “I gave up practicing magic two years ago,” Cailin said, looking at Tristen, watching his face. She turned to Liam. “I don’t know if I can.”

            “Try,” Liam replied simply.

            She summoned her grandfather’s lessons. This was what her mother was good at, and Liaden, but never her.

            Find what’s in your heart, her grandfather’s words echoed in her mind. Your heart must be whole, and yet it must be allowed to be seen in pieces.

            Her heart was not whole. It was with Liaden, her mother, her father, Brielle…and Tristen. That was it. Those were the pieces.

            Find the biggest piece and concentrate on it. Place your hand on my heart, child, come now. You must know your own heart to read another’s.

            Cailin breathed out slowly and looked into Tristen’s eyes.

            “I don’t know why you’re doing this, Cailin,” he whispered. “You know me.”

            She stared at him. If this were really Tristen, he’d splay his heart out in front of her to help her. She turned to Liam.

            “I don’t think…this can’t be…”