41.The Mage
YILEYNA
Trying to remain indifferent, I grabbed the jug, pouring myself some juice just as Theon lifted the crab,
but rather than eating it, he used his knife to push it off his fork, letting it fall rather unceremoniously
back onto the platter.
Tossing his knife back down onto the table, his irritation was clear in his actions.
"Don’t push my fucking boundaries."
Theon’s icy voice came, and the anger that radiated off of him made the entire table fall silent, but
despite the tension that settled around the group, I couldn’t help but feel happy.I was about to put the
jug down, when Theon reached over and took the glass I had just filled up.
"That was mine." I said, poking my eyes out.
"Now it’s mine." He replied with an ‘I don’t give a fuck’ look, gulping down half of the juice in the glass
and placing it down again.
"Everything is yours."
I muttered, but despite my mock annoyance, my heart was soaring.
"Yeah, it is."
Our eyes met and my heart pounded, like always his gaze would consume me.I turned back to my food
just as he took the fish I had placed on his plate and bit into it.I couldn’t stop the smile from crossing my
face and turned towards Charlene who was watching with eyes wide open with excitement, and I knew
she wanted to squeal with happiness.I did my best not to look at Barbara, although I did want to see
her expression.
Oh well, we can’t have everything we want.
Feeling far more content, I decided to enjoy the delicious meal before me… It was a while later and we
had all eaten a lot, Oliver wasn’t as jolly as he was by the end of our meal and the poor man looked as
if he had run a hundred miles.
Well, that is what happens when you have twenty or so customers and the majority are all werewolves.
We can eat for Astalion itself! The mood that had settled over us during lunch was now gone, the
severity of the reason behind this journey now weighing down upon us.
Theon was quiet and Madelia was frowning deeply.
"This mage, will he do a spell of some sort?" Charlene asked the two who were walking slightly ahead.
"No, he is in no health to perform any magic.He is a seer.He may not have the sight to see anything of
this world but he sees what we cannot.Now Princess… please do not ask such questions out in the
open."
"Yeah I-"
"As future Alpha, shouldn’t you know that without having to be told?"
Theon asked, his voice cold and that familiar hatred seeping into it once more.
How had I never noticed that hatred towards Charlene before?
"Ok, calm down." I said, frowning at his back, glancing at Charlene.
I hooked my arm around hers and rested my head on her shoulder.
"She gets it."
He cast one look over his shoulder and goddess, if looks could kill, we would both be dead.
The rest of the walk there was quiet, with the steep hills becoming tiring and soon I was beginning to
feel it in my calves.
We had been going on for ages, Theon and Madelia seemed to have been given some sort of direction
because they were not asking anyone for any help.
Help I do think they needed, because at times they seemed to stop and ponder over the small letter in
hand.
"How much longer?" I asked, when my foot skidded on some pebbles and I glared at the narrow rocky
path.
"Not long, but if you didn’t get relaxed with your training, this would have been a pretty easy trip."
Theon’s cocky voice came.
"Oh please, this has got nothing to do with my training.It’s been forever.Do you two even know where
we’re headed?" I asked, my voice equally icy.
I was met with no answer.
Theon obviously didn’t think I needed an answer, but even Madelia decided to ignore me.I stayed silent
after that, deciding to ignore Theon.
After another hour we finally reached the home of the mage.
It reminded me more of a shrine, the nervousness and seriousness of the situation settled back in me
and I took Charlene’s hand as we made our way to the entrance.
"Welcome to Master Wenyu’s home." A young man said, bowing deeply.
"Thank you, may we see him? How is his health?" Madelia asked politely as he led us inside.
I wonder if the alpha sent her to at least have some courtesy, because Theon clearly lacked that.
"The master will be happy to have you here." The man replied.
"His health is deteriorating, very fast…"
The gravity of his words was obvious, and I knew the man we were to see would not live for much
longer.We followed him down the wooden paneled halls.
The floors were covered with rugs with modest patterns, and the smell of orchids and mangoes filled
the air.
Beside me I could feel Charlene’s body shaking with nerves, I gave her clammy palm a slight squeeze.
I looked at her and gave her a smile of encouragement.
"I’m here with you."
I whispered as quietly as possible, not wanting anyone else to hear, although I was sure Theon
probably could.
She nodded, forcing a small smile that didn’t take away the worry in her eyes.
"Always."
I nodded, then looked ahead to see Madelia and Theon had stopped outside a door.
The man who was accompanying us had gone into the room, closing the door behind him, telling us to
wait a moment.
"You knew him?" Theon asked Madelia.
She nodded, looking around the hallway.
"Yes, before he retired up here, he was my mentor."
She said, "I was raised and taught by him from the day I was found at an orphanage."
Theon simply gave a small nod in reply, before the door opened and the man stood aside.
"Come on in."
Theon led the way in.
Even when he was simply calm, he oozed dominance and power.
The moment I entered the room, my heart sank at the state of the man on the bed.He was far frailer
than I had imagined.His breathing was heavy and his milky white eyes were staring at the ceiling.
"Welcome to my home." He rasped, holding his hand out.
Theon walked around to the left side of the bed.He seemed more tense now, it was obvious the weight
of what we were here for was getting to everyone.He stepped back, his arms crossed, and allowed
Madelia to step forward, "Master Wenyu."
Madelia murmured, taking the mage’s outstretched hand and kissing it.It was obvious the woman was
near tears as she did her best to remain composed.
"Madelia… I may see many things, but I did not think I would have the happiness of meeting you once
more.A royal mage to house Aphelion… it is no small feat.I am proud, I am proud…"
"Thank you, master, it is all your teachings.Today we are here, as you know-"
"Archeron, leave us."
Wenyu cut in.
The man who had led us here bowed his head before he left the room, the door shutting behind him
with a quiet click.
"I know why you are here, I received Alpha King Andres’s message."
Wenyu added, as Theon jerked his head at Charlene to step forward.She didn’t let go of my hand,
holding it painfully tight.
Goddess, shifted wolves were so powerful! No wonder they say I’m lacking! We both stepped around
the other side of the bed to Madelia and Theon, whilst Wenyu turned his gaze towards us.
"Does she have the gift, Master?" Madelia asked quietly.
Charlene stared at the blind man in bed, his unseeing eyes seemed to bore into us.
Even I felt myself becoming unsettled as his gaze didn’t shift.
"She has the gift, it dazzles brighter than the sun."
Wenyu proclaimed, making both Charlene and I let out a breath of relief as I hugged her tightly.Her
heart was pounding but the look of relief on her face made me smile.
"That’s perfect!"
Madelia exclaimed, turning to Theon, who was frowning.
His jaw was taught, and his eyes were sharp and cold as he stared at Charlene.
Well, I bet it must hurt knowing the one you insulted is the heart of our world.
I smirked smugly before winking at Charlene.
"However, it is not all good news…"
"What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding.
"The power is suppressed, there is a seal stronger than anything I have seen upon her… I have not
seen magic of this kind…"
"You’re saying her powers are blocked?" Theon asked, frowning sharply.
"Yes… and I am afraid I have no idea of what will undo it.You must find the one who cast it…"
His eyes fluttered shut and his breathing became shallow before he began coughing violently.
"Master!"
Madelia shouted in panic.
I grabbed the silver jug from near the bed, biting into my lip as the silver stung my skin, and poured him
a glass of water whilst Madelia helped him sit up.
Charlene rushed to the door to get help, only Theon stood there unmoving.
Wenyu gulped some down, his coughing easing as Archeron returned with Charlene.
He rushed to his master’s side, and only when Wenyu settled back against his pillows did he step away
from the bed.
"We will take our leave." Madelia said, although it was obvious that she didn’t want to leave.
"Yes… I will rest." Wenyu said.
"We’ll give you a moment."
I said to Madelia, knowing she at least needed a few moments to bid her master and mentor a final
goodbye… Theon left the room first with Charlene and I following behind him, we had just reached the
door when Wenyu spoke once more, making me pause in the doorway.
"Remember, the heart of Kaeladia belongs to all…"
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