“Could just say a simple ‘Thank you’,” Violette said, putting her magic wand back in the stealth, her eyes following a little lizard before it slipped under a stone.
Dante squinted and silently continued his way.
The bright moonlight greeted Violette's head as she emerged from the cave entrance. The blanket of stars was glimmery as a flash of lights, while the moon halo brilliantly glowed against the clear dark sky with a vivid sapphire hue. One look around and it was clear – they stood on the coast of the ocean separating the two continents. The coast of theValley of Enchanted Stories.
Violette's gaze rushed into the distance beyond the horizon as the male voice hit her ear.
“How long will you stand there?”
She turned her sight to Dante, though her gaze quickly shifted to the black horses harnessed to an elegant bleak carriage, lonely standing next to the tree, bathing in the moonlight.
Inside was draped dark blue velvet and a thick curtain. Her eyes measured the seats before she looked at Dante again.
“Where are we going?”
“To the northwest of these lands. Day and a half from here,” he said and got in the carriage.
Violette gaped at him. “Day and a half? Don't you have some other portal to get there quicker?”
“The quicker you get in – the quicker we will arrive at the place.”
She hovered for a second and finally took a step inside, choosing the spot on the other side. And despite having plenty of things to ask or thoughts to voice, somehow she just kept silent as the carriage was slightly swaying from side to side.
Her gaze dug into the one living thing in front of her – her new companion, a mysterious guy who she'd known nothing about. A lot of doubts and mistrust kept settling between her ribs and captivating her mind. She had no idea where they were going and what to expect, however something prompted her not to worry – she could wield magic after all – it didn't mean she would ease off and let her guard down. It would not be a smart decision after all. Truthfully, all of it wasn't smart. At least she was aware of this.
Dante meanwhile was looking at the window, not a word left his mouth since they sat in the carriage. His face stayed serious and unreadable through the whole journey until his jaw finally moved, “Tell me, has nobody ever told you staringmakes other people uncomfortable?”
Finally he graced her with his gaze as if only now acknowledging her presence, a pinch of annoyance visible in his eyes.
“You are not people. You are a stranger,” Violette calmly noted.
“Trying to study me, Little Witch?” A shameless smirk wrapped his mouth.
“I am not a witch. I am awizardling,” she corrected.
“Uh yes, your odd magic system.” He carelessly waved his hand.
“This system was created for a reason,” she retorted. “A witch is the one who brews potions and–”
He eyed her like it wasn't exactly a description of her.
“Well, theyonlybrew potions,” she emphasized. “And do healing. While they don't have the ability to cast spells and control magic itself, they are magical beings,” she went on. “But a female who has powers, a magic wand and the ability to develop their magic with knowledge to completely new levels is calledwizardling. That's two different things.”
“On the lands where we go, they are called the same. There you will be a witch – doesn't matter if you can wield a magic wand or not.” He condescended her with an insincere smile.
“Anyway,” she waved away. “Answer to your question is yes, I do study you. That is asmart thing as I don't know who you are and what your plans are, because, I emphasize, you are not telling me. And I don't know what to expect from you.”
A chuckle slid down his lips. It made her brows draw together and her mouth pressed in a thin line.
“What is funny about it?”
“Excuse me.” He cleared his throat. “I didn't mean to. I do understand your suspicion, really. You have every right to not trust me and I would say it's a wise thing to do. But don't worry – I'm not interested in anything else except your magic.”
“My mother told me not to trust strangers.”
“Did she tell you to make a deal with them instead?” He stretched, leaning back and closing his eyes. Then opened one eye again with a smug smile on his lips.
How dare he? She couldn't explain why it bothered her so much but his audacity was making her blood boil. Like it wasn't him who offered her a deal in the first place.
