Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

“Jon, wait.”

“Is there anything I can say that might change your mind?”

She stared at me for a long while before finally shaking her head.

“Then I should go. Don’t worry, I will pretend it never happened.”

“Jon.”

I turned as I reached for the door.

“It was so incredible,” she said. “It did happen, and…it was just so incredible.”

I rushed back and crouched beside the bed, taking her hand. “I know it was. So why not continue this?”

A tear fell down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “My family. We can’t continue because it’s too risky that people will find out, and…”

“And you won’t ever be able to marry this other man.”

She nodded, a few more tears escaping.

I was done. She was choosing someone else. I went for the door.

“Jon, I really am so, so sorry. I thought you knew where things stood going into this.”

I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. I took my time to choose my words carefully.

“The only thing I knew was that no one has ever made me feel like you made me feel, and I had stupidly thought I did the same for you.”

I opened my door and closed it after myself without turning around.

I had best start trying to forget about Kat, or a lot of pain would be ahead.

I needed to get back to training.

*****

I didn’t see Kataleya for a couple hours. I eventually began to worry a little, and I needed to lock the door to my room anyway, so I went back to make sure she wasn’t still there.

My room was empty, my bed made up nicely. There was little evidence that anything had occurred. I figured Kataleya was just avoiding me by not returning to the courtyard to train. I was glad for it. I wanted to avoid her as well.

But more than that, I wanted to see her. I couldn’t help it. Even if it hurt, I very much wanted to see her again.

*****

Fortunately, my training went well that day. I practiced enough to create a strong wall of dvinia that I could push against my body without my mana wanting to break apart. I was still far from adding G to the spell and grabbing myself with the energy, but I was closer to catching myself if I was to be thrown in the air by Pearson again.

I was just starting to create the wall horizontally, at knee level, and building up the courage to jump on it when Leon’s voice surprised me.

“Jon, you’re leaving the castle with me.”

“What?” I let my energy disperse into the air. I hadn’t seen Leon for days. “Where are we going?”

“The king is going to have to impose a crisis tax. We need to start spreading the word, get people used to the idea. There’s no better way to do that than healing them free of charge. I have a gold coin with the healer’s name on it in exchange for the business we cost him. We might be doing this more often as we wait for news from Rohaer, so you’d better get used to it. After we’re done, you’re helping me carry back a few things. The king is hosting a celebration tonight.”

This was too much too fast. “A celebration?”

“We don’t have time to waste. Do you have everything you need? I’ll tell you more on the way.”

I took a moment to think. “Do I need anything?”

“You tell me. You’ll be healing for at least a few hours. Yes, Aliana?”

I looked over my shoulder to see Aliana close behind me. I hadn’t heard her approaching.

“Did I hear you’re going to the healer where my mother works?”

“Come if you like,” Leon said. “Just don’t get in the way.”

“How would I get in the way?”

“I don’t know, just don’t. Are you both ready to go?”

All I could think about was the passion I had shared with Kataleya in my bedroom earlier. She still wasn’t in the courtyard. Definitely avoiding me.

Stop worrying about being with her. There’s nothing there to worry about.

“Should I bring my bow in case we encounter problems?” Aliana asked.

“Seeing as how it’s your only weapon, what do you think?”

Aliana didn’t reply as she walked away from us to retrieve her bow near the target where she’d left it.

“Well?” Leon asked me.

“Do you expect me to bring my sword?”

“What do you think?”

I honestly didn’t know. Perhaps the answer would have something to do with why the king was hosting a celebration. Was the immediate threat against us over? Then I wouldn’t need my sword.

“Looks like you’re back to your usual self,” I said over my shoulder as I went for my sword.

“I’m still recovering,” Leon replied loudly enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear. “By the way, no one asked me how I was. I think I’m insulted!”

I went into the apartments, strapped my sheathed sword to my belt, and returned.

He was still shouting when I returned. “Punishments might be in order if none of you learn to care about your instructors!”

“Oh we care,” Eden said as she leaned against the wall near the great hall. “I tell Jennava all the time that she’s doing great work.”

“Enough of that, Eden,” Jennava said from within the great hall.

I noticed Kataleya near her, our eyes meeting for a beat, but I quickly looked away as I returned to Leon and Aliana in the center of the courtyard.

“Jenn, you’ll watch over the sorcelings while I’m gone?” he yelled right near my ear.

“I thought we agreed you would stop making up words,” she yelled back with a grin.

“If I use it and you understand it, it’s a real word.”

“I’m so glad you’re finally out of bed,” she said sarcastically.

Soon Aliana and I were following Leon out of the castle. The drawbridge remained open behind us, another good sign.

“What’s the celebration about?” I asked.

“Pearson has left for Rohaer. With Cason and Luther captured, we’ll have peace for a while. We no longer have to fight the dark mages. They are gone.”

“With the king’s money,” I