Thorns of Magic: The Dragon Girl, #2

By Carla Kerr

The Dragon Girl: Book 2

Thorns of Magic

 

A School of magic. A stolen proposal. Fire.

 

Juliana, the Dragon Girl, has returned to her family, and all seems well. However, as life settles down, her magic becomes wilder and harder to control, threatening all she's gained.

 

As Juliana struggles with her unpredictable powers, news arrives of the sudden engagement of Prince Leopold – a shock that causes her magic to flare and makes her question the wisdom of living amongst others.

 

To keep her family safe, Juliana must learn to control her magic.

 

But Leo's engagement is not what it seems, and the Rose School has its thorns…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carla Kerr
• Release date: Feb 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393984597

Carla Kerr

Carla Kerr lives in Ireland with a husband and three insane cats, and enjoys cocktails, Pagan gatherings, superhero comics, shopping, and penpalling. Not necessarily all at the same time. Swords and sorcery is where she likes to live, always hoping to do more actual writing than staring at a blank screen and daydreaming. Watch this space! Welcome to another of Carla's magical worlds - do enjoy it.

Book preview

This book is dedicated to Anne & Seán

Chapter 1: Juliana

Fire.

Again.

Hastily, Juliana smothered the flaming book in a blanket, and once the fire subsided, she threw her bedroom window open to dispel the smoke.

She couldn’t understand why this kept happening. She hadn’t even been doing anything – just reading, until the pages burst into flames. Magic, of course, but not intentional. It was ridiculous. She’d spent most of her life using magic in the dragon’s cave and never setting fire to anything other than a pile of weeds. Why were random things catching fire now? Particularly since – when she actually wanted to use it for something – the magic seemed weaker now, and harder to sustain. It didn’t make any sense that Juliana could see.

Turning away from the window, she knelt by the bed and pulled a box from under it. It was already half-full of charred, burnt and blackened items. All the things that had suddenly and spontaneously caught fire in her hands. She unwrapped the remains of the book and shook it into the box, then sat back on her heels with a sigh, staring at the little pile.

She hadn’t mentioned any of this to her brothers, and certainly not to her parents, who still didn’t understand magic or why she had it. She needed to try to understand it herself first, although that wasn’t going very well. Yet. She’d been trying to learn, reading as many books as she or Thomas could find on the subject of magic. But it wasn’t easy to learn from a book that was suddenly aflame in your hands.

The application form for the Rose School of Magic lay on the bedside table, under a stack of books. Unfilled. Juliana didn’t like the idea of enrolling in a school which, by all accounts, the students never left. She’d been assured that she would probably be accepted, but wasn’t sure that it was worth the cost.

There was a knock at the door, and she jammed the lid back on the box and shoved it back under the bed. She watched the coverlet fall back into place, hiding everything, before she called out, Come in.

Thomas opened the door with his usual ready smile, and didn’t question why she was on her knees beside the bed. Are you ready? he asked.

It was their routine now, once a week. Thomas had taken seriously her desire to see as much of the world as possible. They were starting with their own country, though. One day each week he made sure he was free from all other duties and spent the whole day driving Juliana wherever she wanted to go, pointing out new sights or things she’d already seen through the magic mirror, showing her everything he could.

I’m ready, Juliana answered, scrambling to her feet. She couldn’t help smiling back at Thomas. The magic, the book, and the application form went to the back of her mind. She grabbed her shoes and pulled them on, straightening on the way to the door.

Car or carriage? Thomas asked, as he did every week.

She loved the carriage and the horses, but they could only go short distances, and they drew crowds. She’d be the lost princess again, the focus of every gaze. Today she wasn’t in the mood. Today she wanted to drive further, and leave the palace behind for most of the day.

Car, she said, and Thomas nodded.

Let’s go.

As they got into the car, Thomas asked, What would you like to see today?

What did you have in mind? she countered, because he always had some kind of idea. They’d exhausted the well-known places and anything she’d been curious about – even revisited some of them – so now Thomas researched more places each week. He said that he considered it his duty to know all the parts of his future kingdom – which was, of course, true, but Juliana knew that his weekly outings with her were a huge part of why he embraced that duty so eagerly.

Well, there’s a waterfall, he began, and Juliana smiled, relaxing as he went into a description of the area.

That sounds perfect.

The car pulled off, followed closely by a second car with guards in it. That was a provision insisted on by their parents whenever they left the palace grounds. It didn’t distract from their sightseeing. The guards would keep their distance if Thomas and Juliana wanted to step out and walk around. The alternative was not to leave the palace at all, so they accepted it.

Before we see the waterfall, Juliana started.

Yes? Thomas prompted, encouraging.

She hadn’t even been sure she was going to speak, but the words were out now, so she kept going. I was wondering if we could look at the Rose School.

He turned to stare at her. The School of magic?

Juliana nodded, and hastened to explain, I don’t want to go in. Nothing like that. I just wanted to... see it. From outside.

He nodded slowly. I’m not sure how close we’ll be allowed to get, but we can certainly drive past. He leaned forward and spoke to the driver, then settled back into his seat. You’re not considering enrolling, are you? I thought you were set against it.

I am, said Juliana quickly. Maybe too quickly. Then she sighed. Our parents... She was never sure how to refer to them. Thomas seemed uncomfortable when she said the king and queen, but she couldn’t bring herself yet to say my parents. Our parents was still stiff and alien on her tongue. She could say it, but not quite yet feel it. Well, they want me to enrol, don’t they?

They believe it might help you, said Thomas. He always wanted to defend them, even on those occasions when he couldn’t. They would never insist.

She accepted it for now, although she doubted it would remain true if they knew about the little box full of burned remains under her bed.

It took almost an hour to reach the School. They chatted on the way. It had always been easy to talk to Thomas. Easy to accept him as a brother. They discussed the books they were reading – both were avid readers, and that took half the journey. When that topic was exhausted, Thomas turned the conversation to an absent friend. Leo, prince of neighbouring Pasania, and the first person Juliana had ever met – that she could remember, at least.

She smiled at the memory of Leo blundering into the dragon’s cave, drawn by her accidental magic. At least nothing had caught fire that time. She’d had more control then, she thought, which was odd.

Have you... looked in on him? Thomas asked, referring to the magic mirror that was the only thing Juliana had taken from the dragon’s cave. In the right hands, it could show whatever the user wished to see. It had been a window to the outside world for her. But now that she was in the world, she found that it too lived under the bed, rarely consulted. Seeing things in reality was better.

Sometimes, she admitted. We tried it some evenings – but it’s just so one-sided. He can’t see me, or know for sure if I’m seeing him. It doesn’t seem fair.

So, back to letters like mundane people, suggested Thomas.

Mundane is perfectly fine. She laughed.

The car slowed, bringing Juliana’s thoughts down to earth again, and she leaned past Thomas to see out his window. The road they were driving along was narrow and empty, and as they drew to a stop, she could see a set of imposing gates. Through those, a long drive, and a building that didn’t look large enough to be a School. There were more, smaller buildings behind it, but she couldn’t see those clearly. It looked austere and desolate. She shivered.

Sorry, Your Highnesses, the driver said, twisting round to look at them. This is as close as we can get without an appointment.

It’s all right. That’s enough, said Juliana. Let’s go on. You said there was a waterfall?

I did, Thomas agreed immediately, accepting the change of subject.

The driver pulled off again, and a matching engine sound confirmed that the guards following them were keeping up. This time as they drove, Juliana didn’t speak, and wouldn’t be drawn into conversation. Although she felt guilty leaving Thomas in silence, she couldn’t shake off her feelings this time. He allowed her the space and didn’t demand to talk, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught him giving her worried glances.

So that had been the Rose School. It didn’t seem any better now than it had when she’d first heard about it. Isolated from the world, out there in the middle of nowhere, barely even visible from the road. Learning greater control over the magic wasn’t worth that, was it?

She’d decided to forget about it and continue working by herself, and was taking in a calming breath to help with that resolve, when the car slowed and she realised they’d arrived.

As soon as the car door was opened, she heard the rush of the waterfall. It was almost like a dragon’s roar. She got out, looking for the source of the sound, and Thomas took her hand and drew her on towards it. They had to follow a narrow path around a cluster of trees and rocks, and once around it, the spray from the waterfall covered them, and all thoughts of the Rose School fell out of Juliana’s mind in the face of the spectacle before them.

It was enormous. She didn’t think she’d ever seen anything so huge. The dragon’s cave would have fit in it several times over. Water roared from a rock face that she had to tilt her head right back to see, half-obscured by mist, and thundered down, ending white and frothy in front of them, where it rushed away as a river that curved off into the distance.

In a few moments, Juliana was wet through from the spray, but rather than moving back, she started to step closer, eager to feel the water for herself. The ever-changing, dancing shapes were almost hypnotic.

Hey, be careful. Thomas took hold of her hand again, keeping her back. He was yelling, but it was difficult to hear him over the sound of the water. She turned to him. He was just as wet, his hair darkened and flat against his face. We don’t want you washed away down the river.

Juliana nodded in favour of trying to shout over the noise, and settled for holding her free hand out to let the spray collect in it.

This was true freedom, she thought. Standing here, far from home, getting drenched and deafened by something so majestic. The sky clear, no threat from a dragon. She glanced up, just to check, as she found herself doing all too often.

It’s gone. I killed it, she thought. It was never coming back.

Thomas let her stay there as long as she wanted, although he was getting wetter, and she knew he didn’t enjoy destroying his clothes. It made her heart swell with love for him. She stepped back, pulling him with her, until they were out of range of the spray, and pushed her wet hair away from her eyes.

Well? Thomas asked, beaming at her.

It’s amazing, she told him. Thank you.

It will be difficult to top this next week, he remarked. Turning, he caught the eye of one of the guards who were watching them at a safe distance. Come this way.

They moved away from the waterfall, and Juliana noticed for the first time that the green area stretching away from it was dotted with wooden tables and benches. As they sat down, their guards appeared next to them, one holding blankets and another setting flasks down on the table. Thomas helped Juliana to wrap a blanket around herself before draping the second round his own shoulders. She had to admit that she’d been starting to shiver from the cold water. The flasks contained hot cider, and sipping it was warming. She felt herself relax, almost sleepy, the constant sound of the waterfall lulling her.

After a while, Thomas broke the near silence. You aren’t really thinking of enrolling at that School, are you? he asked.

Juliana had been gazing into the last inch of her cider, watching the reflections of clouds and trees in it, and now she looked up at him. He looked worried, but was trying his best not to show it. But she knew him well enough now to see it.

Would you hate it if I did? she asked.

You didn’t seem to have any interest in it before. He set his cup down. I believe I remember you asking what the difference was between the School and your dragon’s cave.

"Don’t call him my dragon, she objected, then put her cup down as well. I know I did. And I still feel that way. But..." She stopped. She should tell him about the fires that happened unexpectedly for no apparent reason. She should explain to him how she couldn’t seem to control her magic, and how she felt she needed help with it. But she met his eyes, expectant and anxious, and the words remained unsaid.

I just wonder sometimes if it might be a good idea, she finished lamely.

Thomas reached out and rubbed her blanketed arm. I know you want to learn more magic, but I’m sure we can do it without you locking yourself away at the Rose School.

She smiled and nodded, and hoped it was true, because she really didn’t want to dwell on the alternative.

The cider was finished, the day was getting no warmer, and the driver had covered the back seat of the car with towels, so they stood up together and walked back to where the cars were parked. Juliana took one last look back at the waterfall, imprinting the memory of it on her mind. This was one she didn’t want to forget. The sight was lost as they rounded the corner again.

This was a good choice, she told Thomas. I loved it.

He smiled. You say that about all my choices.

Well, it doesn’t stop being true.

Thomas closed the door on her side, then crossed to the other side and got in next to her. When his door closed too, the silence was almost like another blanket folding over them. It was certainly warmer than out there, but she’d still be glad to change clothes when they returned home.

Home. She was almost used to the idea, after a year.

Any ideas for next week? Thomas asked, and smiled when she stared at him.

Ask me next week, she said, leaning her head back against the seat.

Chapter 2: Leopold

Leo had never developed much of a taste for parties. He knew, as his mother’s only son and heir, he had the obligation to show his face at a certain amount of them, but he’d much rather be outside doing something a little more energetic than a courtly dance. And lately, his mother had been putting on more parties than Leo thought was strictly necessary. This was the second this month.

He understood why she was doing it. She needed to show that she was still a strong queen, still fit and active, after Kingsblade had briefly taken over the castle last year. The castle had been repaired and was in excellent condition, and the builders and fighters had all been feted and rewarded. That first celebration ball – well, that had been different, and much more enjoyable than any since. A certain princess had been responsible for that. Leo smiled at the memory – Juliana at her first party, her first dance. He thought maybe he hadn’t done too poor a job at accompanying her through it.

But now she was home in Verben, trying to build a relationship with her parents and brothers – not that there would be much work to be done in Thomas’ case. He’d adored her since before he knew she was his sister. Leo was glad, for his sake, that she’d chosen to return home – but it had left him feeling her absence in a way he hadn’t been expecting. He sighed and straightened his formal jacket, rounding the corner to enter the ballroom.

There was his mother, standing at the top of the room amidst a cluster of younger women, all of them dressed formally in long-skirted gowns. Five of them, Leo counted as he approached. One, a blonde lady in a red dress, almost as tall as he was, was looking around the room with interest, although she stilled and looked down when she saw him coming.

Mother, he greeted, bowing to them all. Ladies. Good evening to you all.

The queen smiled at him. She was in a remarkably good mood, he thought.

Prince Leopold, will you allow me to introduce our guests this evening? Indicating one woman after another, she reeled off their names. Lady Polina, Princess Zara of Bellaria, Lady Aimee, Lady Linda, and Lady Cheryl. Each one curtsied at her name, and Leo in his turn bowed again.

A pleasure to meet you all. I do hope you enjoy the evening.

Your dance card will be quite full, said the queen, with another complacent smile. Now, if you will excuse me, I must ensure everything is ready.

Of course, said Leo, although he knew full well that everything was entirely ready, and so did his mother. As she left, he wondered if he’d been mistaken about her motivations for these parties. Now he’d been skilfully manoeuvred into this group of women and left to entertain them.

For a moment, he wondered if Juliana might be watching all of this through her magic mirror. Finding it amusing, because she’d know how little he wanted to be there. Probably not, he decided. They’d agreed that she wouldn’t look in unexpectedly, instead deciding on particular days and times. At the appointed time, Leo would go into the grounds and walk around, never sure if she was watching or not. He’d thought about taking a writing pad and leaving messages for her, but since she had no way to reply, it didn’t seem sensible. Letters were just as good, and she wrote those regularly.

So he led the ladies to the refreshment table and saw each of them provided with a drink, and held his mind on conversing with them instead of remembering Juliana. Some were quiet, happier to listen than to talk. Aimee, a petite brunette, seemed almost painfully shy, clutching her glass close like a lifeline. On the other hand, the blonde lady he’d noticed earlier, Linda, chatted eagerly, full of questions about the portraits on the walls and the small dishes being set out by staff. Leo found himself warming to her as he answered as best he could. Perhaps the lady he really wanted to be talking to and dancing with couldn’t be here, but the evening might not be unbearable after all.

He had to leave them as the rest of the guests started to pour in and his mother officially opened the ball. There were others to greet and polite conversation to make. He wasn’t sure if he was grateful or not when his mother cut some of that short to ensure he gave her ‘special’ guests the promised dances. Was it Cheryl or Polina who couldn’t really dance well and almost tripped over her own feet in the middle of the dancefloor, causing him to catch her and hold her steady until she found her balance? Aimee was very skilled, losing some of her shyness as they navigated the floor, until she was close to smiling when he bowed to her at the end of the dance. Zara already had several more promises, and moved seamlessly from his side to someone else’s as soon as their dance was done – and more power to her, if she was enjoying herself, he thought. Linda was better than the stumbler, not as good as Aimee – average, but enthusiastic. He enjoyed their dance and was almost regretful when it was done. Linda curtsied again, her eyes sparkling, and went off to take another drink, probably assuming that he had other obligations lined up. Which he had, of course, but he didn’t think he’d mind repeating that one.

A little later in the evening, when he had a chance to speak to his mother again, he tried to ask casually who Linda was, and to ignore the look the queen gave him in response, as if she had already jumped to an unwelcome conclusion.

She’s the daughter of a Verben lord, she replied. Lord Isaac. I dare say your cousin Thomas knows the family.

Leo fought the urge to roll his eyes. She’d recently taken to using that term to refer to Thomas and Juliana. The relationship was distant, but he knew she persisted in saying cousin to remind him that she disapproved of any idea that he might have an attachment to Juliana. Funny how she’d changed her mind, when previously she’d talked about arranging a marriage between them. Maybe it was the magic that dissuaded her, although he’d have thought she’d find it useful to have a wizard in the family.

Next time you write, you can ask him, the queen continued. Linda is a very accomplished lady. I knew you would get on well with her.

Well, I’ve only just met her, said Leo. She does seem nice. I doubt there’ll be time for me to get to know her all that well, of course.

Not at all. She’ll be staying for a few weeks. I’ve no doubt that her visit can be extended, if necessary.

And why would it be necessary? Leo held his tongue. If not Linda, she’d be pushing someone else on him, and at least Linda seemed the type he could actually get on with.

Go and dance with her again, the queen urged, nodding to where Linda was standing alone at one side of the dance floor, seemingly fascinated by a portrait of Leo’s father. It’s not polite to leave your guests alone.

In that case, Mother, you’ll want to take some of those old gentlemen around the dance floor tonight, Leo said, indicating some of the ageing lords who watched the dancing from quiet seats by the walls. Then he chuckled and stepped away before his mother could give him a push in Linda’s direction. But that was the way he went. Well, after all, why not?

Would you care to dance the next one? he asked, stopping next to her under the portrait.

She turned to him and smiled. Thank you, I’d love to. Returning her gaze to the painting for a moment, she said, He looks like you.

Yes, that’s my father, Stephen.

I thought it must be. Is he here tonight?

Leo shook his head. No, he and my mother haven’t been together for years. He has his own keep in the west. Far enough away that they don’t have to see each other too often.

That must be sad for you, though, said Linda, allowing him to lead her back onto the dance floor as the next tune began.

He shrugged. I suppose it was at first. But I prefer to look at it as having a second home – not that I’ve had a chance to go and visit for a while.

Sounds like a good way to look at it.

The music swelled, making conversation impossible for a while, and when the dance ended, they walked together out to the corridor, where