"Where's Caela?" I wanted to bring her to Valerius's home. For her sake, and mine.
"She flew away." Aurelia's voice was gentle now. "We couldn't stop her. I'm sorry."
I pressed my lips together and gazed over the skies, hoping to see her. It would've been nice if she cared for me as much as I did for her.
"Let's go," Crispus said. "When people get a good look at their homes, they'll be angry with you."
"I made things worse. For all of us."
"At least we know what your magic can do," he said.
So did Radulf.
He had promised to come back at me with the whole of his magic. Tonight's display only came from a shadow of who he really was. I lowered my head and let Crispus help me into the back of the wagon. Before getting in, I said, "Radulf knows my limits now, while I only know a piece of what he can do. What I have won't be enough to defeat him."
After returning to the senator's home, I went directly into my room, so tired that in my final moments before falling asleep, I wasn't entirely sure whether I'd chosen the bed or the floor. I slept for a while, but the night was so warm, I eventually gave up and wandered outside to practice again, alone.
Shortly after sunrise, I returned for the morning meal, but hesitated in the doorway, not sure how Valerius would greet me. I was prepared for anything from a sharp scolding to full arrest.
Actually, the arrest seemed most likely. So really, I was prepared to run.
But when he saw me coming, Valerius stood and greeted me warmly, and invited me to sit beside him. Certain it must be some sort of trick, I glanced behind me for the closest escape, but then I saw Crispus and Aurelia already reclined comfortably around the table, and figured everything must be safe.
"Your face looks better than I expected," Valerius said. So he knew.
I touched my cheek. The tenderness of bruising had disappeared and I only felt one remaining scratch along my forehead. Even that wasn't as bad as it ought to have been. "I think I heal faster ... than usual." Looking over the group in front of me, I said, "If I've put any of you in danger --"
For a moment, Valerius's eyes seemed to redden, but then he shook it off and said, "You're a good person, Nic. Too good for this net you're caught up in, and I'm sorry for that. Now come and eat."
I sat between Valerius and Aurelia. As a kindness, she already had piled my plate with food and set it down in front of me. I dug into it immediately.
"I explained everything to Father," Crispus said.
"And I believe it's good news," Valerius added. "Your magic is growing in strength and in control. You directed the water over those fires, and it obeyed."
"More than I wanted. I might've put out the fires, but I also flooded their homes."
"Who cares about their homes?"
"I care! And you're a senator, you should care too!"
"Nic, my only concern right now is what you can do, and you showed progress last night."
"Radulf wasn't really there, only a whisper of him. It will be different once we come face-to-face."
Valerius stared directly into my eyes. "But I believe in you. I believe your strength will grow to match his. After all, you have the bulla, and he does not."
"You're asking too much of Nic," Aurelia said. "Learning magic takes more than a few hours in a field."
Valerius's features hardened when he faced her. "But it's better to fight Radulf on our timing, not his."
"Not if this is your timing. And not if Nic has to go back into the arena. It's not an equal match."
"When would it ever be equal? Besides, fighting Radulf is Nic's plan, not mine. He knows what he's up against better than anyone." Valerius shook his head. "I want him to win, Aurelia, just as you do."
"Do you?" she asked. "Because there are other ways --"
"If there were an easier way, I would've found it already. But no fears, I have a plan. Crispus, show us the banner."