The Spark of a Feudling by Wendy Knight Page B

Ada couldn’t help the pride that entered her voice — despite the burns and the bruises and the aching, she was ecstatic that he had that much faith in her.
    Christian smiled fondly at her. “Let me heal you first. Then you can teach me.”
    â€œAnd I won’t even punish you if you get it wrong,” Ada teased, but Christian’s mouth tightened and his eyes darkened.
    â€œIs that what happened?”
    â€œI—” Her shoulders fell in defeat. “I didn’t learn fast enough. I deserved it.”
    Christian closed the distance between them, taking her chin in his hand. “Listen to me, Ada. You never deserve this. And if he does it again, I will kill him.”
    ****
    Ada was an amazingly good teacher. If she hadn’t been highborn and destined for a life of servants waiting on her hand and foot, Christian would have told her she’d make an outstanding governess. As it was, he practiced the new spells with her until far into the night, with Charity giggling whenever he failed. When they had ignited the briars for at least the eight hundredth time, she’d suggested they return home and get rest before they were discovered.
    â€œWhen do you practice again?” Christian asked as they wandered down the dirt path toward the estate.
    Ada brushed her red and black curls away from her face, and Christian didn’t miss the way her hand shook. “Tomorrow.” She peeked at him through the darkness. “But then I’ll have more spells to teach you tomorrow evening.” Her voice was pleading, begging him to understand, to not argue with her.
    â€œAfter I heal you.” He growled in the back of his throat. “Ada, I can’t let you face him again.”
    â€œYou don’t have a choice, brother. If she fails him, her fate will be far worse than a few burns,” Charity said. “Might I suggest, Ada, finding that spell book again and practicing before he tries to teach you?”
    â€œCharity! That’s genius!” Ada exclaimed, hugging her impulsively. “What would I do without you?”
    Christian only had a brief moment of jealousy, wishing Ada would hug him that way.
    â€œI have another meeting with your father tomorrow. He says he has found a spell that will make my sight stronger,” Charity said, tugging on the lace at her elbow.
    Ada gasped. Christian’s blood froze. “No. You can’t,” he said.
    Big silver eyes glinted in the moonlight as his sister stared owlishly at him. “Why ever not?”
    He and Ada exchanged a long glance. No one could read him as well as she could, even his sister. Heaving a sigh, she nodded. “Charity, we’re afraid my father isn’t trying to make you stronger. We’re afraid…” She glanced at Christian for help and he picked up where she left off.
    â€œWe’re afraid that her father might be trying to steal your gift.”
    Charity froze in the middle of the dirt path. The estate was just ahead, and light from the windows cast odd shadows across her face. “You cannot honestly believe that.”
    Ada reached for her hand, speaking in soft, soothing tones like she would to a bird about to take flight. “The other night when I found you—”
    â€œThe other night, I found you, if I remember correctly. And did it ever occur to you that you couldn’t get me to come out of that vision because he had made me so much stronger?” Charity yelled, ripping her hand out of Ada’s grasp.
    Christian jerked his head back like she’d slapped him. Charity had never raised her voice before, even when he used to tease her mercilessly. Next to him, Ada’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Charity. We were just afraid for you.”
    â€œYou’re just jealous of the time he’s spending with me.” Charity darted around Ada and disappeared into the darkness.
    Ada put a hand to her mouth to stifle a cry,