The Voice of Prophecy (Dual Magics Book 2) by Meredith Mansfield Page A

It was stupid, but—”
    Cestus interrupted her. “It just happened? That helps. You
didn’t care enough about me to say no?”
    “It’s not that simple.”
    Cestus strode across the room toward the door and then
turned to face her. “It’s exactly that simple. How long has this been going on,
Lancera? Were you just waiting for me to leave?”
    She shook her head and took a step toward him. “No! I . . .
It started before you left. In the spring. It was a mistake . . .”
    Cestus stepped back, reeling as if he had been slapped.
“While I was still here? While we . . . while we were still sharing the same
bed? I held you every night while he . . . Not even the bad excuse of being
lonely! Who is he? One of my friends? Were you laughing at me behind my back
the whole time?”
    Lancera wrung her hands. “No, Cestus! Of course not!”
    Cestus balled his hands into fists to control the trembling.
“Who is he?”
    Lancera shrugged. “You don’t know him. His name is Andreus.
He’s the Healer I saw when I was ill that spring.”
    “I see.” Without another word, Cestus went into their
bedroom and began packing his belongings.
    Lancera followed him into the room. “What are you doing?”
    Cestus didn’t turn around. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay here.
Not now.”
    “Where will you go? This is your home.”
    Cestus shoved his clothes into the pack. “Not any more. Not
after what you’ve done. I’ll be at Vatar’s and Arcas’s farm, for now. Until I
can figure out what to do next.”
    “Don’t go!”
    He turned and started toward the door. “Goodbye, Lancera.”
    “Cestus!” Lancera broke into sobs.
    Cestus wasn’t moved. Not now. “I’ll come to see the children
in the mornings, before I go to teach my class. And maybe again after classes
are over. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me see them without . . .
interference.”
    ~
    Cestus started back, his hastily packed bag bouncing with
every step. He kept his head down, hoping not to be recognized. Everyone must
know by now. They'd all be whispering about it behind his back. Gossip ran
around the Temple at the speed of a lightning flash. He'd seen it often enough
before—just not at his own expense.
    The quickest route to the Temple Gate was through the Temple
itself. Cestus hesitated. He could go around, but if he meant to go back to
teaching, he needed to go in and let his superior, Montibeus, know he was back.
Cestus drew a deep breath and plunged into the rabbit-warren that was the
Temple offices.
    He stopped outside Montibeus's office and squared his
shoulders before stepping inside and asking Montibeus's assistant if the High
Priest was available. He didn't have to wait long.
    Montibeus looked up and gestured to a seat when Cestus
crossed the threshold of the inner office. "What can I do for you,
Cestus?"
    If Cestus had had any doubt that his superior knew all about
his personal problems, Montibeus's attitude proved the point. "I just came
in to let you know I'm back and ready to start teaching again."
    Montibeus steepled his fingers. "Are you sure? Don’t
you think you should take a few days to . . . clear your head?"
    Cestus shook his head. "I've had a couple of days
before I came here. Thinking . . . hasn't helped."
    "Well, if you're sure. I'll make the arrangements. Come
by here tomorrow for your assignment. There are always young teachers requesting
assignments to the upper grades.”
    Young teachers with less experience, but more Talent,
than me , Cestus thought.There was no point in him asking for one of
those assignments, however much he wanted it. The students in the upper grades
were old enough to start learning magic and so only Talented teachers were
assigned to those classes. Never mind that the students wouldn’t be using magic in, say, history class. “Yes, sir.”
    “Will you be staying at the dormitory?" Montibeus
asked.
    Cestus stiffened. "No. I'm . . . for the moment I've
been staying up at the farm owned by Vatar and his