The Illusionist's Mistress

by The Author's Mighty Pen

Lady Ravensburg has lived her whole life knowing she had to marry for position, for fortune, and- if she was very lucky- for companionship. But when Anna was young she dreamed of someone else. She dreamed of the Illusionist, long before he was called that. He's always been John to her. Now, after so many years apart, Anna wants him to be John to her again.

1. Part I: The Pledge

All people know that life is miserable. It is normal and everyday. The walk from the front door to the back does not change the number of steps and the windows shine no brighter for having been washed today than they will tomorrow. The same dirt fills the flowerbeds and the graves while the sun shines on the evil and the good… as the Good Book says.

But once, in a very long while, something marvelous happens. These moments are rare and often people blink before they see them. Too occupied in staring at their feet or wallowing in the mediocrity of their lives that they miss the one moment that could have pulled them from the mundane existence.

These are the moments that live forever in the hearts and minds of those who see them. These are the moments when a breath of fresh air gives new life to someone about to abandon all hope. The moment someone convinced they have nothing to offer sees the gratitude in the eyes of another and realizes differently.

In the tiny village of the north, where the grand shadow of Ravenworth Castle held sentry and menace, such an event was as simple as a young woman meeting a man. Many will say that such things happen all the time. Many will say that the shine of the light at the right angle means nothing more than that the curvature of the earth aligned in the proper fashion.

These people know nothing of magic.

They know nothing of the quickening of the heart as it beats in the chest when he looked up for the first time to see the golden-hair Elf that walked down the lane. They will never experience the shortness of breath as her sky-shaded eyes beheld his broad shoulders. They will never know how time stopped for the instant their faces took in the full grandeur of the perfect being standing opposite them.

Of all the people who know what magic is, those who find love at first sight know it best of all. Of those few, the lucky and happy few, none know it better than the clockmaker mechanic and the future Lady of Ravensburg. Or who knew more acutely the pain when one loses their love and their heart shatters, never to be whole again.

For there in magic in that too.