8: AU Magi: Marnie: Becoming a part of the Carne

[k_a_webb]

Before Marnie had taken on the task of attempting to assassinate the remaining Carne prince and bring their race to an end she’d never thought that it was possible for her to grow to like Thomar. Even though she was technically still his captive it would be easy enough for her to leave, because he knew as well as she did that she wasn’t going to walk away so there were no longer people guarding her everywhere she went. Her mother wouldn’t like it at all if she knew that her daughter was staying with the Carne of her own free will, as she was the matriarch of the Magi who had put all of her effort into eradicating the Carne, and had almost succeeded.

Smiling wryly, Marnie stared out of the window of her room at the garden she’d created in the two years she’d been with the Carne. If she’d never known Thomar, or his people, she would never have cared that they were gone for good, but instead she wanted to protect them, because she had come to understand them, and their reasons for keeping the Magi as slaves, during the two years she’d lived with them. Unfortunately she knew there were Magi who would never let go of a past they didn’t even properly understand.

When the door opened Marnie didn’t need to turn to know it was Thomar. He’d been the first person she could hear coming and the noise someone made moving wasn’t something she’d forget. Her smile faded as she turned to look at him. The letter in his hand was going to be from her mother, insisting that Thomar freed Marnie, like every other letter that had arrived. It didn’t seem likely that he would free her, because it was her choice to stay, but some days she couldn’t help wondering if she was more trouble to him than she was worth.

“Don’t even think it,” Thomar said. Marnie’s only reply was to raise an eyebrow. He’d told her that he wasn’t telepathic, but she wasn’t sure she believed him. “Your thoughts are written all over your face. I’m not going to toss you out just because she’s sent another letter telling me to release you.”

“Maybe I should write to her and tell her I’m not going back.”

“It’s probably better for you, if you decide you ever want to return home, that I’m the big bad Carne keeping you trapped in his castle.” Thomar smiled. “I know you’ve told me before that you don’t want to go home, but you might change your mind.”

Marnie shook her head. “There’s nothing for me there, Tom.”

“You’d be matriarch of the Magi.”

“I’ve never wanted the job. Mother never wanted me to take over from her, because she prefers my brother.” Her smile returned. “At least with me here she’s got a chance to convince the council that he should take over instead of me.”

“I’m still not sure I believe you when you say that. She did send you to assassinate me.”

“And look how wonderfully that turned out.”

Mirrored from K. A. Jones Writing.

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No typos spotted.

*chuckle* I love the last lines.