“I’m glad the worst is over,” Delaney said.
Idris glanced over at his best friend. “Me too. It was harder to wait around to hear if we graduated than it was to write the paper.”
“I’m so ready to get the magic part over too. You ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Nervous?” Delaney asked.
“No, we practiced a million times. I know what to do. You?”
“Nope, I’m good to go. Thanks for doing this with me.”
Idris grinned. “You’re the one who waited around for me. You could’ve done all this like two years ago.”
“It wouldn’t have been as cool to do it alone, and the Spectra Wizardry would’ve gone insane if there was a dark wizard helping Vadimas alone.”
“I can’t wait to see what he looks like when he ascends.”
This time it was Delaney’s turn to smile. “It’s funny because he still thinks we don’t all know he’s going to choose violet.”
“Exactly.”
“Dr. Delaney D’Vaire, we’re ready for you to begin,” Vadimas announced.
“I could get used to being called that.”
“Too bad, High Arcanist sounds better. Good luck.”
Delaney thanked him, then walked out onto the stage. He’d changed into a sleeveless white tunic and matching linen pants. It would allow him to move freely as he completed his exercises, and it allowed everyone to see the new rank displayed on his forearms. Idris was dressed the same way, and it was almost surreal to think it’d be for the last time. For five years, he’d sweated through material and earned magical prowess that would be the envy of many. In some corner of his mind, he still wondered how he’d managed it—even with the help of Delaney, the Prism Wizard, and everyone at D’Vaire.
Delaney moved artfully across the wooden floor, firing thunderbolts, creating balls and circles in patterns, then absorbing them back into himself while Idris found a sense of calm. He could and would make all the people out in the audience proud of him. It’d be humiliating to fail now, and he refused to let himself or anyone else down. Idris made mistakes in his past, and there would be decisions he’d always regret, but he was dedicated to the future.
He had a mate who loved him—a miracle unto itself—and he was devoted to Mac and to all he wished to do within the Council and D’Vaire. Idris built the life he wanted, and he planned to continue to push himself to test boundaries. Like the potion he was poised to create, he thought with a mix of emotions. Immortalis was going to be a reality soon, and Idris wondered if he’d ever be able to think of it without sadness. If he’d pushed harder or was smarter, he might have spared Mac a pain he couldn’t undo.
It wouldn’t do any good for him to allow grief to conquer him, so Idris took a few calming breaths and pushed away his shame as Delaney finished his tests.
“Thank you, Dr. D’Vaire,” Vadimas said. “Dr. Idris Vioric-D’Vaire, we’re ready for you to begin.”
Idris walked past Delaney, who grinned wildly at him and stood at the center of the stage. Closing his eyes, he freed his mind. Then he reached for the large pool of magic inside him. He lifted his lashes and nodded to let his instructors know he was ready to start. Stepping to the right, he fired the first indigo thunderbolt dead center into his target. Minutes passed and sweat slicked his skin as he danced from one spot to the next. His confidence continued to grow as he flawlessly completed each intricate part of his grueling tests.
When he shattered the last ball and absorbed the last ring of light, he bobbed once on the balls of his feet before coming to a complete stop. He didn’t need to be told he passed. Idris had crushed it.
“Thank you, Dr. Vioric-D’Vaire,” Vadimas said. Idris strode off to the side, and Delaney gave him a slap on the back.
“You were awesome,” the dark wizard offered.
“So were you.”
The instructors conversed with Vadimas; then the Prism Wizard turned to where he and Delaney were standing. Well-used to the routine, the pair strode forward back onto the stage.
“Dr. Delaney D’Vaire, please raise your arms,” Vadimas said. Delaney lifted them and held out his hands with his fingers spread slightly. The Prism Wizard assumed the same position. “The Spectra Wizardry would like to bestow upon you the tenth rank. Will you accept?”
“I will.”
Light spilled out as Vadimas pushed his magic into Delaney. Above the nine pale lines of increasing thickness on his forearms, a new one bolder than the rest was emblazoned onto his skin.
“The rank of High Arcanist brings with it a new rite. Do you accept the darkness as bestowed upon you by Fate?” Vadimas asked.
“I do.”
“Than accept your fate.”
Idris wore a smile of monster proportions as Delaney turned his hands toward one another and a glow of black emerged. It intensified until it nearly absorbed the light around his fingers. Then the whites of his eyes went as dark as his irises and the silvery lines on his arms did the same. Once all ten were the color of his magic, his gaze returned to normal, and he dropped his arms back to his sides.
Vadimas took two steps so that he was facing Idris. “Dr. Idris Vioric-D’Vaire, please raise your arms.” Idris didn’t hesitate to do as he was asked. As he’d done with Delaney, Vadimas mirrored his pose. “The Spectra Wizardry would like to bestow upon you the tenth rank. Will you accept?”
“I will.”
There was no burn as Vadimas pushed his magic into Idris. Only a warmth inside him as the tenth ring was marked on his skin. When the Prism Wizard was finished, he asked, “The rank of High Arcanist brings with it a new rite. Do you accept indigo as the color bestowed upon you by Fate?”
“I do.”
“Than accept your fate.”
Idris rotated his wrists and pulled on his well of magic. Instead of dragging forth what he needed to cast, he tugged at the heart of it where it connected right at his soul. He imagined the color indigo, the beautiful mix of blue and purple he was drawn to since he first understood there was magic inside him. Idris allowed it to form between his palms and set it free. With a sense of wonder, he watched it flow up his arms turning the ten lines on his arms indigo. At his core, there was a shift. A sense of belonging to his power and he welcomed it. His vision changed, grew sharper, and he perceived the world anew along with his place in it. The force deep within was stronger than he anticipated, but he had no issue yanking it back. Dropping his hands to his sides, he understood only that he was different and was happier for it.
Vadimas turned to the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate your patience. The crowning ceremony will take place one floor above on the terrace, so the entire wizard community may view it. Thank you, and please proceed there. We’ll begin shortly.”
The curtain fell shut and Delaney pulled Idris into his arms. “Fuck, that was incredible!”
“Congratulations to you both,” Vadimas offered. “You did very well. Of course, I had no doubt that you would.”
Idris embraced Delaney; then they both took turns doing the same with Vadimas. “Thank you,” Idris told the Prism Wizard.
“You may not be thanking me when you’re knee-deep in Council issues, but we’ll have time to talk later. Go get changed, so you can celebrate with your mate and your family.”
Looping his arm through Delaney’s, the pair did as they were told and headed to the area where they could get into their suits.
“I’m glad you’re my best friend,” Idris told Delaney.
“You’re the best High Arcanist. I love you, Idris.”
“Not hardly but I do love you too.”
“Come on, let’s hurry. You know Mac’s waiting to give you a big fat kiss.”
Delaney disappeared behind a closed door without another word. Idris grinned like a fool as he changed into the dark suit he’d brought with him. He could hardly wait to get his crown and see the cloaks Larissa designed for him and Delaney. It took no time at all for him to pull off his linen top and pants. Then he worked like a madman to get his fresh set of clothing on. Once he was dressed, he yanked open the door and found Delaney already standing there. As he’d expected, his friend was in black from head to toe.
“You look good,” he offered.
“You too. Let’s go.”
When they got to the large terrace high up on one of the towers of the Spectra Wizardry Academy, Idris wondered where in the world Mac and his family were. Then Delaney tapped his shoulder and pointed. “There they are,” he said.
Idris followed his finger and found almost all the D’Vaires assembled in chairs along the balcony itself. The other guests they invited were there as well. There were two people missing though, and one of them was Idris’s mate. The other was the D’Vaire king.
“Where’s Mac?” Idris blurted out.
“I don’t know. I don’t see him anywhere.”
When Vadimas walked up to them, Idris immediately asked him where Mac was. “You’ll get to see him in just a few minutes. Don’t worry. Everyone’s ready to begin. Are you both?”
Idris didn’t like not knowing where Mac was, but he couldn’t very well act like a petulant child and make all the wizards milling below wait any longer. They’d likely been there all afternoon. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s go,” Delaney responded.
A microphone was handed to Vadimas, and his voice boomed out. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Spectra Wizardry has waited over two hundred years for this incredible day. From the day we were created and joined the Council of Sorcery and Shifters, we have anticipated a sorcerer worthy of the title of High Arcanist and the ability to unite with the magic inside them. Today we have two such men who have already earned their titles, and now we will attempt to offer them a ceremony worthy of their accomplishments. Please join me in congratulating them both.”
There were roars of approval and blistering applause which became an ovation for the people seated on the terrace. Idris appreciated it, but it was rather embarrassing to be the recipient of such jubilation.
“High Arcanist Delaney D’Vaire, hereby known as Delaney the Dark within the Spectra Wizardry, please step forward to accept your crown.”
Delaney strode over to the Prism Wizard and was handed an exquisite cloak done in almost all black dragonskin. It was trimmed in rich velvet and the flap on the back bore a design Delaney and Idris created together. Embroidered in gold, it was a dragon in flight over a thick thunderbolt, and above it was a prism with a rainbow flowing outward. Vadimas helped Delaney into it; then the gold cord of his degree was added. His ring of rank was handed over next, and Idris was unable to get a glimpse of it from his vantage point, but he’d have plenty of opportunity to do so later.
“Delaney the Dark, do you accept your role as part of the Spectra Wizardry leadership?” Vadimas asked.
“Yes, Prism Wizard, I do.”
King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis walked out holding a jet-black crown with dark smoke rising from it. It was engraved with a large dragon and bold streaks of lightning. He carefully set it onto Delaney’s bowed head. Idris had fully expected Vadimas to have that honor and was pleasantly surprised it was their king instead.
“High Arcanist Idris Vioric-D’Vaire, hereby known as Idris the Indigo within the Spectra Wizardry, please step forward to accept your crown.”
With a bounce in his step, Idris did as he was told. A stunning cloak of indigo velvet and black dragonskin was handed to Vadimas. At the bottom of it was a beautiful design hand-beaded in elven tradition. Peeking back over at Delaney’s, he found it also embellished, but he’d missed it before because of the dark color. All the traditions of their unique home were added, which was gratifying to Idris. His gold cord was put over top of it; then he was handed a ring box. Inside was a band of thick indigo with an I engraved in the top. Down the shank on both sides was a pattern of dark dragon scales. Idris thought it was perfect.
“Idris the Indigo, do you accept your role as part of the Spectra Wizardry leadership?” Vadimas asked.
“Yes, Prism Wizard, I do.”
Duke Macardle D’Vairedraconis stepped out onto the terrace with Roger perched on his shoulder. He walked over to Idris and winked. In his hands was an indigo crown with the same design of Mac’s dragon protecting Roger as his mate’s own coronet. Idris loved everything about it. He happily lowered his head as Mac placed it over his riot of curls.
“Thanks,” he whispered.
“My pleasure,” Mac whispered back, then stepped away. He and Aleksander grabbed seats for the last, and to the Spectra Wizardry, likely the most important part of the ceremony.
“As the first to be united with my Fate-given power within the Spectra Wizardry, it is my distinct pleasure to announce the ascending rite of our Prism Wizard. Will you step forward?” Delaney asked.
Vadimas unbuttoned the long cloak he was wearing. Underneath, he had on the same linen ensemble they’d worn earlier.
“Please raise your arms,” Idris directed. There were already ten lines, but they wanted his change to be as visible as possible.
“As Prism Wizard, you have selflessly denied your color for the greater good of the Spectra Wizardry for two centuries. There are now two ascended High Arcanists. Will you now unite with your color, and show it to your people?” Delaney asked.
“I will.”
“Than accept your fate,” Idris replied.
Idris watched anxiously as Vadimas turned his palms toward each other. As he’d expected, a small circle of violet formed. Cheers and applause broke over the terrace as it grew bright enough for everyone to see it; then it raced up and recolored the lines of forearms. As it did, the aged skin smoothed into the healthy glow which reflected the true age of the immortal wizard. A glow flowed over his entire body, refreshing his appearance as it did. His white hair darkened to chestnut, and the lines from his face disappeared, revealing a young, handsome man.
When his irises were visible, Idris noticed they’d gone from brown to the color of his magic.
“Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra, hereby known as Prism Wizard Vadimas the Violet within the Spectra Wizardry, please step forward to accept your new crown,” Idris said. He helped Vadimas into a new cloak, which was heavily embellished with gold over violet velvet. The gilt cord he’d earned centuries ago was added; then Delaney stepped forward with his crown. It was the same colors he was wearing, and in the front it had a slowly spinning prism that was impossible to miss.
“You look damn good,” Delaney told their leader quietly.
“Thanks,” he whispered back with a wry grin. When next he spoke, it was in a voice that carried. “I’d like to thank everyone for being here to share this auspicious day. The future is bright for the Spectra Wizardry, and we will all prosper with the help of our new High Arcanists. I hope their achievements will be an incentive for everyone to push their boundaries and expand their minds. On behalf of the Spectra Wizardry, I would like to congratulate Delaney the Dark and Idris the Indigo for their accomplishments. I know you are all as proud of them as I am. I will now ask you to join me in one final round of applause.”
Idris took up a spot to the right of Vadimas as Delaney stood to his left. Without a doubt, the Spectra Wizardry had a great deal to celebrate.