Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
At the corner, a man stood next to a flute that hovered in the air, trilling pleasant notes. A hat was in his hand, collecting copper coins for the bespelled flute. Ahead of Hugo, a broom moved between the pedestrians, sweeping aside bits of dirt in a desperate attempt to make the sidewalk clean. A shopgirl in a bright-pink cap rushed out and scolded the broom, ushering it inside the store that sold delicate lace gloves and handkerchiefs.
Magic was everywhere in Buckleford, but only in the most mundane forms. Nearly every person was born with the ability to cast a tiny bit of very specific magic. For most people, they could do small things such as commanding cleaning instruments to complete chores. Others could create the magic that turned letters into paper birds that flew to their addressees. There were people who could use magic to play musical instruments and others who could command a sewing needle to make perfect clothes.
Hugo had never heard of anyone who could do “big” magic. There was always nonsensical talk of finding someone who could turn straw into gold or common rocks into gems, but Hugo didn’t believe such a person existed. It was all ridiculous. What was so wrong with having useful magic? He’d prefer never to scrub a dish or floor.
Of course, he thought that because he found his own magic to be useless.
It didn’t matter. This wasn’t a day to worry about magic or the sad lack of coins in his pocket. The sun was shining. A pleasant breeze was dancing down the street. People everywhere were smiling and laughing.
A block from the tailor’s shop, fate gifted Hugo an even bigger reason to savor the day. The door of a curio shop opened, and a stunningly handsome man stepped out, stopping Hugo’s heart in his chest. He hadn’t thought it was possible for a man to be so beautiful. His thick, black hair rolled in elegant waves across his head and was gathered at the nape of his neck by a slender blue ribbon. Pale, creamy skin glowed under the sun with a hint of rosiness as if the sun couldn’t resist blessing him with a worshipful kiss. His jaw was hard and came to a perfect point at his chin while his nose was strong and regal on his perfect face.
But his eyes kept Hugo from catching his breath. They sparkled dark blue like twin pools hidden in a shadowy wood, but there was a soft glow of life to them, lit by a peek of forbidden moonlight.
He exited the shop with two companions, dressed in perfectly tailored suits and sturdy riding boots splashed with mud, showing they’d taken horses into Buckleford rather than carriages. They had to be from Frostbourne. No one so stunning lived in Buckleford. Probably out for some riding and amusement on this perfect day.
The stranger glanced up and, for a strangled heartbeat, he and Hugo locked eyes. The corner of his lush mouth twitched as if rising in a smile, and Hugo was sure he was going to expire on the spot.
Yet the moment shattered as a gaggle of ragged kids rushed down the street, shouting and laughing. They pushed and shoved their way through the pedestrians, jostling everyone. The beautiful man was forced out into the street to catch his balance. Otherwise he would have fallen onto his backside. Hugo might have swooned a little harder for him when he chuckled with his companions rather than becoming angry.
A shout of warning from the other end of the street caught Hugo’s attention. He looked around in time to see a man thrown from a horseless carriage. He rolled on the ground, bellowing a warning as the carriage barreled along the cobblestone road, right for the laughing man still standing in its path.
Not hesitating a second, Hugo lunged forward and seized the man’s wrist. Leveraging all his body weight, he pulled the man out of the street and safely onto the sidewalk. The action caused Hugo to shift and spin, stumbling to the very edge of the sidewalk with his back to the road while he flung the handsome man into the confused arms of his companions.
A cacophony of panicked shouts and cries of wonder rose. As Hugo celebrated the handsome man’s safety, icy, muddy water washed over his entire body.
As the carriage raced past them, it hit a large puddle, spraying Hugo from head to toe. Thankfully, the handsome man was in the tangled embrace of his friends on the other side of the sidewalk, sparing him from the embarrassment of being covered in mud like Hugo.
Silence descended on the street.
At least, it was almost silent. He could hear the whispered comments of horror and the muffled chuckles as people tried not to laugh right in his face.