A Question of Magic Read Free Page A

watched Alek, her eyes filled with pride. He was always jumping in to help others, even when no one else would. His big heart was one of the reasons she loved him so much. It was also one of the reasons she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Although she had been uncertain about the trip to Mala Kapusta at first, knowing that he loved her so made Serafina feel as if she could handle anything.

Chapter 3
    Serafina and Viktor left for Mala Kapusta early on market day. It would take many hours to reach the small town, which was just past the border in the kingdom of Vargas. Her mother and sisters were there to see her off, still talking about Serafina’s inheritance and what she should do with it if it was indeed money. Although she couldn’t wait to leave so she wouldn’t have to hear any more of their suggestions, being alone with Viktor when the coach started rolling was worse.
    They sat side by side in the confined space of a rented carriage. Viktor’s nose whistled when he breathed and he picked his teeth with his pinky finger, flicking what he found onto the floor. The first time he did it, Serafina turned away in disgust and watched the town creeppast as the coachman edged around stopped wagons and dawdling people. Then, suddenly, an old woman emptying a chamber pot out a second-story window startled the horses, and the coachmen had to climb down from his seat to calm them.
    â€œDo you know how much of an inconvenience this is?” Viktor asked her as the coach began to move again. “I had to postpone an important meeting I had planned for today. I better get something out of this.”
    â€œYou mean aside from my thanks?” asked Serafina.
    â€œI mean some of whatever the old woman is giving you tonight. It costs a lot to support your sister, and I have other expenses as well.”
    â€œI don’t know if she’s giving me money.”
    Viktor shrugged. “Whatever it is, I want some. You’re supposed to be smart. I’m sure you can figure something out.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œNo more talking,” Viktor said, shutting his eyes. “I need my rest.”
    By the time they entered the countryside, Viktor was asleep with his mouth open and his head tilted back. He snored in raspy snorts and breathy grunts, his snoring as loud as the carriage wheels jouncing over the rutted road. Serafina couldn’t help but think about what itwould have been like if Alek had been there instead. They would have sat close together, looking out the same window, pointing out the things that caught their eye, sharing their thoughts and laughing when they saw something funny. Alek would have told her some of his bad jokes, and she would have laughed simply because he found them so amusing. When they grew tired of that, they would have talked about their plans for the future. After a while she probably would have dozed off holding one of Alek’s strong, callused hands. Her head would have been pillowed against his shoulder and—
    Serafina gasped when Viktor snorted and flung his arm wide in his sleep, hitting her with his hand. She edged as far from him as she could and sat bolt upright for a while after that. Although she’d doubted she’d be able to sleep sitting next to him, Serafina eventually dozed off, wondering how her sister could stand Viktor.

    It was early evening when they finally reached Mala Kapusta. It was a medium-sized town that had been established at a well-traveled crossroad and spread into the forest on either side. Most of the houses were made of wood, with curved roofs and carvings decorating the lintels and eaves. Painted bright colors, the buildingscontrasted with the greens of the surrounding forest. Although trees had been cut down within the town, the forest was still close enough to give one a sheltered feeling.
    The carriage stopped in front of an inn with a swinging wooden sign that bore the picture of a bloody tooth and a