“Nosewise, take that off!” Merlin said, his eyes popping.

I leapt back in shock. He pointed at me.

“Drop it, now.”

“I’m sorry,” I answered, glancing at Morgana. “I—I just wanted to learn the tricks.”

Merlin put one hand on the leaning tree and crossed to me. I backed away, not wanting to lose my voice.

“Don’t be mad at Morgana. It’s my fault, not hers.”

“Drop the stone!” Merlin commanded, slapping his palms together. I lowered my head, and the silver chain slid down my neck. The Asteria landed in leaves and pine needles.

Merlin bent down to pick it up. I tried to apologize again, but my voice was gone.

Merlin gently took hold of my chin. “Are you all right, my boy?”

“He’s fine,” Morgana answered for me. “I was watching him.”

“This is looking for potion ingredients?” Merlin said with a sharp tongue. “You lied to me.”

“We did look for them. We were just…doing this, too.”

“You put him in danger. I thought you cared for Nosewise.”

“It was safe,” Morgana said in a pleading voice. “I know it was.”

“You are an apprentice. You don’t know what’s safe and what isn’t. Magic is for those—”

“With the wisdom to wield it. Yes, I’ve heard.”

“All right,” Merlin said, straightening himself. He looked at Morgana and me, anger and guilt flashing across his face. “We’re going home.”

—

The three of us walked through the clearing in silence. Merlin and Morgana didn’t want to talk. I didn’t have a choice.

When we got back to the house, Merlin walked into the study. He unlocked a high cabinet and placed Morgana’s Asteria inside.

“That’s my Asteria,” she said.

“It isn’t yours,” Merlin said, sighing. He locked the cabinet and walked back into the living room. “Letting Nosewise into the study was my mistake.” Merlin’s eyes watered, and his lips pressed together. “And everything after, too. I’m your teacher, so what you do is my responsibility.”

“It wasn’t so bad,” Morgana said. Her fists were balled so tight her knuckles went white. “All I did was let him play a little.”

“Would you let a dog play with a crossbow?” Merlin said, his tone sad and firm. I shrank in the corner of the room. “That Asteria can command a lightning bolt, a fireball, a blast of wind.”

“He’s not simple. He’s very smart.”

“And so are you. You should know better—”

“Don’t lecture me!” Morgana snapped. “There’s more to magic than you know.”

“Aye, there is. I know enough of my ignorance to fear magic and respect it.”

“Well, I’m not afraid,” Morgana said, sticking out her chin.

Merlin narrowed his eyes. “This isn’t you.”

Morgana looked away uncomfortably. I could hear her swallow, and she let her shoulders relax. “I’m sorry,” she said, calming herself. “I won’t do it again.”

“I thank you for that.”

“Now,” Morgana said, extending her hand, “may I please have my Asteria back?”

“You may use it in our lessons,” Merlin answered. “Under my supervision.”

Morgana stared at him silently.

“Morgana,” Merlin said gently, “I’m not punishing you. I’m only trying to help.”

She shook her head and blinked tears from her eyes. “You’re a good man, Merlin,” she said with a wavering voice. “But you have a closed mind. Someone needs to open it for you.” Morgana marched into her bedroom and swiftly shut the door.

Slam! The noise made me jump, and I skittered under the kitchen table.

Merlin looked at me.

“Nosewise, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he murmured. “Here, have a—have a treat.” Merlin opened a jar where he kept old bones. I peeked out from under the table.

“Take it,” he said, offering a bone. “No tricks required.”

I smelled the marrow and snatched it. For a moment my mind was filled with the task of chewing the bone—focused on the feel and the flavor.

Merlin was on the floor beside me, stroking my head.

“I’m not sure how much you still understand,” he said. I stopped chewing and looked up, which seemed to surprise him. “Maybe a lot.”

He nodded at the bone, and I went back to chewing it.

“When I took you from that place, I wanted to give you a life where you wouldn’t worry or want for anything. But to keep you safe, I confine you. To preserve your health, I control your food. And I’ve given you very little choice in all of this.”

I dropped the bone and whined.

“I feel guilty about it. But I don’t know a better way to take care of you. The world is a dangerous place, and I can only do so much to protect you.”

I raised my head to him and he rubbed my cheek.

“You clearly have a Knack,” Merlin said, and that perked my ears. “But magic is like a powerful river. A skilled boatman sails swiftly. But someone without the ability to understand…they can drown.”

I looked over at the cabinet that held the Asteria and felt my whiskers twitch. I’d upset Merlin and gotten Morgana into trouble. I’d wanted to impress him and maybe learn how to open the door. But it had all gone horribly wrong.

“Magic,” Merlin said, standing to shut the door to the study, “is not for everyone.” He smiled kindly and sat next to me again.

I knew what he’d really meant to say.

Magic wasn’t for me.