Building a world where espionage meets magic (and why it’s perfect for romance)

You know that moment when you’re worldbuilding and everything suddenly clicks into place? When disparate elements—magic systems, political intrigue, romantic tension—suddenly form a perfect chord progression?

That’s what happened when I started building the world of The Frost Emerald Affair. Now, a fine point here: I start with characters and don't pay attention to the overall world until I have characters I need to put somewhere. I'm definitely not a "world-first" creator.

As I was writing, I'd add the elements of a world that made sense to me, and a place that I would want to know more about. Eventually, it just clicked!

The World: Picture a realm where mathematics and physics exist just like ours, but instead of being the foundation for technology, they inform magic. Bards weave spells through harmonic theory. Scholars, wizards and other of that ilk manipulate reality using calculus, geometry, probability theory and others. The same equations that describe our (real-world) physics also govern how magic flows through the world.

(I'd hate to be bad at math in this world!)

But here’s the thing about a world where magic follows mathematical principles—it creates incredibly sophisticated societies. Complex politics. Trade networks spanning multiple realms. And where there’s complexity, there’s espionage.

Side note: I'm an engineer by trade (cue the "BEAM ME UP!" wisecracks here). The opportunity to use my software nerd and music backgrounds for fantasy was just too cool to pass up. Also, I love the relationships between music and math. Did I ever tell you the one about the 3rd harmonic frequency and the fractal geometric shape that walked into a bar? No?

Why This Works for Romance AND Adventure: Magic that requires precision creates natural partnerships. One person’s improvisational genius benefits from another’s systematic approach. The emotional resonance that drives harmonic magic? It makes romantic tension not just subplot—it becomes integral to how spells actually work. When your magic is stronger because you trust your partner, every mission becomes both professional and deeply personal.

The Mission Concept: I spent months deeply researching, in beautiful and far-off art-deco libraries, how real espionage operations work—the careful planning, the contingencies, the way everything depends on intel, timing, and the right team. (No you didn't. You just read "The Lies of Locke Lamora" seven times, you stinker. -ed.) (FINE! -J.R.) Then I thought: what if those same principles applied to magical heists? What if retrieving an enchanted artifact benefitted from not just stealth and skill, but also from perfect synchronization between partners?

Missions are just as dangerous, but with this complementary couple, it puts some new spins on how they solve problems and escape danger. Every mission becomes a test of trust, competence, and connection.

But here’s what I realized while crafting these scenarios: every good mission needs the right partner. Someone whose magical approach complements yours. Someone who can improvise when your careful plans meet chaotic reality. Someone whose presence makes your magic stronger, not weaker.

Next week, I’ll share Astara and Sheliak’s unlikely but perfect partnership.

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(What draws you more: the adventure or the romance? I’m curious whether readers come for the magical heists and stay for the relationships, or vice versa!)