I shrugged. She was right. There would’ve been no point in putting herself out there and opening her home to another witch she didn’t know if this wouldn’t work.
Eva gestured to the man. “How long is he going to stay like that?”
Our dark mentor’s hands turned to the air lazily. “Hours. He’ll wake up with a stomach ache and have forgotten all about us when he finishes shitting his pants in a few days’ time.”
I turned to Eva. “Let’s go find your lady and see if Claude performs as well.”
We made it to the door of the library, and realized something was wrong. Madame Montespan was still out there, but she was speaking with someone—no, not speaking,yelling.
La Voisin held out her hand to stop us. “Let me go first.”
We allowed her to pass and peek through the doors. When her head popped back into the library, she was beaming from ear to ear.
“Who is it?” I asked.
La Voisin’s gaze locked on Eva. “Just the person you’re looking for—the king’s favored mistress, fresh from his bed.” The poisoner smirked, likely relishing the chaos on the other side of the door. “I’ll take care of Athénaïs while you test your ghost.”
“This is cause for celebration.” Morgan opened the door to our apartment with a flourish, and twirled around with a smile.
Each of our mind witches had protected me and Eva. Not only that, but Madame Montespan had been so embarrassed that we’d caught her arguing loudly with the notorious Louise de La Vallière that she’d claimed to have an engagement that she’d forgotten. We left the palace with no one any the wiser as to what we’d done.
Once we were in the carriage and trotting away from the palace, La Voisin had admitted that she was impressed and unsure what other wisdom she could impart on us, which relieved me. We might be leaving soon.
“When you say celebration, does that mean champagne?” Eva wiggled her eyebrows.
Morgan shimmied her hips in a move that reminded me a lot of the salsa, and grinned. “There’s a charming little restaurant right around the corner.”
“La Voisin said that she wouldn’t be able to teach us much more,” I remarked. “Should we leave soon?”
“Actually, I wanted to ask you that,” Morgan replied. “Do you feel ready? Because if you do, we’ll pay her tomorrow morning. Then of course, I must perform whatever bit of magic she requires, and hint at her future before we can leave.” Her lips turned down in a slight frown.
The monetary amount alone was staggering, but that La Voisin also required magical payment and a hint as to what her future held, gave Morgan a sour taste in her mouth.
“Thank you for being willing to do that for us,” I said. “I know it’s a lot.”
Her hand twirled in the air. “There’s no need for thanks. The money is nothing to me. And there was little doubt that she’d recognize me as the elder and more powerful witch. Her requesting a favor was bound to happen. As long as I can perform magic, and it doesn’t harm anyone, I’ll do it gladly.”
She turned and began rummaging through the wardrobe for a new dress. Since arriving in Paris, she’d picked up a few of the latest pieces, and some trinkets for Merlin. She’d also purchased a few skimpier outfits that I was sure were for him as well.
“Get dressed, loves,” Morgan said as she pulled out a beautiful red frock. “We’ll begin with champagne down the street. After that, we shall see where beautiful Paris takes us.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Igroaned as we walked to La Voisin’s home. The night before, Morgan had proclaimed we should celebrate, and celebrate we did.
So hard.
I would probably be sweating champagne from my pores for weeks to come. I couldn’t wait to get home. Not only for the people, pizza, showers, and beds—but also for more moderate celebrations. The past was way too hardcore for me.
Surprisingly, Morgan seemed completely unaffected, and she’d downed at least twice as much champagne as me.
“How do you look so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?” Eva asked, rubbing her temples.
Morgan let out a laugh. “You’ve seen the drinking tendencies of my time. It’s part of our lifestyle.”
I nodded, knowing what she meant. We’d frequented the village tavern numerous times, and seen the same people there over and over. Sometimes I wondered if they ever left.
“I was hoping it was some kind of spell or something,” Eva admitted.
