“Calliope,” the Matron hisses.
Dover is already there, pulling Mar into his arms to study her welted cheek. A beat passes where the two females stare each other down. Then Mar’s mother reaches out and rips her from Dover, crushing her against her chest.
“You little fool,” she whispers into her hair. “Why would you come back here? The elders could have done so much worse than demanding your magic.”
“We needed help.”
“People die all the time, Marideth. This is meant to be a safe place for us. A secret place. You cannot just bring your friends here on a whim.” Her gaze sweeps over us, landing on me with a mix of shock and intimidation.
I stand a bit straighter. “Like I said before, this is not Marideth’s fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”
The witch steps back, adopting a cold and distant air.
“Calliope, set them up with sleeping arrangements,” the Matron orders, rising from her seat. “The Blackblood and I have work to do.”
“Mother, I don’t think that’s?—”
“They are my guests now. Do not fuss with me, girl.”
Calliope squares her shoulders and gives a brusque nod for Mar, Dover, and Kai to follow her.
“Let me stay. I can help,” Mar entreats her grandmother.
“I don’t want you anywhere near that kind of magic, Marideth,” Calliope warns.
“She can stay,” the Matron replies.
“Marideth—”
“I’m staying, Mother.” Her voice carries a tone of finality.
Calliope bristles. “Fine. You two can follow me. Or sleep outside with the wolves for all I care.”
Mar gives Dover a reassuring look, squeezing his hand one last time before he and Kai duck out the door.
“That was—” I shake my head, looking at Mar. She looses a hollow laugh.
“One of the reasons I left.”
“Are you alright?”
She nods. “Let’s just focus on getting Zadyn back.”
I pull Arden’s grimoire from my satchel and spread it on the table before us. “I figured we might need this.”
“Go ahead.” The Matron gestures to me. “It will open only for you.”
I turn open the front cover.
Hello, my Queen.
Sigh.Please stop calling me that.
What shall I call you, Majesty?
Nothing. Don’t call me anything.
Yes, your Grace.
