“Fucked?” she filled in.
“Had feelings,” Sondre corrected firmly.
Maggie felt a warm rush of affection.He cared enough that they thought I would be leverage.That thought was followed closely by a bubble of rage.So they trapped me, endangered my son, and now…
Sondre had resumed talking about Craig. “You can see him sometimes, giving him the chance at a mostly normal life and future, or you can keep him here where he is in peril and unhappy,butyou are with him.”
Maggie felt tears threaten. There was no good answer. One path would make her happier, but going to the regular world and having a normal life would make her son happier. “It’s like going off to college, I guess. I’d get holidays? And he’d be hidden from Leon?”
“Yes.” Sondre wiped a tear away from her cheek. “My vow on that. I made the Congress swear they’ll place him out of Leon’s reach and let him move back to the Barbarian Lands.”
“I’ll ask Craig what he wants,” Maggie offered. “I made the choice to bring him here—”
“To protect him from his murderous father,” Sondre reminded her.
Tears flowed faster. “Leon wanted custody. Then he tried to kill us. Then I got trapped here. I remember all those parts, you know.” She gestured around her. “Andhereis deadly to him. Sometimes I feel like all I do is try to protect my son.”
“He’d be safer, and you could… hopefully enjoy being here with me. I’m not so bad, am I?” Sondre gave her a small smile. “A fair consolation prize since you’re trapped here?”
Maggie laughed even though she was crying over her son’s likely departure. She wrapped her arms around Sondre tightly. “You’re the best part of being a witch.” She rested her face against him and whispered, “Is this a done deal? My actions won’t change it?”
“Yes…” Sondre stepped back slightly. “What’s going on?”
She offered a watery smile. “Trust me…?”
“I do, but—”
“This whole meek-and-obedient thing? Not really me. I will play by whatever rules I must to keep my son safe. I stayed compliant with Leon, gave up my career, accepted the ‘ask no questions’ mandate here in Crenshaw…” She made a noise that was half laugh, half snort. “My son has always been the only way to have power over me, but I’m not terribly pleased that they decided to use me as a pawn.”
“Worrying me a little,” Sondre muttered.
“Good. I remember enough to know you didn’t fall for a dishrag,Sondre.” Maggie paused and grinned at him. “But if the chief witch thinks he has turned me into one, he’s going to be surprised. I have questions. Brandeau does, too.”
“Ellie,” Sondre corrected. “You called her Ellie. You were friends.”
“I know. We escaped together, but… youtellingme that isn’t enough. Youtellingme you helped feels true, but I want the whole truth. And you weren’t with me.”
“Because being siphoned would kill me,” he pointed out.
“Not blaming you. We barely knew each other, and as much as I think we could be the second-best thing that’s happened to me… I need the answers. I get it if you want to distance yourself from me, but I’m—”
He kissed her, stopping her words with the sort of passion that left her shivering. “Be who you are. I’ll still be right here. I made them swear Craig will be safe, but that doesn’t guarantee anything foryou.”
“Good. A hob told me to break some rules, so…” Maggie felt a weight slide off her shoulders. “I’ll be subtle until Craig is settled. After that, all bets are off.”
Sondre nodded once, but worry still pulled at his expression. “I’m not going to ask.”
“Probably a smart move.” She leaned up and brushed a kiss over his lips before she pivoted and headed toward her room. She had plans to make.
17Dan
After a few hours of aiding the healers, Dan felt like a wrung-out rag. He called, “Clance?”
The little hob popped into the infirmary and looked at Dan with a proud smile. “You did well.”
“Thanks.” Dan yawned and slid down to the floor. By the time Dan had done what he could to boost the healer’s energy, he felt like a toy that needed to be rewound. Whatever spring kept a person upright wasunsprung. He sat on a heap on the floor of the infirmary, head tilted back onto a shelf that was as comfortable as bamboo sheets and feather-filled pillows just then.
“I need the headmaster to let me out,” Dan told Clancy. “I could sleep on the floor or an empty cot, but I don’t want to.”
