He reread the note. The lines were straight, careful. No ink blots. No little flare of frustration where she might have stabbed the pen too hard. No cramped letters from someone writing quickly, angrily, while trying not to shake.
Whatever decision she had made, she had done so with a clear mind.
“Skies,” he muttered.
Did she really think she could navigate Eloria on her own? Why wouldn’t she talk to him first? He would have taken her somewhere safe. Anywhere she wanted.
She had asked him not to follow her, but he couldn’t ignore the danger threatening her. She was vulnerable and unprotected.
He shoved the note into his pocket and went back to the kitchen. He was going to find her, if only to make sure she was well. After all, he had promised himself to keep her safe, no matter what.
“Hold on.” Corey stepped in front of him, her flour-dusted hand held up as if that could stop him.
Wordlessly, he handed the note to her.
She skimmed it and her brows shot up. “She’s not coming back.”
Marion frowned. “What do you mean?”
Corey waved the note. “She’s run off.”
Marion stood slowly. The easy calm from earlier was gone. “Let me see.”
Corey passed her the paper, and the colour drained from Marion’s face as she read it.
“Why would she leave?” She looked towards Damien, eyes narrowed. “What didyoudo?”
Damien blinked, his frustration slipping through. “Nothing. Why do you assume it’s my fault?”
“Because you traded her mother,” Corey said flatly.
Arleen gasped, tea spilling over her fingers.
“It wasn’t like that,” Damien practically snarled at his sister. “I did what I had to do to get you back.” The words hit like a physical blow, and guilt flickered across Arleen’s face.
With a shake of his head, Damien quickly backtracked. “It’s all right. She understood why . . . and I told her Nina would be safe.”
“Do you actually believe that?” Corey crossed her arms. “Don’t tell me you expected Luna to bake you a cake and thank you for handing her mother to the same monster who ruined her life? It doesn’t matter if Nina is rotten or deserves it. She’s still her mother.”
Marion sat very still, her fingers tightening along the edge of the table. “Lunadidseem really upset last night when she came to see her,” she said slowly, swallowing hard. “I figured she just wanted a private goodbye . . . she didn’t say she was going to run off.”
Damien’s head snapped up. “Nina was alone with Luna?” He hadn’t known she had even left her room.
Marion winced. “I know I should’ve told you, but. . . I just—I want her to like me.”
Pieces were finally starting to click together.
“Was anything different about her when she left?” he asked.
“I actually didn’t see her leave,” Marion said. “But when I came downstairs, Nina was out like a light. Although, now that I think about it . . . it did smell like violets down there. Strongly. I thought Luna had bathed or used some oil, but maybe—”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Corey said quickly, but her eyes darted down the hall towards Luna’s room, her mouth agape.
“Do—do you think . . . Is it possible?” Arleen stuttered, voice breaking as she spoke.
“She used fae magic?” Marion finished. “Yes. The cuff only limits unicorn magic. Not fae.”
Fae magic could glamour anything to take on another appearance, even people, but it left behind a distinct floral smell that was different for every fae.
