Chapter 23
Elizabeth quickly recitedthe spell for Bonding and started to reach out to Darcy. Before she could complete it, Matlock cast an Ice spell on her, immobilizing her completely, and preventing her from accessing her magic.
“You must learn to follow orders, Elizabeth. You are a Royal Mage, and you cannot disobey a direct command. I am sorry, but I have no choice but to stop you from using your magic. I will decide later if I am going to charge you with mutiny.”
Elizabeth stared in shock at Matlock. How could he do this to her, when Darcy’s life was at stake?
“Take her and lock her in the cellar.”
Their faces impassive, the footmen picked her up by the armpits and carried her down to the cellar. She could not move. She could not speak. And she could not sense or use magic. She had never felt so useless in her life. She could not do anything to save Darcy.
They left her on the floor inside de Riquer’s room. As the door slammed, she heard the unmistakable sound of the door being bolted from the outside. Now that she was inside the Wards, Matlock’s magic unraveled. The Wards had undone his spell. She could get up from the floor, but what use was that to her when she could not use her magic to Bond with Darcy?
She looked around for the other occupant. In the thick darkness, she could not see him at all.
“Welcome back to the dungeon, Mrs. Darcy.”
De Riquer’s voice grated on her skin like nails on a window.
“Stay away. I know what you have done.”
A light flared into existence and revealed de Riquer sitting in his bed. He had the bleary-eyed expression of someone who had just woken up. He swung to the edge of the bed and brought his bare feet to the ground.
“Excuse me while I make myself presentable.”
She turned her back impatiently while he disappeared behind the screen in the corner of the room and started to put on his clothes. She had other matters to worry about, other than de Riquer’s appearance. Besides, she did not trust him. He must have seen her in the mirror and known that she was coming here.
“There is no point in feigning ignorance. I know what you are doing.”
He was helping Devereux defeat Darcy.
“I am feigning nothing,” said de Riquer. “I can see that you are distressed, Mrs. Darcy, but if you would tell me what is happening, I might have a clearer idea what I have done.”
Elizabeth threw him a look of disgust. “Do you really mean to deny that you are collaborating with Mr. Devereux to kill Darcy in the duel?”
“I deny it categorically,” said de Riquer, his thick brows drawing together. “I did not even know there was a duel. I must be losing my touch.”
Of course, he would deny it. Did she expect him to fall to his knees and confess? “Ifeltyour magic.”
“Is the duel taking place now?”
“Yes. As we speak.”
“I am a powerful mage, Mrs. Darcy, but not so powerful that I can guide this Mr. Devereux from here, without the aid of a mirror, while I am talking to you.”
She glanced towards the mirror. It was covered.
Doubt began to seep in. If it was not de Riquer’s, then whose magic was it? She had to look through that mirror. She had to see what was happening to Darcy.
“Show me,” she commanded, her voice hard and sharp as a diamond. “I want to know what is going on. You owe me that much.”
Riquer sighed.
“I owe you nothing at all, Mrs. Darcy, but I will do what I can to help.” He walked over to the sheet that covered the mirror and pulled it away. “Where exactly did this duel take place?”
“It is taking place now. Outdoors, in the rose garden.”
