My real reason for coming here.
Sure enough, if I squinted through the darkness, I could see a group of hooded cloaks preparing their horses. Nox’s tall, broad frame was unmistakable as he smoothly pulled a saddle over his steed’s back and covered his own wavy hair with a hood.
The Mysthelm shipment. The one I’d caught them discussing last night.
Somethingwas coming from my home kingdom. Something that this Scarven person they kept talking about wanted.
Call me curious. Call mebrash, but I wanted to know too. If I could prove myself to be more than just a traitor in Nox’s eyes, maybe he would finally work with me. Maybe he’dfinallykeep his promise and help me uncover the truths of my past.
There was only one problem: I couldn’t leave the house.
But I had a plan.
I carefully snuck out of the library and down to the first floor, where I found the greenhouse the night before. I’d perused more books on Alchemy than I could count. I figured there had to be something in them about the type of ward Nox’s Alchemist used to keep me locked inside.
I may not be an actual Alchemist (nor much of a Shadow Wielder, obviously), but I read how much of their power came from herbs or crystals themselves, paired with a recited spell. Maybe simplyingestingcertain powerful herbs could dispel a charm, and I didn’t have to actually cast a spell.
That was what I told myself, anyway. And I desperately wanted to find a way out of these walls.
The earthy scent of the greenhouse hit me as I hurried down the hallway leading to the glass chamber. What did that book say…something about dandelions being able to break curses? Wait, no. It was thistle.
I glanced around for the strange, jagged plant I’d seen in the book. Several of the sharper leaves with thorns pricked my finger as I?—
“You’re not supposed to be down here,” a hesitant voice said behind me. “Does Nox know where you are?”
I whirled around to face a young man in tweed pants and suspenders over his white shirt. The fabric was smudged with dirt and bits of leaves. Keen, innocent eyes flitted from me to the entrance as he pushed his unruly blond curls from out of his eyes. He was a few years younger than me, maybe nineteen.
I instantly relaxed, sizing him up and seeing what angle to play. This kid didn’t look like he would hurt a spider. And if the green marks on his fingers were any indication, he knew this greenhouse well. An Alchemist, perhaps?
An idea formed in my mind.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I rushed out. “I figured if I wasn’t allowed somewhere, the wards would stop me.” I tilted my head to the side. “They must be broken or something.”
His brow furrowed. “They’re not broken.”
I widened my eyes in mock innocence. “Well, it’s best to be sure. You should bring it up with Nox. You don’t want someone getting into?—”
“I would know if they were broken,” he cut in, chest inflating slightly. “I’mthe one who set them.”
“You don’t say?” A grin unfurled on my features. “In that case, my name’s Devora. It’ssonice to meet you.”
“We all know who you are,” he said, eyeing me with distrust.
I stalked closer to him. “Andyou’reMilo, right?”
He immediately stepped backward. “H—How did you know my name?”
“Rebekah, of course.” I remembered the note I’d seen in her pocket the other day.From your Milo, with the hearts. The same name Nox used when saying he’d have the Alchemist loosen the wards. Put two and two together, and… “She talks so much about you, you know.”
His lips parted. “She does?”
I nodded eagerly. “All the time. She wishes she didn’t have to spend so much of her day up in that tower cleaning the room. She doesn’t get much time for anything else.” I took a shot with that last part, figuring if he’d resorted to writing her letters, he didn’t get to see her often.
He swallowed. “They keep her so busy lately.” His eyes moved toward the door again, then flitted back to me. “Wh—what else does she say?”
Fates, he was kind of adorable. I almost felt bad.
“That she misses you. But she’s worried what they’ll say if she tries to sneak off during work hours.” I knew how big properties like this worked their schedules, more or less. The head housekeeper probably kept a close watch on her maids. Tight rotations, not much downtime in between shifts. Poor kid.
