Sorrel looked plum satisfied at my words. She rose, and I understood the summoning was coming to a close.
“You can do it, Dottie. I never choose wrong.”
The chairs and teapot were suddenly gone. All that was left was the two of us and the iron rod holding my lantern. I lifted it, the metal heavy in my hand. I turned to leave, but Sorrel called me back.
“Oh, Dottie, one more thing. I find it’s better to attempt difficult things in style.”
Sorrel raised her hands slowly. I felt my dress shift, transform. The low back rising, the neckline squaring. The fabric was thicker on top, sturdier, turning a deep burgundy. The full skirt narrowed around my legs and became tightly fitted black pants. My brown jacket became a full-length cape fastened at my neck and across my chest bloomed the shoulder paneling from the splint mail Amelia made me. I looked down to find a belt with two leather pouches.
I felt stronger. Ready to take on the Dark Mage.
She handed me my satchel.
“Thank you, Sorrel.”
“Go in magic, Lady Dottie.”
I turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter Ten: [Insert Mindfulness Affirmation Here]
The woods were especiallydark without Sorrel. There was only a sliver of the moon in the sky, and an edge of fog had crept in among the tree roots. It was hard to know if I was going in the right direction.
I was eager to tell Draw everything Sorrel said. It would calm him, give him the same certainty I now felt that he’d get through this alive. Plus, it’d be like reliving the conversation through Draw’s perspective. I couldn’t wait to know what he thought of her magicking furniture into existence in the middle of a dark wood. Changing my outfit. Warming the air around us.
It didn’t cross my mind that he wouldn’t believe any of it—Draw had seen plenty of evidence by now. Besides, the way he looked at me made me suspect he would ascribe the value of gold to any word out of my mouth.
I spied a dot of campfire through the trees and corrected my course. My new cape fluttered behind me as I strode forward more confident I was heading the right direction to camp.
Sorrel had said love flowered between us. Did Draw feel the same way about me as I felt about him? I mean, he certainly showed me so in his bed. My cheeks warmed at the very recent memories.
How would he feel about the news that we were bound to be separated at the end of all this, neither able to exist in the other’s realm? He had said it was better to be together while possible, but I hope he didn’t feel any form of regret. My own disappointment at the news, well, I would to keep it to myself.
I finally reached the edge of camp. Nearly everyone had gone to bed, or at least into their tents. I didn’t meet another soul on my way to Draw’s tent.
I lifted the door and ducked inside. My lantern was the only one that lit the space. Draw’s was extinguished. The bed was how we’d left it, and his sitting desk was still scattered with quills and books. He was gone.
