Her head tilted, and she studied my face. “Can you do such a thing?”
“Not consistently.”
“You don’t sound confident in your abilities, child.”
I was anything but a child. “I’m still learning how to use magic, but I’m getting better all the time.”
She nodded. “I’d welcome release from this wretched trap. Would you be willing to try?”
I held up my finger, then realized this pointed out that one of hers was missing and tucked my hand behind my back.
“I’ve had some success with a particular spell,” I said.
Her lips twitched up. “Of course you have.”
“What does that mean?”
“Mean?” Her gray eyebrows lifted. “Just that it would take a particular spell to release me from this infernal portrait.”
That wasn’t what she’d meant, but I’d let it go.
“Why did the king trap you here?” I asked.
“That’s a wonderful question.”
“That you should answer if you want my help.”
Her sigh rang out. “I hid things. Many things. He didn’t like that.”
“What sort of things?”
“Things that needed to remain hidden for a very long time.”
“You’re not going to tell me what they are, are you?” I said with a snarl.
“I cannot.”
“Will not.”
Her head tilted. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
“Not really.”
“Release me and I’ll tell you the words that thrust themselves into my mind the moment you stood beside this picture.”
“Such as?”
“A foretelling. Hurry. I don’t have much time.” Fear came through in her voice.
Hiding things was not enough reason to lock her within this frame. And refusing to tell me what those things were was also not enough reason for me to turn away and leave her here. And I was curious about her foretelling.
After swallowing down the uneasy feeling creeping across my skin, I drew on my power. And, because I sensed she’d been placed in this dusty, unused suite to ensure no one found her, I added a bit more than usual when I cast the spell.
She slipped out of the frame. I was getting pretty good with this. Soon, I’d free the other dragon and every other creature trapped inside the castle.
When she stood beside me, we looked each other over, though I wasn’t sure what she saw. This was the woman who’d looked in the mirror during my vision, only wearing different clothing. Her age appeared about the same.
“How long have you been inside the portrait?” I asked, determined to get as many details out of her as possible. I was shown that vision for a reason. Pixies didn’t do anything without a purpose, and this woman was wrapped up in everything somehow.
