Philip knew that his mother was waiting to see him. The only reason she had not insisted on an audience immediately was because she knew he was likely very hungry. It had been hours since he’d eaten, and if he was going to spend the rest of the day and evening in the vault, and then transform at midnight, he needed sustenance. Once he had finished his meal, instead of following the others to the vault, he followed his mother to the back parlor and waited for her lecture as he closed the door behind him.
He already knew what she was going to say, and he was prepared to offer for Antonia.
It did not matter that all they had done was sleep. The fact remained that he’d been in her chamber, on her bed beside her, sleeping. And they’d been discovered.
He still didn’t understand why his mother had gone into Antonia’s chamber, unless her maid had found them and alerted her, which was likely the case. Once one maid knew, it would not be long before every servant at Nightshade Manor knew as well, nor would it be long before it was mentioned to a cousin, and then everyone would know. Likely before supper.
“Are you in love with Lady Antonia?”
Philip blinked at his mother. He was expecting to be chastised for his behavior, but she was more thoughtful.
“Honestly, I am not certain.” He did care for her. He was drawn and pulled to her. An ache developed in his chest when she was not near, and that space inside his soul was empty. A place that only she could fill. Perhaps that was love, but he was not ready to attach an emotion to it just yet. Especially not something so important as love.
“Why were you in her bedchamber, sleeping on her bed?”
“It is not what you think,” he said and took a chair across from her.
“I may have imagined one thing but saw something quite different when I entered the chamber.” She smiled.
“Why did you?” he asked.
“A maid went in to wake Lady Antonia but instead, left and reported to me.”
Bloody hell! He was right. In no time, all Nightshade Manor will know.
“She will not tell anyone,” his mother promised.
“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“Had you been under the coverlet and disrobed, it would be another issue,” his mother said. Instead, she was under the covers, you were on top, backs to each other and only fingers entwined. Had you been lovers…”
This was not something he was going to discuss with his mother.
“Why were you there?” she asked.
“Perhaps you could tell me.” Philip then described the pull, the emptiness, the unable to rest until they were holding hands.
She said nothing, simply nodded.
“Why do you think that is?” He already anticipated her answer of being fated mates, stuff and nonsense that he’d heard since he was a child. Perhaps he and Antonia were that, but it would likely never be, especially if he was going to turn into a wolf.
“You are bound by a spell,” she said.
He stood so suddenly that the chair tipped but did not go over. “Another bloody spell!”
“Not cast on you, or her, but because of the one already cast.”
He sat back down with a frown. “What do you mean?”
“You were unintentionally altered by a spell that should not have had any effect on you whatsoever because it was not complete. She cast that spell, which is the first link. Then, when she tried to discover what else was written as part of the spell, you were the only one with her in the gardens. If Antonia performed it correctly, the two of you held hands.”
He nodded.
“She pulled in your strength, and she gave you her magic. The two became linked which formed this bond.”
“Will it go away?” he asked. While he enjoyed being near Antonia, he did not want to suffer the ache or loneliness, emptiness, whenever they were parted.
“Likely,” his mother answered. “Except, you were attracted to her in London.”
