Without waiting for anyone to follow, she strode down the path, but the further she got away from Chedworth, the stronger the ache in her soul became. She hoped that he joined her in the cellar, or she might not be able to continue reading journals.
He was necessary to her concentration, her focus.
She needed him.
Antonia didn’t bother to return her satchel to her chamber. Instead, she sat it just outside of the door of the vault and returned to her reading.
Chedworth soon joined her, and they stood side by side while reading journals. Next came his cousins.
Nobody spoke and the only sounds were pages turning.
As with before, they worked through the night. Her eyes were soon blurring and not even touching Chedworth helped.
When exhaustion finally began to take over, she blew out a sigh.
“I will rest and then return.”
This was said to the others, but his cousins were gone. Only Chedworth remained.
“They left a few hours ago, but you were so absorbed in reading that they did not wish to disturb you.”
“How did you know that they left.”
“I saw them. They gave me a nod, but their concern is with you.”
“I will be fine.”
“Not if you work yourself into exhaustion so that you are no help to anyone.”
“I can rest after the full moon. Then it won’t matter.”
“It will be too late,” he added.
“I truly hope that it is not the case,” Antonia murmured.
“Come. We both need rest.”
Antonia was so weary, and it took everything within her to climb the stairs. “What time is it?”
“Nearing four in the morning.”
At his words she stopped and turned. “You did not change. Is it over?”
Chadworth placed a hand at the small of her back and encouraged her forward. “I did. Right before I joined you in the garden for the spell.”
Antonia frowned. “That was midnight?”
We slept late, remember. It did not feel like midnight to me either. At least, not until the cramping in my hands started.”
Antonia winced. She had to find a reversal. She must.
“Was it just your ears and hands?”
“A foot cramped also.”
By the time the full moon arrived, he would turn fully wolf for a short time. If just his hands were painful, a complete change would be excruciating, and that is what would likely lead to madness.
“I am sorry Lord Chedworth.”
