On the other hand, the situation could be much worse, since he did not need to worry about becoming a wolf permanently. That is what was important, he reminded himself.
Philip’s body was sore, as it always was after a complete change, with muscles protesting from the transitions. It also left him exhausted, but Philip could not rest now. He needed to help Antonia find a solution before this became his life permanently.
“You can let me out,” he finally said.
Simon looked up from the book that he was reading and then gathered Philip’s clothing and handed them over after unlocking the cell.
He then picked up a jar. “Do you want me to rub this into your back?”
Petra had created a concoction that soothed his muscles after the changes. He didn’t know what herbs she used or magical properties, but it did help.
Philip put his back to Simon. “Please.”
“I have noted that Lady Antonia appears more strained, especially today,” Simon said.
“She is afraid,” Philip answered. “She is not even resting well. I can feel her shifting in her sleep. I don’t know what she is dreaming, but whatever it is, it is a manifestation of her fears.”
When they first slept together, it had been peaceful and refreshing, but the closer they came to the full moon, the more anxious she became.
“I am finished.” Simon handed the jar to Philip. He would take care of the rest of his muscles and then join the others.
“I will go above stairs and see if anything has been learned.”
They would have already known, but it gave Simon something else to do. He was worried. The entire household was scared, and Philip could not blame them.
After he’d used the cream on his protesting muscles, Philip dressed and made his way to the vault. The witches were gathered in the back, reading the last of the documents, books, and manuscripts. Defeat hung in the air.
When he joined them, Antonia looked up, sadness in her light blue eyes that pulled at his heart. She feared there wouldn’t be an answer and that in time he would go mad. Philip had dismissed the idea, but after suffering the changes, he was beginning to understand the concern. Already he dreaded the approaching midnight hour, knowing what was to come and it was beginning to fill his evenings. He did not want this to be the rest of his life, that the change was all he thought about.
“You should rest.” He held out his hand.
“We don’t have the time.” It was her usual answer.
“At least walk with me.”
Antonia sighed and set the book she had been reading aside.
Silence was shared as they climbed the stairs and then exited outside and as soon as they were alone, Philip pulled her into his arms. Antonia clung to him, and then a sob broke.
She was barely keeping control of her own emotions, which did nobody any good. She needed them to be released.
He held her tight as she wept into his suitcoat and rubbed his hand up and down her back.
This woman was doing everything in her power to save him, and he could offer so little in return.
When she sniffed and calmed, Antonia looked up at him. “Thank you.”
He simply smiled. This was not the first time she’d cried all over him, though he hoped that there would be no need in the coming days.
His heart ached for her, and his love deepened. A love that he did not even know if it was real.
“In two days, we will know,” she said. “If this, whatever it is between us is real, or simply a spell.”
That is when the spell would be complete, one way or the other, and whatever bound them together would be broken.
It was also the reason he fought the urge to kiss Antonia. The desire grew more powerful each day and it took everything in his being not to do so, and he had told her as such.
“We cannot.” She placed her fingers against his lips. “You might regret it in the future. We may be destined to be nothing more than friends once this is over.”
