He shook his head. “He’s alive, but only just. If you hadn’t stopped me . . .”
“It’s not his fault,” she whispered. “The voice was controlling him.”
“I thought that might be the case. But once the beast senses danger, it becomes hard to stop his animalistic urge to defend itself.”
“Can he . . . heal himself like you can?”
Davien reluctantly pulled away from Cosette. “No.”
They glanced at the pool of blood coating the marble floor. Cosette was sure that no matter how long she lived the sight would stay with her for years to come. “Should we send for a physician?”
“It’s too risky. I’ll take care of it.” He walked over and lifted the coachman into his arms, and then turned back to Cosette. “I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he carted Quinn out of the room.
~ ~ ~
Once they were gone, Cosette stumbled out of the library and went to the only place that she felt relatively safe—Davien’s bedchamber, their bedchamber. She sat on the bed, pulled her legs up in front of her and hugged her bent knees. It was a pose she’d sat in many times when she lived at the orphanage. Rather ironic that after seven years she should revert to such an insecure, childhood habit of self-preservation.
She laid her head on her arms, and thought of those dark days, when Arien had been alive. Even at five years old, she had been wise beyond her age. How she wished for her counsel and friendship now. Or even Charlotte’s. She longed to be able to confide her troubles to a female companion, someone who was neutral when it came to the turbulent emotions that Davien evoked. As much as she appreciated Mrs. Woodard, she had only been an acquaintance, not someone she could share her innermost thoughts with.
But even if Arien or Charlotte were around, Cosette knew that she couldn’t very well talk about what had happened here today.
She could hardly admit the horror to herself.
She had finally been able to break free from the trance that had taken hold, but what about next time? Davien was right. The power behind the locket was growing stronger. Today she had felt the weight of the magic in the chain around her neck like a stone. Not only that, but the force behind the necklace had nearly killed Davien—and Quinn.
Could she live with her guilt if it eventually succeeded?
The answer, most assuredly, was no.
But what could she do? Maybe she should just leave, go away until she could be ensured that she would never hurt anyone again. Either that, or see if Shadowlawn had a dungeon—
She sat straight up in bed.
The solution was clear. Davien wouldn’t like it. In truth, he’d be furious. But in the end he would have to realize that this was the wisest course.
She scrambled off the bed. There wasn’t much time if she didn’t want to worry about Davien returning and forbidding her to go. Or else talk herself out of it.
