Chapter
Twenty-Three
Elowen’s mind whirled, thinking of what the physician had said about Theo’s symptoms not being severe enough for poison, and how it had been too long since ingestion for Theo to still be alive. Whatever had been in that vial, it wasn’t any kind of poison they knew. It was something else entirely, something that shouldn’t exist.
“I found a word from the other vial’s label,” Sophia said. “Magic.”
“And this one.” Elowen’s eyes moved quickly through the glossary. “It says it can meanuseorrequirement, depending on context.” She passed a hand over her eyes. “This is hopeless. Those are two words out of,” she counted, “twelve on that label. We can’t translate it with the tools we have.”
Sophia took a moment to answer, her gaze thoughtful as it passed between her note and the glossary. “We can’t make out every word,” she acknowledged. “But I think it’s enough to give a sense. The empty vial must have been some kind of poison, how else can you describe a substance that brings slow death? So the logical answer is that the full one is an antidote.”
Elowen nodded slowly, remembering what Bertrand had said. She’d suspected him of trying to twist her into some kindof bargain. And that made more sense if he had something to bargain with. He’d just needed to interrogate Simeon, who he thought knew where the vials were.
“And it seems the antidote either uses magic, or requires magic,” Sophia said. “At least, that’s my best guess based on the words we can find.”
“So just drinking it might not be enough,” Elowen said, aghast. “I suppose that answers my question.”
Her friend looked up at her bitter tone. “What question?”
“Whether I should just abandon caution and ride after Theo on the fastest horse I can find, and make him drink the contents of the second vial.”
Sophia said nothing as she closed the book and returned it to its place. With a word of thanks to the record-keeper, the two of them walked from the library, stopping at the nearest alcove big enough for them both to step into.
“That’s exactly what you should do,” Sophia said, speaking as if there’d been no interruption to their conversation. “But you need to take more than just the vial. You need to take someone skilled in magic. Someone you trust.”
Understanding passed between them.
“But he won’t know what to do,” said Elowen in a murmur. “He can’t read this any more than we can.”
“But it came with instructions, remember? They weren’t in a different language. Just technical magical terms. Maybe they’ll make sense to him.”
Elowen thought it over.
“How did you say you got into the dungeons, Sophia?”
Her friend grimaced. “I used magic. To knock out the guard on duty.”
Elowen’s eyes widened. “That’s a serious offense.”
“I know it is,” Sophia acknowledged. “But as I think you understand, when the life of the man you love is in danger,there’s a lot you suddenly find courage to do that might have seemed impossible before.”
Elowen searched her face, startled by the frank words. Her heart ached for her friend, because knowing the duke’s family well, she didn’t see much hope in that direction, even if Simeon’s name was cleared. But this wasn’t the time.
“It’s also difficult magic,” she said. “Especially since you seem to have done it in such a way that the guard didn’t realize he’d been hit. At least I assume so, since no alarm was raised.”
Sophia nodded. “He would have woken and thought he’d dozed for a moment. As for how I got away with it, it helps that no one would imagine I was capable of anything like it.”
“Ididn’t imagine it,” Elowen confessed. “How exactly did you do it?”
“I used a repetitive, swinging motion,” Sophia said matter-of-factly. “A large pendulum, that I took from the grandfather clock at the manor.”
“That’s why the parlor felt so silent!” Elowen exclaimed. “Never mind,” she added quickly, in response to Sophia’s perplexed look. “Go on.”
“Well, the type of motion matters, doesn’t it? The swinging of a pendulum is steady and rhythmic, and it lulls people, makes us think of sleep. It was the perfect type of movement to use to fuel a sleeping enchantment. I first asked to see Simeon, knowing I’d be refused, but needing a legitimate reason for my presence there if it raised questions later. Then, when I was leaving, I stood on the stairs leading down to the dungeons, out of sight of both the corridor above and the guard’s position below, and swung the pendulum back and forth until I’d gathered enough Dust to give me a few minutes of unconsciousness from the guard.”
Elowen hardly knew what to say. “That’s…impressive,” she said. “And a little scary.”
Sophia lowered her gaze. “There’s so much I haven’t told you, Elowen. The lessons you and I did with Simeon were only the start. There were many other times, just him and me…” She drew a shuddering breath. “At least, until your betrothal was announced, and Bertrand became much more controlling of everyone, including me, and impossibly demanding of Simeon. And I was too scared of him finding out what I’d been doing.” Her expression was determined. “I swear Simeon never overstepped, Elowen. He’s always been so honorable. We studied alone together, but never once did he…” She gave a laugh that was more sad than humorous. “I used to hope he would kiss me. But he never even came close.”
