Queen Rowena and her father, the old king, hadn’t wanted them to know that witches had been theirallies, and from the sounds of it, saved them all.
Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to read any more, so she carefully put the book back on the shelf and trudged back to her chamber.
She stayed up late, staring at the ceiling, and thinking of all she had learned about witches from her time with Risna and Nasera. They weren’t cruel or dangerous, and certainly weren’t evil.
Why had the old king wanted to hide the fact that the witches had been their allies? And what was the use in erasing the demon wars and casting blame on another group?
Elizabeth turned her pillow over and laid her head down on the cool silk. She stared at the black flowers on her nightstand and wondered how witches could have ever been painted as the villains of history.
***
The next few days passed in a blur.
Her friendship and appreciation for Fiza grew as she accompanied her on her trips to Veridas and brought her the contraceptive tonic every morning, leaving a steaming mug wordlessly on her writing desk. She wasn’t sure if she and Caspian would ever lie together again, but she wanted to be prepared, just in case.
On the days spent at the castle, she would shut the drapes in her chamber and practice levitating stones. It was pretty, her magic—peridot fire arcing through the air. She had improved in leaps and bounds. But whenever she relaxed or grew tired, the green fire would vanish, and the stone would clatter to the floor.
She was surprised when she realized that since starting her lessons in magic, her headaches had disappeared.
Had the headaches been her magic trying to escape?
Had her body been subconsciously trying to protect her?
Sometimes Ambriel visited her, and they would walk together through the fields and forest trails. His presence was calming, and she found she could be open with him and talk about anything.
The only time he caused her disquiet was when he brought up the prophecy.
“There has to be a reason he chose you,” Ambriel insisted once more. “He spent a year looking for you since the last human he brought back to his castle. He’s searching for something.”
“But that’s silly. Caspian’s never mentioned a prophecy or even an amulet. He offered me a deal because I was in a difficult situation and desperate enough to make one. I doubt there is any more to it than that.”
“Perhaps.” Ambriel didn’t sound convinced.
Elizabeth looked away. She wanted to help Ambriel, but she was worried sick that telling him who carried it would put Charlotte in grave danger. She couldn’t allow word to travel that it rested in Harrison Manor.
Awkwardly, she said, “Any—any leads on where the amulet could be?”
Ambriel shook his magnificent head. “Unfortunately, not. We have reason to suspect that the demons already have the amulet with the blue gem in their possession. We don’t have it in our hands, but we know where it is. The location of the purple one, however, remains a mystery.”
She glanced at the ground. “Ah. Well, if I see anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Have you seen or heard of the amulet that we seek yet?” Ambriel said slowly, piercing her with his icy stare.
“No,” she said, a bit too quickly.
“Are you sure?” he inquired, raising an eyebrow. “It would be a very bad idea to lie to me.” He paused, surveying her with scrutiny. “Honesty is a virtue, Elizabeth. I know there’s something you’re not telling me.”
His stature seemed to swell, and his form filled with light. He was frightening in his beauty. The glow emanating from him nearly blinded her. “We need the amulet. It is the final piece to the puzzle, and we seek it above all else. You must be honest with me.”
Ambriel’s gaze softened, and the light of his power faded, and soon, he looked as he had before. “I’ll remind you that lying to an angel is a sin of the highest order.”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She met his eyes squarely and lifted her chin. “I haven’t seen it. If I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
He relented and relaxed. “If you see it or hear of it in passing, please let me know.” He paused. “When you leave the demon, we can hunt for it together.”
She murmured her agreement.
As soon as I can warn Charlotte and ask her what in the Seven Hells is going on.
