She tries to picture Corvus, Horologium in her mind, but she can’t. She’s too high, and she didn’t write any of the spells down for fear that someone would see them.
She needs the grimoire, but it’s enchanted. She can’t take it out of the observatory, and it’s an absolutely terrible idea to bring Cassius up there.
But it is the case that Malevimus already confirmed that Odette wasn’t killed, and Cassius had nothing to do with it. She knows he is no danger to her or Lamour. As long as Cassius promises he won’t tell anyone what he sees, is there anytrueharm? The observatory is just another part of the school. It’s not inherently wrong or revealing.
Besides, Claudia knows Cassius’s magical secrets—he told her all about his curse. Perhaps she’d like to tell him about hers.
“All right. I’ll do it under three conditions. One, you do not ask any questions. I won’t be able to answer them. I just need you to trust me and stay quiet.”
He smirks. “Done. Continue.”
“Two, you tell absolutely no one. I mean it, Cassius. If anyone finds out what I’m about to do, it would be very bad.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Good.”
“What’s the third condition?”
She looks deep into his eyes. “Never, ever lie to me again. No matter what it’s for, no matter the cost. To me, you will never speak anything but the truth.”
“I promise.” He presses a kiss to her forehead, and she smiles.
Either they’re secure in his promise, or it is a lie in itself.
They come to the locked gate of the Astrologia wing. Claudia pulls her key out of her bag and looks over her shoulder at Cassius.
“This is where the secret starts, all right? Anything you see from here on out must stay between us.”
His gaze dips to her hand. “How did you get that key?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” She shrugs her shoulder, letting the strap of her dress fall down. “It’s a secret.”
His gaze trails along her neck and jaw before settling on her eyes. “I thought we were only keeping secrets fromotherpeople from now on. Aren’t we going to tell each other nothing but the truth?”
She turns back to the lock. “Why would you think that?”
His chin sits on her neck, his voice hot in her ear. “You made me promise never to lie to you.”
“Yes, but I didn’t promise the same.”
“Didn’t you? That night in my room when you agreed to my rules. I told you—no secrets, else you will be punished.”
She turns, her back pressed to the door. Her nose scrapes his cheek when she says, “All right.”
“Is that what you want?” he asks as his hands sink down to her waist, and then farther down to the swell of her hips. “Should my Star Girl be able to act with impunity? Or should she be punished when she misbehaves?”
“You know my position,” she says, turning back to the lock. It clicks open, and she pushes the gate. She flashes a victorious grin at Cassius, motioning him to follow her inside. “Punishment is a cure.” When she reaches the stairs, she tiptoes up and says, “Watch your step.”
“Do you come up here often?” he calls after her. She’s too far up the spiral staircase to see his face.
“No,” she says.
“Sounds like you’re lying, Jolicoeur.”
She reaches the top floor and crosses her arms, eyes wide, mouth open. “I do not sound like I’m lying.”
“Yes, you do. Your voice is an entire octave above where it normally is, and though I can’t see your face, I can imagine your brows are raised exaggeratedly and your arms are crossed tightly at your waist.”
