The water in the fountain began to ripple violently. A gust of wind tore through the garden, snatching the petals from Seraphina’s hands. They transformed into gem-coloured butterflies, swirling into a golden vortex that spiralled skyward, carried to every corner of the grounds.
“By sky and flame, by root and stone.
Let no footstep stray alone.
Circlet rise, protection coil.
Seal Sternwacht Grounds in sacred toil.”
The wind whipped Seraphina’s hair and gown,
nearly lifting her off her feet, but she didn’t falter.
“Land and sky, now intertwined,
Guard the soul that fate has signed.
Let none pass, nor spell be shed,
Until the caster deemeth dead.”
Before I could speak, my body tingled, a surge of static energy coursing through my skin. My hair lifted around my head, andfirefly sparks of light danced around me. I gasped and tried to step back, but my limbs felt heavy.
“What’s happening to me?” I asked, as the warmth surged through me.
Torin placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Seraphina is casting the spell so you can roam freely. “Torin said. “But you won’t cross the boundary while we’re gone.”
“Gone?” I echoed, lightheaded and unsteady.
“You’re leaving me here alone?”
“There are things we must attend to,” he said, his tone more serious than I’d heard before.
“You’ll be safe. While we’re away, you’re free to do as you please, within the grounds of Sternwacht.”
The tingling faded. The wind was still. The fountain’s water calmed down and I exhaled in relief.
Seraphina finally looked toward the balcony, but only at Torin. Then she turned away.
“Get yourself dressed so we can ensure the barrier holds.” he said, a wicked, mysterious smile tracing his lips as he left the room, leaving the air heavy with his musk and the scent of spicy wine.”
SEVENTEEN
KNIFE IN THE HEART
By now I was starting to get used to the brothers appearing and disappearing from my room as though it was nothing more than an everyday occurrence. I sighed with relief that at least for now, I was rid of him and I’d have some peace. I shook my head and wondered what the rest of the day would bring. But if they truly believed a spell could cage me, then they’d already made their first mistake, because the moment they left, I’d be searching for a way out.
I glanced at the wardrobe and felt a sense of excitement as I hurried toward it and flung the doors open. The sight of my possessions filled me with such joy that the thought of being confined to the manor seemed no longer such a nightmare. At least now I had things that were an extension of myself as a person rather than just another girl caught up in the brothers’ web of...what? Deceit and magic? I realised I didn’t know where I reallystood in a world where dimensions overlapped and the very stars themselves bore prophetic messages.
The sight of my sketchpad ushered a sense of homesickness. I hadn’t meant to snatch it from Torin’s hands, but the thought of him browsing through images that were essentially expressions of my heart upset me. It was as though he had broken into my diary and read each entry with a smirk on his face. Holding the sketchpad as I’d hold a beloved pet, I flicked through the pages and felt a smile warm my soul.
My fingers stopped at a sketch of Donte. Drawn in profile, my pencil strokes perfectly captured his expression and faraway eyes. I traced my finger along the contours of his face and the sweep of hair tucked behind his ear. The look in his eyes seemed to echo my feelings of loneliness, and I wondered if he had somehow glimpsed his future without me.
I studied his features with a smile, recalling so vividly the day I drew it in the garden on a balmy afternoon. The scent of roses embraced us with an intoxicating veil of perfume. Sunlight played through the trees resplendent in their emerald foliage and birds sang with a vibrancy that touched my heart. Donte leaned close that day, teasing me and smudging charcoal on my cheek. He gently brushed it away with his thumb. That small touch felt precious to me now.
I swallowed the sob rising from my chest, though nothing could stifle the sorrow squeezing my heart. Was this image all that would remain of Donte? Would his name, even the sound of his voice, be one day a distant memory? The thought of him fading terrified me more than any curse the brothers could conjure. If I lost Donte, I lost the truest part of myself.
