“Mona at The Clothes Spin has one for her. I was supposed to tell her that, but everything around here has been busy.”
Pearl smiled knowingly, her eyes twinkling. “So I’ve heard. Care to walk through town for your lunch break? I brought mylunch too. We could sit by the fountain. It’s sunny and warm out today and it might be one of the last nice days before winter.”
“Yes, let me grab my bag.”
She loved working at the dead-and-breakfast, but with the chaos and stress of getting everything ready for the grand opening, plus the awkward séance conversation with the first guests, the thought of getting away for a while was like a weight being lifted. And she had so much to tell Pearl, even if it seemed like Pearl already sort of knew, like she always did. She went to tell Magnus she was leaving, but he was nowhere to be found, though his kitchen was a going concern, with menus scattered all over the butcher block.
When they left Room with a Tomb, she and Pearl linked arms, walking under the beautiful, large trees that lined the streets in this older part of town. The leaves were all sorts of bright colors.
“I love this time of year,” Pearl sighed. “The city is fine, but the trees don’t turn this vibrant and the quad of the college only has a couple sad ones.”
“This is a great place. I love it here.”
“And?” Pearl teased, nudging her as they came to the beautiful, ornate fountain on Pleasant Street. They found a nice quiet bench tucked in the corner and sat down.
“I slept with Magnus, if that’s what you’re getting at. And yes, his curse is broken.”
Pearl’s eyes flew open. “What?”
“How do you not know this?” Mercedes asked. “I thought Hetty or Finn or Margaid would tell you.”
“No one said a word. They told me everything else, but this. Oh my gosh. So, Magnus is no longer cursed but Sven is?”
Mercedes nodded. “I guess…Magnus and I love each other.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“Well, the curse was broken and it takes true love for that, but neither of us had said anything.”
Pearl looked at her like she was silly. “There’s a way to fix that.”
Mercedes worried her bottom lip. “There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Mona told me everything about my family and my destiny, and I also saw the original curse when Magnus took me to the spot where he spilled my ancestor’s blood. I was supposed to be the vessel for Yrsa to be reincarnated, but something went cattywampus and she didn’t come through. My family would like to have my soul replaced with hers, but it’s tricky and they don’t remember how to do it. The explosions are my form of protection. Anyways, I’m having a hard time telling Magnus that I was supposed to be the vessel for Yrsa, who might’ve come after him had she been reincarnated through me. I’m worried that’s going to change his opinion of me.”
Pearl rolled her eyes, but gave her a gentle smile. “No. He won’t. I know Magnus.”
“He hasn’t actually said he loved me either.”
“Well, he hasn’t had a chance to have a relationship…ever. He’s had one-night stands and stuff over the years, but he also spent a long time in hiding, like a lot of us did.”
Mercedes relaxed. “I need to just talk to him.”
Pearl nodded. “You do. I know he loves you and it’s clear you love him. That’s why the curse was broken.”
“You’re right. Anything else you want to know?”
Pearl blushed. “How’s Phineas?”
“Do I have to lectureyounow?”
Pearl’s blush deepened. “Maybe. Why can’t I find the courage to ask him out? But there’s also a part of me that doesn’t want to have a long-distance relationship or ruin our friendship.”
“And there’s a part of you that is hopelessly devoted.”
Pearl smiled softly and unwrapped her sandwich. “I suppose so, but right now I have to focus on my studies. And now a wedding. I’m the maid of honor.”
