“Right now I require nothing but your silence.” There’s an edge to her voice that I didn’t expect, like the threads of a tapestry threatening to unwind.
I manage to sprinkle the flowers into the mixture just before she whips back around to grab it. Taking the goblet in both hands, she whispers a spell as her eyes glow gold and steam pours from the concoction. Her words echo around the stone chamber.
“Befoire englissimox.”
Will’s composure breaks.
He must know the spell and itterrifieshim.
“Stop. Wait!” he begs. “I know the wedding you’re talking about, and trust me, I’m not a fan of the prince. I don’t have to drink that to want to ruin him. I do that of my own volition. You don’t need to do this.”
Morgana leans over Will and pushes his hair back. He’s panting, struggling for breath. A bead of sweat runs down his temple.What else can I do?
“I know who you are, Willoh Vane. Don’t assume I’m not wellinformed. I don’t know what you hoped to find here, but I don’t like intruders, and I don’t like people interfering in my plans. You are a stone in my wheel and always have been.”
“Don’t—”
Morgana tips his head back and pours the liquid into his mouth. “Now you’re going to dojustas I say.”
Will’s chest heaves as he tries to resist the liquid dripping down his throat.
He twitches, grits his teeth.
Then stills, like he’s encased in stone.
“Good boy.”
His eyes are no longer hazel.
“I’m sending you to Alrick Castle, little mouse…”
They’re a pure, lifeless black, deeper than the velvet cloth that covered the dark magic book.
“…and you’re going to finish off the king for me. He’s been stubbornly resistant to my poison, and you’ve forced me to resort to something more drastic.”
There’s a tingle in my fingertips.
The invisibility spell is thawing.
It means Will’s lost concentration. It means he’s gone. It means I’ve lost him and I’m on my own. Before the visibility reaches my wrists, I’m out the door and down the stairs. I run and run and run and don’t look back.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jeremy’s hooves pound the riverside path. I gallop toward the citadel as fast as the old horse can carry me, hoping that he knows this route well enough to make up for my lack of riding experience. His mane whips against my white-knuckled fingers as the wind bites and scratches. The river rushes with us, roaring like the agony in my chest. There’s no sign of Pigeon, Lark, or Howell. They’re gone. Just like Will.
No.Not like Will. There’s still a chance.
“Just a little farther,” I urge the horse, leaning forward in the saddle.
The hour that passes awakens crepuscular insects that flit across my face, and when the citadel comes into view like the last ray of sunlight to the west, it’s hope. For once, I can use my curse for good. This affliction of mine has been a lifelong torment, but this time, it’s a gift. It’s the only saving grace in this whole mess. I can clear the air and save everyone.
We clatter past the guards at the southern gate, the one by the lake near where I picked dahlias all those weeks ago, and into the castle courtyard where I yank back on the reins.
“Fliss!” Tarin says, rushing from their post at the main entrance to take Jeremy’s bridle. They’re bewildered and pale like I’m a visiting ghost. I suppose I am.
“Tarin! Where’s Card? Bastion?” I frantically ask, jumping off so fast I have to grab the guard’s arm to stay on my feet.
“They said Vane escaped a-and—? You w-were—?” they stutter. Clearly they haven’t been given orders in case I make a miraculous return. Did no one think I would come back?
