I was wondering when our newest patron would show up.
She drags in her partner and openly points me out like a display piece. “See! Look at her. She’s so cute. She looks like a real necromancer!”
Ireallydo. I checked the mirror in the bathroom, and my pupils are blooming red streaks while dark lines bunch under my eyes. It’s like I’m wearing a heavy costume, a child playing the role of necromancer.
“Just like you.” The woman touches up her partner.
They push back half-heartedly. “Yeah, yeah. I’m the cutest… Can I just have a chocolate?”
Embarrassed. They’re completely embarrassed. It’s embarrassing to try and practice necromancy as a consort.
Is Vincenza embarrassed of me?
I’m pathetic. I’m weak. I’m slow.
I keep my eyes on my servant as the night wears off.Thatmakes her proud of me, necromancy. Maybe it’s just a better spell and she’ll love me.
No. It’s clearly not just that. Nascia didn’t win over Vincenza’s heart—Ring forgive me for using a dead woman to the benefit of my own romance—with a greater spell. Nascia came into Vincenza’s life at the only possible time in the only possible way they could’ve been equals.
“Night, Catarina,” Piero bumbles while stumbling out with Iulio.
If Vincenza will ever see anything in me, something has to change. I can’t share the wonder of a new exciting world with her, so this fundamental difference in my heart must be what’s wrong.
Vincenza coming out actually draws my attention. She states, “you did well. Let’s go home for the night.”
I turn around; the bar’s empty. “What about our servants?”
“Kivde kilit dilakdev ixak ve. Tirit lavdexi.”
My servant casually saunters into the back.
“They’ll rest in the freezer. You can rest in the car.” She circles the space to clean up any last trash remaining.
I was whispered something, weeks ago—a secret that would draw me closer to the Ring.
“I’m actually going to take a walk,” I say.
“You’re not… coming back to the parlour tonight?” She looks at me with heartbroken eyes.
It has to be embarrassment. She’s clearly completely honest in how much she wants me.
I’ll make our love acceptable.
“Too many cramped spaces today. I will be back for you after I stretch my legs.”
“I also could use… Do you want the time alone?”
I nod.
She hugs me, planting her lips to my hair. “Knock on my door when you get back. I’ll want to see you before I sleep, Hazel Eyes.”
“You don’t think this would be a beautiful thing for us to have in Lawrin?”
“I absolutely think it would, but that doesn’t make it possible. See you soon.”
“You should wait to say that until we’re outside and actually separating,” I giggle.
“Good point.” She sweeps me into her arms and escorts me to just outside our car. “Now, I’ll see you soon.”
