“I’ve heard rumors of that nature, but has she confirmed that to you?”
I nod. “She did. All the suffering the war caused, all the deaths, it was because she’d been jilted by King Raphael.”
“Man. That’s taking retribution to a whole new level.”
“I think being sick made her regret everything she’s done. But the Accords couldn’t change the way each side felt about the other. Hundreds of years of hate can’t be forgotten that easily.”
“No, it cannot. It’s like trying to stop a wave with your bare hands.”
“She wantsmeto end the war.”
Tish snorts. “Isn’t that rich? ‘Hey, I fucked up royally and that’s my legacy to you. Why don’t you be a pretty lass and fix my mess for me?’ How does she expect you to do that?”
“I have no idea. She never elaborated on the subject. She started to say something about Vaughn, and that’s when the switch happened.”
“The switch?”
“She’s not herself. The absence of Nightingale magic has affected her mental faculties. She forgets who she is and turns aggressive in an instant without warning. We were fine in one moment, but the next, she sent me flying across the room.”
“Yikes. That’s how you got a broken nose. I’m sorry, Soph.”
“I’m not. It was worth it. Meeting her gave me closure. Since my father told me she was my mother, I’ve been depressed about it. Why didn’t she want me? Now I know she was protecting me from Boone.”
“That fucking stain on the earth. He’s not even good enough to be worm food. Now I wish he’d been burned at the stake so he’d suffer more.”
“Me too. Getting his heart ripped from his chest was too quick of a death.”
“Now… let’s talk about more pleasurable things. You and Vaughn… what’s going on there?”
My face heats. I want to tell Tish that I’ve become completely obsessed with him, but I refrain. “I don’t know yet, but I want to see where it leads.”
Twenty-Nine
VAUGHN
I’m up as soon as the sun sets despite not going to sleep until past noon. I stayed up texting Sophie. I might be a bit tired now, but I have zero regrets. She has me wrapped around her finger, which is crazy because I just met her. It makes me wonder if we’re mates, like Saxon and Aurora.
It wouldn’t matter to me if we were. I’m just glad that I don’t have to hide that I like her. After last night, everyone knows.
I don’t think that dating Sophie would still be an issue until I come down for a quick snack and find the High Witch waiting for me in the living room. She’s sitting rigidly in a chair, watching the flames in the fireplace.
“Oh… good evening, ma’am. I wasn’t expecting your visit.”
She looks at me, blasting me with a cold and disapproving stare. “Hello, Vaughn.”
Shit. And here I thought I was out ofallthe doghouses. I didn’t even think I could get in trouble with her.
Why the hell didn’t Gerard warn me she was waiting for me?
As if I summoned the man with my mind, he joins us in the living room, carrying a tray with a tea set. “Oh, Vaughn, I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“Just came down.”
“Can I get you anything?”
The idea of drinking blood in front of Isadora is less than appealing. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Gerard brings the tea to our guest while I take a seat on the couch opposite hers and wait. She thanks the man, and only after she takes a sip of her tea does she return her attention to me. “You had quite the adventure last night.”
