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I was out sketching in this diary beside the shore, doing my best to pass the day. The engagement was on my mind, and so I found myself drawing Nikola.

I was so absorbed that I didn’t hear Dobrila strolling by with some of her awful friends. She snuck up behind.

“What’s this? Does Magdalena secretly admire someone?” she said.

I tried to snap the diary shut in time, but she snatched it from my hands. I watched in horror as she gazed at the portrait. Oh, how my hands wished to strike her. To slap the rudeness away.

Her face reddened as the realization of who it was slowly dawned. I’ve never seen her so mad. “You must be delusional. To think he would ever want you.” She tossed the diary at my feet.

My embarrassment transformed into glee. She didn’t know how much he indeed wanted me. Oh, how I wished to tell her of our trysts, the way he moaned in my ear, bent me over in the workshop, but I held back. “No,” I simply told her. “Not at all.” And then I only smiled and walked away.

But as the hours drag by, my confidence has faded. Why did she have to come and sow a seed of doubt?

Where is Nikola?

5 July 1895

Nikola finally came to me last night. I was overjoyed but also . . . embarrassed.

I had opened a bottle of wine that I’d bought with his initial payment, and I was picking through my meager clothes, daydreaming about the gala. What would I wear? Nothing seemed suitable.

In my search, I came upon your wedding crown. The one that Otac had specially made, following the tradition of Tolba. It had been so long since I’d seen it—I always loved the pearls embroidered in the crown.

I blame it on the wine, but I decided to try it on. I was surprised to find how nicely it fit on my head.

Of course, this was when Nikola knocked. I tore the crown off, quickly setting it on the shelf before answering. His face was grave, almost as grave as the first night he came.

He at first apologized for not coming sooner. Marko had gambled on his trip, as Nikola had worried he would do, leaving their accounts in disarray. I didn’t press, but judging by his demeanor, it was not looking good. Ana had also gotten worse. Without my daily massages, she could hardly move; Antula must spoon food into her mouth throughout the day to keep her alive. And by night, she is tormented by nightmares. It is the wolf, the Devil, gaining on his prey.

I tried to soothe Nikola’s nerves. I reminded him that tomorrow was the full moon. I would exorcise the darkness from Ana, and then she would be free.

I asked if he had made a plan to get Marko out of the house, and he assured me he had. Nikola had arranged a game of cards at the tavern with Marko’s friends, which he himself would not attend. That was where Marko was at that moment, which was how Nikola was able to steal away unnoticed.

We sat there in silence, the plan lingering between us. Fear gripped my heart like a claw, but as soon as Nikola took my hand, it slackened.

This is the embarrassing part—he asked if I was to attend a wedding soon. He pointed to your crown on the shelf. I awkwardly told him I had only been admiring it, that it had once belonged to you.

A mischievous gleam shone in his eyes. He reached for the crown, placing it on my head. “You’d make the most beautiful bride,” he said.

Was he hinting at the engagement? Was I indeed to be his bride? And yet Dobrila’s comment lingered in my mind. I knew she was wrong, but I wanted to be sure. So I told him then what I’d heard at the market. “Is it true you will announce an engagement?” I couldn’t bring myself to say our.

He squeezed my hand. “You didn’t strike me as someone who listened to gossip.”

I blushed. “I couldn’t help myself when I heard your name.”

His face grew solemn. “It is. But let’s not speak of it yet. Let us take care of this menace first,” he said.

I understood then how selfish I was. He was still so worried over his mother’s health that he could not afford to focus on the prospect of marriage. “I understand. It will be over soon.”

He smiled then, kissing my hand. “This is why I love being with you. You always bring me so much comfort.”

My spirits soared at his words. Love.

“I feel the same,” I whispered.

When he pulled me toward my bedroom, I eagerly followed.

I can see our beautiful future together. The only thing standing in our way is the Evil Eye.