Chapter 12
The hallway Valen leads us through is familiar and I brighten when I realize where we are.
It’s the same guest wing where I used to sleep back when I would run away from the Archweaver estate.
Rossana let me choose a room to call my own and I sprinted to the one at the end of the hall, where the rose garden was the thickest and the sprites bountiful.
The little creatures’ dedicated care enticed the roses to bloom all year, the air thick with the delectable scent because of it.
I’d spend hours on the balcony, basking in the sunlight and breathing in the magic.
Valen’s room was across the gardens, and I’d whisper messages for him in the beating wings of butterflies.
It’s an old magic trick, one that was deemed childish and fell out of favor centuries ago.
But Viola always taught me that even the smallest of enchantments can hold importance.
Bugs’ bodies are too small to carry more than a few words for a precious few minutes, but the magic is so delicate and whisper-small that it can slip through most wards.
It was the perfect, poetic way to confess my love for Valen for the first time.
With my heart thumping against my ribs, I whispered those three little words and watched the orange wings beat through the warm summer air.
I could barely breathe while Valen leaned casually on the railing of his balcony, gently cupped the living thing in his hand, and held it up to his ear.
His magic exploded, an ice bridge erupting to life between our two railings. I screamed at him that he’d slip and fall, but he ran across anyway to return the sentiment against my laughing lips.
My heart painfully aching, I glance up at Valen when his fine-boned hand lands on the familiar doorhandle. His blue eyes flick towards me and I wish I could gaze into his mind to read his thoughts.
The hinges don’t squeak. Of course not. The house would never be allowed to decay in such a way. He nods towards the open door. “Yours, of course.”
A smile comes unbidden, memories sweeping me away far too easily. He warms, but only slightly. He steps away, turning towards Lucas. “You can stay next door.”
With a flick of Valen’s wrist, the door behind Lucas slams open. Those usually warm, honey eyes harden and fear drips down my chest when Lucas snarls, “Absolutely fucking not.”
Valen stands between us, his hands sliding into his slack pockets.
It’s a deceptively casual stance that immediately straightens my spine.
It’s a fighting stance. Only the Elite of the Order can duel while their body is so relaxed and hands unusable.
The few and the powerful. I have no doubt that Valen can slaughter Lucas while his rings are not at full power.
Valen’s father practically invented this dueling style. It’s an art form, really.
Lucas doesn’t appear to give a shit about that. He points a finger at me. “We stay together.”
I wish I could see Valen’s face. It would give me some hint of how to act. His voice gives nothing away. “You’re in no position to argue, magician.”
Lucas grits his teeth. “Together.”
The way Lucas’ shoulders square sends lightning straight to my feet.
I bolt, sliding in front of Valen. A spark of magic flashes in his eyes, his defenses flaring up.
Magic hums in the hall, stinging my tongue when I gasp.
My hands flash up in a placating gesture.
I must be out of my mind to move so quickly in this situation.
Lucas doesn’t help. His rings flare, preparing for a confrontation.
My breath shivers, sweat dripping down my spine. That was too close. “Can I talk to him?”
The magic in the air vibrates in frustration at the buildup. It demands to be unleashed, the walls creaking from the building pressure. Valen’s gaze doesn’t waver from me. “I’m not leaving you alone with him. He will go into that room. I will ward it and if you behave, I will let him back out.”
I suck in my breath. “You think I’d betray you.”
“I don’t take chances, especially not with their kind.
Perhaps you have forgotten, but it was as recently as our grandparents’ generation that saw whole family lines extinguished by the magicians’ lust for power.
Now, tell him to get into that room before I show him how much of a choice magic thieves have in this Domain. ”
Then I see it. Below the cool exterior and flirtations is a building paranoia. His patience is stretched. He’s on edge. And I think I know why.
My eyes slide along the hall. Interesting.
“Lucas, get in the room.” The pressure builds and my eyes lock on Valen. “You have to trust me on this.”
Valen’s eye twitches and his throat works.
I count the heartbeats. One… two… three… and then release a slow breath when Lucas swears colorfully. I track the stomping of his boots. The door slams.
Magic stings my skin. The warding Valen places over the door is thick, and I have no doubt he’ll add even more once I’m locked away, too. It would take Lucas time to get through so many.
My smile stretches. “Alone at last.”
His shoulders tense ever so slightly. I can practically see his mind churning, trying to solve me. His eyes are sharp, but he doesn’t remove his hands from his pockets.
The silence stretches and I allow it. I want him to feel the tension.
Valen’s head tilts. “I believe it’s time for a little honesty, don’t you think?”
I mimic his position and slide my hands into my pockets. The movement tenses him further. I’m positive no one else could notice, but I do.
His jaw ticks. “Why do you need the amulet?”
Annoyance flashes in his eyes when I hum and say, “How about this? We swap a truth for a truth… Or do you prefer the game two truths and a lie? I’m open to either.” My smile takes an edge.
His jaw flickers, shoulders tightening. “I’d ask you to swear it, but I’m not sure about the honor of a thief.”
I shift my weight to my other hip. “Oh, Valen. I’m not the one who betrayed promises. You promised to always be by my side and you chose to abandon me the moment your father did.” His eyes flash, anger bubbling. My head tilts. “Speaking of the snake, where is Vincentius?”
His throat works.
I pace forward, my narrow hips rolling. “Because I think he’s not here. In fact…” I step up to his chest, my smile wide. “I think you’re all alone in this house.”
The seconds tick by and neither of us dare to blink. I wait, calm and assured. Then his gaze shifts with unease and victory flares within me. “Oh, Valen. What a predicament you’re in. Letting me slip into the estate is one thing, but a magician, too? The embarrassment. What will Vincentius say?”
His teeth click.
“You must really need my cooperation now, don’t you? Or are you going to try to force me into that room?” My eyes glow, the green reflecting against his face. “Do you think you can?”
The hall grows colder. My breath fogs before me and his eyes glow near-white with the magic.
So much power. Like the tip of an iceberg.
I would love nothing more than to plunge in the cold depths to see how much is hidden beneath the surface.
When he speaks, frost dusts my shoes. “I don’t believe we need to go to such extremes, since I already have your lover under my control. ”
“He’s not my lover.”
I’m not sure if it’s a mistake to reveal that. His smirk curls. “Oh? Not at all?”
“Correct. Now, I believe I offered a truth for a truth. I answered your question. Now it’s time to answer mine. Where’s your family?”
He chuckles to himself, his gaze drifting to Lucas’ door. “You guessed correctly. They’re not home.”
My heart hammers. “And when will they be back?”
Valen leans forward to whisper, “Isn’t that the question? Now run along into your room.” His voice purrs seductively. “If you’re a good girl, Astoria…” a shiver of want tingles down me, “I might be inclined to answer more of your questions.”
He doesn’t play fair. I search his face. “And the amulet?”
“I’ll come to you after I find it so we can…” his eyes flash and smile widens, “negotiate.”
My room, with its delicate pinks and golds that glow in the lights, has been untouched since the last time I was here seven years ago.
On one side is a marble fireplace with two comfortable armchairs, on the other is the large bed.
Its four posts whisper memories of all the wicked things Valen did to me in it, a siren’s call that should draw me back to those sweet memories of love and passion.
But all I can hear, breathe, comprehend is a ticking.
An endless, deafening ticking of a clock that doesn’t exist. Tick. Tick. Tick.
A weight that is too heavy to bear descends upon me and I lean against the closed door with a soft thump.
A sting of magic prickles up my spine in warning.
Valen is not taking any chances with me.
With a sigh, I push off the wood and slowly cross the room to the long wall of large, romantic windows.
Velvet drapes hang heavily from a brass rod, and I run a hand over the soft fabric as I gaze outwards.
A sea of blackness greets me; not even a flicker of light from any of the estate’s rooms across the gardens can pierce Valen’s wards.
My reflection stares back from the pristine glass.
I half expect to see myself in a long dress, the sleeves opening at the elbow in eyelet lace.
Instead, my haggard self in a ripped shirt and vest stares back.
I drag the curtains closed until my phantom self disappears.