Chapter Nineteen Wilde
A Short Walk Later
Fitz’s Private Residence
Quest Planning
Fitz looked up from his book as the door opened. His glasses had slipped slightly down his nose, like they always did, and he adjusted them with a quick, unconscious push. “Excellent, that’s the last of them.”
Delilah waved enthusiastically at me, gesturing for me to sit with her on the couch. I eyed the empty space next to her warily, wondering what she wanted to say. I should have joined her, gotten it over with. Instead, I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I surveyed the room.
Maximus’ gaze shifted between Trey and I, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Anger? Jealousy? Whatever he felt, he didn’t have a right to it.
Like a lovesick pup, he’d followed Trey around on their first quest and snapped at me with pointy little teeth if I got too close.
Yet when it mattered most—when Trey was in danger—Maximus failed to protect him.
He hadn’t even been one of the people who ran forward to help.
He’d simply stood frozen, his hands uselessly raised, and watched the scene unfold in shock.
Of the royal champions, only Angelica didn’t register our entrance. She focused on her book so completely that when Fitz cleared his throat, she jumped. The book went flying from her hands, hitting Delilah in the head.
“Ow!” Delilah turned around and hissed at Angelica, lips pulling back from her dull teeth. “You did that on purpose!”
“I didn’t,” Angelica insisted, scrambling to her feet to retrieve the book.
Delilah snatched it up first, her brow furrowed in confusion as she read the title. “Why are you reading about orcs?”
Angelica froze, then carefully adjusted her posture, shoulders back and hands folded demurely in front of her. “If we’re going to fight an evil mage, we should familiarize ourselves with his minions.”
“Good point,” Fitz said, scribbling a note. “We’ll need to make a list of potential opponents and determine their weaknesses.”
Delilah turned the book this way and that, examining the title first, then opening to another page. “But this isn’t research, this is a romance.”
Angelica lunged, fingers curled into claws. Delilah arched away from her, bending backwards over the couch. One of Angelica’s hands pressed against her face, seeking leverage as she crawled over the other girl. Delilah turned her head and bit the offending hand.
“You little beast!” Angelica shrieked. She backed away from the couch, cradling her injured hand to her chest. A red mark in the shape of human teeth shone wetly on her skin, but the bite hadn’t broken the surface.
Having won the fight, Delilah settled back in the seat and began reading a section aloud, “My mouth watered and my whole body clenched in anticipation at the sight of his thick, throbbing members—members?!” she screeched. “He has multiple?”
I frowned. Nothing I’d ever heard about orcs suggested diphallia.
Angelica sighed in exasperation. “That’s a typo. Or … maybe it’s not.” Her eyes narrowed in interest. “I haven’t read that far yet.”
Delilah chucked the book back at her like it’d burned her.
“Well, there’s a plan at least. If we need to fight any orcs, Angelica can seduce them.
” As she spoke, her eyes slid to me. A slow smile spread across her lips, and I finally understood what she meant when she claimed I looked at her ‘evilly.’ “I know the perfect quest.”
With each word, dread loomed toward me, creeping forward on quiet cat feet. I shook my head subtly so the others wouldn’t notice, but she stalked ever forward.
“We should defeat the Lord of Grimnight.”
Before anyone could respond, I stopped time, allowing only Delilah and I to move freely. “What are you doing?” I demanded.
“What are you doing? Stop wasting your magic!”
“The Lord of Grimnight isn’t here. You can’t defeat a mage who isn’t present.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re the Lord of Grimnight.”
Sweat beaded on my brow. Time was a river, and I was a dam in its way. It wanted to flow freely, and it bashed against me to break me down, filling me with cracks. “Technically, I’m only his apprentice”
Her brow furrowed and she said, “We can discuss the details later. You look like you’re going to faint. Again.”
Time restarted.
“Who’s the Lord of Grimnight?” Fitz asked.
I slumped against the wall, glad to have its support or I might have proved Delilah right.
“He’s an evil mage who cursed the city of Traumstead into a spooky forest,” Delilah explained.
Trey nodded slowly, his eyes distant with memory. “I’ve heard of him before.” Whatever he remembered, it didn’t seem to have anything to do with his biological father. “We could try to break the curse.”
“Or kill the mage,” Maximus said, his eyes locked on me.
Fitz shifted through his available books, trying to find a reference to the lord or the cursed forest. “I remember reading something about him, but it was a long time ago.” His brow furrowed as he added, “Or maybe just a few weeks?” He looked around the room, first at the chair I’d always sat in, then his eyes finally landed on me.
The furrows in his brow deepened. “Willow, are you alright? You look like you’re about to faint. ”
“Wilde,” I corrected.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I don’t know why I keep calling you that. I don’t even know anyone named Willow.”
Angelica groaned and fussed with the edge of one of her skirts. “I don’t want to tromp through a dirty forest.”
“The Lord of Grimnight has orc minions,” Delilah said.
Angelica’s delicate fingers froze, then twisted deeper into her skirts, wrinkling the fabric. “Well, I have already done quite a bit of research … Fine, we can defeat the Lord of Grimnight. But I’ll need to update my wardrobe before we leave.”
Delilah’s smile widened with feral excitement. “Then we’ll have to go shopping.”
Two Hours Later
Standing Outside the Windermere Plaza
About to Embark on a Shopping Quest
Delilah hadn’t given anyone time to argue with her decision.
She’d simply declared that we should go shopping, and within the hour, the six of us had crammed into a single carriage and headed straight for the largest shopping center in Misfortune.
During the ride, she conferred with Angelica and Fitz about shopping lists, while Maximus glowered in one corner, and I tried not to think too hard about Trey’s shoulder and thigh pressed up against mine.
The soft heat radiating from his skin. The firm muscles hidden beneath thin layers of fabric. The increase in gentle pressure every time the carriage shifted, and how slow he was to settle back into place.
I didn’t say a single word the entire trip.
“To make this easier, we’ll split into three groups,” Delilah said. She’d already torn her list into three sections of roughly equal lengths. “Angelica and Maximus, you’re in charge of general supplies and clothes for everyone.”
Angelica fluffed her blond curls around her shoulders and said, “At least you understand who has the best fashion sense.”
“Fitz and I will cover any research and magical materials, while Trey and Wilde visit the armory and the apothecary.”
“Wait.” Maximus held out a hand, preventing Delilah from passing me the list. “Shouldn’t the mage shop for the magical items?”
Delilah hesitated and sent me a panicked look.
I knew little about potions and less about weapons, so there was no reason for me to go with Trey except as an excuse for us to spend time together.
Her eyes lit up as she had the same thought.
“Because this is a bonding experience! Trey and I are cousins, so there’s no point in us bonding. ”
“Trey and Wilde already know each other too,” Maximus argued. “Besides, you can shop with Angelica.”
Angelica huffed in offense. “Why does it feel like I’m being pawned off onto someone else?”
Ignoring her, Maximus plucked the list from Delilah’s hand. “Fitz and Wilde will shop for the magical items, Trey and I will go to the armory, and you and Angelica can go clothes shopping.”
“Why? Because we’re girls?” Delilah demanded.
Maximus paused, realizing that he was dangerously close to crossing a line.
“It’s fine,” I said, stepping toward Fitz. “As long as the shopping gets done.”
Maximus glared at me, like he didn’t appreciate my ‘help.’
Fitz looked around at everyone, adjusting his glasses nervously, then readjusting them because they’d been in a better place before. “Meet near the food stalls in an hour?” he suggested.
Tension lingered between the girls and Maximus, but everyone quietly agreed.
As we entered the crowded shopping center, I looked over my shoulder at Trey.
Our connection was already thin and weak, and every step he took away from me stretched it closer to a breaking point.
Spending one afternoon away from each other won’t ruin the plan, I scolded myself.
But shopping with him could have been our first real date, so it was hard to shake off the disappointment.
Fitz cleared his throat, silently reminding me that he was my partner for the day.
“It’s quite crowded here. Perhaps, so we don’t lose each other, we should hold—” he stopped himself as heat flooded his cheeks.
“No, sorry, stupid idea.” Then he turned on his heel and stalked down the shop-lined corridor.
I practically ran to keep up so I wouldn’t lose him in the crowd. His legs were longer than mine, translating into a longer stride. Catching up to him would be easier if I teleported next to him, but I’d promised Trey. “Wait.”
To his credit, Fitz immediately stopped and waited for me, and together we walked through the shops.