Forty-Four Adriana
W HILE E DEN AND my stepmother attended the next event, I took a hired carriage back to our little house with my borrowed spell book from Roots and Remedies in hand. I’d spent the morning avoiding my sister as much as I could, not wanting to alert her to the fact I knew she had a secret.
The few times I did engage, she’d asked if I was feeling well. I had a great many skills, but acting was sadly not one of them. I still couldn’t quite believe Eden hadn’t confided in me. Which was admittedly a touch hypocritical since I’d kept my history with the prince from her.
But I’d only done that to protect Eden from the scandal it had caused.
After spending so much time at the castle our home felt incredibly tiny, but familiar and welcoming.
Most appealing of all: it granted me space. From Axton. From my sister’s secret. From my own complicated feelings. And most of all from the many threads all whipping around untethered in the growing mystery surrounding the prince’s competition and the dragons.
If I just escaped my emotions regarding Axton, I might crack the story. It wasn’t about the desire to see the prince’s reputation in ruins anymore; it was about the safety of us all.
My intuition was buzzing with insistence. I was close to unraveling the knot that loosely tied it altogether. I’d heard of postcoital stupor, but after I’d orgasmed, I’d had a revelation I couldn’t shake. Memories didn’t simply cease to exist. Even after a decade.
I turned the key in the lock and screamed when a cloaked figure yelped back from inside our tiny home, crashing onto our settee.
“Ad?” a familiar voice screeched. “Warn a demon, will you?”
I hadn’t realized I’d hefted the book like a bat until I lowered the tome.
“Ryleigh, what on earth?”
My coworker let the hood on her cloak fall back, her hand clutching at her heart as she caught her breath. “You scared the life from me.”
“Yes, I imagine it was quite the surprise to break into my home and find me here.”
I stared at my friend as I shut the door. It had been several days since I’d last seen her. I’d been sending my articles off with a courier and hadn’t gone into the office. I missed the days when we could simply talk about everything and nothing and not feel so… strained.
“Why are you here?”
She gave me a sheepish look. “Your sister asked me to retrieve some of her hidden recipes. Apparently, there’s going to be a cooking contest tomorrow. His Highness wants to sample their most lavish dish.”
“That’s happening right now, actually.”
“Today a sword fight is scheduled.”
“Axton probably changed his mind on a whim.” I lifted a shoulder. It was the least concerning news of the day. “When did you see Eden?”
Ryleigh paused. “This morning.”
I wasn’t sure when Eden had snuck out of the shared suite but I had been doing my best to hide from her, so I let it go.
I’d been locked in my private room most of the morning, trying to make sense of everything that I’d learned from the prince last night. That Axton couldn’t lie complicated the story he’d shared about his version of the All-Sinners Ball.
I tried to focus solely on that confession. But I’d failed miserably each time my thoughts returned to how that conversation ended.
When his hands had begun that slow, decadent descent over my body, I’d given myself over to my traitorous heart.
It had taken until morning for me to realize that he hadn’t tried to bring me to his bed. He’d pleasured me, then stopped.
I wasn’t sure if he was simply using his charm on me like he’d been doing on the circle and his suitors, or if he genuinely felt attraction.
Given all the secrecy in his court, and the fact that I’d caught him in the library researching, I’d wager it had less to do with infatuation and everything to do with his scheme.
I’d fallen for his seduction and couldn’t tell if I was more upset at that or at the fact that he’d been so talented with his fingers I’d make the same damned choice again.
Confession about the All-Sinners Ball notwithstanding.
I considered sharing the strange events with my friend but somehow couldn’t find the words. Ryleigh had spent years counseling me to stay away from the prince. Reminding me why I hated him so thoroughly. She’d been there through the tears and heartache.
If she found out I’d been meeting with him in secret and giving in to temptation… it could be the end of our friendship.
I shoved that aside, focusing on the here and now. Ryleigh had my father’s ledger book in her hand and was tucking one of Sophie’s feathers back into it to mark her place.
A prickle of unease rolled down my spine.
“Eden’s recipes are under a floorboard under her bed.”
She glanced at my father’s ledger, a crinkle in her brow. “This isn’t it?”
I shook my head and her frown deepened. She set it down next to her, still looking confused.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your sister said they were in the ledger. She never mentioned anything about the floorboards. That’s odd, isn’t it?”
It was peculiar, but Eden might have simply been distracted by her big secret.
I kept my expression perfectly neutral. I loved Ryleigh, she was like another sister, but given how strained our relationship had been recently, I couldn’t exactly say I trusted her to keep this between us. She was a scandal sheet reporter assigned to cover the romantic competition of the century.
If she caught one whiff of Eden’s midnight adventure, it would be the end of my sister remaining in the competition and free of scandal. No one would pass up the money or fame that would come on the heels of breaking that story. Not even my friend.
Even if Eden was carrying on with someone in secret, I still couldn’t rule out the fact that she might want to win.
“She probably wrote them in code in the back.” I smiled. “You know how much Sophie despises for her daughter to ‘whittle the day away like a commoner.’ I’ll take it just in case.”
Ryleigh’s grin was back in place at that, though it seemed a touch brittle.
“Your stepmother is quite the personality, considering she gave up her title when she married your father.”
“Coins can buy a great many things, except for good sense.”
Ryleigh nodded to the book I held. “Just some light afternoon reading?” She squinted. “Is that a book on hexes? Ad. Please tell me you’re not trying to interfere with Prince Gluttony’s competition. I support your rights and wrongs, but this might be crossing a line.”
I set the book on the small table in our kitchen.
“It’s not for the prince. Just a hunch I’m working on.”
Ryleigh stood and drifted over to the book, flipping it open. “Are you still convinced the ice dragons are attacking in secret? I thought you gave that up weeks ago.”
“I told you, it’s probably nothing. Don’t you have some reporting to do?”
She sighed. “Unfortunately, it seems I’m late to the event. Mr. Gray wanted me to attend the sword fight. He’s convinced some scandal will happen with weapons in the hands of ruthless lovers. Now I’ll need to see if I can catch the end of the cooking competition.”
On the slight chance she didn’t already miss the event, I sent her off with a few of Eden’s hidden recipes, then mulled over the encounter.
Eden must have sent Ryleigh; otherwise she wouldn’t know about the recipes. And yet, the whole situation was odd. Even being a close family friend, it was strange that Ryleigh would come fetch recipes and not Sophie or one of the maids assigned to my sister.
Had Ryleigh lied?
I flipped through my father’s ledger, heart aching at his familiar scribble.
Quill
Dagger
Throne
Paintbrush
Jewelry
Crown
Wings
All items he’d sold in the week before his death. I closed the little book, feeling his loss all over again. It was almost enough to—I snatched it back up, scanning the last entry again.
How on earth had he sold wings?
My pulse began to race as I read each item again. And again.
A pattern started to emerge. Seven items. Some of which I knew represented hexed objects. I read the list over, mind churning. After he’d died, I’d heard whispers that he’d been dealing goods to the dark market. It wasn’t unusual for a merchant with his connections to trade such objects. I knew he’d made his fortune through the sale of goods demons couldn’t easily get.
Could one of these items he’d sold be the answer?
The more I read the list, the more my attention snagged on one detail.
The quill.
My entire body froze as puzzle pieces clicked into place. I was almost entirely sure I had my answer to why Axton and I had very different memories. Before I shared my findings, I needed to get some better answers. Ryleigh was not an option, especially after today.
But I suddenly had a very good idea how to get the answers I needed from someone else. I just had to convince Axton to assist in my investigation.
I grabbed a piece of parchment and my quill and sent a note to the castle.
Hopefully the prince would meet me as soon as the event ended. Though, given the nice little threat at the close of my letter, I imagined he would show up right on time.
Prince Gluttony stole a glance at me that I pretended not to notice. I couldn’t risk being distracted by his ruthless seduction tactics. Especially while we were in a rival House of Sin.
House Envy was everything one expected from a grand estate ruled by the sin of jealousy.
The winter gardens were immaculate, the house a work of craftmanship that was so exquisite it made you ache with want.
Inside was where the true magic happened. Prince Envy was a well-known lover of art, and his fiancée was an artist with a rare talent. They were well suited.
And they were currently staring politely as Axton and I entered a private chamber deep within Envy’s castle. I’d requested that our meeting remain secret, given the delicate nature of what I was about to unleash on these cunning Princes of Sin.
My nerves almost got the better of me—I briefly considered turning right back around and hunting down answers on my own. But that wouldn’t help our realm if my hunch proved true.
It would be the first time I’d ever set my differences with Axton aside and brought him in on an investigation. But this story was bigger than our rivalry. And somehow, the two felt tied together.
I glanced around the meeting room. Artwork in gilded frames hung tastefully on paneled walls; sculptures sat regally on columns designed to show them to their best advantage. And sitting at an intimate table set with food and drink were the prince and lady of the House.
Miss Camilla Antonius, soon to be Princess of Envy, offered me a warm smile.
Her silver hair was unbound, the loose curls looking a little wild and untamed.
“You must be Miss Saint Lucent,” she said, standing to greet me with a hug. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My fiancé has told me a great many things of your beauty. I can see he wasn’t exaggerating.”
Axton’s palm suddenly found its way to my lower back, where it remained. I hid my smile. I was certain Envy had only said that to needle her—the jealous game-playing fiends.
“Thank you, my lady. You’re too kind.”
Camilla’s silver eyes sparkled devilishly as they shifted to the prince looming behind me. Axton’s hand remained stubbornly in place. He was feeding his brother’s sin and couldn’t seem to control himself.
“Well?” Envy swirled a goblet of wine before sipping it. “Let’s hear what the big revelation is.”
If he was trying to unsettle me by being brash and direct, he was in for disappointment. I ate those obnoxious royal traits with a dessert spoon.
I glanced at Axton, then back at Envy. It was no mistake I’d wanted to come here first. The Prince of Envy had quite the reputation when it came to hexed objects.
“Have either of you heard of the Hexed Quill?” I asked.
Tension descended like an unwanted army. It was as if all the air had been sucked from the room with my question.
Camilla’s lips twitched; she understood and appreciated my move. I decided I liked her very much. I sensed she and I were cut from similar cloths.
Envy leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. “Of course. It’s rumored to be one of the first objects created of its kind; therefore, it’s highly potent.”
There were supposedly seven hexed objects missing throughout the realm, but no one knew the true number. There could be dozens for all anyone knew.
In hopes of destroying the demon princes, the First Witch, an immortal being descended from a goddess, had cursed several items using the darkest sort of magic, which gave the hexed objects sentience over the years.
Their powers were often twisted; what was once a throne could be a dagger. Or what was once a quill could take over the mind of anything it desired. Or so the stories went. There were even stories of the hexed objects taking over a mortal’s life before discarding their bodies.
I’d never actually encountered a hexed object before, making it hard to know truth from fable. So much of our history was based in myth, spanning thousands of years and often getting lost to the passage of time and faulty memories. But Envy had just played a game where hexed objects were involved. If anyone aside from Ryleigh had any idea about them, it was him.
“Several years ago I heard from a trusted source that the Hexed Quill can rewrite history,” I said, watching Axton as I spoke. He’d grabbed a bottle of demonberry wine, feigning casual interest. But I noticed the white-knuckled grip he had on his goblet. “But only in small ways.”
Envy steepled his fingers. “That’s true as far as I know.”
I was relieved he confirmed that small fact. Given Ryleigh’s research into the quill, I had the basics of what it did. Now I knew Envy was willing to share correct information.
“Would you mind elaborating?” I asked, excitement thrumming. “For example, let’s say someone attended an event. Like the All-Sinners Ball. Would the Hexed Quill be able to change the outcome of that night?”
Axton set his wine down, his casual mask gone.
“What does the Hexed Quill have to do with the All-Sinners Ball?” he asked, his tone taking on a slight edge. He certainly was sensitive about that night. Though maybe his voice also sounded like it held the slightest hint of hope.
“If the quill can rewrite events, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. However, like all magic, it’s got limits. And it also has a price.” I turned to Envy. “That’s correct, isn’t it?”
There was nothing more ominous sounding than dark magic demanding a price.
Envy nodded. “All magic has limits or else it would overtake the realms.”
I shuddered at the thought, my imagination sparking in a hundred directions despite my best efforts to not be intrigued.
“You think the Hexed Quill was used at the All-Sinners Ball?” Axton asked. “Why?”
The intensity in his gaze gave me pause. It was time to tread carefully before he shut the meeting down and whisked us back to House Gluttony. I had a feeling his secret was getting closer to being exposed. And it did tie into the night our world went astray.
“From what I’ve observed of our stories not aligning, I think it might have been used. What else impacts memories like that? You believe your version as adamantly as I believe mine. Either we both forgot, or one of us is lying. You didn’t detect deception from me, and unless you’ve figured out how to lie, you cannot tell me something that isn’t true.”
Axton’s expression was impossible to read. But I swore there was a flicker of excitement.
“If neither one of us is lying,” I pressed, “then how do you account for that discrepancy?”
“Elaborate,” Envy demanded. “And don’t spare any detail.”
“Very well.” I recounted everything I could about the All-Sinners Ball first, then Axton followed up with his version of the event.
When we finished, Envy shared a long look with Camilla.
“I didn’t detect lies from either one of you,” Envy admitted, his expression turning dark. I had a feeling a Prince of Sin didn’t appreciate his powers being thwarted.
“I wasn’t present at the ball,” Camilla said, “but memories are easily manipulated and one of the signs a hexed object might be at work.”
It was what I’d thought too. Finally, some of my theories were seeming less impossible.
“If magic like that was used, what might the price be?” I asked.
Envy seemed to consider his answer carefully.
Which meant there were details he didn’t want to give away.
I tried to keep my expression and my emotions from betraying how much I wanted to hear his answer. This was it. I knew it. We were straddling the line of what the princes were keeping from the realm. I was certain my pulse was pounding so loud they’d hear it.
“Memory magic often creates a… rift… somewhere,” Envy finally said. “It might take years to manifest. But it always catches up.”
Axton ran a hand over his face. “Why would someone use the Hexed Quill on me that night? To ruin my relationship, for what purpose?”
“You and Adriana never married or courted. Maybe that was the goal. Maybe they were envious, or covetous. Or any other sin—all were present that night,” Envy said. “Or maybe it had nothing to do with you and her and that was an unseen result.”
A rift… I wasn’t sure what that entailed, but it sounded like something powerful enough to make the princes all work together. I was almost certain the bridal competition was a farce.
“Let’s say this is true,” Axton said. “What does it matter now? It’s done.”
“Not quite.” Envy’s attention shifted to me. “Unless the past is restored, the hexed magic will continue to feed off the next-strongest being in your circle to fuel its power.”
Axton went preternaturally still.
“Wouldn’t the strongest being in our circle be Axton?” I asked. There wasn’t anything more powerful than a Prince of Sin in this realm.
Envy shook his head. “Since he’s the subject of the magic’s focus, it draws from the next-most-powerful creature.”
I stopped breathing.
Oh, glory be to the wicked. I was on the right trail! Ice dragons were the second-most powerful creatures that were in our circle. The rumored attacks, Jackson’s untimely death, the injury to Axton’s back that didn’t heal a few days before…
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. I found the thread that bound it all together.
“The magic used is still in effect, then, correct?” I asked.
“Yes. Right now, there’s probably a low level of magic constantly working to alter everyone’s memories—you, Gluttony, the other princes, and every other guest present during that time frame,” Envy said. “It’s a lot of power to sustain every day, for the last decade.”
I searched my emotions for any hint of truth to magic being used on me. But I hit a wall too impenetrable to crack. Was that dark magic at play?
I’d always believed it was my own wall of protection I’d built.
If it was magic… it would be a violation too large to grasp. Someone would have changed the trajectory of my life with one swipe of their magic pen.
I rubbed my temples as a sudden headache came on. I’d been so concerned about hunting down the lead, I hadn’t considered how the truth would make me feel.
I finally looked at Axton; he seemed as skeptical as I was. It was a lot to take in.
“Assuming Miss Saint Lucent’s correct, I imagine we need the quill to rewrite our story,” Axton said. “Any ideas where to find it?”
“Not the quill, exactly,” I said. “According to my source’s research, we need to find the journal or paper where the new outcome of the ball was written. Then we’ll need to burn that to release the dark magic. Time won’t be rewound, but our memories will be restored.”
Axton’s gaze locked onto mine. There was a storm of emotions in his, though I couldn’t quite figure out what he was feeling the most above all.
I didn’t think hope. Maybe disbelief. Or anger.
“Who is your source?” he asked. “Maybe they have the quill and the parchment or journal or whatever they used to re-write the event on.”
I might be sharing my theory with him now, but wouldn’t give him Ryleigh’s name. I knew that she’d never found the quill; I’d commiserated with her on her perceived failure.
That story had been her life’s work and I understood how it felt to be forced to let it go when the leads died.
“I’m afraid that’s confidential. But I know for certain they never located the quill, so there’s no chance of them having re-written the All-Sinners Ball.”
The princes exchanged looks, their displeasure chilling the air around us.
“Well, this has been most illuminating indeed.” I stood from the table. “Thank you for your time, Prince Envy.” I turned to Camilla. “And thank you for your insight.”
Axton rose, but I stayed him with a hand to his arm. “I’d like to travel back alone, if you don’t mind.”
“It will be hours by coach,” he said. As if I was unaware of the distance.
“All the same, I’d prefer to be with my own thoughts.”
“Very well.” He turned to his brother. “Send for your coach.”
I felt his attention on me as I left the room with a footman, but I didn’t turn and look back.
My mind and heart raced from the implications of everything I’d just had confirmed, and I had no idea what my next move should be.
The Hexed Quill was most certainly the cause of the dragon attacks.
In theory, that meant it was imperative to locate the original hex and destroy it. But who had motive? To solve that mystery I’d need to put my investigative skills to the test.
It was time to go over every detail of the All-Sinners Ball.
I’d scour guest lists and hunt down any leads, then hope to the old gods I’d break the case before the Hexed Quill’s chaos destroyed us all.