Chapter 42
“Stop that, you’ll draw attention to us,” I hissed at Magnus, who was the picture of ease as he hummed a merry tune from the column he had propped himself against.
“Sorry. Only trying to pass the time.” He shrugged, not looking remotely apologetic, but at least he’d stopped humming.
“It hasn’t been that long.” Even as I said it, I couldn’t help but worry at my lip.
At least five minutes had passed since Filip had left us in an alcove of a deserted corridor, and, while we hadn’t been discovered yet, it was only a matter of time before a servant found the two of us.
I could imagine how tongues would wag about what we might be up to, and we couldn’t afford any unwanted attention. Most certainly not now.
The plan was simple enough: to buy us some time, Hugo had sent for Oriane under the pretense that he had a wedding gift for her.
Filip went ahead to make sure it was all clear, and, the moment he returned, Magnus and I would conduct a search of her chambers to find the crucial evidence we needed to put a stop to the wedding.
Despite the fact that I had been up until the early hours of the morning scouring through the grimoire and formulating the plan with the others, my mind was alert, and my body thrummed with anticipation.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the knot that had been in my stomach all day.
Tarben’s fate rested on us, and, if our plan failed, we would monumentally fail him.
As asinine as it was, I would stay and search for a way to free Tarben.
It didn’t matter that I had spectacularly failed at breaking the curse, I cared about him, and I wouldn’t leave him this way.
And, if I could free him before the full moon, there was still a chance I could get him to confess his love for me. A small chance, but I would take it.
“Have I mentioned how ravishing you look today?” Magnus purred, his eyes roaming over my body.
“Stop that,” I snapped again. Still, I couldn’t help but run my hands down the gown I had chosen for the wedding I intended to ruin.
It was made of lavender, cream and gold brocade with a fitted bodice, voluminous skirts, and ruffled sleeves that gathered at my elbow.
My hair was styled with gentle waves and loosely braided with fresh asters delicately woven in.
Whether they would bring good fortune or serve as a pretty reminder of what I had lost remained to be seen.
“What?” He crossed an ankle over his foot. “I’m just saying that the princeling will be on his knees begging for you the moment we cure him.”
“You’re flirting and it’s disturbing,” I said, scrunching my nose.
“It was a compliment!”
“Ssh.” I could hear footsteps coming down the corridor. My stomach unclenched when I saw it was only Filip.
“All clear?” I asked Filip as he approached us.
“Yes, but we need to hurry,” he whispered. “There were some maids hanging around, so I told them Oriane sent for them. We haven’t got much time before they realize I was lying.”
Not needing to be told twice, we followed him. We moved quickly and silently, eventually pausing in front of the door to Oriane’s rooms.
“I’ll stand guard. Do you remember the signal if anyone approaches?” asked Filip.
“It’s a wonderful day for a wedding,” Magnus and I said in unison, earning a nod of approval from Filip.
“Now, go.”
Magnus pulled open the door and I followed him into a luxurious sitting room bathed in shades of green, blue and gold.
“You take the bedchamber, I’ll look around here,” I whispered.
Magnus made his way to the adjoining bedchamber and I looked around, utterly overwhelmed.
I had no idea what we were searching for, but I needed to start somewhere.
Fueled with determination, I bypassed tables littered with half-empty goblets of wine, fresh flowers and a seemingly untouched bowl of fruit, and homed in on a wooden chest nestled beside the hearth, hoping it held the evidence we needed.
Heart racing, I flung open the lid, only to find it filled with swaths of expensive fabrics. Urgently—carelessly—my hands sifted through mounds of silk, velvet, and lace. Nothing incriminating. There was no time to dwell, I had to keep moving.
Next, my attention turned to an ornate desk with sheets of parchment stacked neatly on top of it.
I rummaged through them but quickly saw they only detailed wedding plans.
Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I pulled open drawer after drawer, searching through sheaves of parchment and quills and finding nothing.
Becoming desperate, I moved to the settee, frantically lifting the cushions and peering underneath. Nothing.
I continued my search of the room; no stone was left unturned. I checked behind portraits, under the feet of heavy furniture, inside cabinets and inside every book that lined the bookshelf. I found nothing.
Underneath my beautiful gown, I was sweating. The ticking clock on the mantel was an antagonist, urging me to move faster.
Just as I was about to check under the rugs for any loose floorboards, I heard the dreaded words. “It’s a wonderful day for a wedding.”
My body froze. All I could do was watch as the door handle turned.
It was too late to run and hide. Someone was already walking through the door—
Someone wearing a dramatic gown and a deep frown on her lovely face.
It was Oriane.
Shit. My heart was sprinting in my chest, but my body was paralyzed. How were we going to explain this?
Magnus came strolling out of the bedchamber with his hands in his pockets, while Filip appeared in the doorway, his eyes as wide as saucers. He caught my gaze then gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
For a too-long moment, no one said anything. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension as Oriane took in the scene. We were joined by two lady’s maids, who looked as puzzled as Oriane.
I could think of exactly nothing to say, so I looked at Filip. He mouthed “Get out.” How bloody helpful.
It was Oriane who broke the silence. “What are you doing?” Her voice was sharp as a blade as she eyed us with suspicion.
Magnus and I exchanged a quick glance. One of us needed to start talking. I opened my mouth to speak, but Magnus beat me to it. “We came here looking for you, Ori.”
“How many times must I tell you, don’t call me that,” she snapped, nostrils flaring. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy watching him get under Oriane’s skin. “And why would the two of you possibly be looking for me?”
“We’ve come to let you know that, regrettably, we won’t be able to attend your nuptials this afternoon,” said Magnus.
Oriane tilted her head to study me. “Why ever not?” she asked sweetly.
“My presence is required at another engagement—saying no isn’t an option for me,” Magnus answered.
Her gaze remained on me as she asked, “And you?”
I exchanged another swift look with Magnus. “I’m going with him.”
“She sure is,” he confirmed cheerfully.
“What a pity you won’t be joining us, but how considerate of you to come all this way to deliver the unhappy news,” she said with a curl of her painted lips.
She really did look beautiful in a red wedding gown with intricate florals embroidered across the bodice.
The gown had a sweetheart neckline, which showed off the gold and ruby amulet she wore around her neck.
Her hair was pulled into a low braided bun, and she wore a gold tiara like the princess she already considered herself to be.
“Thanks for understanding, Ori. Now that we’ve let you know, we’ll be on our way,” said Magnus, making for the doorway.
Taking that as my cue to leave, I made to follow him, but Oriane blocked my path. “One can’t help but wonder what could be so vital that you’d forgo witnessing the union of Prince Tarben and me? It must be of exceptional importance,” she said.
“I assure you, it is,” I said, drawing to my full height so I looked down on her. “I’m sure no one is more regretful about missing out on the grand celebration of such a genuine love match than we are.”
From the smirk on her face, I could tell she didn’t believe me. She took a step closer, into my space. As she did, I felt a strange sensation wash over me that had nothing to do with the cloying floral perfume she wore.
Lowering her voice, she spoke. “Nice try, but I know you’re lying. There’s no other engagement. No matter, our ceremony has a strict no animals policy. That rule extends to discarded bitches.”
I barely registered what she said. I glanced around the room, distracted by the strange sensation. It was like hearing a hum and feeling a low vibration in the air. Where was it coming from?
No one else seemed to notice it. The lady’s maids stared at the rug, shifting uncomfortably.
Magnus looked between Oriane and me, barely concealing his rapt amusement, and Filip had one foot out of the doorway, as if he was readying himself to flee.
Oriane just stared at me, triumph painted all over her features.
“And why is that? Are you scared they’ll show their teeth?” I responded. There was magic in this room, I was certain of it. How in confinement was I going to find its source?
A humorless laugh. “Scared? No. In a few hours, I’ll have the power to ensure that even the most belligerent of beasts is muzzled. Speaking of which, it’s time you take your leave. I have a ceremony to prepare for.”
“Congratulations. I hope you get everything you deserve,” I said with a smile that was all teeth. Why hadn’t I felt the magic when I was searching the room? Unless… I placed a hand on her shoulder. “And I truly mean that.”
“I’m sure.” Shrugging my hand away, she flashed me a smile that clearly said, “I won”. “I’ll be sure to save you some wedding cake.”
Stepping out of the room, I ignored the jibe. My mind was too busy reeling from what had just happened.
When I’d touched her, I’d felt a hum of energy shoot up my arm, similar to what I felt when I touched the grimoire at Basia’s cottage. It was much weaker, but it was undeniably the same kind of sensation. But it wasn’t coming from Oriane, it was coming from something else…
My back straightened at the realization.
The amulet.
The amulet she wore around her neck was imbued with magic. I knew that with absolute certainty. I knew it, because I had seen that amulet before.