IT WAS EARLY MORNING, but no one had slept all night. Magnolia jumped when the doors to Daniel’s office flew open. Henry walked into the room, horrified.
“Why the bloody hell didn’t you call for me?” He glared at Daniel.
“Because it was your wedding night, you fool,” Daniel shot back at him. “You should not be here.”
“You’re wrong, this is exactly where I need to be right now.”
“Daniel is right, Henry,” Magnolia uttered with an exhausted voice. “You should not have left Florence.”
Henry clenched his jaw, doing his best not to snap back. “Well, I am here now. Do we have any updates?” But before Daniel could answer, the doors opened again. It was Laya this time.
“Is it true?” she burst out. But no one had to answer, Magnolia’s grim face and her dry tears said it all.
“We have no confirmation yet, but I believe it has something to do with the Barons Faction,” Daniel explained.
“Those bastards,” Henry mumbled.
MAGNOLIA PACED BACK AND FORTH IN HER ROOM. It was clear that Daniel was not planning on helping the barons pass that bill. “This should not be the priority right now.” She slammed her hand on the table. ‘Geoffrey is.’ She crashed down on the chair and leaned into her arms across the table. She remembered when she found out she was pregnant, she was only seventeen and she hated the baron. She thought of getting rid of the baby because she did not want her child to be brought into her horrible world. The baron was indifferent, he did not care about children or heirs, but at least he kept his distance from Magnolia when he found out she was pregnant. He did not come to her bed and he did not vent his anger on her and beat her anymore. Magnolia had secretly bought an herbal mix that would have caused her to lose the baby, but she just stared at it for days without being able to use it. She could not bring herse
“I STILL THINK THIS IS A BAD IDEA,” Laya complained. “At least, she is not saying she will kill everyone anymore.” Killian smiled sheepishly. Magnolia rolled her eyes at them both. “So how does this spell work?” “You’ll have a different appearance for half an hour, so you better get out of there before the time is up.” “Are you not coming with us?” Magnolia raised a brow. “I can’t get involved in things like this, the tower will find out. I should stay out here anyway, in case something goes wrong.” Laya shrugged. “I think you two can handle yourselves without me.” She handed Magnolia a flask. “Drink.” After a few gulps, Laya gave it to Killian to do the same. “So now what—” the words died in Magnolia’s throat when her voice changed into a deeper and more manly one. “Oh Gods,” she mumbled. She looked at her hands, they were huge and rough. “Did I really need this spell as
MAGNOLIA’S KNEES GAVE IN AND SHE FELL TO THE COBBLED FLOOR. ‘Bastards.’ She gritted her teeth. It was evident that someone was staying there until a little while ago. Even the fire was still blazing. ‘How did they send a message so fast?’ Magnolia slammed her fists against the stones while a few tears escaped through her lashes and fell on her clenched fingers. “Did I just make things worse?” It was obvious that she had, but neither Killian nor Laya had the heart to confirm. “Come on, you should go back home, dear.” Killian pulled her to her feet, she could barely stand. The three of them rode to the castle in silence. It was afternoon already and the day grew even colder. When they reached the front entrance, Magnolia’s eyes fell on a very agitated duke, he was pacing back and forth. As soon as he saw them, he mounted his horse. “Come with me,” Dani
“GREETINGS, YOUR MAJESTIES.” Fred bowed to the king and queen who were having their afternoon tea. “Fred,” the queen called with a smile. “Come, join us for tea.” Lord Saknas obeyed and sat on the settee next to his aunt. “So, parliament is voting the day after tomorrow, do you have anything to report?” “Lord Pruice and I had an encounter earlier,” Fred started. “Two men infiltrated his manor to get information about the boy. They had magical powers.” Both Titus and Monika looked at him with surprise. “Nobles?” Monika uttered. “What sort of magic?” King Titus asked at the same time. “Fire.” “Fire?” The king pushed to his feet with wide eyes. “Both of them?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “I knew I couldn’t trust your incompetent brother with such an important matter.” He glared at his wife. Fred clenched his jaw at the insult to his dead father. “What do you mean, Your Majesty?” Monika thre
“YOU DON’T LOOK TOO WELL, DANIEL,” Henry uttered after studying his friend for a moment. He was pale and beads of sweat were glimmering on his forehead. The duke was too preoccupied to hear him though. “Daniel,” Henry called again. “Yes, what is it?” Daniel looked at him. “Are you alright?” Daniel looked out the window again. “Am I doing the right thing?” he asked after a long silence. “They would not hurt Geoffrey. They know I would kill them all if they did.” “Desperate people take desperate actions,” Henry told him. “Is everything ready for the attack?” “Yes, Laya will contact you directly once they have found Geoffrey.” They had received information about a little boy being brought into a house the day before. He matched Geoffrey’s description. After some more investigation, it was clear that the information was valid. “This is our last chance, I will try to stall the voting as much as I can, u
IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON WHEN DANIEL REACHED HIS CASTLE. He had no idea what to do. He contemplated begging Baron Pruice to return his son and presenting the bill to Parliament again himself. But he needed to inform Magnolia of what had happened first. As soon as he reached the entrance, Magnolia rushed to him. Killian was following behind. “What happened? Where is Geoffrey?” Her eyes were searching. “There were a few complications,” Daniel said. “Let’s discuss it in my office.” There were too many people around, he needed to speak with her in private. “How did the votes go?” Magnolia did not move to follow him. “My love, let’s go inside—” “Answer me,” she insisted. “The bill did not pass,” he answered as he averted his eyes. “What was your vote?” Daniel was silent. “What did you vote, Daniel?” Magnolia grabbed him by his collar and shook him. “I voted against it,” he whispered. Magnolia’s slap was loud eno
“MY LADY, YOU SHOULD EAT SOMETHING,” Clara said with a twisted face. Magnolia had not eaten anything for the past few days. She spent every day in her bed either crying, sleeping, or sitting on the edge and staring into the distance. The maid pushed the table closer to the duchess, but just like her previous failed attempts, Magnolia did not even acknowledge her presence. Clara sighed before she left the room. She knew Magnolia was not going to touch the food, but she still left it for her just in case. She would go back to check on her in an hour or so. “How is she?” Henry asked, as soon as Clara closed the door. “The same,” she answered with a dejected face. “I see. Please keep trying.” “Of course, Lord Flock.” Henry walked away to check on Daniel. He too had not been well. He had not left his office since the incident. Henry waited for the duke to burst in rage and march to Baron Pruice and every
MAGNOLIA AND DANIEL SAT ACROSS EACH OTHER SILENTLY, both avoiding each other’s eyes. They had not seen each other for a few days—since the funeral—and they had not spoken since the day they received Geoffrey’s body. They sat there for what felt like hours as the heavy rain outside tapped against the windows and the blazing flames in the fireplace crackled. “How have you been?” Daniel finally broke the silence, but he was still unable to meet his wife’s gaze. “Horrible, as I am sure you can imagine.” Her voice was low and cold. “Right.” Magnolia looked at him, and as soon as she did, her eyes softened. Daniel looked as exhausted as she did. His dark circles and red eyes suggested that he could not sleep and probably cried a lot, just like her. He was disheveled and it appeared he had not shaved in days. There was not even a hint of the confident and proud Duke of Salicera, the man sitting in f