“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
MAGNOLIA RUSHED AWAY, putting as much distance as possible between her and Daniel. She knew that her resolve would falter if she heard him call her once more. His voice was filled with despair, and it broke her heart. She took fast steps to her room where Killian was waiting for her. He did not need to ask her about the result of her conversation with the duke, her tears gave it away. “Do you still want to do it?” he asked. “I owe it to my son,” was all she said. Magnolia grabbed a small bag and packed a few things, not many. Geoffrey’s peluche, the book Killian gave her, and the money she had. “I am ready.” “Mag, are you sure about this? You love the duke.” “Love has nothing to do with this,” Magnolia snapped. “And yes, I am sure.” She left the room first before her brother followed. When they reached the entrance, they found Henry standing there while holding two horses. “Your Grace, at
“HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN STANDING THERE?” Laya whispered. “I am not sure, but at least an hour,” Henry answered. They were outside of Daniel’s office looking through the little opening of the ajar door. The duke was standing immobile, looking out of the window. He was lost in his thoughts like he had been every day since the duchess left the castle. “Lord Flock,” the butler got their attention, he was holding Ben in his arms. “The doctor said that the puppy has fully recovered, but I have no orders as to what to do with it now.” Henry eyed the dog for a moment, and something sparked in his eyes. “I have an idea,” he said before taking him from the butler’s hands. He caressed the cute puppy a few times. “Can you help him, Ben,” he whispered into his ear before opening the office door a little wider and gently pushing the dog into the room. The butler joined Henry and Laya, the three of them watched with anticipation as