Page 78 of Kingdom of Locks

“Here it is,” Aurelia interrupted brightly, emerging from the bedroom with the brush held aloft. Her gaze passed to Cyfrin. “Can’t we stop for tonight?”

“Very well,” snapped the enchanter. His eyes dwelled nastily on Mama Gail. “I think we all have enough to think about.”

Neither woman answered him, and within record time, Aurelia had lowered him to the ground below. “Good riddance,” she muttered, as he made his way across the clearing. She turned back to her mother. “Are you going to tell me what you chivvied me out of the room to talk about?”

“I’d rather not,” said her mother, smiling faintly in acknowledgment that Aurelia had seen through her.

“Suit yourself,” said her daughter lightly. “I’ll start on dinner, shall I?”

Mama Gail nodded, and Aurelia busied herself with the supplies Cyfrin had brought. The enchanter was right about one thing. They all had plenty to think about. Aurelia realized how foolish she’d been to let her enjoyment of Amell’s company dull her sense of urgency regarding Cyfrin’s plans. Her thoughts flew out the window and away to the south east, toward Fernford.

“Hurry back, Amell,” she whispered. “We might need your help sooner than I thought.”

* * *

Aurelia woke before dawn the next morning, an unusual occurrence for her. She’d slept uneasily, hearing her mother toss and turn in the bed beside hers all through the night. It was a relief to see that the other woman was sleeping deeply now. She needed it.

Moving silently, Aurelia dressed and slipped out to the main room. She stoked the fire, fishing the exotic tea leaves Amell had brought from their hiding place. Something hot would help dispel the chill of the pre-dawn air.

There was still no sound from her mother when the sun began to peek over the top of the trees, but a soft voice from the clearing below sent Aurelia running to the window, her heart swelling.

“Amell,” she gasped, quietly enough to make him look questioningly at her. She smiled. “My mother is still sleeping,” she called softly. “I don’t want to wake her before she’s ready.” She paused. “It was a bit of a rough night.”

Looking concerned, Amell nodded. He moved more slowly than usual as he climbed, clearly trying to be quiet. He’d barely set his feet on the stone floor of the tower when he gripped her shoulders, his eyes boring into hers.

“What happened last night?” he asked, his voice quiet but intense. “Are you all right? Did Cyfrin do something?”

“We’re both fine,” Aurelia assured him, matching his volume. “She just had an argument with him, and she was lying awake worrying, if I know her.” She smiled. “I didn’t know if you’d come today. I certainly didn’t expect you so early.”

He smiled back, but the expression was strained. “I arrived at the prison last night, and I couldn’t wait this morning. I left while it was still dark. What was the argument about?”

Aurelia sighed, turning back to the kettle, which had begun to boil. “She sent me out of the room, but I overheard the second half of it. I think they were arguing about the key, whatever it is. She said I’d play my part over her dead body, and he basically told her that was his plan.”

“What?” Alarm radiated from Amell, his eyes searching hers more frantically than ever.

“He meant he was willing to threaten her life in order to coerce me if it comes to that.” She chewed thoughtfully on her lip. “I can’t deny it has me feeling anxious, Amell. How will I fight back against that? I don’t want to help him, but I can’t let him kill her.”

“Of course we won’t let him kill her,” Amell said forcefully. “And we won’t let him have your help, either.” His voice darkened. “Or anything else he thinks he can take from you.”

Aurelia smiled blissfully up at him, his use of the wordwelightening her heart more than she could say. She’d known she wasn’t alone. She’d known he’d never abandon her.

“My name is Aurelia,” she said simply, and felt a weight lift from her shoulders. It was indescribably wonderful to be known.

“Aurelia,” Amell breathed, his eyes lighting up like the fireflies she’d seen dancing across the clearing. “It suits you.”

“You think so?” she asked, pleased.

He nodded, still looking at her with something close to reverence. “It’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.” Hesitantly, he lifted a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Like you.”

Aurelia felt her face flush with pleasure. “You think I’m beautiful?”

Her question surprised a laugh out of Amell. “I suppose you’d have no way of knowing, would you?” he mused. “Well, let me tell you, Aurelia,” the name dropped deliciously from his lips, “I’ve been chased by half the girls in the kingdom, and I can assure you that you are breathtakingly beautiful.”

A thrill of pure delight went over Aurelia at the words, and she found herself reaching tentatively for him. Shivering at her own daring, she placed a hand on his chest, feeling the thickness of the embroidered fabric, and the way his muscles tensed under her touch. This man came with so many sensations, she reflected. So many sights, and sounds, and smells, and textures. So many things that had been missing from her restricted life.

“Aurelia,” he whispered, and she raised her eyes to his.

“Yes?”

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