Page 80 of Magic and Matrimony

The door opens and Piper steps out, looking no worse than when she entered. She’s guided out of the library, and then Lucida is calling my name. I’d rather chase after Piper, but I’ve committed to these trials. I walk into the closet and frown at the bare walls. The door has barely closed behind me when it disappears altogether.

I recognize illusion magic when I see it. The room morphs and turns into my library, complete with a crackling fire.

“That’s interesting.” A raspy brogue snaps my attention to a white head of hair sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs.

“Fitz?” I walk across the now-large room and sit in the seat beside her. “What’s interesting.”

“Your happy place, I presume?” She waves her dragon-headed cane around, and I narrowly avoid getting smacked in the face.

This library has many happy memories for me. It’s probably the place where Piper and I spend the most time. We’ve fallen asleep while reading on the couch, her body tucked against mine while the fire burned to ashes. Those days were comforting, and I felt cared for in a way I’ve never experienced before.

“It is. I assume yours would be a garden full of poisonous plants? Maybe a vat of acid to disintegrate your enemies?”

“Ambrose Roth, have you been spying on me?” Fitz cackles. The room is warm and gives off a golden glow. It even smells the same as the library back at the chateau. A hint of Piper’s floral scent lingers in the air. I wonder if it’s because she was just in here, or is the illusion conjuring up a comforting room by activating all my senses.

“If I only had the time, you’d be my first target,” I joke, and Fitz rolls her eyes.

“Always the charmer. Interesting how you’ve ended up with the shy one.”

Is it fair to say I’ve ended up with Piper? Our marriage was one of convenience. Now I’ve cursed her to love me for the rest of our lives, I should put distance between us. I’m not sure I can.

“Piper’s only shy with strangers. She’s pushy and plenty mouthy when she’s comfortable.”

“With those she trusts.” Fitz lifts a cup of tea to her mouth, a wisp of heat curling off the top. Where did that come from?

“I guess.” I frown, knowing what she says is true, but not having figured it out on my own until she pointed it out.

Piper trusts me.

“As lovely as your company is–”

Fitz snorts.

“Is this the entire challenge? Or is there something else?”

Fitz angles her head, staring at me until I begin to squirm. “Would you take on her curse if it meant she could be free of it?”

“What?”

“Do you have wool in your ears?” Fitz jabs her cane in my direction.

“No.” I glare at the old woman. I’ve wondered many times how old Fitz really is. She’s far too spry and witty for someone who has to be over a hundred years old. There’s magic at work in this woman all the time.

“Are you telling me there’s a way to get rid of Piper’s curse?”

Fitz stares at me. The woman has the kind of glare that could melt ice. Just as soon as it could freeze you right in your tracks.

“Would you take her curse away if it meant you had to bear it along with your own particular issues?” Fitz blows me a kiss, and I glare at the old woman.

I don’t care if she can turn me into a toad. I’m annoyed. Piper’s curse will kill her. The pain she was in when it struck her down, the way she was limp and feverish for days. She was powerless. Helpless. I know every minute hurt because she made these soft sounds that were full of agony. Anyone else would’ve been sobbing, but I have a feeling Piper learned to control her cries because of her family. I don’t even know how she had enough sense of mind to do it, but it’s guaranteed her uncle wouldn’t have given her the care that I did when she was sick.

My memory contrasts that image of her so frail and powerless to the one of her in the club when she danced and threw her head back with laughter. A smile on her face and her eyes glowing with happiness. Lust overtaking her she climbed on my lap and claimed me where anyone could’ve seen us.

My bright and kind wife.

I never want her to feel pain again, if I can help it.

“I’ll take it. Can you do that?” My voice breaks with hope. I can’t free myself from my curse, and I’ve already damned Piperto love me, but what if I could free her of her curse. I could do something right and good for once in my fucking life.

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