Page 185 of Malicent
His hand covers over mine in support. It’s warm and light.
“I don’t think there is anything to say.”
“Then we don’t have to,” he replies simply.
The lack of argument surprises me. I flip my hand over and curl my fingers around his. I don’t overthink it. I don’t let my mind shame me for the comfort. I just hold on.
He squeezes back gently.
“If you’re in the mood, I’d like you by my side tonight,” he murmurs.
I glance at him. “You don’t want a courtesan or one of your usual admirers?” I raise an eyebrow. “I’m a witch. It’s not very kingly.”
“Nothing I do is kingly.” He grins, as though the idea amuses him deeply. “I think it’ll be funny.”
“Fine.” I smirk. “I’ll come—just to see the look on the mortals’ faces.”
“That’s my girl!” He laughs, plucking a strawberry from the bundle and biting into it. He’s carefree as ever.
TO KEEP MY MIND OFF Arcadia, I stay with Felix until he’s pulled away for a meeting. Left alone with nothing but my spiraling thoughts, I retreat to my room and change into loose brown leather trousers and a tunic. I cinch the excess length into my waistband.
Once the clock chimes six, I make for the training grounds to meet Luca. My anxiety builds with every hour Oliver does not return. I channel that restlessness into my muscles, pushing myself harder and faster. Luca struggles to keep up, but I don’t slow down. I run as if I can outpace the thought of Cadia suffering.
After the run, I move straight into the sparring ring. I throw Luca again and again, partly as training and partly to let the excess energy out.
From the ground, he raises his hands in surrender. “Millicent, enough for tonight. I’m dead,” he pants, red-faced and swaying with exhaustion.
“Up. It’s not enough.” I reach for his shirt, dragging him up by it.
“Millicent, please. We’ll train again in the morning. I am getting dizzy. I might be sick.”
I tower over him. “No, up at once,” I demand.
His voice cracks as he pleads. “Millicent, I don’t think you are well today. Please, see reason.”
“You are what is wrong with me!” I shout, rage finally surfacing from the depths of my fear.
“Millicent, let him rest.” Iris’s gentle voice cuts through my fury like cool water over fire. I hadn’t heard her approach.
I drop his shirt and turn toward her. “He’ll die if he needs rest on a battlefield.”
“This isn’t a battlefield,” she says softly. She gives Luca a nod, and he wastes no time leaving, but not before casting one last kind smile over his shoulder.
“You coddle him,” I snap.
Iris steps closer, inspecting me. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Talk about what? Why is everyone asking me that!” I rake my hands through my hair, tugging hard enough to burn my scalp, distracting me from the anxiety.
“I stand corrected. There is a battlefield.” she taps her temple. “Right here. You’re rocking on your feet, pushing Luca harder than ever, and you’ve been spinning the ring on your finger.”
I pause, looking down. I hadn’t realized I was turning the ring again and again. The unconscious movement betrays me.
After I scan the training yard to make sure we’re alone, I step in closer and lower my voice. “I have an odd feeling Cadia’s in danger. Or will be. I can’t explain it. I’m not a seer, but…” I trail off, furrowing my brow. “It’s like a warning, like I’m supposed to know something.”
Iris considers this. “I understand. Have you written to her?”
“Ollie’s gone to check on her, but he should’ve been back by now. It’s not like him.”
