Page 28 of Vicious Little Vows
I paused with the mascara wand in my hand. “I had Sebastian and a potion to give me a power boost. I was fine.”
Okay, so maybe I hadn’t felt so fine when I was knocked out and manhandled, but I didn’t want to worry him more than was necessary. Plus, if I downplayed it to Crispin and got him on board, it would be easier to downplay it to Gabriel. Sebastian was already acting like nothing had happened, including our kiss in the stairwell.
Crispin lowered his chin, stepping closer. “You should have called.”
I stuck the mascara wand back in its cylinder before it could dry out, then turned to face him. “Yes, I could have called, and when you eventually got the message Gabriel would have rushed over here with you, leaving Mistral vulnerable.”
Crispin stood his ground. “If things progress in the Bogs, there is nothing Gabriel can do.”
His words made my knees feel weak. “I thought you said it’s under control.”
“Under control, as in not rapidly progressing. The new gray area is not near any settlements, so no one is in immediate danger.” He huffed. “You should have told me about it sooner.”
“We told you about the vines.”
“Not that the magic of the Bogs is entirely unravelling.”
“Shh.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the bathroom, shutting the door behind us. “Sebastian doesn’t know.”
Crispin shook his head. “This is folly, Eva. We don’t understand this connection between us. If something happens to Mistral, it may be harmful for us all.”
“Is that all you care about?” I was more bothered than I thought I would be at the notion.
He threw up his arms, invading my space, though it was hard not to in the small bathroom. “Of course not! I like Mistral, and I don’t ever want to find out what will happen to the goblins if he loses control of the wild magic of the Bogs. All I’m saying is that this cannot be kept secret. Sebastian is adept at finding information, and he is also responsible for the contract binding Mistral to the land. Keeping this from him is foolish.”
I crossed my arms and scowled. “It’s not like it’s my choice.”
“No, but if anyone can convince Mistral, it’s you.”
My scowl wilted. “I hate it when you make sense,” I muttered.
“I do more often than not,” he said more softly. He knelt, and I realized I had dropped my mascara. He picked it up, then extended it toward me.
I took it, keeping my attention on him. “You know, I’ve never seen you so worked up.”
Crispin stood, his height making the bathroom feel too small for the two of us. I could smell his spring-like scent, making me think of sunshine and meadows even in the artificial light. He leaned against the wall next to me, hunching his shoulders. “Ididn’t like feeling so helpless in the Bogs. I’d hoped there was more I could do, especially after Mistral trusted me enough to be honest.”
“I’m sure he still appreciated you trying.”
He looked at me through a fallen lock of blond hair, smiling softly. “Are you trying to comfort me after I yelled at you?”
“You seemed to need it.” I wrung the mascara in my hands. “Is it really that bad in the Bogs?”
His smile fell. “They told me you saw the first gray area. That’s what you all were whispering about at the pool.”
“Yeah, the Bogs clearly wanted us to see it. The magic may be out of control, but I don’t think it likes what’s happening.”
“I agree.” He met my eyes. “But I find it curious that it tookyouand not Mistral.”
“Well he was down in the pool with you,” I argued.
“And what about the whole walk there and back?”
He had a point, but I really didn’t like thinking about it. The wild magic in the Bogs could be intoxicating, anddangerous. I wasn’t sure what to think of its reaction to me, whether it was about my connection to Mistral, or something else.
Crispin gripped my shoulder. “I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll let you finish getting ready.” He stepped back toward the door. “Just—tell me next time you get kidnapped? Tell me right away?”
His worry had me feeling guilty for not telling Gabriel and Mistral, but they had bigger things to deal with. They would worry and try to protect me, but wasn’t I allowed to do that for them too? I decided that I was, and I was glad that I didn’t have to do it alone.
