Page 66 of The Court of Secrets
“There’s a reason they haven’t taken you to trial and instead tried to have you assassinated,” he said, slowing his pace to meet mine. “They don’t have enough evidence. Such accusations could be considered treason without it. It’s why they want the men hung fast. Under torture, the names of those who aided them may slip.”
My adrenaline-fueled state had withered, bringing with it nausea and tiredness. I pushed on, walking Blaise through the orchard I frequented as a child. Apples hung from low branches. Many rotted on the blossom-coated ground where they’d fallen, and worms had left little holes. “I need to destroy the root to it all.” I thought back to André’s words. “Blaise, my brother told me to kill Vahaga not long ago.”
His eyebrows furrowed, scrunching his nose. “Your dead brother told you to kill the high priest?”
“I know how insane it sounds, but I saw him in his spirit form, in the veil. He was my spirit guide. He told me to kill Vahaga and to destroy something, then he was dragged into darkness.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Honestly, so much has happened that things have slipped my mind. Can you blame me?”
“Is there anything else I should know?”
I shook my head. “No.” My stomach knotted when I looked at his hardened expression. “Don’t do anything rash.”
“We can go back to the castle tomorrow.”
“Adius wouldn’t let me leave, even under my command.”
“Smart man.”
I clenched my jaw. “I should be there. I’ll look like a coward.”
“You won’t, but we don’t know if there are any more men who went unnoticed. Give them a day, love.”
“I need to help Morgana too, and I don’t have the potion to keephimat bay.”
We emerged around the front of the manor house. “I brought some of the books, the oldest ones.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “At least I can do something while locked away here.”
“Some prison.” He smirked, looking over the rolling hills, wildflower-pickled grounds, and tall, thirteen-bedroom manor. “I brought the potion too.”
My stomach swirled. “When will you be leaving?”
He chuckled. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until this is over.” He pulled me closer, his fingers entwining with mine. The dim glow of orange slunk into indigo, the sunset over Magaelor. His gray eyes looked almost silver under the light. “Or ever.”
“Blaise, we can’t.” The feel of his fingers against mine sent prickles along my skin.
“I’m not going to stop loving you. It doesn’t matter if we’re this close or I’m an ocean away. Pushing me away will do nothing, apart from torture me further. If you don’t want to be with me because you don’t love me, then tell me. I’ll go. If you are trying to stop my pain, however, then relent, Winter. I’ve admitted how I feel. I’m all in. There’s no going back for me.”
“Why do you love me?”
“I just do. I can’t put it into words. No one has ever touched me like you have.” His gaze darkened. Flickers of touch ran between us as he pressed himself against me. Sweeping his hand through my curls, he smiled. “God, Winter, tell me you want this.”
I held my breath as he leaned down. He brushed his lips against my forehead in an unexpected move, kissing me softly. He rested his forehead against mine, and for that moment, I felt… dared I say it? Happy.
***
Blaise spread out, wearing only his briefs. I pulled myself from his embrace, and he grumbled as he moved, but he didn’t wake.
Evil grasped at the manor, shadows of fingers grappling through the moonlit windows. Branches swayed as winds howled, pulling wisps of moss and leaves through them. My heart raced as I walked barefoot on the wood floor. Falling out into the dark hallway, I ran toward the front door. A guard was stationed there, watching, his staff in hand. A barrier spell had been placed around the building. I had to be safe, but something eerie coursed through the air. I stepped away from the door slowly, not to make any noise.
I jolted when the scream erupted and wailed through the night, screeching through my bones like a fork dragging against fine china.
“Morgana.” I gasped, her face floating into my mind. Her hollow eyes and sullen skin sent a shiver down my spine. I could see her as if I were standing in the dungeon with her. I blinked twice, and she was gone.
She’d said I had the gift of foresight years back, but I hadn’t believed her. The vision was far too vivid for me to dismiss. I pinched myself to make sure I was indeed awake, then pressed my lips together. Was she in trouble? Was that why I could sense her?
