I could almost feel the weight of her words settle onto my bones. It took everything I had not to crumple forward and swear never to talk to a Caster again. I couldn’t do that, though. My feelings for Rowan made that impossible.
Instead, I met her gaze straight on and spoke in an unwavering voice. “I know what is expected of me. I won’t fail you.”
Blue smoke instantly filled the room. The spell was over, and I was alone in my dreams once again. I took to wandering through the halls of the Zelle once more, trying to find Ada and Veronique for one last goodbye. They were always just out of reach.
Chapter Twenty-Three
My dream ended when a great pounding sounded on my bedroom door. I jammed my pillow over my head. My mind screamed for more sleep.
The pounding only grew louder.
I kept a tight hold on my pillow as I debated whether or not to answer the door. Every muscle in my body ached with fatigue. I needed to rest up if I was to face down the Vicomte tonight. Plus, my head still felt hazy and unsettled after the spell that took me to Petra, too. All the more reason to sleep.
An explosion of cracking wood shattered my thoughts. I sat bolt upright. My broken door lay in pieces on the threadbare carpet. A very red-faced Amelia stood on the threshold, wearing yet another frilly pink gown. Her left hand still glowed blue with power. “Oops. I didn’t know I could do that.”
I blinked hard, trying to focus my sleepy mind. What was she doing here? I glanced at the window. The daylight was brighter now. How long had I been asleep?
“Oh, my,” said Amelia. “We thought you were dead.” She fidgeted with the lacy sleeves of her silk dress, her red hair hanging in perfect ringlets to her shoulders. I swear, I didn’t think it ever occurred to Amelia to leave her mansion in anything less than proper attire for a formal ball.
I rubbed my temples, trying to squeeze some sense into my mind. Amelia couldn’t really be here. It still felt like the middle of the night. Perhaps this was all a lifelike dream. Or could another spell be at work?
“See, Amelia?” Philippe’s voice echoed in from the outer hallway. “I told you that Elea was alive. Those Casters can heal anything.” He popped his head into the opened doorway and his gaze locked onto my chest.
My very bare chest.
Philippe’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. “Elea looks very well, in fact.”
The words snapped me out of my sleepy haze. “Philippe!” I gripped the sheet and quickly covered myself. How could I have forgotten I was half naked?
Amelia shoved her brother into the hallway. “Step back, you dog.”
He complied with a “woof.” Philippe really was a rogue.
Amelia stared at the shattered remains of the door. She shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Apologies for breaking in while you were, uh…”
“Disrobed? Exposed?” A chuckle came from the hallway.
“Quiet, Philippe!” Amelia stared at me, her large eyes pleading. “I’m so sorry. When you left the estate last night, we’d heard that you were ill. Some Caster guards found us. They said you were unwell and that they’d care for you, so we tried not to worry. But then, you didn’t come by the mansion this morning. Both Philippe and I became gravely concerned.”
“I’m no longer concerned!” called Philippe from the hallway. He sounded exceptionally satisfied with himself.
Cheeky bastard.
“Don’t worry, Amelia. You and Philippe are like brother and sister to me. There’s nothing to apologize for.” I motioned to a trunk by the wall. “Would you mind pulling me out something to wear, though?”
“Of course.” Amelia bustled into the room, opened the trunk, and pulled out a simple green shift. “How about this?”
“Perfect.” I quickly pulled on my dress as well as some fresh underthings. I couldn’t help but compare last night with Rowan to this morning with Philippe. When Rowan had seen me naked, my entire body felt on fire. And this morning with Philippe? It was as if my little brother had walked in on me using the privy. Not that I’d ever had a little brother. Even so, now I could imagine the situation with ease. I toed on a pair of slippers and sat down on the bed. “All set.”
Amelia rushed over and situated her ruffled self beside me. Her blue eyes widened with concern. “Are you certain that you’re all right?”
“Perfectly well.” I tried to meet Amelia’s gaze. I couldn’t. My heart tightened in my chest. Amelia’s next question was sure to be about the lost Necromancers. I didn’t look forward to explaining the truth.
I’d just decided to let our friends die.
“Did you find out anything?” Amelia’s face looked so hopeful. “Any news of Veronique?”
And there it was.
I remembered when I’d first met Amelia. Veronique was her only true friend in the world. In fact, Veronique was the main reason Amelia decided to help me in the first place. And now, I’d uncovered news that would break poor Amelia’s heart. “You’d better come in, Philippe.”
Amelia set her hand on her throat. “Is it bad, then?”