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“Time changes people, Ravena,” I said, and I reared back and shoved the blade toward her, but unlike last time, the mirror only shattered under my blow.

Her laugh echoed in my room, and she was gone.

Twenty-Two

Isolde

I left my room for Adrian’s.

I did not wish to remain there, not after Ravena’s visit. Her words weighed heavily on my mind, most of all, what she had to say about Adrian.

You do not know the man you married…he’s why you created the book.

I could not remember it, could not imagine it, and I did not believe her.

Clutching the spell book tighter, I entered Adrian’s chambers, finding him sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

I halted, immediately concerned. “Are you all right?” I asked.

“Just a headache,” he said, but he did not look up.

I set my book on the table and crossed the room to the wash basin, where I soaked a cloth in cool water before bringing it to Adrian.

He looked up when I approached, squinting, and I pressed the cloth to his cheek and then his forehead.

“I am sorry you are unwell,” I said.

“It is no fault of yours,” he replied with a small smile. Then he tugged on my hand as he fell back against the bed, and I followed, landing atop him.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“Looking for summoning spells.”

The air hung heavy between us, and I knew it was because I had things to tell him, but I did not want to add to his troubles.

I adjusted the cloth on his head. “I have never known you to have a headache.”

He touched the corner of my mouth, and I realized I was frowning. “It is nothing to worry about, my sweet. Did you find a spell?”

I rested my head upon his chest. “I found symbols,” I said, and then paused. “What do you remember of Ravena?”

I was not sure what information I was really looking for, but I was curious about his observations.

“Not much,” he said. “I only paid attention after your death. I watched her stand at Dragos’s side until I invaded Revekka, and after I murdered him, I pursued her, but it was like she vanished from the face of the earth. I hadn’t seen any sign of her until the crimson mist. Why do you ask?”

“I just wonder what motivates her,” I said.

“I imagine what motivates most of us in this world,” he said.

“And what is that?” I asked.

“Survival.”

“I think it has gone beyond that,” I said. “Has it not for you?”

“No,” he said. “Why do you think I like what I am?”

***