Page 5

Valerie had tried scrying for her first, but all she could see of her sister was that she was in an empty room, chained. She was a little girl, innocent of any crimes whatsoever, terrified, all because she was a Witch.

Valerie was doing this alone, because she didn’t wish to endanger the rest of her family. If she’d told them she was leaving, they would have tried to come along. She couldn’t risk more of her sisters being captured and their mother couldn’t go. Their mother was their coven leader, and her sisters still needed the guidance she provided.

No, the only person who had the knowledge, power, and freedom to do this was her.

Now here I am, approaching King Bradwick’s palace to find you.

She could see it in the distance, the road curving just enough to see it out the window.

The palace was grand. Even in the distance, she could tell it was one of the largest buildings she’d ever seen. It was so tall, it seemed like the architects wanted to touch the heavenly sky.

There were four square towers on each corner, just slightly taller than the rest of the square-shaped palace, except for the main building.

The grounds took a while to ride through, and they passed lush grassy fields on either side. Crow’s nest trees lined the driveway, thin but bushy trees that looked perfect for climbing. More had been planted along the metal fence line of the grounds.

Eventually, they reached the actual fortified palace entry.

The coachman, who was also under her spell, was approached.

“Halt. Who goes there?” one of the royal guards asked.

“Duke Grayson of house Dyèrie received an invitation for his daughter to participate in the king’s royal gala. I bring Lady Cecily of house Dyèrie and her uncle, Duke Vermont of house Dyèrie.”

“May I see the invitation?”

Valerie handed her version of Duke Vermont the invitation she’d taken from the real Cecily.

Like he understood what he needed to do, the man exited the wagon. Her heart remained steady, confident in the magic she’d cast. This was just the first step, and she had faith it would be successful.

A small conversation followed before Duke Vermont returned. He gave a singular nod.

The coachman was instructed to go through the gate and drive the inside square loop of road until they reached the other side of the grounds. The carriage began to move.

Valerie sat poised in her seat like a noble, instead of peering out the window with curiosity.I must play my part.Eyes would be watching, and she couldn’t afford to slip up.

She could just barely see the large grassy field in the centre, surrounded by the square palace walls. The carriage curtains were open enough to allow her to see in the evening light.

The sun was setting, and servants were walking around to light lantern poles with flames.

When their carriage came in front of the main building of the palace, they were once again stopped. A similar conversation played out, guards asking who they were and to see their invitations.

Valerie took in a long, calming breath when Vermont reached inside to take her hand and help her out of the carriage.

The man wasn’t as fat as the original, but he had a similar brown tuft of hair. His eyes were such a dark shade, it was hard to tell whether they were green or blue. He had a well-cared-for beard, which the original did not, but she was certain it would be better to hide his real face.

With assistance, Valerie walked down the three steps that had been pulled out from underneath the carriage.

“The gala has already begun,” Vermont stated. “We are late. A ball has been thrown and we must attend it instead of resting.”

He walked in front of her as they made their way towards the palace entrance. Their five soldiers surrounded them to make sure they were guarded from all sides.

This wasn’t optimal; she’d been hoping to slowly integrate herself into the people here.

Squaring her shoulders and raising her chin to show brash confidence, she lifted the skirts of the dress she’d taken from the noblewoman. It was a dark maroon and, although simple, elegant.

The shoulders were crinkled from a V in the back between her shoulder blades to a low-cut V in the front. A silver broach with a dangling blue jewel sat in between her cleavage. Her breasts were small, but they gave her just enough femininity to show she had them.

The gown was sleeved and long, hiding the flat, black shoes she wore. Her feet were larger than Cecily’s, and she hadn’t been able to acquire more.