Page 45
AMbrOSE
“ W hat is going on between the two of you?” Roman asks, but my attention is wholly focused on Piper as she walks into the closet. What the fuck is this challenge even about? A test of your ability to handle claustrophobia?
“You’re just going to ignore me?” Roman snaps his fingers in my face.
“What?” I swat at his hand.
“You and Piper. What’s going on? She looks like you stole a kitten from her, and you look like you’ve fucked around and got caught.” Roman curses. “You didn’t fuck around, did you? I know why you guys got married, but really?”
I glare at Roman. “Fuck you. I didn’t cheat on her.” I blow out a breath. “I kissed her.”
Roman gapes at me. “That’s worse. Have you lost your mind?”
I sigh, my shoulders sagging. “It was an accident. The potion the other night. Piper sort of commanded me. It was a whole thing.”
Roman looks at the door between us and Piper. “I’m sorry. You guys seemed like you oddly fit together.”
“She’s not dead.” I drag my hand over my face, scratching at the five o’clock shadow that’s already growing in. “I’ll figure something out.”
I watch the door, waiting for Piper to come out. What’s happening in there? I hate that she’s going through whatever it is alone.
“Do you want to be part of the council?” I ask.
Roman cocks his head. “Do you?”
In the beginning, I was slightly flattered to be selected, even if I was also reluctant.
The council has always been a tool of the founding families.
They held their power tightly to their inner circle and screw the rest of the witches in town.
I didn’t want to be part of that world, but I realized it didn’t need to be like that.
If we have a new council, we can make the rules.
We don’t have to be exclusive assholes whose sole concern is about themselves.
“Yes. I do.”
The door opens and Piper steps out, looking no worse than when she entered.
She’s guided out of the library, and then Lucida is calling my name.
I’d rather chase after Piper, but I’ve committed to these trials.
I walk into the closet and frown at the bare walls.
The door has barely closed behind me when it disappears altogether.
I recognize illusion magic when I see it. The room morphs and turns into my library, complete with a crackling fire.
“That’s interesting.” A raspy brogue snaps my attention to a white head of hair sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs.
“Fitz?” I walk across the now-large room and sit in the seat beside her. “What’s interesting.”
“Your happy place, I presume?” She waves her dragon-headed cane around, and I narrowly avoid getting smacked in the face.
This library has many happy memories for me.
It’s probably the place where Piper and I spend the most time.
We’ve fallen asleep while reading on the couch, her body tucked against mine while the fire burned to ashes.
Those days were comforting, and I felt cared for in a way I’ve never experienced before.
“It is. I assume yours would be a garden full of poisonous plants? Maybe a vat of acid to disintegrate your enemies?”
“Ambrose Roth, have you been spying on me?” Fitz cackles.
The room is warm and gives off a golden glow.
It even smells the same as the library back at the chateau.
A hint of Piper’s floral scent lingers in the air.
I wonder if it’s because she was just in here, or is the illusion conjuring up a comforting room by activating all my senses.
“If I only had the time, you’d be my first target,” I joke, and Fitz rolls her eyes.
“Always the charmer. Interesting how you’ve ended up with the shy one.”
Is it fair to say I’ve ended up with Piper? Our marriage was one of convenience. Now I’ve cursed her to love me for the rest of our lives, I should put distance between us. I’m not sure I can.
“Piper’s only shy with strangers. She’s pushy and plenty mouthy when she’s comfortable.”
“With those she trusts.” Fitz lifts a cup of tea to her mouth, a wisp of heat curling off the top. Where did that come from?
“I guess.” I frown, knowing what she says is true, but not having figured it out on my own until she pointed it out.
Piper trusts me.
“As lovely as your company is–”
Fitz snorts.
“Is this the entire challenge? Or is there something else?”
Fitz angles her head, staring at me until I begin to squirm. “Would you take on her curse if it meant she could be free of it?”
“What?”
“Do you have wool in your ears?” Fitz jabs her cane in my direction.
“No.” I glare at the old woman. I’ve wondered many times how old Fitz really is. She’s far too spry and witty for someone who has to be over a hundred years old. There’s magic at work in this woman all the time.
“Are you telling me there’s a way to get rid of Piper’s curse?”
Fitz stares at me. The woman has the kind of glare that could melt ice. Just as soon as it could freeze you right in your tracks.
“Would you take her curse away if it meant you had to bear it along with your own particular issues?” Fitz blows me a kiss, and I glare at the old woman.
I don’t care if she can turn me into a toad.
I’m annoyed. Piper’s curse will kill her.
The pain she was in when it struck her down, the way she was limp and feverish for days.
She was powerless. Helpless. I know every minute hurt because she made these soft sounds that were full of agony.
Anyone else would’ve been sobbing, but I have a feeling Piper learned to control her cries because of her family.
I don’t even know how she had enough sense of mind to do it, but it’s guaranteed her uncle wouldn’t have given her the care that I did when she was sick.
My memory contrasts that image of her so frail and powerless to the one of her in the club when she danced and threw her head back with laughter. A smile on her face and her eyes glowing with happiness. Lust overtaking her she climbed on my lap and claimed me where anyone could’ve seen us.
My bright and kind wife.
I never want her to feel pain again, if I can help it.
“I’ll take it. Can you do that?” My voice breaks with hope. I can’t free myself from my curse, and I’ve already damned Piper to love me, but what if I could free her of her curse. I could do something right and good for once in my fucking life.
Fitz hums. The corner of her eyes crinkle as she smiles. “That’ll do.”
I wait for her to say something else, but she sinks back into her chair and closes her eyes.
I lean forward to look at her, then peer around the room as if I’m missing some cue. A strike of lightning. A fucking gong. “I’m sorry, what? Do I have her curse now?”
“No, you idiot. You know that’s not how your curses work. Go away.”
I rise to my feet, clutching my fingers into a fist. “What was all of this? Am I going to have to open the door and fight a dragon next?” I keep my tone in check, but I’m frustrated.
“I’d say you already fought the dragon.” She grins at me. “That’s all. Go away. It’s someone else’s turn now.”
Turn for what? A frustrating conversation? I shake my head and stomp out of the room. Stupid fucking challenge. What was the point? Have a coffee chat with Fitz and talk about my feelings?
At least this is the last challenge. I’m ready to be done with this bullshit.
Table of Contents
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- Page 29
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- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45 (Reading here)
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- Page 51
- Page 52