Page 71 of Malicent (Seven Devils #1)

Millicent

MY HEART SEIZES, AND ON its next contraction, power slams through me like a hammer strike.

My nerves ignite, and I jolt up, gasping for air as my eyes snap open.

For a moment, the world spins like a kaleidoscope with too many colors and too much light.

A few steady blinks brings the palette down to its normal, duller tones, the colors of my room.

I rub my hands over the comforter draped across my lap, grounding myself with the soft cotton, a welcome comfort.

“Me Misses!”

Ollie materializes near my feet with a frantic chirp and scurries into my lap, pressing against my stomach like an overgrown cat.

“Ollie.” My voice rattles in my throat, low and hoarse from disuse, an expected side effect of stasis. I stroke the length of his back, the act steadying the both of us.

“There is water on the bedside for you,” comes Luca’s voice, drawing my attention to the chair near the bed, a new addition. He must’ve dragged it here just to sit vigil and watch me sleep.

I don’t ask why. I just reach for the pitcher and pour a glass. The first sip hits like spring rain, a cool relief that brings me back to life. I hadn’t realized how raw my throat was until the water slicks it down.

“Thanks,” I mutter, still watching him.

“I didn’t bring it,” he says, smiling gently. “I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

I finish the glass and pour another. “Why are you here?”

“You never miss our training. When you didn’t show, I asked Kalix, but he told me you were unavailable. I needed to see for myself.”

“It’s a fickle thing to care about.”

“Caring for a friend isn’t fickle,” he replies, steady and straightforward, but he’s not unkind.

I watch condensation bead down the glass, circling a fingertip along the rim. I contemplate his words, and Arcadia’s screams flash in my mind. How I would’ve torn the world in two and clawed through Hell just to get to her.

I understand care. I give it, fiercely. To have it offered back when you’ve lived without it for so long…the intensity of it burns. Like sunlight on untouched skin.

You bring affection to a table that hasn’t been set. No chairs, no warmth, only dust and forgotten hunger. And then I’m expected to feast. It makes me feel sick.

“Are we friends, Luca?”

“I like to think so. Friends help each other, the way you help me.”

I nearly laugh. If only he knew I started training him to serve my selfish motivations.

I only know I lost control because I remember nothing after Arcadia dying in my arms, nothing after trying to drown us both in my magic, to let us sleep beneath it together.

I know now that none of it was real. It didn’t make sense, not logically. In that moment, my mind was frayed. And still, some part of me can’t shake the fear it was more than an illusion, that it was a glimpse into something real, a real future that I might one day cause.

“Helping me has killed people.” My voice is quiet. I take another sip of water to ease the dryness that lingers in my mouth.

“Do they help you kill people?”

“No, I kill them.”

He says nothing. Just watches me. I reach gently toward his mind, wanting to understand what simmers behind his silence. The moment I taste sympathy, pity, I recoil. I don’t want that from him.

“Is it because I am beautiful that you forgive what I have done? What I continue to do?” My words cut sharp across the room. My anger stirs from the pit of my chest.

“I’ve hope you still have a heart. Is that so bad?”

“That belief will get you killed.”

“Well, it hasn’t yet.” He shrugs softly. “I have no magic. I can’t imagine what it’s like having something dark crawling through your veins. I would hope someone would still see more in me than just that.”

“And what do you see in me, past the darkness?” I laugh, incredulously. The idea is quite comical. My soul swims in shadow. What could he possibly see beyond it?

“You’re smart. Arrogant. A leader. A great teacher. You demand perfection, from yourself and others. You’re controlling—”

I raise a brow, unimpressed.

“—and powerful. And strong. I envy a lot of those traits.”

The man is clearly insane.

“Me Misses is perfect.” Ollie mumbles into the blanket, curled comfortably against my legs.

“We will train later. Shoo now.” I wave him off.

Luca rises with a grand, sweeping bow that tugs a reluctant smile from me, the first since I woke.

“As my lady commands! I will see you tonight!”

Once he leaves, I spend some time snuggling with Ollie, his presence grounding me in a way nothing else ever could. After a while, I finally speak, keeping my voice low in case Nora’s owl is perched in some shadowed corner of my room.

“Ollie, check on Cadia for me.”

He pokes his head from under the blanket, tenting the fabric with one of his long ears.

“Yes, Misses!” he chirps. With a flutter of his wings, his form dissolves into a cascade of shadows, slipping beneath the covers until they fall flat again.

When hunger finally pries me from my bed, I venture into the hall. It’s a hectic day today. Servants race past with arms overloaded with food and decorations. I fall into step behind them, curious, letting their path guide me to the ballroom.

Inside, the space is even gaudier than usual, dripping in gold, with new tables being uniformly arranged. I immediately lose interest and turn away, indifferent to whatever event is being prepared.

“Millicent!”

Felix’s voice cracks down the corridor like a whip, accompanied by frantic waving as he bounds toward me like a mad man.

I sigh and raise a hand in return, knowing if I don’t, he’ll continue to flail like a toddler.

“Felix.”

He grins. “Have you eaten since you woke up? I expected you to look awful, but here you are! Honestly, death suits you.”

“I’m hunting for food now.” I yawn, still not fully free of the heavy pull of stasis.

“Perfect. Lunch together, then.”

“I was planning to grab something and return to my chamber, actually.” I attempt to brush him off, hoping he leaves me to my peace. Of course he doesn’t.

“It’s outside! There’s wine, sun…and gossip! The picnic is already set. Come now.”

Felix grabs my hand and tugs me down the corridor, talking the entire way about some ridiculous ball. Apparently, a new duke is being named and this celebration is to be held in his honor.

We arrive at a sprawling orange plaid blanket spread across the grass. He drops down and yanks me with him.

“Watch it,” I snap as my ass hits the ground.

He ignores me, already reaching for the wine nestled beside the basket.

“Sorry, my little snowflake,” he teases, his cheeks rounding with a devilish grin.

“You are hardly ever sorry,” I retort, snatching the bottle from his hands.

“Please, we’re both royals. It comes with the territory.” He rolls his eyes, opening the basket and pulling out two sandwiches. He passes me one. Between us, he sets a bundle of ripe strawberries.

I keep busy, pouring our wine as he lays out the food.

“So, I heard you went full psycho bitch,” he says, leaning back on his elbows and wiggling his eyebrows at me.

“I was attacked and collared,” I mutter. “Blame Cage.”

“Another royal trait we share—blame shifting!”

He nearly chokes on the bite he takes when I kick him.

“If any of you bastards collar me again…” The air around me pulses. My magic stirs, and I know my eyes have begun to glow.

He holds up both hands in mock surrender. “Lesson learned. Now have some wine before you blow up again. I’m not dealing with Cage and Kalix’s problems. And I’m far too pretty to be collateral damage.”

I allow a smile. Good. I hope they’re worn down.

The silence stretches, but not uncomfortably. By the time I finish my sandwich and reach for the strawberries, my stomach has stopped complaining.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Felix asks gently.

I keep my gaze on the leaves dancing overhead, unwilling to meet his eyes.

His hand covers over mine in support. It’s warm and light.

“I don’t think there is anything to say.”

“Then we don’t have to,” he replies simply.

The lack of argument surprises me. I flip my hand over and curl my fingers around his. I don’t overthink it. I don’t let my mind shame me for the comfort. I just hold on.

He squeezes back gently.

“If you’re in the mood, I’d like you by my side tonight,” he murmurs.

I glance at him. “You don’t want a courtesan or one of your usual admirers?” I raise an eyebrow. “I’m a witch. It’s not very kingly.”

“Nothing I do is kingly.” He grins, as though the idea amuses him deeply. “I think it’ll be funny.”

“Fine.” I smirk. “I’ll come—just to see the look on the mortals’ faces.”

“That’s my girl!” He laughs, plucking a strawberry from the bundle and biting into it. He’s carefree as ever.

TO KEEP MY MIND OFF Arcadia, I stay with Felix until he’s pulled away for a meeting. Left alone with nothing but my spiraling thoughts, I retreat to my room and change into loose brown leather trousers and a tunic. I cinch the excess length into my waistband.

Once the clock chimes six, I make for the training grounds to meet Luca.

My anxiety builds with every hour Oliver does not return.

I channel that restlessness into my muscles, pushing myself harder and faster.

Luca struggles to keep up, but I don’t slow down.

I run as if I can outpace the thought of Cadia suffering.

After the run, I move straight into the sparring ring. I throw Luca again and again, partly as training and partly to let the excess energy out.

From the ground, he raises his hands in surrender. “Millicent, enough for tonight. I’m dead,” he pants, red-faced and swaying with exhaustion.

“Up. It’s not enough.” I reach for his shirt, dragging him up by it.

“Millicent, please. We’ll train again in the morning. I am getting dizzy. I might be sick.”

I tower over him. “No, up at once,” I demand.

His voice cracks as he pleads. “Millicent, I don’t think you are well today. Please, see reason.”

“You are what is wrong with me!” I shout, rage finally surfacing from the depths of my fear.

“Millicent, let him rest.” Iris’s gentle voice cuts through my fury like cool water over fire. I hadn’t heard her approach.

I drop his shirt and turn toward her. “He’ll die if he needs rest on a battlefield.”

“This isn’t a battlefield,” she says softly. She gives Luca a nod, and he wastes no time leaving, but not before casting one last kind smile over his shoulder.

“You coddle him,” I snap.

Iris steps closer, inspecting me. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what? Why is everyone asking me that!” I rake my hands through my hair, tugging hard enough to burn my scalp, distracting me from the anxiety.

“I stand corrected. There is a battlefield.” she taps her temple. “Right here. You’re rocking on your feet, pushing Luca harder than ever, and you’ve been spinning the ring on your finger.”

I pause, looking down. I hadn’t realized I was turning the ring again and again. The unconscious movement betrays me.

After I scan the training yard to make sure we’re alone, I step in closer and lower my voice. “I have an odd feeling Cadia’s in danger. Or will be. I can’t explain it. I’m not a seer, but…” I trail off, furrowing my brow. “It’s like a warning, like I’m supposed to know something.”

Iris considers this. “I understand. Have you written to her?”

“Ollie’s gone to check on her, but he should’ve been back by now. It’s not like him.”

“If the feeling doesn’t pass, we’ll go see Luna together, the seer in this region. She may help ease your mind.”

“I’d like that.”

She reaches out, taking my hands in hers. “All will be well. You’ve just come out of stasis. Things always feel off afterward. You don’t have to come to the ball tonight if you need to decompress.”

I nod. Staying in my room might be safer—for others and for myself. However, solitude means sitting with these thoughts. “I’ll consider it.” I offer her a forced smile, then shift my focus. “Were they able to get the lord’s body to you?”

“There wasn’t much of a body left once you were done,” she replies dryly, “but, yes, Kalix did report the same markings inside him.”

“Whatever it was, it created a domain,” I murmur. “It warped reality, changed everything. It all felt so real.” My fingers unconsciously begin spinning the ring on my thumb, a new habit for a familiar dread. Arcadia on that altar still burns behind my eyes.

“It’s clear the curse amplifies its host,” Iris says thoughtfully. “You’ve only ever mentioned one sister, Arcadia. She’s the curse expert, right?”

A sudden wave of clarity slams into me. “Yes, she is.” I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this sooner. My original plan to take a prisoner is shattered, but this? This is better. I can keep Arcadia close. I can keep her safe.

“Excellent. Have Ollie summon her. I’m sure Felix will send support if needed,” Iris assures me.

I reach for my bond with Oliver and send the command. He doesn’t answer, but his presence is steady, alive, and uninjured.

“I’ve instructed him.” A smile breaks across my face at the thought of Arcadia here, with me. For the first time since waking, a flicker of warmth stirs in my chest.

“Wonderful!” Iris grins. “Another witch will be fun! Maybe Cage will burst a blood vessel!”

I laugh under my breath, her warmth finally leaking through my tension. She senses it and takes her chance, stepping backward and holding both my hands in hers to gently lead me forward.

“You know what always cheers me up?” She asks mischievously.

“Creating abominations?”

She throws her head back in a laugh that spills into the sky. “True, but I’m not allowed anymore. The deer frightened Kalix.”

“Kalix? The mountain man? Frightened by the deer?”

“More like frightened of me using my magic.”

“Why?”

She sobers slightly. “Think of my magic as a seductress. It changes me. Every time I use it, I become who I used to be. I think…Kalix fears the dark will take me.”

“Has it ever taken you over?” I ask quietly, matching her slower pace.

“For years, it was all I knew,” she says. “I haven’t always been this person before you.” Her voice grows distant. I recognize the look in her eyes—lost in memory. I resist the urge to dig through her thoughts, giving her the dignity of silence.

“What brought you out of it?”

“Eden.”

“Your sister,” I confirm.

“The better half of me.” Sorrow weighs down her voice. I can’t imagine a better version of her, with her kindness and measured wisdom. She sees the world for what it is, both the rot and the bloom.

She pauses. “I had a feeling something awful was coming for Eden. I was right. You should heed that feeling with Arcadia.”

I nod, understanding more than I want to admit.

Then, with a slow exhale, she shakes off the weight. “Now come have hot cocoa by the fire with me.”

I smile despite myself. “Pastries, too,” I add, following her through a tall archway and back into the castle.