“Then let’s leave,” she whispered, grip tightening on his sleeve. Alastair looked to his fiancee who stared up at him with a pleading look. Sweat beaded on her forehead, knuckles white as she held onto him.
He let out a soft sigh. “You don’t care for these gatherings, do you?”
She shook her head. “Not when I’m not the hostess. I prefer more control over the guests.”
“Then I’ll make our excuses.”
Not for the first time he regretted his presumptuous proposal. With his thoughtless demands as a seven-year-old, he doomed her to a lifetime of this. He staggered to his feet, pulling Giuliana with him. “Though I am eager to see my friends, I must whisk my Giuliana away.” His arm slid around her as he pulled her away from the chairs.
Lecia sent a footman to fetch Giuliana’s bouquet. Thoughts and plots swam through her brain. What was the next step? She’d call on Giuliana after speaking to Lucas about this damn child.
“What a shame,” Lecia said sadly, shaking her head. “But I understand. The air…”
“Is becoming more common,” finished Giuliana, leaning into Alastair.
Ever an opportunist, Adella jumped to her feet. “A-Alastair, you will come see me, won’t you?”
“My fiancee and I always pay a visit to those new to the Elite.”
His fiancee shot him a grateful smile, clutching the bouquet. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Can we stop and get a cake for Papa? He so loves when his son-in-law visits.” At this point, the lies flowed more easily than the truth. Three weeks into a redo and this world barely resembled the one she left.
Maybe everyone sustained head injuries in secret? No one would talk about a multitude of nobles getting conked on the head. It’s as if the names and core people were the same and their personalities replaced or exaggerated. Like someone wrote a story and crumpled it up to start over midway. Strange.
Once they boarded the Duke’s carriage, he exhaled, and his shoulders slumped. “Being effervescent and charming is tiring,” he mumbled, running a hand through his hair. He sat beside her instead of on the opposite bench, close enough for her to reach out and touch him. But she did not. They were in private now and the act of a couple in love was superfluous.
“You play the role well though, my lord.”
“I think we’ve known each other long enough that you can use my given name. You used to when we were younger.”
She did a lot of things when she was younger that horrified her tutors and governess. Giuliana looked out the carriage window.
“Very well.”
Alastair took her hand and held it. He didn’t comment on it and she didn’t have the strength to reply.
“I think the estimable Ms. Dunstan uses glamor magick.”
“Glamor magick?” Giuliana snorted and tossed her head back. “What a surprise!” But it was not. No one used glamor magick anymore since it was rare and, you know, illegal. It took away a person’s free will. She might as well use blood magick while she’s at it.
“If it wasn’t glamor magick, she did... something to me.”
Her black eyes searched his face. “You appear fine now.” Her free hand ran along his jawline, tilting his face toward her. Alastair swallowed, averting his gaze.
“Yes, I am. I don’t know what broke it either.” He suspected what broke the charm or spell or whatever she did, but he refused to say it aloud. He would not make unfounded claims yet.
“She just makes me want to wring her little neck,” growled Giuliana. “We’ve known her less than a week and she’s already upended our lives.”
“It’s admirable how much havoc she has wreaked,” Alastair said, a thoughtful tone tinging his voice. She pursed her lips. He was too nice.
“Right,” she replied. Alastair squeezed her hand.
“I’m sure you’ll wreak more than she will. I believe in you.”
She laughed. “I’m glad I’ve kept my magick under wraps all these years.” Though the Elite perceived her to be a dutiful student of magick, no one knew if she could practice it. It was better that way since she also practiced illegal magick.
Ladies of the Elite stuck to domestic magick to help keep scent fresh through a night of dancing, to conceal gossip on letters, to keep coiffures secure and neat through a day of errands and social calls. Some practiced more applied elemental magick, but they were few and far between. Fewer still practiced glamor magick like Ms. Dunstan.
As for Giuliana... well, it was best for everyone that she refrained from using her magick. It was widely practiced in her mother’s homeland and it was a kingdom considered barbaric by people of Etria.
“Have you practiced as of late?” Alastair asked.
“It is hard to practice.”
“Ah, I suppose you’re right.” He rubbed at his chin. “I think if she’s willing to resort to glamors to get people on her side, then you might want to brush up on your skills.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“I can’t help but worry, Liana. You will be my wife.”
“I’ve carried a dagger on my person since I was seven years old, Alastair.” The threats against her life started when they became engaged and increased at the Academy. Nowadays, it had been quiet, but she never stopped carrying the weapon. Not only was it good for physical defense, but it helped when she needed to use her magick. “I can also disarm anyone with a weapon and use it against them. I can take care of myself.”
“It would have been better if I didn’t ask to marry you, huh?”
“Maybe so.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Not even a bit.”
“Giuliana,” he called her voice in a gentle whisper. She turned her head towards him and that funny feeling swept through her again. The way he looked down at her made her want to melt into the plush velvet seat. It was a look she did not see often, but sometimes he regarded her as if she was a treasure he wanted to protect.
“Yes?”
He bent his head close to hers, eyes closing. Giuliana might very well die. She squeezed her own eyes and waited. Alastair released his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her against him. She waited. She felt his breath on her face.
The carriage jerked to a stop and her eyes flew open. Alastair slid away from her, resting his chin in his hand. He muttered beneath his breath. She caught a few words, and they were not fit for a lady to hear.
“I forgot I directed my driver to go to Tiers of Delight.”
“The bakery,” said Giuliana in a flat voice. The blasted bakery. She smoothed her curls and took a fortifying breath. It really seemed like Alastair would kiss her. But why would he want to do that?
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