Though she would have preferred to spend a few more hours kissing him, even if her knees had not yet recovered from the last one. It was a miracle she didn’t wobble as she walked, as dizzy and euphoric as she felt inside. Her skin still held the warmth of his touch. Her soul would never be the same, and not just because he’d rescued her from the open grave of a curse.
Aria was quite convinced that no damsel in any of Eliza’s sonnets and swooning tales had ever been kissed as thoroughly or as perfectly as Aria had been kissed by Baron.
With her curse broken, she felt renewed.Unstoppable, even. Like she was galloping on horseback toward a dawn just breaking the horizon. The cold she’d carried inside for months had melted, leaving behind a crystal-clear hope for the future. A future with Baron. A future of freedom for everyone in her kingdom.
She requested only two things of Widow Morton before sheleft: a ratified signature on the peace treaty, and a breaking of the false Artifact. Widow Morton provided the first, Sarah the second.
Aria didn’t have an opportunity to speak with Sarah Reeves directly, but the twins made a more convincing case than she ever could, and with great hesitation, the woman also released the sleeping Cast over the castle. Though she made no outward threats, her eyes tracked Aria, promising a far worse curse if promises weren’t kept.
Baron’s stepmother was not the only one feeling anxious; the other Casters eyed Aria nervously, even after her peace agreement was read out loud and endorsed by Widow Morton. Baron promised to speak with them further, apparently confident he could break through their fear and connect with at least one of them. Aria knew it would be a long road ahead, but at least the journey had started.
It was up to her to see it through.
As she retrieved her riding cloak, Lettie caught her in the hallway.
“I can transport you,” Lettie offered. “It’s almost dawn already, and Mama said it’s important you get back quickly.”
Aria protested, “I don’t want to hurt you. Besides, all the way to the palace—”
“I can do it. I helped make the water mirrors—they were at the palace—and it’s only one person. I can do it.”
“Thank you,” Aria said, gripping her bag. “If it truly isn’t a bother, I could use the help.”
Lettie smiled, blue mist already swirling around her fingers. Just before the light enveloped Aria, she heard the girl’s final whisper.
“Charlie would have liked you.”
In a flash of blue light, Aria’s senses vanished, then reformed. Her second experience with portal magic went more smoothly,though it was certainly disorienting to suddenly be in her bedroom with no more than a flash of light and a few blinks. It was like a dream, and she stood still, waiting for something to jar her awake.
“Aria!”
That did it.
Aria turned, finding Jenny in her room. The girl had apparently been pacing, judging by the groove in the rug, though she now rushed forward with relief in her expression.
Aria hugged her sister.
“I felt it,” Jenny said. “The difference, the ... lifting. I almost slept, but I wanted to be here when you returned.”
That meant wherever Eliza was, she was now safe as well. Aria breathed deep the relief. Then, with a final squeeze, she stepped back. “Get some rest. You deserve it.”
“I delivered the summons.”
Aria nodded her thanks. From her desk, she took her grandmother’s journal, adding it to her bag along with her own and the broken Artifact.
Everything was ready, and it was time.
Aria arrived first for the meeting. Her steps echoed quietly in the throne room, and she savored the morning light through stained glass, grateful that the warmth filled her with strength instead of stealing it. With confidence, she climbed the dais and sat in a throne.
One by one, other members of the Upper Court trickled in. Aria counted each arrival. She would need ten to hold a trial.
Lord Philip and Lord Emmett arrived together. Philip studied her intensely as he took his seat, as if knowing she chased something more dangerous now than what she had sought in the records room.
Earl Wycliff gave her a deep nod as he passed.
Duke Crampton was noticeably absent. Aria had hoped he would attend, even included specific pleading in her summons, but she hadn’t seen the man since Kendall’s banishment. Instead, Marchioness Elsworth was next to arrive, and she gave Aria a suspicion-filled glance before curtsying.
Five seats filled, including Aria’s.
