It’s a privilege to be her safe harbour.
So when she leans back and there’s still stress swirling in the depths of her eyes, I curse Leo all over again.
“I’ve not finished the ensorcellment,” she whispers. “I’m so close, I must be, but?—”
“He chose his path. Leave him to it.”
“I can’t do that when he’s connected to the Arcanaeum.”
“Is there no way to cut him loose?”
She shakes her head. “Maybe he won’t go.”
Fat chance. If the Ó Rinn heir thinks Mathias can break this curse, he’ll be at that dinner. Now I need to keep the dumbass safe on top of everything else. I don’t know what’s possessed him to do this. He can’t seriously think he stands a chance against the lich, or that Mathias will work even half as hard as Kyrith to break that ensorcellment.
He’s putting our Librarian at risk, which is unacceptable.
“It’s just a precaution,” I suggest slowly, unsure how she’ll take the idea. “But would you consider closing early tonight and locking the Arcanaeum down?”
The patrons weren't thrilled about the Arcanaeum closing over Christmas, and I know she's been receiving complaints about adjusting the hours for the parriarchs as well, but this is important.
“What if you need?—?”
“You’ve given us plenty of help already. Even if you hadn’t loaded us up with charms and potions, I’ve gotten myself out of tight spots before, and Pierce can look after himself. Jasper and North are the ones we need to worry about.”
It’s a deliberate move, playing on her protectiveness. The raised brow she offers me says she knows exactly what I’m doing.
“My plan is to get Anthea alone after dinner, knock her out in her room, and search for your grimoire,” I explain. “It should be simple.”
Anthea won’t suspect a thing, because in her fucked-up Carlton mind, there’s no way anyone doesn’t want her.
“I hate it,” she admits. “But you won’t let it get far?”
“I don’t even intend to let her kiss me if I can help it,” I tell her. “I won’t touch her.”
“Good.” She kisses me again.
Is it weird that I’m delighted by her possessiveness? Possibly.
Releasing her gets harder and harder each time, but I reassure myself it’s just for tonight. One dinner with my uncle and the damned Carltons, and then it’s over. I’ll probably stay out until the Arcanaeum reopens, then head up to her room, and we can crash together.
I’ll kick Lambert out if I have to.
“Stay safe,” she whispers, and I barely refrain from ordering her to do the same.
She’s powerful and smart. She’ll be fine.
I’m pretty sure the queasy feeling in my gut is just a response to the thought of Anthea putting her grabby little hands anywhere near my body. Or maybe it’s just the thrill I get whenever she sends me out to find one of her books.
While I might’ve mostly given up on the life of crime I was headed towards when I fell out with my parents, breaking and entering is still one of my favourite things to do. The rush is addictive. And it just so happens to be my job…
But this is the most important book I’ve ever collected. Kyrith needs her grimoire. It’s like an extension of an arcanist’s soul. And no part of her should be anywhere near Mathias Ackland or his Carlton cronies.
Determination sets my shoulders as I let her drift back up to that damned tower, cursing Leo as she goes.
I hate him even more for falling in love with her and asking me to kill him.
I’d do it to save her. Maybe she’d even understand why and forgive me for it. Unfortunately, only an idiot would miss that she still cares about him. She might’ve banished him, might act tough, but murdering his stupid ass would hurt her.
