And I can’t do this to her, can’t make her magic rely on me or reach for me, can’t allow her life to begin bending around mine. It’s not right. It would be unforgivably selfish of me to continue.
The realization makes my chest squeeze tight, and there’s that unmistakable thrum of the thread, like strumming the strings of a lute. I feel Maeve, and I’m quite certain she feels me. But I’m too distressed to pay any closer attention to it than that.
Now I know what the feeling in my chest is. It’s our circuit, created through her magic and my repeated feedings.
And I can’t let it grow any stronger than it already has, or it may become—
“Severin?”
Her voice cuts through my thoughts like a hot blade.
I look up, eyes widening as I find Maeve standing at the top of the spiral staircase, still wearing her thick cloak, her long purple hair windblown. She smells of cold air, and I can tell from the flush in her cheeks that she must’ve recently been outside.
Standing from the desk, I start to say, “Maeve, what are you—”
“Miss Vandermere!” comes Maggie’s sharp voice.
But Maeve doesn’t turn, just continues to stare at me, like she sees something written across my face. And just before Maggie reaches the top of the spiral staircase, I wipe the expression from my face, forcing it into a look of neutrality.
“Miss Vandermere!” Maggie makes it to the top and steps out behind Maeve. “This section is off-limits to students.”
Maeve reluctantly pulls her gaze from mine, shifting to look back at the librarian. “Sorry, Miss Mai. The gate was left open, so I thought that—”
“You thought wrong. Now please, return to the main floor immediately.” She holds out a hand, gesturing for Maeve to go back down the stairs.
But before Maeve does, she casts me one last glance. Then she’s turning, her cloak whirling around her, and going right back down the stairs.
Maggie watches her go, hands on her hips, then turns to me. “Did you find what you needed, Professor?”
I draw myself up and nod once. “I did. Thank you.”
“Lovely. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to close this area off. Can’t have students wandering up here when my back is turned, hmm?”
“Of course.” I closeMagia Sanguinis Antiqua, my fingers lingering on the cover. “Would you like me to—”
“No need. I’ll put everything back where it belongs.”
I can tell she wants me to get out of here, so I remove my coat from the back of the chair and ease my arms into it. “Thank you again. Your help is much appreciated.”
“Always happy to be of service,” Maggie says, dark eyes crinkling in the corners as she smiles up at me. “Good day, Professor.”
“Good day.” I feel her gaze on my back as I start down the spiral staircase, the words from the book running on repeat through my mind.
Long-term consequences. Permanent.
When I reach the bottom of the staircase and step through the open wrought iron door and into the main library, my gaze is immediately drawn to the hearth, where I find Maeve standing before the fire, warming her hands. Another student—a warlock—is attempting to speak to her, but it looks like she’s barely paying attention. She glances up and meets my eyes, straightening her posture.
I have to tell her. This is something I can’t keep from her.
She deserves to know.My teeth clench, my fingers wrapping more tightly around the handle of my briefcase.Even if it changes everything.
I give a subtle tip of my head, beckoning her to follow me.
Then I leave the library, heading straight to my office. And from the pull in my chest, I know Maeve is following me.
Chapter 44
Maeve
