A smile twinkles in her eyes. “To stop time, Sol. My magic will be powerful in battle.”
The gods help us!
Of course, it would, and of course Hector would want that.
“Sol.” Everly leans forward, catching my gaze with hers. “Mildred can help you too. Maybe she could teach you about your curses.”
My mouth turns dry.
I don’t want her help anymore.
“She cannot help me,” I say in a flat voice.
Everly frowns. “Why not?”
“Because I want to suppress my Bloodstone magic. Not strengthen it.”
It’s the only way I’ll feel myself again.
“Why?” Everly shakes her head. “Your magic is so powerful. I stand in awe of it.”
“Because I am a healer. I cannot cast both light and dark magic.” Nor do I want to.
Her eyes widen. “But you have.”
Yes, and it’s destroying me.
Tension tightens in my chest as I run my hands against my sleeves, smoothing them. “The Kyanite magic and Bloodstone magic are too different.”
Everly grabs my hand and squeezes her fingers around mine. “I cannot imagine what that must be like. Having two very different gifts. I already feel like I’m going crazy.”
How can this be? The Bloodstone already have their magic, and now they don’t need me to go to the cave of reflection?
“Sol.” Everly leans forward and captures my hands with hers. “I didn’t come here to cause you distress. I only want you to know everything about me. Even this.”
I squeeze Everly’s hands. “I’m all right.”
Worry shines in her eyes as she sweeps them over me, as if she’s not convinced. “Are you certain?”
“Of course.” I manage a reassuring smile. “How have things been with Cenric?”
“Better.” She stands and places her hands against the top of her chair. “We finally talked. Really talked.”
“Oh, Everly. That’s terrific.”
Warmth overtakes her tone as she speaks. “Cenric is happy.”
“Did you agree to tell everyone about your marriage?”
“Yes.” She steps back from the chair and smiles. “Thank you for encouraging me to speak to him.”
“Of course.”
After she leaves my bedchamber, and I’m left alone, I move to the sofa in front of the fireplace and stare into the flames. Hector will have answers, or at least he better have answers for me.
I stay frozen, allowing the fire to heat my skin until the door finally opens, and Hector steps into our bedchamber.
His footsteps echo against the marble as he walks to where I sit. “Hello.”
