“Here I thought you would be more interested in, I don't know, the part where I told you magic is real.”
Brielle’s giggles came to a halt. “I always knew it was. It isn’t a surprise, but we should talk about what it means for you.”
Luci’s mouth twitched as she let her eyes dance over the room they shared, where Calcifer attempted to trap a beam of light in his paws from where he was spread out in a cloud of fluff on the floor. It was actually pretty adorable, but Luci wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of telling him that.
“Luci, it’s a hero’s calling. She said it was a map.”
“You said.” Luci corrected.
“Yes, magic me. So you should take heed.” Brielle said, forcing Luci to meet her gaze.
“I am not going on a quest.”
And she wasn’t. There was one thing that would always be true, and that was that Luci was meant to be by Brielle’s side. Magical forces or not. What even was the purpose of a quest? A map to what? It was all nonsense. Except for the feeling that filled her at seeing Brielle full of life, none of the paleness she held now flooded Luci. Was that what was being offered? Brielle’s life?
It would be a decision that would kill her. To save her friend by leaving her. Either way, Luci was not prepared to chase strands of fantasy in the hopes of salvation. Here at Blythe, she could take care of Brielle. Maybe it would never be what was promised in those images, but it wasn’t worth the risk of it all being nothing and leaving Brielle alone. No. She was staying right where she was.
“What if you can bring magic back? It would change everything.” Brielle pleaded.
“Everything is fine the way it is. We have each other.” Luci said, folding her arms.
Brielle’s eyes softened. “And we always will, but the world is bigger than you and me.”
Luci gave a petulant snort, which was more than she cared to give to the matter.
She was saved from Brielle’s guilting about making a difference to the world by Lady Margaret slamming the door open, curlers in her hair, and yipping dogs at her heels. A too-pink robe was half haphazardly tied around her, and half her face was painted in rouge. It was a sight that Luci hadn’t anticipated, but more than that, it was the sight of the letter with the Treveon seal in her hand that made her stomach drop.
“Luci, darling, thank the light above you are awake and well. I was just getting ready when Mrs. Blakesley informed me, but I thought I would give you two a moment before I barged in. At least that was before this arrived, and now I must insist you both get out of bed and ready yourselves. What a remarkable day!”
She lifted Drusilla up and pressed a kiss to her nose, which finally made the dog stop barking for a minute, but Stasia continued on with her incessant raging. Having enough, Luci dragged herself out of bed and went to the beast and squatted down.
Trying to look as menacing as possible, she said, “If you don’t stop, I’m going to pick you up and show you affection.”
Sure enough, the threat was enough because the dog huffed out an irritated breath and jumped on the bed to curl up in Brielle’s lap. Calcifer hissed from up on the wardrobe, clearly furious that his game of catching the light had been interrupted.
“You’ll be fine, Cal,” Luci said.
The cat might be fine, but Luci was less sure about herself as Lady Margaret pulled her into her with a hug and pressed a red-lipped kiss to her head.
“My girl, I should have known you had it in you, but after what happened last night I had thought-” she trailed off, searching Luci’s face, “Well, darling, I don’t know what happened, but I am not certain how you could refuse, but even if you did we would find a way, except-”
Her mouth fell open, and the color leached from her face. “Oh no. I didn’t think- I forgot.”
“Lady Margaret?” Luci asked, gently.
In answer, she handed Luci Drusilla, who immediately began a low growl until Luci released her. Thoroughly put out, she went and sat herself next to Brielle, who was anxiously petting Stasia.
“You are pale, Step-mother,” Brielle said, gently.
It was as if someone had reached inside Luci’s body and squeezed her heart, dread filling her every breath. Whatever was on that letter was something that was dangerous. She knew it like she knew her own name. That letter would ruin everything.
“I- Oh, no, what are we to do? I thought-” Lady Treveon’s hands trembled.
Without warning, she leaned to the left, her balance giving way, but Luci was there in a moment, and Brielle in a few after that. Together, they helped her to a nearby chair, and Brielle gently reached for the letter.
“May I?” she asked.
Lady Margaret let out a pitiful wail, but handed it to her all the same.