Page 80 of Broken Hearted
Dawn smiled. “At least three.”
Zane grinned, clapping Zander on the back. “Just like Mother.”
Zander nodded, but didn’t return the smile. “I don’t want to treat you like you’re fragile, Dawn, I know that you’re more than capable, the fiercest warrior I’ve ever met. But you’re carrying our family inside of you. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you or the babes.”
She reached out and stroked his cheek. “I won’t use enough magic to weaken me. Just enough to cut down half of the witches.”
I had to keep the smile from my face. It was such a Dawn thing to say. She was born and bred to be an assassin.
“Okay,” Zander sighed, still looking hesitant but resigned.
* * *
We rode fast and hard from the castle to the train that awaited us. Zane had held it in the station since the day we arrived, anticipating we’d need to get back to Adrien quickly at some point. Before leaving I’d told my sister I would be back soon. Once we were settled on the train I pulled out the ripped sheet of paper Eldon had brought and looked at it more closely, to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
Dawn saw me inspecting the spell and reaching over she squeezed my hand. “We’ve totally got this.”
Her confidence was admirable but I was a ball of nerves. What if I couldn’t find the vial? What if there were more blood witches in this town than I thought?
I glanced at Zander to see him watching his wife with worry, his hand going to her swollen belly in protection.
Was it right to bring Dawn? She was a total badass, but she was a mother now, carrying life. Shouldn’t she avoid all risks to them and her?
Was it selfish of me to allow her to come?
As the train rocked, I felt sleep pulling at my limbs. We wouldn’t be at our stop for several hours, and sleep would do me good.
All I could think about was Adrien.
Hang on, I’m coming.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Adrien
I’d done what I could, I’d bought as much time as possible, but today was the day I married Elisana.
Or so she thought.
I would never be able to go through with it. I’d try to run, but she’d either catch up with me and kill me out of anger, or harm Isolde to get back at me.
Where are you, Isolde?Had Eldon gotten her the page from the grimoire? Did it have useful information on how to break the spell?
“Your tea, my darling,” Elisana said in a singsong voice.
I plastered a smile on my face as she approached. Her hair was all done up in curls and she wore a full face of make-up that made it hard to even recognize her.
I took the tea, as I had the last few days, and chugged it in one full go. She looked pleased with that and stroked my arm as she took the cup from me.
“My mother has just reached the edge of town. She will be here any moment,” Elisana squealed.
“Wonderful. I’m so excited,” I lied.
Elisana peered at me with concern. “Now, I wanted to talk to you about my mother.”
I sat up straighter. “Okay …”
“Don’t be frightened by her looks … she’s, well, she’s very healthy,” Elisana offered.
