The ground stopped shaking, and a wind blew down from the mountains, wiping the heat of magic away. My skin prickled and I shivered, but not because of the chill of winter. Tristan had turned, and his face was full of vicious fury. I took a step backwards. He looked nothing like my husband. Nothing at all like the boy I’d fallen in love with. And most certainly nothing human. This was a creature I’d unleashed on the world with the power to tear it asunder, and his wrath was a terrifying thing.

“I’m going to burn him alive for this,” he said, and my eyes flicked past him to the inner lid of the chest. To the single name carved by the bloody nails of a terrified and dying girl.

Angoulême.

Our minds were connected. I knew what it was like when we were in perfect unison in love. Passion. Sorrow. But in that moment, I let his fury wash over me like water, soaking into every corner of my soul until it was no longer his anger, but mine. And it wanted vengeance.

Chapter 48

Cécile

We rode hard back to Trianon, our plan developing as we shouted back and forth to each other over the sound of pounding hooves and gusting wind. Collecting my mother and hiding her away until the night was over and Anushka had lost the chance to perform her spell wasn’t an option. For one, the King’s compulsion beat in my head like a drum, marching me toward my goal; and two, it might be the only chance we had to catch Anushka. The masque was a trap for us, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be turned on her. Her death was long past due.

Trotting our lathered horses through the frosty streets, we stopped in front of the townhouse, and I dismounted, handing my reins to Tristan.

“Stay with her,” he said for hundredth time. “Don’t let her out of your sight. Anushka won’t make her move until the sun has set, and I’ll be inside the castle by then.” He hesitated before adding. “If something happens before, you know how to get my attention.”

I nodded, standing on my tiptoes as he bent in the saddle, his lips brushing mine. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

I stood on the front steps watching him until he rode out of sight, and then I extracted my key and went inside.

“You’re back,” the maid said, sparing me a passing glance as she polished the wood of the front table. “We all thought you’d decided to run off again.”

I ignored the comment. “Where is my mother?”

“Not here.”

My stomach dropped and I swallowed the burn threatening to rise in my throat. “Where is she?”

“At the castle, I expect. Lady Marie sent her very own carriage to retrieve her this morning, and your mother was fit to be tied about your absence when she left. Left a message that you’re to join her as soon as possible, though I daresay she’s probably given up hope.”