“You talked with her? When? Is she alright?”
“I don’t know. She ran away from the ball. She was afraid they would arrest her.”
“She’s right, of course. They will suspect our entire family even though Mirella never took any interest in guild business. I told her I had fallen in love with you and asked her to hide the rose in your room. She thought she was helping my courtship.”
I studied him, trying to decide if he was telling the truth. I believed in Mirella’s innocence, but Carlo had always been difficult to read.
“So she didn’t know you were using the Rosas Rojas to spy on Lorenzo?”
“Of course not. I told her I wanted a chance to speak with you privately. I asked her to place the Rosas Rojas in your room since Donna Senona took it away.”
“Just Senona now. Thanks to your mother.”
He shrugged. I fought the urge to punch him. That wouldn’t do any good. I needed information more than revenge.
“Why would you do this, Carlo?”
“Alma, the Merchant Guild’s primary focus is language magic. We translate negotiations. Those salt charms would ruin us.”
“You don’t know that would happen.”
“No? Your prince was quick enough to dismiss us. We have facilitated treaty negotiations for centuries, and he cast us aside the moment another option appeared. Others would follow his lead.”
I winced.
“You could find other work.”
“If salt charms replace language magic, what will keep them from replacing other jobs? Beatrice stole Ethan’s cape to analyze a salt charm pinned to it. A charm to keep it clean so it wouldn’t need to be washed as often.”
“Carlo, is that such a bad thing?”
He glared at me.
“Yes, Alma, that is a bad thing! Would you destroy our livelihoods for convenience? Hand Castana to the Salarians and let them destroy us as they destroyed themselves?”
“But they’re not bad. The Salarians aren’t bad!”
“You’ve spent a week with Ethan, and you can speak for the entire country? They ruined their own land, and now they’re coming for ours!”
“Carlo, that was a long time ago. Almost a century.”
“The fairy salt is dangerous, Alma. It almost destroyed Salaria. It will destroy Castana as well. What happens when all our magic comes from fairy salt, and we can only get it from Salaria? What happens when they cut off the supply?”
“That won’t happen. We have a trade agreement.”
“Which I’m sure they’ll honor the same way they kept their promise to leave our island colonies alone. Can’t you see this is treaty is part of something bigger? Can’t you see it’s dangerous?”
“It isn’t. Lorenzo thought so too until-”
I stopped. He had been suspicious of the Salarians until he looked through the fairy telescope, but I couldn’t talk about that.
Carlo sneered.
“I forgot that you’re one of them now. You’re noble, so why should you care what happens to the guilds?”
“Carlo, that’s not fair.”
“You’ve never worked magic, Alma. You don’t know what it’s like to feel powerful. Independent. When you control your soul loop you feel-”
“Free.”
Carlo raised an eyebrow, and I swallowed.
“At least, that’s how I imagine it would feel.”
“Will you help us, Alma?”
“You admit you were involved, and you don’t regret it. I don’t see what I can do to help you.”
“Not me. Us. Our cause. Will you help the guilds?”
“What could I possibly do to help?”
“Make your prince see our point of view. He doesn’t understand the guild’s perspective, but you do. You know how hard we work, Alma. How important we are to Castana.”
“I do, but I also think the salt magic will be valuable. Have you seen the medical charms, Carlo? The Medical Guild has never been able to train enough doctors, but the salt magic will fix that. Every town will have healing magic available. It will save lives. I think- Maybe it could have saved my mother if this treaty had happened sooner.”
“Yes, the healing charm worked well enough for Lorenzo.”
“What do you mean?”
Carlo pressed his lips shut. I narrowed my eyes.
“The only time Lorenzo was healed with salt magic was after the attack. Carlo, how did you know that?”
“The attempt on Lorenzo’s life is common knowledge.”
“Not the details.”
Carlo met my gaze, and I read the truth in the hard glint in his eyes.
“It was you. You dressed as Ethan and stabbed Lorenzo in the woods.”
“It was a good plan. It should have worked.”
“You tried to murder the prince?”
“The wound wasn’t meant to be so deep. Just enough to make people angry and turn them against the Salarians.”
I felt numb. I stepped back from Carlo even though I knew he couldn’t touch me in the dream. He ran his fingers through his hair.
“If it makes you feel better, it was my parents’ plan.”
“And you listened to them? Carlo, it didn’t have to come to this. You could have presented your concerns to the prince. To the king when he returned. We could have worked together to fix this.”
Carlo flickered and began to fade from the dream.
“The guards are waking me. You’ll have to attend my execution if you want to continue this conversation.”
“Carlo-”
“Goodbye, Alma. Give my regards to Mirella if you see her again.”
Chapter 42
I awoke in a cold sweat.
He was going to die.
Thinking about Carlo’s execution made me want to throw up, but I couldn’t think of a single way to disprove his involvement when he freely admitted to it.
And what about Mirella? Would she be able to escape?
I wrapped a robe around myself and retrieved Lorenzo’s Rosas Rojas from under the chair in the parlor. Servants bustled through the house, packing our belongings with even more fervor now that the house belonged to the crown.
Things that had to stay with the estate were unpacked and piled in the hallways.
I tucked both the roses under my pillow and walked to Father’s study. The room was empty except for the large desk and the man sitting behind it. Father waved for me to come in.
“The desk is considered part of the estate,” he said. “It’s probably just as well. I’m not sure we could get it through the door.”
He smiled at the joke, but I shook my head.
“I’m sorry about all this, Papa.”
He reached out and wrapped me in a hug.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Hija. I still can’t believe it. Our own neighbors.”
My stomach twisted again.
“Have they found Mirella? Lorenzo said they would look for her. That they wanted to question her.”
Father shook his head.
“The guards are looking, but she has disappeared.”
I relaxed a little. At least Mirella was safe for now. Father cleared his throat.
“Senona said that you helped her last night. That you’ve learned to work fabric magic.”
I nodded.
“Lorenzo gave Renata credit to cover my involvement.”
“That was wise. Alma, I had no idea you were studying magic. How long has this been going on?”
This was my chance. I could finally tell him about Donna Senona. Just Senona now. How she had forced me to work in the laundry. Destroyed my gown to keep me from the ball.
I tried to gather the rage I had felt towards her. The anger. It would break Papa’s heart, but wasn’t it better that he know the truth?
I looked into his eyes, and the words wouldn’t form. Maybe it was the fairy necklace absorbing my soul loop, but I didn’t feel angry anymore. I sighed.
“I only studied a few days. Sen
ona showed me a few things after the first ball so I could protect myself from another attack. I caught on more quickly than she expected.”
“That’s dangerous now that you’re noble. Does anyone else know?”
“Lorenzo, Rosa, and Ethan. They’ll keep the secret.”
I had to trust the fairies would do the same. After all, they weren’t allowed to interfere with humans.
“Then everything is alright?”
“I suppose.”
Father frowned at the uncertainty in my voice. I swallowed before continuing.
“I like working magic, Papa. I like designing gowns and- It’s strange, isn’t it? We worked so hard to prepare me for nobility. I should be happy now that I have a title.”
He considered this.
“Do you know why I didn’t want you to learn magic, Alma?”
“So I could be noble.”
“So you could be safe.”
I waited for him to continue. He stared out the window for a moment before he spoke again.
“When your mother died, I was desperate to protect you. Magic didn’t kill her. Not directly, anyway. But she had been working hard on a commission for a wedding gown before she fell ill. She was already tired. A doctor might have been willing to travel to see her if she was noble. At least, that’s what I thought then.”
He swallowed.
“Your mother loved magic, Alma. She loved making beautiful things. I should have guessed you might feel the same. I’m sorry if I pushed you away from that.”
“No, Papa, don’t apologize. I wanted to be noble.”
“And now?”
“It’s a little late for second thoughts, isn’t it?”
“You could work magic in the Garden District. The servants kept Senona and Rosa a secret. They would do the same for you.”
“No offense, Papa, but I can’t stand the Garden District. I don’t know what you like about it.”
He studied me for a moment and laughed.
“I like the peace and quiet, but I can see that you might find it boring. I suppose I have changed, haven’t I? In spite of what I promised you.”
“So have I. I’m not just Alma anymore.”
“And I’m proud of you for it. Whatever you decide, Donna Alma, I will be proud of you.”
The door burst open, and Senona and Rosa hurried inside. Rosa’s eyes were filled with tears.
“Our daughter is in distress,” Senona said. “I thought you might like to be a part of this conversation, Arturo.”
Father smiled gently at Rosa.
“What’s wrong, Hija?”
She smiled a little when he called her daughter.
“Ethan is leaving.”
She wiped her eyes and continued with a trembling voice.
“He’s leaving with the other Salarians tomorrow, and he’s been avoiding me all day. He’s gone to the castle.”
“He has to go home,” Senona said. “I know it is sooner than you expected, but you can write to each other. Maybe he can visit again soon.”
Rosa shook her head.
“He’s in the navy. He can’t just leave his ship to visit whenever he wants. What if I never see him again?”
“You haven’t known him long,” Father began.
Fresh tears brimmed in Rosa’s eyes, and Senona glared at Father.
“You could visit him in Salaria,” he said, changing tactics.
“I can’t study medical magic in Salaria.”
Senona looked at her daughter with surprise.
“You’ve found an apprenticeship so quickly?”
Rosa nodded.
“I’ve been exchanging letters with Doctor Florinda for several years. She was one of Father’s classmates. She refused to teach me when I was noble, but now that I’m not-”
Her voice trailed off.
“Could you give Ethan a Rosas Rojas?” I asked. “You could talk to him every night then.”
Rosa looked at her mother.
“Would the enchantment work across the ocean?”
“I’ve never heard of anyone trying, and I don’t think we could find a Rosas Rojas by tomorrow.”
I gestured to the garden outside the window.
“We have roses here. Lots of roses.”
Rosa followed my gaze, and her eyes grew wide.
“Could we?”
Senona looked to Father.
“The enchantment would ruin your garden.”
“It isn’t my garden anymore.”
A small smile flickered across Rosa’s face.
“We’ll need people to help. I’ll find them.”
She rushed out of the room. Senona shook her head.
“I’ve never seen her so smitten. And in such a short time. Rosa is usually more sensible than this.”
“Ethan is very nice,” I said.
Senona shrugged.
“I suppose there’s no harm in her giving him a Rosas Rojas. She can take care of herself. As can you, Alma.”
She studied me with interest.
“You showed an unusual control of magic last night. Strong for someone who has only studied a few days. And you’re doing a surprisingly good job hiding your soul loop now.”
“She’s right,” Father said. “I know you have to hide your magic since you’re noble, but how did you learn to do it so quickly? I can’t sense your soul loop at all.”
I fought the urge to grab the fairy necklace. No need to give them any clues. Instead, I gave my best innocent smile.
“Natural talent, I suppose. Thank you for teaching me how to protect myself.”
I curtsied to Senona. She raised an eyebrow.
“Do you mean that, Alma? If I was harsh, it was because I want what is best for you.”
“I believe that now. Truly, thank you.”
I wrapped her in a hug before she could protest. I held her so tight that I was sure to wrinkle both our gowns. When I let her go, Senona’s eyes were wide. She tried to respond but only managed to stammer.
Father’s lips twitched as he tried not to laugh.
“I suppose I should check on Rosa,” Senona finally said. “Knowing her, she’ll be ready to make the Rosas Rojas by now.”
“We’ll all come,” Father said. “It can be a family activity.”
He took Senona’s hand and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. We walked to the rose garden together.
Rosa had gathered every available servant and guild member in the house. Tía Teresa stood nearby looking skeptical. Rodrigo the footman looked nervous. Senona took over, commanding with the ease of a general on the battlefield and moving her troops into place around the garden. Soon everyone except me had a station.
“What can I do?” I asked.
Senona shook her head.
“You can’t work magic, Alma. Stand over there and watch.”
I scowled and shuffled away. Senona hopped onto a bench and addressed the crowd.
“Rosa and I will control the enchantment, but it takes a lot of magic. We will link with you and draw on your soul loops so we have enough power.”
The crowd nodded. Rosa picked a rose and placed it at the center of the garden. Senona closed her eyes and snapped her fingers. Rosa did the same. The rose bushes began to glow.
Everyone in the circle had a far-away look on their face, as if they were daydreaming. Senona waved her hands at half the garden. Rosa took the other. Their movements were intricate and precise. I watched with interest as they moved in unison. I had never seen such coordinated magic.
A golden layer of light formed on top of the roses. Then it lifted, swirling into the air. Color drained from the plants into the light. As the rose bushes turned black and withered, the light grew brighter. Finally it compressed, shrinking into a single bright point in the center of the circle. The rose floated up to meet it, and light poured into the flower.
“Donna Alma?”
I whirled around. A royal footman stood behind me.
“What do you want?” I
asked, annoyed that he had distracted me.
In the garden, the light around the flower intensified.
“Your presence is requested at the castle, Donna Alma.”
“Tell Prince Lorenzo-”
“Not the prince, Donna. Master Alessandro has requested your presence for another portrait sitting.”
“But he’s done with my portrait. He said I wouldn’t need to sit again.”
“It takes more than one sitting to complete a portrait.”
I glared at the footman, and he stepped back.
“But perhaps the master merely wishes you to approve the finished work?”
“That seems unlikely.”
But Mirella had left footprints last night. Footprints of paint. Did Alessandro know something about that? About her?
Rosa snapped her fingers, and the golden light turned pink. I had no idea how long it took to create a Rosas Rojas, and it didn’t seem wise to keep Alessandro waiting.
I turned away from the garden and followed the footman to a waiting carriage.
Chapter 43
Alessandro’s room was more beautiful than I remembered. Sunlight streamed through the windows and bathed the tower in a golden glow. Was this Alessandro’s secret? Had he found a way to capture light in his brushstrokes?
The painter stayed quiet, giving me a chance to catch my breath and admire the view. He smiled when I finally turned to him.
“Thank you for coming, Donna Alma. Have you recovered from your adventures last night?”
His long beard was once again streaked with paint, but he wore the same black robes he had worn at the ball.
“Adventures?”
I tried to sound innocent, but Alessandro wasn’t fooled.
“Did you catch the woman you chased?”
“I did.”
His eyes twinkled, but he offered no further comments. He seemed willing to leave matters there, but I wasn’t.
“Thank you for your help last night. It was you, wasn’t it?”
“I noticed a disturbance by the dais, then a young lady turned and ran. I meant to make the floor slick enough to stop her, but she escaped.”
“I caught her thanks to the footprints from the paint. She wasn’t a conspirator. Just a donna nervous about the commotion.”
Alessandro looked pleased.
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