Within These Wicked Walls(40)

Kelela was leaving? I’d been here for weeks and hadn’t heard a thing about France. Kelela seemed the type who would brag about something like that. It had to be a last-minute plan, seeing as their dreams of marrying her off to a wealthy chocolate heir weren’t working out.

Still, a flash of hope sparked inside me … and I quickly doused it with a dash of common sense. “There’s nothing about the contract you actually wanted to discuss, I assume?”

He shook his head and I headed to the music room. I don’t know why, since all I really wanted to do was finish my work and never look at Magnus again. Because I … I had kissed him. And he had kissed me back. He’d said he wanted to be with me. Knowing he was committed to someone else.

I found him sitting on a sheet-covered couch, holding a cup of coffee. Kelela was across the room, searching the bookcase. I sat on the couch across from him. I probably could’ve used some of the coffee on the table between us, but my stomach was fluttering so much I didn’t think I could keep any down.

“I looked Tom in the eye today,” he said, his voice quiet and frightened.

I glanced at Kelela, who had her back to us, still searching through the small library of music, then whispered, “When he caught us in the hall today?”

“I was so distracted, I didn’t hear his footsteps. I should’ve looked away. I knew better.”

“He must’ve heard your bells. I’m sure he looked away in time.”

“Maybe.” He sounded unconvinced.

My gut sank into knots. I didn’t have much choice, did I? I would have to go out into the halls during the Waking if I was going to keep Tom from … vanishing. If that’s really what was happening.

“Let me deal with everything, okay?” I said. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“You’re such a godsend, Andromeda. I hope you know that.” Magnus sipped his coffee and then leaned forward on the couch, forearms resting on his thighs. “I’m struggling tonight.”

I swallowed a painful lump. “I’m sorry.”

“Is there a cure? With an amulet?”

“I’ve never known an amulet to work on depression.”

“Is that what this is?” he asked, staring into the blackness in his cup. “Depression?”

“Maybe you should cut the evening short.”

He shook his head. “Esjay and Kelela come from so far to see me. I’m grateful for the company.” The coffee rippled as he moved to set it down on the table, and I reached across and grabbed the cup to steady it. My hand rested against his. His skin was soft, his fingers trembling, and more than anything I wanted to toss that stupid cup out of the way so I could hold his hand. I felt foolish for wanting that.

“Stay, Andromeda.” It was more of a question, tonight, than a demand.

“Of course.” I pulled my hand away, taking the coffee cup with me.

“I found it!”

Kelela’s too-loud voice jolted me upright, and I nearly spilled the coffee, steadying it just in time.

“This is the song I was talking about,” she said, holding out a music book to Magnus. “You play, I’ll sing.”

Magnus took the book, with less enthusiasm than I’d ever seen him handle music. “You’ll have to give me a moment to figure it out.”

“Oh, it’ll be so easy for you,” Kelela insisted, pulling on his arm to make him stand. “You’re the most talented musician I know.”

“I’m the only musician you know,” he said, but followed her without a fuss.

Regardless of what Esjay said about France, they were promised to each other. They would be getting married, probably as soon as the castle was cleansed. I needed to calm down. Soothe my racing heart. Behave like an employee, a friend, even, but nothing more.

Because Magnus would never—could never—be anything more to me than that.

So that was it. I would focus on my work, on making money, on earning my patronage. No more spending time with Magnus, no more emotional involvement. Besides, it was a poor survival habit, loving people. I was far better off on my own.

As soon as they were settled at the instrument, the first few notes ringing from it, I left as quietly as I could and headed down the dark hall. I’d barely gotten to the stairs before I heard him call my name, followed by the sound of footsteps—and bells—pursuing me.

“You said you would stay,” he said as he followed me down the hall.

My heart ached from sprinting so hard in my chest. “I thought you’d want time alone with Kelela.”

I quickened my pace when I reached the stairs, but Magnus stepped in front of me.

“I asked you to stay.”

And I wanted to. So badly. But how could I? So, instead I said, “Congratulations on your engagement.”

He froze. I wanted him to deny it, to ask me what I was talking about. Instead he just looked guilty.

I took the opportunity to get around him and rush up the stairs.

But still, those bells pursued me. “What did Esjay tell you?”

“You sound shocked,” I said bitterly. “Why, was I not supposed to know about it?”

“It’s not what you think—”

“Yesterday you said you wanted to be with me, and today I find out you’re engaged. It’s exactly what I think.”