Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

I had no idea how to fix the mess I’d made for myself, so I decided on the only possible course of action: procrastination. Besides, I had to find out why Franny had spiked my tea with love potion. Or worse, why someone else might have.

I found Franny and Kit in one of the sitting rooms, chatting happily away, two books open between them.

That certainly didn’t look like wedding planning. I narrowed my eyes at her, wondering again why she’d dumped the letters on me. But I couldn’t ask her in front of Kit.

“Fred!” Franny exclaimed when she spotted me. “I need a favor. There’s a book I wanted to loan Brendon, but I can’t find my copy. I know I bought one for your tower library. Could you go get it for me?”

So much for my procrastination idea. It felt like she and Kit were both purposely pushing me away with all these errands and I didn’t know why. “I’ll do it later,” I muttered, slumping into one of the chairs.

“What happened to your face?” Kit asked.

I scratched at one of the lingering heart-shaped bumps. “Love potion gone wrong, apparently.”

“Love potion?” Franny gasped. “Who would feed you a love potion?” Then she exchanged a look with Kit and an entirely wordless conversation followed.

Franny raised her eyebrows.

Kit shook their head, their helmet clanking loudly.

Franny mouthed something I couldn’t see from this angle.

Kit hesitated, shook their head again, then gestured vaguely.

Franny shook her head.

Tired of watching the back-and-forth, I covered my eyes with one arm, waiting for them to finish. “How’d your tea taste today?” I didn’t know if Franny’s would have the same strangeness mine did, but it was worth asking.

“Normal. Why?”

I shrugged, deciding not to tell her the Good Wizard’s theory.

She allowed me to sit there for a few minutes before asking, “About the book?”

I pushed myself up and scowled at her. “Do you really hate my company so much?”

Her expression softened and she reached across the gap to pat my hand. “Of course not, Fred, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. You can stay right here as long as you want.”

I nodded tersely and laid back down. “What were you two talking about?”

“Oh, we were discussing other books we’ve both read! Like Ravished at Midnight!”Franny exclaimed, holding up a familiar book.

I choked and coughed, sitting up to look at them both with wide eyes. Why the hell does everyone keep talking about that book today?

“We were exploring some of the symbolism in the text,” Kit explained.

I eyed them skeptically. “What kind of symbolism would be in a book about ravishing?”

“Oh, all sorts,” Franny said, waving her hand flippantly. “You’d be surprised how deep modern romances are. They’re full of social commentary and beautiful, heart-felt analogies.”

“Yeah, but isn’t ravishing a bit …” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence politely.

“It’s not romanticizing assault if that’s what you’re asking,” Kit said. “It’s about a woman who was forced into an arranged marriage to a man forty years her senior. She falls in love with the man’s steward, and they have to navigate their feelings without ruining each other’s lives.”

“And uh, where does the ravishing come in?”

“Oh, that’s because the old man is in bed by midnight, so they always meet at that time. That’s when their feelings reach a point of no return.” Franny heaved a dreamy sigh, her hands clasped to her chest. “Their passion knows no bounds and the love scenes are quite active.”

So, my sister and Kit were bonding over smut. Weirder yet, smut that Brendon also read. I wouldn’t have guessed that from his letters. He never mentioned anything about ravishing or bridal revenge, but maybe he would have if Franny had ever written him back.

They continued chatting like I wasn’t even there. After a half-hour, I finally gave in and stood up. “I’ll go get your book.” I needed the excuse to head off to the tower again anyway.

“With your face like that?” Franny squeaked.

I frowned at her. “Is it that bad?”

“It’s awful.”

“Fran,” Kit scolded gently, but then they added, “It does look … kind of contagious.”

“It’s not.” At least, the wizard didn’t act like it.

“I have some makeup—”

Despite how the story began, I didn’t actually have an interest in wearing my sister’s makeup. “No one’s going to see me. It’s a quick trip there and back.” I mean, Brendon would see me, but I’d already burned that bridge. A rash could hardly make things worse. Actually, it might help—he was too touchy-feely, and I would need a clear head when I spoke to him.

“If you’re sure,” she said, obviously not sure.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at dinner.” I waved at both of them and headed out to find Brendon. Since I’d talked to the wizard, I’d have to keep my word and finally let him out of the tower.