“What?” I sank onto the bed, weariness beating out all vestiges of pride.

His gaze didn’t soften. Not this time. “You’re hiding something from me.”

But I didn’t have the strength for this conversation now. Not after Madame Labelle and Bernie. Not after the crippling realization my mother knew where I was.

I fell back against my pillow, eyelids heavy. “Of course I am. I told you as much in Soleil et Lune’s attic.”

“What did Madame Labelle mean when she asked if I knew the true you?”

“Who could know?” I sat up, offering him a weak grin. “She’s stark raving mad.”

His eyes narrowed, and he gestured to Angelica’s Ring on my finger. “She was talking about your ring. Did she give it to you?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered.

He tore a hand through his hair, clearly growing more agitated by the second. “Who is coming for you?”

“Reid, please—”

“Are you in danger?”

“I don’t want to talk abou—”

He pounded the desk with his fist, and one of the legs splintered. “Tell me, Lou!”

I flinched away from him instinctively. His fury fractured at the small movement, and he dropped to his knees before me, eyes burning with unspoken emotion—with fear. He caught at my hands like they were a lifeline.

“I can’t protect you if you won’t let me,” he pleaded. “Whatever it is, whatever has you so frightened, you can tell me. Is it your mother? Is she looking for you?”

I couldn’t stop fresh tears from spilling down my cheeks. A greater fear than any I’d ever known gripped me as I stared at him. I had to tell him the truth. Here. Now.

It was time.

If my mother knew where I was, Reid was in danger too. Morgane wouldn’t hesitate to kill a Chasseur, especially if he stood between her and her prize. He couldn’t be blindsided. He had to be prepared.

Slowly . . . I nodded.

His face darkened at the confession. He cupped my cheeks, brushing aside my tears with a tenderness at odds with the ferocity of his gaze. “I won’t let her hurt you again, Lou. I’ll protect you. Everything will be all right.”

I shook my head. The tears fell faster now. “I need to tell you something.” My throat constricted, as if my very body rebelled against what I was about to do. As if it knew the fate that awaited it if the words escaped. I swallowed hard, forcing them out before I could change my mind. “The truth is—”

The door burst open, and to my shock, the Archbishop strode in.

Reid rose and bowed at once, his face registering the same surprise—and wariness. “Sir?”

The Archbishop’s eyes cut between us, fierce and determined. “We just received word from the royal guard, Reid. Dozens of women have collected outside the castle, and King Auguste is nervous. Make haste to disband them. Secure every Chasseur you can.”

Reid hesitated. “Has someone confirmed magic, sir?”

The Archbishop’s nostrils flared. “Would you suggest we wait to find out?”

Reid glanced back at me, torn, but I swallowed hard and nodded. The words I hadn’t spoken congealed at the back of my throat, choking me. “Go.”

He bent to give my hand a quick squeeze. “I’m sorry. I’ll send Ansel to you until I get back—”

“No need,” the Archbishop said curtly. “I’ll stay with her myself.”

We turned as one to gape at him. “You—you, sir?”

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with her.”

Reid’s hand lingered on my trembling knee. “Sir, if I might ask—could you postpone this conversation? She’s had a very difficult day, and she’s still recovering from—”

The Archbishop skewered him with a glare. “No, I cannot. And while you kneel there arguing with me, people could be dying. Your king could be dying.”

Reid’s expression hardened. “Yes, sir.” Jaw taut, he released my hand and brushed a kiss against my forehead. “We will talk later. I promise.”

With a sense of foreboding, I watched him walk toward the door. He paused at the threshold and turned back to me. “I love you, Lou.”

Then he was gone.

Ye Olde Sisters

Lou

I stared into the corridor for a full moment before his words sank in.

I love you, Lou.

Warmth spread from the tips of my fingers to my toes, chasing away the numbing fear that plagued me. He loved me. He loved me.

This changed everything. If he loved me, it wouldn’t matter that I was a witch. He would love me anyway. He would understand. He really would protect me.

If he loved me.

I’d almost forgotten the Archbishop until he spoke. “You have deceived him.”

I turned toward him in a daze. “You can leave.” The words came without the bite I’d intended. A few tears still leaked down my face, but I brushed them away impatiently. I wanted nothing more than to bask in the heady warmth overwhelming me. “You really don’t have to stay. The performance should be starting soon.”

He didn’t move, continuing as if he hadn’t heard me. “You are a very good actress. Of course, I should have expected it—but I shan’t shame myself by being fooled twice.”

My bubble of happiness punctured slightly. “What are you talking about?”

He ignored me once more. “It’s almost as if you truly care for him.” Striding toward the door, he pushed it shut with an ominous snap. I hastened to my feet, eyeing the desk drawer where I’d stored Andre’s knife. His lip curled. “But we both know that isn’t possible.”

I inched closer to the desk. Though Reid trusted his patriarch implicitly, I knew better. That furtive gleam still shone in his eyes, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to be trapped on a bed.

As if reading my mind, he halted—shifted so he was directly in front of the desk drawer. My mouth went dry. “I do care for him. He’s my husband.”

“‘And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.’” His eyes flashed. “You are that serpent, Louise. A viper. And I will not allow you to destroy Reid for another moment. I can no longer stand idly by—”