A Savior's Worth (Book #3)

Chapter Sixty-One

Elouise dragged herself along the wall, feeling she would crumble without its support. She headed for Ivy's bedchamber, despising herself for what she planned to do. Upon reaching the door, she pounded her fist against it a few times. Then she stepped back and wiped her face, attempting to convince herself otherwise as she waited for an answer.

The door swung open, and Ivy gaped at her.

"Elouise! I didn't expect—"

"Where is your spell book?" Elouise demanded, pushing her way inside.

"It's in the bottom drawer," Ivy answered, following closely.

Elouise made a beeline for the desk and pulled open the wide drawer near the floor, causing the book to wobble inside and frightening Clawdia who'd been sleeping on the chair.

"Why do you want that?" asked Ivy, pausing beside her.

"Th-the spell you used to charm the marble," Elouise said, grabbing the book. "I, I need to use it."

"Wait, huh? Did I miss something? I did hear panicked voices outside, but I tried not to worry about—"

"They are holding towns and villages hostage in every region," Elouise blurted as she frantically searched through the pages.

Ivy inhaled sharply. "They are?"

"Yes. Knights and squires are going out to assist." Elouise lifted her head and met Ivy's frightened gaze. "Eldon and Leanne included."

"Leanne is going?" Ivy gasped and covered her mouth.

Elouise continued to search, but Ivy reached forward and snatched the book from her hands.

"Ivy. What are you doing? I, I need that spell. Eldon can protect himself with his magic, but too much of it will exhaust him and—Ivy, please. Please, I need to ensure his protection."

Ivy moved the book behind her and shook her head.

"Why are you doing this?" Elouise demanded.

"You said no more," Ivy calmly stated.

"I am aware of what I said, Ivy. However, this is urgent!"

Ivy flinched, and Elouise widened her eyes, equally stunned by her own tone.

She turned away and—softer—said, "I told him not to go, but that was awfully selfish of me. Of course, he should go. His family could be in trouble."

"And Leanne," Ivy whispered. "She could never let anything happen to her home."

Elouise closed her eyes, her rapid pulse turning her breath into shallow spurts. "I... I, I cannot make decisions for him. Therefore if, if he must go, I need to do this for him. I need him to be safe. I cannot—I will not lose him, too."

Ivy stayed silent for a short while. Elouise began to believe she wouldn't say anything at all. But then she felt a gentle hand on her elbow, and she turned her head, finding Ivy beside her again.

"Then we'll do it one last time," Ivy affirmed, her lips twitching. "For Eldon and Leanne."

"One last time," Elouise felt the need to repeat. Perhaps to convince herself that she and Ivy would truly not turn to such dark arts for assistance after this.

Ivy placed the book down on the desk and opened it to the correct page.

"It's simple," she said. "Too simple, which is why I was hesitant to try it before. The easier a spell is and the fewer ingredients it needs, the less I believe in its effects. But it's proven successful, so I suppose I need to have more faith in these smaller ones."