Chapter 14

Amelia

I recline in the tub, and my mind wanders back to the conversation between Beatrice and Nickolas before I begin to eavesdrop. I can’t help but wonder if their discussion revolved around me and if the spells she cast into the water were somehow connected to their exchange.

But even as I ponder the possible implications of their conversation, a wave of bitterness washes over me. The realization that Nickolas may have expressed concern for my well-being, even if only out of self-interest, fills me with a sense of disillusionment.

His wishes for my wounds to heal don’t necessarily signify genuine care; rather, they may simply be a pragmatic acknowledgment of my role as a means to an end—a tool to be utilized in his quest to locate my family.

The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, a stark reminder of the precarious position I find myself in. With a heavy sigh, I sink deeper into the water, allowing its soothing embrace to warm me as I steel