Mist-Torn Witches 02:Witches in Red Read Free Page B

it, but if he thinks he can go back to work sooner, you might be able to arrange something with Evrard—who would prefer to be paid, if possible. This way, Hugo will not accuse you of acting hastily, and you might yet be able to keep his grandmother’s ring.”
    Irmina thought for a moment and then nodded. “Yes . . . yes, of course. I will wait.”
    “Oh, and one more thing,” Céline added. “Since the future has not happened yet, it can still be changed if the people involved take a different course of action. You must continue caring for Hugo exactly as you would have otherwise and try to pretend you never spoke to me. Continue to do just as you would have done for him before.”
    Irmina nodded again. “I will. Thank you.” She suddenly appeared uncomfortable and stood up. “I don’t have any money to pay you, but when your roof needs repair, you come to me, and I’ll see that Hugo mends it.”
    In the past, Céline had often bartered for her services. She smiled. “That would be most agreeable, and I’m glad . . . I’m glad I was able to give you good news.”
    Irmina thanked her again and hurried for the door, probably anxious to get back home now.
    Once alone, Céline allowed a few revelations to wash over her. First, she’d used her ability, and nothing horrible had happened as a result. Second, she’d enjoyed reading Irmina, helping Irmina. Perhaps . . . perhaps she could return to being a seer again.
    Prince Anton had been quietly waiting for her to return to her previous state, though he never pressed her. As she had been unable to please him in this, being in his company had become a strain, and she’d come to dread being called up to the castle.
    But now she felt a little lighter.
    Walking through the shop, she made her way to the bedroom she shared with Amelie and opened up their wooden wardrobe. A few fine gowns hung there, and her gaze stopped on one of rich amber silk that Anton especially liked.
    Suddenly, she wasn’t dreading the banquet tonight anymore.
    * * *
    Amelie Fawe wandered aimlessly through the market stalls in the village, in no hurry to make her purchases and head back to the Betony and Beech . . . not that she wasn’t proud of the apothecary’s shop. She was. Nor that she wasn’t grateful that she and her sister, Céline, had been given a home here in Sèone. Of course she was grateful.
    Even the market here was a cheerful place, filled with stalls of colorful fruits and vegetables and steaming bread and bolts of cloth and candles. The people glowed with health and had nothing to fear while they remained inside the thick wall surrounding both the castle and the village.
    No, it was more that in this safe place, Amelie didn’t feel useful.
    Only this past spring, she and Céline had been living in a dark, lawless village called Shetâna. The sistershad been orphaned just over five years ago when Céline was fifteen and Amelie was twelve. Shetâna was under the control of Prince Damek, and Damek’s soldiers had viewed the people of the village as little more than prey to be abused.
    Two orphaned girls had seemed easy targets at first, but Amelie had quickly proven that assumption wrong. She’d taken to wearing a dagger on one hip and a short sword on the other. She’d learned to rely on speed and the element of surprise, and she could cut a man open in a matter of seconds with her dagger.
    Céline had learned to play the part of “seer” and had increased her knowledge of herb lore and healing. Amelie saw to their protection and day-to-day needs, while Céline earned most of their living. They depended upon each other.
    However . . . here in Sèone, Prince Anton’s soldiers had come as quite a surprise. They actually viewed it as their
duty
to protect the people who lived here. Of course, this was a good thing. It simply left Amelie with little to do herself.
    In addition to adjusting to this new state of affairs, she was also coming to terms with