The Magic Collector: A Standalone Gothic Fantasy Romance by Chesney Infalt

Author:Chesney Infalt [Infalt, Chesney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookDragon Publishing
Published: 2023-08-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28

I COULD NEVER HATE YOU

Had she been corporeal, Aveline would have tripped and knocked over racks on her way out of the shop, but as a ghost, she moved through them until she reached outside, instincts driving her to run.

“What is it?” Sebastian strode towards her. He’d spoken a little too loudly, and a passerby muttered something dismissive as she continued on. Her companion switched sides with her, glowering at Sebastian.

“I think Hanna saw me.”

“Who?”

“My handmaiden when I was living in the palace. Now Jeanette’s, from what I gather. But she seemed shocked to see me, so I think…” Aveline peered at the closed shop door. “I wonder… Perhaps she would—”

The bell chimed as Hanna exited, urgently searching the crowds. It did not take her long; the moment they saw one another, the handmaiden froze in place, staring at her, then at Sebastian. She paled.

“It is I,” Aveline assured her. “Your mind is not playing tricks on you.”

Neither of them moved. A breeze toyed with the stray hairs that had fallen loose from Hanna’s braid.

“Do you have a moment to talk?” Aveline prepared herself for rejection. After all, Hanna was supposed to be with Jeanette, staying by her side at all times.

“If we are quick about it,” she answered in a hushed tone, reluctantly drawing closer. Her attention kept cutting back and forth between Aveline and Sebastian.

“I’ll give you two a moment alone,” Sebastian offered. “Might I suggest you stand near the alleyway?” With that, he turned heel and walked back to a watch shop. She didn’t know if he’d be able to hear them—she assumed he wouldn’t waste magic, but something told her he was more interested in assuring her safety than conserving energy. Hanna accepted his suggestion, peeking at him out of the corner of her eye as she positioned herself in front of the outdoor display advertising exotic items.

“You’re a ghost,” she whispered almost inaudibly. “What happened? Who is he? Are you in trouble? I know you mentioned something the night before your disappearance—I should have called for help, or—”

“Hanna, you did nothing wrong. The Heart Thief cursed me on the day of the wedding. The man I’m with is Sebastian. He is helping me find a way to break the curse so I’ll be human again.”

The woman’s shoulders relaxed the tiniest bit. “You’re not dead.” She exhaled in relief. “Sebastian… isn’t that the name you gave me, the… wizard… you were asking about?”

Keen memory. I’m lucky she never used it against me. “It is.”

Aveline didn’t realise her blunder until Hanna murmured, “A rogue wizard.”

“A kind wizard.” She didn’t think Hanna would call for the guards to arrest him, but it was better to be certain. “A helpful one. He’s not a danger.”

Hanna’s eyes roamed over the display, every once in a while flicking to Sebastian. “I would not be so certain. What do you know about him?”

How much was too much to tell? “I thought you had a short amount of time to talk.”

“I told your sister that my stomach was upsetting me and I needed fresh air.

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