he carried her to the sofa anyway.
“Fine and foolish.” He placed a thin pillow beneath her head and brushed hair from her cheek. “What good is it to tire your strength?”
“That vile creature and the spirit she holds must be stopped.” Elizabeth moved her hand to push against the back of the sofa to sit up, but Nicholas pulled her hands down to rest on her chest.
“The paths cannot be followed tonight. You think you will find a weakness if you journey to her lair? What is to stop her from detaining you, or worse?”
“I pray for revelation. There has to be a way to free Robert and save Marissa.” He was right, sleep tugged at her. She relaxed against the firm cushions.
Nicholas frowned. “If we can’t save them both?”
Elizabeth looked at him, his eyes gleamed with doubt and past pain. She patted his cheek. “Guardians aren’t perfect, but we serve a good Master. He will guide our way.”
“Your faith surpasses my own.”
“Yet here you are, doing the work of the Master.”
He shrugged.
Elizabeth fought to keep her eyes open, but the expenditure of energy to see the hidden paths cost her.
Nicholas laid his hand across her forehead, rubbing his thumb between her brows. “Sleep. I watch over you this night.”
She settled deeper into the cushions and allowed her mind to wander.
45
Marissa shot up on her bed as light splashed into the bedroom. Memories from the previous night made her hands shake, but she forced herself to stand. She looked at the locked shutters over the windows. Not a dream. It didn’t take long to complete her morning ritual. She peaked into the hall. No dark strangers. No cold fingers stretching through the air. She made her way to the first floor.
Robert stood in the open door of the inn looking inward. Light from outside kept her from seeing his face. She rubbed her hands against her dress. What is this flurry of excitement and nerves?
“Good morning.”
His voice swept over her and she wanted to be nowhere else. “Looks to be a beautiful morning.” She managed to glance around him. “Weather cooperates for a day’s journey.”
“Are you sure this is what we should do?” Robert crossed his arms over his chest. “We could return to Monmoore and face Cinderella. Demand the truth.”
“Would she offer it? Give us enough truth to believe her words?”
“I know I can’t have it both ways.” Robert shoved his hands in his coat pockets. “To be so easily duped.” His downcast head shook.
Marissa placed her hand on his arm. “Not duped. You were taken in by an evil spell. Even now, this far from her, you fight against it.”
Robert didn’t move from her touch. He trailed a finger from her temple to her jaw, making her insides quiver. Then he withdrew, bending as he fisted his hand.
“Mars.” A moment of pain reflected in his eyes. Cinderella’s hold on him, though weak, was still present.
Determination straightened her spine. “We have work to do.” Somehow, they would free him. She linked arms with him, and they walked to the parlor.
Mrs. Boyde sat at the table, a cup of steaming tea in front of her. Captain Standish stood nearby.
Marissa frowned at her friend. “You seem pale.”
She waved the concern away, but Captain Standish placed his hand on Mrs. Boyle’s shoulder for a moment. Was there something between them?
“We will need to travel west today.” Mrs. Boyde dropped two cubes of sugar into her tea and stirred.
“Travel? I thought we searched here for Cinderella’s home.” Marissa sat across from Mrs. Boyde. The door to the kitchen creaked open and a serving girl brought a platter of eggs, ham, tomato, and mushrooms.
“I’ll have toast for you in a moment,” the girl spoke with a local accent and offered a quick curtsy.
“Smells delicious.” Robert sat beside her, grabbing the platter. He pulled a plate from the center of the table, plopped a ladle of the breakfast grill on it, and passed the plate to Mrs. Boyde. He served Marissa next, then took a heaping spoonful for himself. Captain Standish took what remained.
For all Robert’s appetite, Marissa couldn’t feel the same. She moved food on her plate but didn’t feel like eating. “What have you found out?”
“Her paths lead west. There are two possible routes. I asked the innkeeper. Captain Standish and Robert will take the trail to the north and west. We will follow the trail along the river. We meet in Atwood and discuss what we see.”
Marissa snuck a glance at Robert.