Deviant Descendants (Descendants Academy #2) - Belle Malory Page 0,63
a love potion?”
“Because like you once told me, I’m giving myself permission.”
33
Grey didn’t like that Riley wouldn’t tell him the reason for my list, but he agreed to get the items anyway. Probably because Riley begged him, and he’d grown sweet on her. I was pretty sure that if she asked for the moon, he would find a way to get it for her.
After he rounded up the items, it took three days to brew the potion. Curious about the process, Riley helped me every step of the way.
Once I was done, I drew a deep breath and asked Riley for the permission I hadn’t asked from Petra. “I know we’re four months into this,” I said carefully. “If you don’t want me to go—”
“I want you to go,” she said, surprising me. “Xander saved your life. If you don’t go before he pledges, you’ll regret it forever.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded.
“When did you become so considerate?” I was teasing, but I was also a little distrustful. Old habit, I supposed.
“I do have an ulterior motive,” she admitted. “I want to go to the castle, too.”
Selena.
She wanted to see her mom.
I swallowed. This whole time, I’d been able to bond with mine, but she had never laid eyes on hers.
Nodding, I said, “Let’s see what Jonas can do.”
I spun his seal of support on the wooden floor, watching in awe as the coin floated up into the air. It erratically spun, creating a vortex of energy in the middle of our little apartment. Seconds later, Jonas was there in his navy blue toga, looking like a deer in headlights. When he saw me, his expression broke into a wide smile. “You used my seal,” he said, his tone full of excitement. “That means—”
I held out the potion vile. “I have your potion. It’s extremely powerful.”
His chocolate brown eyes lit up. “How long does it last?”
“The effects should last a full month.”
He frowned. “My invisibility charms don’t last that long.” His gaze traveled back and forth between Riley and me. “By the way, where are we?”
“Never mind that.” I cleared my throat. “What can you offer?”
He chewed on the inside of his cheek, debating. “I do have something…” Closing his eyes, he whispered a spell and a velvety black robe appeared in his hands. “This is an ancient family heirloom—it will conceal you in any situation. I can lend it to you for a month.”
I glanced at Riley, and she nodded in approval. A month was more than enough time for us both to use the robe and get inside the castle. “We have a deal.”
“Once the month is up, the robe will return to me. Take good care of it.”
“I will.” We traded, exchanging the vile for the robe, and Jonas looked like we’d just given him a puppy.
“Who’s the lucky mage?” Riley asked, smirking.
“Someone who wouldn’t normally give me the time of day,” he said vaguely. “But now I have a month to change her mind.”
“Use it wisely,” I advised.
“You as well.” He tipped his head toward the robe. “No magic can detect it, but other senses can. Meaning, if you bump into someone, they will feel it. If you wear perfume, they will smell it. If you leave footprints in the dirt, people will see it.”
I nodded. “Good to know.”
I would have to be extremely careful. If I was going to pull this off, I couldn’t take any chances.
34
The hard part was over. I had a way inside. Now, I just needed to execute my plan. I gave myself the night to rest; but I didn’t waste time, readying myself the very next morning.
“Hitch a ride with the fruit carts,” Riley suggested before I left. “I see them travel to the castle every day.”
“Good idea.”
She gave me a once over. I was dressed all in black, and in matching boots that didn’t make any noise when I walked. My hair was pulled back into a tight bun, my roots freshly died too. Not that anyone aside from Xander would know my hair or face. But if I needed to remove the invisibility robe, I would appear less conspicuous. The only noteworthy thing I wore was Xander’s charm bracelet. I was as ready as I could be.
I slid Jonah’s robe over my body, placing the hood well over my head.
Riley sucked in a breath. “Incredible,” she breathed, reaching out to touch me. “I see right through you, Sheridan.”