Evelyn's POV

Helena is silent for a long moment. The fire pops and hisses. Somewhere outside, an owl calls into the darkness.

Then she moves to her workbench, her robes whispering against the floor like secrets.

"You understand what you're asking." It's not a question. Her hands move among the vials and bottles, selecting two small flasks that gleam like captured starlight. "You understand the consequences."

"I understand that I love him." I rise to my feet, my heart ...