Page 37 of Disillusioned
She hoped not.
They passed the guards who had sauntered onto the path, and she pressed against the seat in case anyone could see through the slits in the curtains. There were no changes yet; she didn’t feel any different besides a slightly sore throat from swallowing the potion. She wanted to ask how long it took but decided not to speak. They were all silent as they neared, and the tiny glowing bug led them straight into town.
The guards eyed Giles and Adelaide but didn’t stop them as the dirt path turned into cobblestone.
“A bit early for foraging,” one of them called out to Adelaide.
The other chortled as they rolled slowly past. “All that’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
Adelaide whipped her head in their direction. “I’m preparing for a blood sacrifice, and these are my loyal lambs,” she shouted merrily. “Would you like to watch? Or to join?”
The guards didn’t bother replying.
They rolled past a few streets of small houses and homes above shops before reaching the square with an ivy-covered fountain at its center. There was something eerie about witnessing Paimpont cast in the violet haze of dawn, barely anyone but the guard roaming at this hour. Lilac glimpsed the Hemlock Haberdashery across the square, the newly painted sign above, full in its letters and not peeling and aged like those which adorned the surrounding shops.
And then the carriage stopped. With an annoyed grunt, Lilac pushed Garin aside and peeked out the front. A stooped old woman stared at them, puffing from a pipe as she turned back to minding her business.
“Why have we stopped? Keep going, Giles.”
Giles was already talking to the horses, clicking and manipulating the reins, but it appeared they wouldn’t budge.
“Keep going,” Adelaide urged, waving her hand at the bug, which circled back to her, looping around her head. “What’s the matter with you? Don’t make me put you back into this jar.”
Garin reached across Lilac to peek out the curtains to their left. Hislips snapped into a devilish smile, and despite his obvious nerves, he closed them again and opened his own door.
“What are you doing?” Something rippled over her skin, a shocking heat, and for a moment she felt faint at the rapid change in temperature. She gasped and leaned back in the seat. “Oh, Adelaide I…” She fanned herself, willing the dancing spots in her vision to leave.
“Ah, perfect, it’s working.” Garin was already slipping from the carriage without another glance back, closing the door to a crack behind him. “I’ll meet you for a drink.”
“A drink? Are youjoking?” He didn’t answer. Fuming, Lilac slumped, itching to pull the curtain, peek the door open.Why had they stopped?But the potion was finally working, and she couldn’t risk anyone seeing. She took two deep breaths, bracing herself against the most unpleasant feeling of hot fluttering that continued down her legs. “What about the market?”
“With Adelaide’s tracking spell, timing isn’t as important. We’ll be quick.” There was a smirk in his tone, and Lilac wondered how his nerves had managed to make him more insufferable. “I’m asking you for a drink, Lilac. Not eternity.”
Then he was gone, shutting the door behind him.
Ears burning, teeth gritting—she couldn’t help it—Lilac lifted her curtain to see Garin stroll into the shop where they had stopped before. Above the door, the bug was flying in frantic circles, partially obscuring her view of the sign that hung there. A tankard and steaming loaf of bread were painted on it.
A pub.
“Oh,” she shrieked, covering her mouth and releasing the curtain. A tingling sensation of warmth had suddenly spread from her center, shooting down each limb and up her neck, into her toes and to the top of her head.
“The horses won’t move because the spell itself stopped here,” Adelaide whispered.
Giles had gotten down to try to coax the animals forward on foot, but they wouldn’t budge, instead intent on watching the insect flutter back and forth between them and the establishment to their left. As she watched, the horse on the right sat down, jolting the whole carriage.
“Might as well go. We’ll wait here. I’m going to fix it.”
She suddenly felt the snug fit of her leathers and blouse leave her body—only to be replaced by the soft feel of…
Of unmistakable satin. She looked down. A white gown covered her legs, while the most intricate designs were embroidered in sheer sleeves of muslin that hugged her arms, the bodice aptly supportive yet breathable and adorned in silk and lace.
In the premature sunglow and torches flanking the business, she bolted out of the carriage, not even needing to see her face to know something wasverywrong.
Adelaide watched her approach, eyes wide. A bemused grin bloomed on her face. Giles had slid back into his seat, blushing immensely.
“What is this?” demanded Lilac.
“It’s the glamor. Though, that’s much too specific to be one the tonic chose for you. Without arcane concentration, for a mortal, it’s usually something arbitrary, like different hair, a large feathered hat, or a mustache, or—” She pouted, disappointed in the lost opportunity to see Lilac in something comical.
