Page 157 of Fate's Sweetest Curse
“Can he be trusted not to speak ofouraffairs, either?” I asked her.
Phina shrugged. “What would he say? Noble is no longer afflicted, and your identity is irrelevant.”
My breath caught. “You know who I am?”
“Unlike the attendance records of the Collegium, the Oath of Allegiance magic tied to my Research Ledger is too strong to record false names, HattieMund,” Phina said with a smirk. “My brother made the connection after he saw you two interact. Thankfully for you, neither of us care much for titles—or endangering our friends. And with the study retired, the Ledger is unlikely to be reviewed from outside eyes.”
I let out a harsh exhale, both shocked and amused that my professor had known my identity this whole time—and that she considered me a friend.
“You should be very proud of yourselves for what you accomplished.” Phina’s kind eyes then landed on Noble. “I’m relieved you’re all right.”
Noble bowed his head. “Thank you, Phina. For your help, your friendship—everything.”
She smiled warmly, then tossed back her wine and stood, wandering over to a writing desk in the corner. “Speaking of accomplishments”—she retrieved a scroll and handed it to me—“congratulations are in order.”
I unraveled the paper.Apothecary Licensewas scrawled across the top in swooping letters. It’d been signed by Phina and the lead adept of the Collegium, and an official wax seal adorned the corner.
“Phina, I…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “I can’t see how I’ve earned this. I didn’t complete my classes.”
She placed a hand on my arm and jutted her chin in Noble’s direction. “He’s proof enough of your skill, Hattie. You earned it.”
Noble’s palm nestled between my shoulder blades, rubbing gently. “She’s right, Peach.”
Tears sprung to the corners of my eyes. This was the culmination ofyearsof obsessive reading, learning, practicing, and dreaming. Saving Noble might’ve been my Fated Fortune, but this validation of my passion and dedication to alchemy was a close second.
“You’re a talented alchemist, Hattie Wynhaim,” Phina said.
Hearing the sentiment from my idol, with myrealname…I couldn’t help myself. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Phina’s shoulders, squeezing hard. She let out a softooph, belatedly reciprocating my embrace. Then she was laughing, and so was I, and Noble was wrapping his arms around us both, savoring our odd triumph.
The hug didn’tlast long, though.
When Phina pulled back, her expression had turned grave. “There is one thing I need from you—both of you.”
“Anything,” Noble and I replied in unison.
“When Mariana comes looking for you,” Phina said, “I need you to trust her.”
56
Riverbank
Noble
Noble lay with his hands behind his head, staring up into a canopy of weeping willow branches. Their long, slender leaves twirled like ribbons, pale green catching the light of the sun overhead. Beyond the treetop, wispy clouds drifted across a sky that was one shade lighter than the intense blue of Hattie’s irises.
The air was hot, muggy. As water from his swim dried on his bare chest, a sheen of sweat replaced it. He turned his head to the side, where a picnic basket had already been ravaged: empty jars and sticky spoons, lemon cookie crumbs, a bottle with only a sip of citrusy concoctail remaining.
Noble sighed, feeling his body relax into the bed of cool moss beneath him. He closed his eyes, dozing.
A splash woke him.
He angled himself up on one elbow, shading his eyes with a hand.
Hattie was emerging from the river, lithe and glistening. Her naked skin was a wet, breathtaking expanse of gentle curves, freckly skin, and the beautiful mauve blush that persistently painted her cheekbones and sternum. As she approached, Noble wondered, briefly, if he was still dreaming.
While the rest of Waldron were setting up their summer solstice festival, Noble and Hattie had snuck off to a secluded bend in the River Wend. Even with the guarantee of privacy, watching the water sluice down her waist, hips, and thighs felt illicit.
Forbidden.
