Becoming Magical [2]

C H A P T E R - 4 7

Sophie stared at the glittering mansion of Everglen, trying to force her legs to move. She couldn't believe it'd only been two weeks since the day when everything fell apart.

She had to make things right today.

When the sun had set, Elwin made her guzzle so many elixirs and serums that she still felt light-headed as she made her way up the glittering steps. Or maybe that was nerves. Either way, she was glad she hadn't eaten anything, because there was no way she would've kept it down.

Grady and Edaline walked on each side of her, and they squeezed her hands as she stumbled forward.

"Remember," Grady said quietly, "all you can do is try your best."

She repeated those words as Della opened the door to greet them.

She looked like Della again, her piercing eyes sharp and clear and a hint of color in her cheeks. Fitz and Biana flanked each side of her, but Sophie didn't let herself look at them. She focused on the rainbow flecks of light on the floor, relieved she felt no reaction to them.

"Thank you, Sophie," Della said, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace. Sophie tried not to think about how frail Della felt, or how much they all were counting on her to do this, but the pressure piled on top of her anyway. Especially when Biana joined the hug.

"I'm sorry, Sophie," Biana whispered, starting to cry. "I know I've been awful and I don't blame you if you hate me. It's just been so hard."

"I know," Sophie told her. "It's okay."

A tiny part of her wondered if Fitz would chime in, but he stayed silent, standing just out of reach. So she was completely surprised when he said, "You can't hear me anymore, can you?"

Sophie turned to face him, staring at his chin instead of his eyes. "Were you trying to transmit?"

He nodded—or she assumed he did because his chin bobbed up and down.

"I guess that means he fixed me, then." Which was a relief. But it made her sad, too—not that she expected Fitz to be having any more secret conversations with her.

"Can I um . . . talk to you for a minute?" he asked quietly.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. Um . . ." She looked around, trying to figure out where to go.

"Let's go outside." He offered her his hand, and several seconds passed before Sophie worked up the courage to take it.

She pleaded with her palm not to sweat as he led her to the shade of a nearby tree.

"The bruise is still there." Fitz pointed to the dark purple spot on the back of her hand, in the center—all that was left after Elwin finished treating her. Elwin had promised he'd make a balm that would get rid of it, but Sophie had a feeling it was one scar that would stay.

"It doesn't hurt." She pressed it a few times, until Fitz grabbed her other hand to stop her.

He waited for her to meet his eyes before he said, "Keefe and Mer told me what you went through yesterday—and what you've been going through ever since . . . well, you know. And I just . . . I . . ." He dropped her hands and looked at the ground. "Ugh, how do I apologize for being the hugest jerk ever?"

Sophie smiled sadly. "You weren't that big of a jerk."

"Yeah I was." He walked a few steps away, kicking the grass. "I was just so angry. All I could do was scream and break things. Half my stuff is trashed now." He turned back to her, but he kept his eyes down. "But . . . I'm so sorry, Sophie—for everything. And I wanted you to know that before you try to fix my dad, because if it works, I don't want you to think that's the only reason I'm saying it."