Roxanne nodded, leading our way where the man had directed.
“This shop looks a lot smaller from the outside.” I noticed, keeping up after Roxanne.
It must have been at least half an hour since we’d gotten here; the strong smell of old parchment made my lungs ache, yet I dared not interrupt Roxanne’s hunt for the perfect book. She sat on the floor of the shop, carefully reading through every book’s description before putting it down.
I never thought Roxanne would put so much effort into choosing a present—especially for Francis, given every time they were together it ended in a fight of some kind. Though I supposed Brian and I fought a lot too...
“I will be right back,” I told her, though she didn’t seem to care.
I walked down the row, my eyes scanning the books as I passed by. It seemed this shop carried a collection larger than the Royal library itself. So many to choose from...
They even carried the whole collection of the Forest’s Fables—a story my Father had read to my sister and I when we were little. A story I used to read to the twins.
I swallowed down the growing lump in my throat, taking off my gloves before reaching for the latest addition to the tale I never got to read.
My heart beat faster as I opened the first page. Father had spent years trying to find this volume for us, yet his trips were in vain, as the single edition of the story was apparently here—in the vampire village.
My hands trembled as I flipped through the pages; father’s voice filled my mind.
“I’m ready to go.” Roxanne appeared at the end of the row, making me slam the book shut in an instant. “What are you reading?” She took a step towards me, her eyes scanning the title in my hands.
“My father used to read it to us.” I said quietly before returning the book to its shelf. “Have you heard of it?” I faced Roxanne, but her eyes were planted on my blackened injuries.
I rushed to put the gloves back on, though it did nothing to Roxanne’s silent stare; for the first time she seemed speechless.
“It’s nothing,” I said quietly.
Roxanne stayed silent as her—full of pain—eyes bored into mine.
“It’s nothing.” I cleared out my throat, walking back towards the exit of the shop. Roxanne’s steps followed after.
I pushed on the heavy door, the cold air enveloping me in its embrace. The streets of Faris were quieter than before.
“I will be right back.” Roxanne threw over her shoulder, walking in the opposite direction from where our horses stood.
“Where are you going?” I called after her. Roxanne shook her head in reply before turning into a barely visible alley in between the shops.
I made my way towards our horses, my heart banging against my rib cage.
Several minutes passed before Roxanne returned; a jar of light pink liquid in her hands.
“Take off your gloves.” She stood before me as she unscrewed the jar.
“I told you, it’s nothing.” I hid my hands into the pockets of my cloak.
“Take off your gloves.”
I rolled my eyes under her withering gaze, yet my hands reached for the gloves, obeying her wishes nevertheless.
The pink liquid spilled onto my burned skin when Roxanne poured out the contents, gentling it into my flesh. A slight burning sensation prickled my injuries, followed by an immediate relief. A sigh escaped my lips when Roxanne moved onto my left hand.
“This will help with the burns.” She massaged the elixir into my skin.
“What is it?”
“A medicine.” She put the cork back onto the jar, hiding the remains into her pocket.
“What kind of medicine?” I pressed. When Roxanne didn’t reply I drew a small breath in. “May I keep it?” I fought for my voice to sound even.
