“When Nightshade touches him, he lights up like a light bulb,” Grateful said. “What the hell?” The tip of her sword glided down his arm, moving as if of its own volition. It stopped at his finger. Selene leaned forward to get a better look. The sword tip pointed at a serpent-shaped ring. With a short jab, Nightshade’s tip connected with the object.
An ear-piercing shriek emanated from the jewelry. The silver dropped from Jason’s skin and slithered away through the grass. Grateful raised her sword above her head and stabbed the silver serpent. Another screech and the worm disappeared in a puff of smoke.
“What was that thing?” Silas asked.
“Whatever it was, it was enchanted with very dark magic.” Grateful returned to Jason’s unconscious body, the sword glowing to life again. “It isn’t just the ring, although I’m sensing it was aggravating his condition. There’s something inside him. It’s like… It’s almost as if…”
“He’s been cursed,” Gerty said.
“Yes, cursed. I’m sensing fairy energy.” Grateful shot a look toward Gerty. “Do you know who might have done this?”
“I do,” Gerty said. “But perhaps it’s a conversation best had in private.” She glanced at Silas, Laina, and Kyle, the last of whom was rubbing his new wife’s shoulders in a way that seemed to be the only thing propping her up.
There was a long pause, followed by frantic whispering. Selene strained to hear, but the voices drifted away on the spring breeze. Artemis stepped beside her, her lips pursing in concern.
“It appears you were correct about Prince Jason’s aura,” the older woman whispered. “There is more amiss than a simple vice.”
She was interrupted when Silas spoke. “Let’s move him somewhere safe. Somewhere we can assess him properly.” The crowd parted and Silas hoisted Jason into his arms.
Laina placed a hand on her stomach, whispering something to Kyle over her shoulder. He nodded in agreement. “Bring him to the cabin. It’s closest.” There was an exchange of whispers between the royal family and the witch, and then all of them scattered.
Selene let out a deep breath and slumped her shoulders as the group disappeared into the woods, following the pathway back to the parking area.
Artemis cleared her throat. “It has been a long day, sister. I wonder if you might accompany the royal family and tend to their spiritual needs. I must rest.”
“Yes,” Selene said with enthusiasm. “I’d be happy to.”
“Very well. Remember, the goddess is Jason’s hope for recovery.” Artemis handed her the box containing the Fireborn Primary Alpha artifacts, the same ones she’d used to bind Laina and Kyle just moments ago. Selene gazed at the sacred chest in wonder, honored to be trusted with it. Artemis gripped her shoulders, radiating confidence as if Selene might breathe it in. “Break this curse, sister, then see if you can help the man.”
ChapterNine
“Artemis sent me. I’m here to help.” Selene ignored the slight shake of her knees and raised her chin in an effort to convey competence.
To her relief, Princess Laina allowed her inside the small cottage and led her to the bedroom where Jason had been laid out atop the bed’s patchwork quilt. The crowd she’d seen before had thinned considerably, with only Silas, Laina, and Gerty surrounding Jason in the small room. It was clear the royal family wanted to handle Jason’s condition discreetly.
“This is the work of dragon fae,” Gerty said, smoothing her silver hair and lowering her chin to look at Silas over her bifocals. “Nickelova’s magic, I’m sure of it. This type of fairy magic is rare and distinct. It’s also, I fear, stronger than mine.”
“Can you break the curse?” Silas asked.
Gerty approached Jason’s body, drawing her wand. “Water, water, ever clear, take this blight and disappear.” A spray of thick fluid flowed over Jason, winding up and down his body like liquid mercury. His skin glowed red, and the spell went up in steam.
“It appears Nickelova expected my intervention.” She sighed deeply.
“B-but you can try something else, right?” Laina placed a hand on Gerty’s shoulder.
Gerty shook her head and tapped her wand against her palm.
“Let me try,” Selene said. Every face turned in her direction.
Laina wrinkled her brow. “This is serious magic, Selene,” she said, with an air of condescension that was unlike her. Selene supposed the stress was to blame. “It’s going to take more than a few prayers to fix. Tell her, Silas.”
Selene interrupted before Silas could say a word. “The artifacts of the Fireborn Primary were given to us by the goddess herself, along with the knowledge of how to use them. I’ve been trained for this.”
“I thought that was all legend. Have you actually broken a curse before?” Silas asked.
Selene sighed, then reluctantly shook her head. “Well, no. Not in actual practice. But I’ve been trained for this.”
Gerty gestured toward Jason. “She can’t make this worse. If anything, it will give me a chance to think of what to try next.”
