Clearly, for once Mrs. Bennet hadn’t. Though I couldn’t blame the woman for remaining at her husband’s side as he fought for his life. “I don’t care if he were the prince of the fae.”
“Actually, heisthe prince of the fae,” Lizzy said.
“No, he is not. I would have known if he—”
I lowered my glamour, and Mrs. Bennet gasped out loud. It took almost a full minute for her to respond, and then she turned to her second-oldest daughter. “Lizzy, didn’t you say he proposed to you?”
Lizzy shifted, appearing uneasy. “That was a while ago.”
And I was engaged to someone else now.
“Mom, the potion.” Mary motioned to it. “Can we focus for Dad’s sake?”
“Yes, yes. Of course.” She bustled over to the potion, the surprise still etched on her face.
Mary stepped away from the potion and faced everyone. “A potion like this is super special. Not only is it important to get the ingredients right, it’s also necessary to create a concoction with the right emotions in order to keep it stable.” She looked each person in the eye as she spoke. “We all care for Dad and for those who have gotten ill in Austen Heights. We want everyone to get better. To do that, we must counteract the discordant emotions in which the spell was cast. We must combine our powers. We’re going to need everyone’s help.”
Those in the room gathered around the table. I took a step back, lingering by the stairs. I was pure fae. My very presence was probably unwelcome.
“Take each other’s hands,” Mary said.
Lizzy grasped her sister’s hand, but then paused and turned back to look at me. “You too, Darcy.” She held out her hand.
“You don’t need me,” I said. “My family caused all of this.”
Mary looked at me. “How badly do you want to make restitution for the damage your family has caused?”
I met Lizzy’s gaze. “More than anything.”
“Then your willingness to reconcile may add the stabilizing force we require. Please enter the circle.”
I stepped forward and entered the circle. Lizzy slipped her hand into mine, and the tightness in my muscles soothed. I was getting too used to this, the calming nature her touch brought. A twinge inside my chest warned me that it couldn’t last. But I’d hold on to her for as long as possible.
Wickham on the other side of me quirked a smile. “I guess you’re lucky enough to hold my hand, too.”
I frowned but took his hand as well.
“Everyone think about Dad, your love for him, and how badly you want him to get better—or how badly you want to heal everyone with Moonrot,” Mary said.
Some in the circle closed their eyes. A green line of magic streamed from Lizzy’s chest and into the cauldron. Another flare burst from Lydia, then one from Jane, Kitty, Mary, and finally Mrs. Bennet—each a different hue that felt just like them. A surge followed from Wickham and Frank, one a dark red and the other a deep blue. Then an orange one for Riley and another silver one for Charles. Concentrating, I thought about Mr. Bennet. I wanted him to heal because he was important to Lizzy. I wanted him to heal because this was my family’s fault.
“Darcy, focus,” Lizzy murmured. “I know you want this more than any of us.”
I did, but it wasn’t about proving anything. I wanted to be different from my parents and what they taught me. I wanted to be a person who accepted those around me. Because these people around me had become my friends, and they had taught me what genuine friendship—and true love—was like.
And I wanted that in my life.
A stream of soft turquoise shot out from my torso and into the cauldron. My heart welled, and our combined power pulsed through the room, drawing out of us. The magic grew and united into something undeniable, strong and… beautiful.
“We’re finished,” Mary said. “The potion should be ready to be administered.”
We all went up the stairs to Mr. Bennet’s room. The men let the women crowd in front to be near their father. Lizzy carried the vial of swirling fuchsia potion, and she moved to Mr. Bennet’s bedside.
I stood at the back, near the door. Even when welcomed among them, I still thought myself the one least worthy to attend.
Though nobody else seemed to be of the same opinion. Mrs. Bennet had flipped a switch the minute she found out I was the prince, but it had nothing to do with me as a person and everything to do with my title. Still—seeing her stand next to Lizzy and the care and love in her eyes as she gazed at Mr. Bennet, I had to admit that even Mrs. Bennet had some redeeming qualities.
“Dad? We have something for you. We want you to try it.” Lizzy eased onto the edge of her father’s bed.
