Pushing the thought aside, I shut the drapes just as a young maid entered the chamber carrying a phenomenal-smelling tray. She placed it on the table. “Enjoy your meal, Miss. Please let meknow if you need anything.”
She slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Despite my hunger, I approached the tray with apprehension. What kind of food did mortals eat?
Ceda must have been watching down on me, because the tray was filled with foods considered to be luxuries in Vantillios: roast chicken, an assortment of vegetables, freshly baked bread and, to my delight, a generous helping of chocolate cake.
I went straight for the cake. I moaned as I took a bite—it was the perfect balance of rich and moist. Almost as good as the chocolate cakes Mae used to bake.
When I finished my final mouthful of food, I considered licking the plate clean. I chuckled to myself at the thought of my grandmother’s face if she ever caught me doing something like that.
Clutching my full stomach, I padded across the rug and collapsed on top of the bed. Gazing up at the shadows on the ceiling with heavy eyelids, my mind wandered back to what had happened at my Ascension Ball before the Crow had appeared. How my powers hadn’t felt any different.
Did that mean I didn’t possess an elevated power? My throat tightened at the thought.
Maybe I should try again now… but what if I reached for my powers only to find nothing different? Again.
It might actually break me, and I couldn’t afford to fracture. Not now.
No. I’d get through these next few weeks first. Once the curse was broken, then I’d face whatever waited inside me.
Maybe it wasn’t brave, but it was a decision I could live with. For now.
My final thought before mymind gave way to exhaustion was that it had not been the worst birthday after all.
***
Panting and sweating, I jolted upright. My heart was still pounding as I scanned the unfamiliar room. It took a moment to remember where I was.
I had dreamed I was at a ball with Tarben, and, while we were dancing, my legs had transformed into my tail. Tarben was disgusted. He and all the other guests erupted into an angry mob who wanted me dead. I was unable to fight back or use my magic while they tied me to a pyre and cheered as I burned. All that could be heard over the roar of the crowd was the piercing sound of my agonized screams.
A nightmare—it was only a nightmare.
The bedchamber was dim with light from the crackling fire. Someone must have stacked the hearth while I was sleeping.
On trembling legs, I rose and made my way to the bathing chamber. I splashed my face with cold water, taking deep, calming breaths. Eventually, my heart rate slowed.
I returned to the bedchamber and peered between the drapes. Above, the crescent moon had all-but faded, but a few twinkling stars still lingered like stragglers in the sky. The clock on the mantelpiece told me that midnight had come and gone which, by my calculation, meant I had just under three weeks until the full moon. Just under three weeks to make the prince fall in love with me.
I made my way to the armoire. On my knees, I felt around for the object I had stashed at the back of the bottom shelf earlier that evening. I found it inside a boot—exactly where I had left it.
I lifted the object and swore under my breath. I’d forgotten to conceal it before hiding it. I couldn’t repeat that careless mistake and risk a servant discovering it.
The dim light of the fire illuminated the amber liquid withinthe vial. I held it up to eye-level. It looked harmless enough, and, as part of our agreement, the Crow couldn’t hurt me. But could I trust it to work exactly as she’d claimed?
It was either that or return to Vantillios. And soon, before the servants arose.
No.Returning home was completely unacceptable. I refused to be remembered by history as the kingdom’s greatest disappointment. The princess who’d failed. The curse-breaker who couldn’t.
It looked like it wasn’t much of a choice at all.
Well,now is as good a time as any. I removed the cork stopper and sniffed. The smell reminded me of fennel.
With slightly shaking hands, I lifted the vial to my lips. I paused for a moment, then squeezed my eyes shut and took a sip.
It had an overwhelmingly earthy flavor with notes of sweetness, leaving a smoky aftertaste on my tongue. It wasn’t completely revolting, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant either.
At first, nothing happened. Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect, but I thought I would at least feelsomething. I was beginning to wonder if I had taken the right dose when I felt heat and a strange tingling sensation. It began in my toes and quickly spread up my body, all the way to the crown of my head. My entire body felt like it had been plunged into a hot bath and simultaneously been prickled with minuscule pins. The feeling was neither painful nor comfortable.
Then, it was over.
