The book halts on a specific page. However, the distance makes it too far for me to read. I creep a little closer as Maines stirs, slowly opening her eyes. A scream rattles through the room as I spring into action to calm her before anyone outside is alerted.
“Maines!” I grab her shoulders. “Look at me. It’s not going to hurt us.”
“What the fuck is that thing!”
The hair on my neck rises as I spin around, but the creature is gone. The unsettling feeling casts a shiver through my body. “Shit, Maines! You frightened it.”
“I scared that thing. Are you insane? That creature almost scared me to death!”
“That is the creature that’s been haunting me. It was showing me something before you woke up.”
Maines throws up her hands, “Next time, can you warn me that you’re inviting it to our slumber party?”
“I’ve been trying to think of a way to get it to show up, but this time, it just came on its own. It made the pages turn!”
I leave Maines to gather herself and kneel before the book. The paragraph is in ancient texts. However, the bottom of the page readsrelicrituals.
“Damnit.” I slam the book down, unable to read anything.
Maines kneels beside me, wiping the sleep from her eyes. “We’re going to figure this out, Briar. I promise.”
I glance at her, defeat overwhelming me. “How can you be so sure after everything that’s happened? After everything you’ve been through?”
“Because what happened in my past doesn’t define who I am now. And moving forward is the only way we can move. You taught me that, Briar! A wicked smile stretches her lips. “Plus, I know someone who claims to be savvy with old texts.”
Chapter 18
Maines and I got little rest after the creature’s appearance. We couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that lingered over us. After marking the page in the book, we decide to head to the roof for some fresh air and combat training. With our hearts already racing, we thought it would be a good idea to get our blood pumping.
Back in my bedroom, we get dressed for the day—both of us in pants and white button-up shirts rolled to our elbows. The healers in Daramveer didn’t wear attire that would distract them from their work or patients. I thought that wearing Maines’s clothes would help me blend in—I didn’t want to stand out more than I already would.
The anticipation becomes impossible to ignore as we wait for Oak to arrive. Maines isn’t the one pacing around this morning. “Will you calm down? You’re going to walk a hole in that beautiful rug of yours,” she quips.
“I’m just nervous. I haven’t visited the House or seen these women since my mother passed. People are going to mention her when we arrive,” I answer.
“I know that, Briar. It’s because your mother left a mark on this kingdom, and the House wouldn’t be here without her. People miss her just like you.”
Just like Maines, my mother spent many sleepless nights at the House of Hedro, tending to the sick. She cared so deeply for her work and the people of Daramveer. But it also meant I spent more time alone at the castle with my father and brother than I would have liked. My mother’s passion for healing left a lasting impression on this town. During healing rituals, she would help cast mental illusions to allow people to face their fears or say final goodbyes to loved ones. I was always in awe of her ability to care so deeply for the people.
A heaviness fills me at the mention of her. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her voice echoing down the hallways or her contagious laugh.
“Plus,” Maines continues, “Oak is going to be such a giddy little boy with all the women around. Focus on him making a fool of himself instead of the mention of your mother, if that helps.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.
“It’s barely dawn, and you are already talking about me?” Oak bursts into the room, his eyes still heavy with sleep. “The only thing that makes me giddy is the sight of you this early in the morning.”
Her face reddens as she ushers past him without a second glance.
“Come on, you two. We can pick on each other all day, but I want to beat the town crowds.”
As we move across the courtyard and toward the castle gates, the quiet of the morning is a relief. Luckily, not many people are out yet—no one is around to question or be suspicious of a princess gallivanting off with a competitor and a healer.
My nose scrunches at the stench rising from the gutters. The cobblestone streets are filled with trash from last night’s tavernvisits. Rats scatter beneath our feet, the smell wafting into the air.
“Ah, I love this smell in the mornings,” Maines jokes, earning a laugh from Oak.
Once, this kingdom was rich. As the main port town for miles, it was easy for people to earn an honest living. Traveling sailors brought exciting new life to the city, but that all changed five years ago when Daramveer lost everything, including my mother.
