“He did. He’s such a brilliant inventor that the royals didn’t want to lose him, but eventually, they pressed him to return, so we had to. I’ve been living in Whiteolf ever since.”
He nodded, then said gruffly, “I’m sorry you lost your parents.”
“I’ve had thirty-two summers to get used to it. It’s fine. Truly.”
His brow furrowed. “You’re thirty-two?”
“I am. And what about you?” I held my breath, wondering if he would answer.
“Eighty-seven.”
A flurry of warmth drifted through me. Something told me he rarely disclosed that to fae. “Well, in that case, we’re about the same age.”
“Indeed.”
Quiet descended between us once more, and when we passed underneath a rare opening in the Wood’s canopy, a small ray of dim sunlight hit my face.
“So how long has your uncle been doing inventions for the Mistvale royals?”
I bit back a smile, trying to hide the fact that his interest in me made me feel positively gleeful. “For hundreds of fullseasons.” The lightness in my voice faded. “Well, at least he used to. He’s not working at the moment. He’s too sick to work.”
Kole’s face gave away nothing, but I could have sworn that something brewed behind his cerulean irises. “How sick?”
“Very. It’s actually why I’m hunting the Stone. I’m hoping to find it so I can cure him. Nobody’s been able to heal him, and he’s likely to die within the next few weeks if we don’t do something. At least, that’s what the palace healers have said.”
He nodded, not responding, but that flicker happened in his eyes again.
Another moment of silence passed, and then Kole asked in an even more serious tone, “Do they know what his sickness is? Palace healers are notorious experts in their field. I’m surprised they haven’t cured him.”
I shook my head. “That’s the problem. Nobody knows what’s wrong with him. He became ill gradually. Initially, it started with indigestion, then a fever, fatigue, and weakness. Each day he grew a little bit worse. And now—” I cut myself off and blinked rapidly. “Now, he can’t get out of bed. He won’t eat or drink, and my aunt has to force fluids into him. When I left, he was asleep in his chambers, in the dark, and he looked so thin. Skeletal almost following weeks of poor appetite.” Images of his emaciated frame had carved themselves into my mind like unwanted engravings.
Kole’s aura rippled behind his Shield. “That’s a strange illness.”
“Exactly. It’s an unknown ailment, whatever it is.” I sighed angrily. “It’s also why nobody knows how to help him.”
“Yet you and your aunt never contracted it?”
“No, that’s the odd thing. It doesn’t seem to be contagious.”
Kole watched me again. “Is it just the three of you in your home?”
“Yes, well...no, I suppose. We have a live-in servant. She has a room on the main floor.”
“A servant?” His eyebrows rose slightly.
“Yes, I know, I know. Having servants sounds so pompous, but it’s because of my uncle’s position. He’s always been paid quite well, so my aunt and uncle have always employed household staff. Their current servant is named Verin. They hired her earlier this season after our previous servant left to be closer to family. The poor thing. Verin hadn’t been with us long before my uncle fell ill, but she’s been a huge help in his care.” I thought of how Verin had always been shy and meek but still tried her hardest. She was brave too. She’d never batted an eye over my uncle’s illness, always offering to help when others were too afraid to.
“And she hasn’t fallen ill either?”
“No, she’s stayed healthy as well. Thank the stars.”
Kole watched me for a moment, his gaze penetrating.
I bit my lip, anything to stop it from trembling, but then I forced a smile as we sailed down the road. “But no matter. I’m going to find the Stone, and I’ll save my uncle. He’s going to be fine.”
“You’re quite a positive thinker.”
“Always have been.”
