But learning, studying, working hard—that was something I could control, and that thought made me feel empowered instead of disheartened. It might feel slow on occasion, but maybe that was for the best.
“Back to this potion.” Lily tapped the vial that contained the freeze-ray concoctions for the spirits. “I think I’m mostly done aside from a final boil, but I need to test it still. I’m going to use a Smoke Stack—have you heard of that? The Rangers use them as practice for all sorts of things.”
“I’m familiar,” I said. “Silas used one when we went hunting. I thought it was a real beast until I shot it through the heart. Instead of dying, it simply dissolved.”
“That’s exactly right. I’m hoping a Smoke Stack will let me test this formula. It’s not the same as a spirit, but I think that’s my next step.”
“How do you handle so much uncertainty in your work? You can’t always test a potion before you use it. Aren’t you afraid of hurting someone?”
Lily considered. “It’s always a risk in this line of work, same as yours, I’m sure. If I make a mistake on a potion, obviously the consequences could be deadly for the recipient. I don’t know if you get used to the pressure, or you just learn to balance it and live with it. I think, as you gain confidence and a history here, it will help.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I was really nervous about hurting someone in the beginning. I still am, but it’s not something I think about as frequently anymore. It’s also easier to balance because, when I’m feeling uncertain, I can remind myself of all the good I’ve done.”
“Sure.”
“If I didn’t take the risk of making potions, I couldn’t have created Vamp Vites for my cousin, Poppy, and that potion makes her life a lot easier. It’s a duty, and a calling, and yes—there is danger and risk in it, but there’s also great reward and fulfillment. I’m sure you’ll find the same as you grow in your power and see all the good it can do for others. You already have started to see the good—how many lives have you saved already?”
“I can see your point. Healing Irina from the curse, and now seeing Henry’s smiling face out and about and knowing I had hand in helping him get here…” I shrugged. “That’s the whole reason I went into medicine on the mainland. To help people.”
Lily just smiled at the reminiscent look that was likely on my face. “Exactly. Not to mention, I think the coronation tomorrow will be helpful in that regard.”
“You’re talking about the giving of the heartbeat piece of the ceremony?”
“Yes. The coronation isn’t about you wearing a stunning dress and being officially elected queen, although that is a fun part of it.” She paused to grin at me before returning to a somberness. “This ceremony is ancient and reverent and important. When it’s done, you’ll carry a piece of everyone inside you. That’s why Fae Queens are so empathetic. When you breathe, you breathe island winds; when you cry, your tears are made from the rivers that flow around through our lands; when you walk, it’s the vibrations of the earth beneath your feet. The ceremony binds you to every living thing and element in your court.”
I couldn’t think of anything to say to that. It sounded beyond intimidating, but also a great privilege. “Silas said he tasked you with planning it? Do you need help?”
“He didn’t task me with anything. I volunteered.” Lily winked. “I know I just gave you a whole spiel about how this ceremony is all great and powerful and somber—and it is—but youalsoneedto wear a very pretty dress and have a lovely time, and I’m not leaving that up to Silas or Ranger X, I’m sorry.” She rolled her eyes playfully, as if to say,Men.
“Plus, Millie is helping. She’s already gathering supplies and materials, and she’s stopping by the bungalow in a bit. We’ll have everything sorted by the time you wake up.”
“But—”
Lily raised a hand. “Don’t argue. You need your beauty rest. And also, lest I remind you that this island could be attacked by evil spirits at any time, and it’s your duty to stop them? Go home and get some sleep.”
“Well, thank you.” I spread my hands on the table, watching as the potion gurgled before me. “I couldn’t do any of this without you.”
“And we couldn’t do it without you,” Lily said. “Go home to Silas. Tomorrow will be a long day, and the Rangers will need you bright and early. It’s more important that you continue working with Dr. Lewis on the backup wards than planning which varieties of honeyed mead work best with the canapes.”
four
DespiteLily’swarningtoget rest, I couldn’t resist the urge to pull my stack of Fae textbooks toward me and read late into the night. Silas sat beside me, reading his own materials quietly, until he yawned so big, so long, I reached over and took the book out of his hands.
Even after he’d fallen asleep, I continued to read as the candle by my bed burned down to a nub. The more I read, the more I worked at it, the clearer the Fae texts came to me, just as I’d discussed with Lily. I had now accepted that conquering the three trials wasn’t an immediate influx of power. It might have opened the channels between my me and my ancestors, but I still had to work to get the magic to flow, and I could feel with every page I read, that the text came easier and easier to me.
As I’d gone through book after book, I’d meticulously combed each page for information pertaining to the Darkest Lord or the rituals surrounding his spirit army. There was very little information to be found. As I’d noted before, the Fae books favored themes of healing, harmony, and peace, and held very little content about destruction.
I’d also studied any mention of the wards, as well as anything surrounding the topic of spirits—especially any notes that might be useful to Lily as she crafted her potions. When I’d exhausted the pages of each and every book, scouring for any tidbit of information, I finally allowed myself a moment of respite to look up information on a lighter topic: the coronation ceremony.
Ironically, the coronation ceremonies of previous Fae Queens were much better documented than anything else I’d researched. Within the pages of my books, I discovered detailed descriptions of previous events: gorgeous illustrations of queens receiving their crowns, magnificent dresses, courts turning out in huge numbers to celebrate the changing of power.
I read about the giving of the heartbeat, how the very essence of it required mutual sacrifice. It wasn’t a mere ritual, but the creation of a bond that would connect me with my court for the rest of our lives. They’d support me for my reign, and in turn, I would protect them until my own dying breath.
I must have fallen asleep at some point, drifting off to pictures of queens in gorgeous gowns happily ruling their courts. But my dreams weren’t filled with the same glamour and glitz. The terror of sleep yawned wide, consuming me. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep until I felt a chill as nightmarish spirits lunged from dark waters and smoke monsters becoming tangible horrors. I woke feverish, tangled in blankets, with Silas shaking me gently awake.
“Alessia,” he murmured, “it was just a dream.”
