When the bath was finished, I almost smiled for the first time in forever. It would mean enduring Jagon’s company for a day or two, but at least I had a plan of sorts. ‘Thank you, Amala. This bath made me feel so much better.’ I smiled to the girl who rushed to the full-size mirror, pushing it towards me.
‘Look, my lady. It doesn’t look so bad. Nope, not bad at all.’ Her excitement made me look despite dreading the sight. My skin was pale, bruised, and swollen, but my cropped hair curled at the ends, framing my face, emphasising its heart shape, andgiving me an innocent look. I swallowed hard and turned to embrace the girl.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered while she awkwardly patted my back, her body stiff at this unexpected gesture. I promptly released her and used the opportunity to ask for my first ingredient. ‘Could you bring me some rosemary oil from the kitchen? It’s good for hair growth, and as pretty as you made me, I’m missing my braid.’
Her eyes brightened, and she rushed towards the door. ‘Of course, my lady, right away. And I’ll fetch your new dress. The seamstress must be finished adjusting it by now.’ Guilt rose in my core as she rushed to fulfil my request with childlike enthusiasm. I had no choice but to use her if I wanted to be free.
She returned shortly after, with a dress hanging over her arm and the bottle of oil I’d asked for. I made a show of rubbing drops into my scalp, then leaving the rest on the vanity table for later use. Next to it were lavender petals from the bath. If I could get a few more ingredients, I could send this entire house and its guardians into a deep and dreamless sleep.
‘I believe it’s time for dinner,’ I said after she’d helped me dress.
‘Yes, my lady. It’s just… Be careful how you speak to Master Jagon. News came from Windmaster Island, and he’s not happy.’ Her warning instantly piqued my interest.
‘What news?’ I tried to sound casual, but my heart picked up pace when she hesitated.
‘Today’s storm delayed the ship. They have to repair the mast, and its captain almost refused to take up anchor at all. He claimed that Stribog, god of the winds, was opposed to this journey. Do you think Stribog is angry at us?’ She blushed at her question, worried I’d take offence to her words.
So, my young maid is a superstitious little bird, I mused, looking at her nervously twitching fingers. ‘Every single seacaptain I know is superstitious, but it doesn’t make them right,’ I said, for her benefit, hiding my relief at her news. I had more time. More time to create the poison, more time to gather supplies, and more time to plan my escape. The only caveat was that I also had more time with Jagon. I knew how to tame this beast, however, and his resolution to treat me kindly was a godsend.
Whether it was Stribog or something else entirely that delayed this journey, I would take it. Because it was the first time since Tivala’s dungeon that I had hope… and the strength to live.
Chapter 35
Roksana
The next days were a blur. I couldn’t sleep. Each time I closed my eyes, memories of Tivala’s dungeon assaulted me. The days were better, the sun seeming to drive back thoughts of weakness. Which made facing Jagon much easier.
‘I wish I believed you’ve accepted your fate, Roksana, but I know your devious little mind too well. You’ve devised a new plan to escape,’ he said, his lips brushing the cropped hair against my neck.
I trembled, swallowing hard to hold back a wave of nausea. It wasn’t just his closeness or his suspicion. The augurec manacles were poisoning my body in a way Jagon hadn’t expected. Yesterday, when he’d examined my wrists, a frown appeared when he noticed the grey, discoloured skin beneath my shackles.
‘I will remove them the moment we arrive on Windmaster Island, I promise.’ Guilt flashed across his features when he looked at me. I simply wrapped bandages around my wrists to limit contact and carried on.
Amala, bless her naïve heart, had brought me most of the ingredients I’d requested. All I needed now was time alone tocreate a sleeping draught that should leave half of the household unconscious. The only problem was that I had to trust my magic to neutralise it while I was still wearing manacles.
‘Zivia, mother of healing, I’d appreciate a little help,’ I muttered, mashing the herbs in the washbowl.
I’d worked in some lousy places before, but using cooking ingredients, a washing bowl, and a wooden chair leg was certainly a lowlight in my poisoner’s career. If the situation weren’t so serious, I would laugh at the absurdity of it all.
‘Tova would be so offended by the lack of apparatus,’ I muttered. My heart ached for my friends. Before tears welled in my eyes again, I mentally slapped myself. ‘Get a grip, Sana. Now’s not the time for getting sentimental.’
I poured the rosemary oil into the disgusting pulp of lavender, sage, and an unhealthy dose of valerian root. I watched the oil saturate the mixture and held my breath as I called on my vivamancy. The sleeping draught I created without magic could knock out a person for the night, but I needed to subdue as many people as possible.
For this, I needed absolute control and precision in strengthening the concoction without altering its properties.
I looked at the manacles. I’d done everything I could to dampen their effect, wrapping more bandages around my wrists and the metal itself. I still felt the unsettling pulse of the augurec corrupting my magic.
My hands were shaking as I drew a sigil on the desk and placed the draught inside the circle designed to amplify its properties. Then, I closed my eyes and began pushing aether into the sigil.
Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, but I controlled my magic, keeping the spell true to its intention. I watched the mixture bubble, the colour darkening as its consistency thickened.
‘Just a little more,’ I whispered when my muscles spasmed, contracting painfully. It reminded me of working during aheatwave when I’d almost died of exhaustion. Still, I continued. The liquid turned into molasses moments before I collapsed to the floor, vomiting bile while shaking like a leaf.
I did it. I fucking did it…I was gasping for breath, but I’d overcome the augurec.
Now I had a fighting chance.
Tonight, I had one last dinner with Jagon to attend. The one I’d offered to cook myself.
