Relief washed over me. “Thank the Ancients… Do you know someone who can remove it?”
The healer nodded once, then moved to the back wall of the library. Propped up against one of the tall bookshelves was a mop and a wooden bucket that appeared to be filled with magical books. Seraphina leaned down to collect the bucket, and promptly emptied all of the books onto the floor. A few of them seemed to cry out in protest as their pages collided with the hard floor.
I’ll never get used to magic.
Once the bucket was empty, she returned and placed it on a desk next to Raena.
“This won’t hurt,” she said gently, lifting Raena’s hand again.
“What is she doing, Naria?” Raena panicked, and I moved forward to comfort her, rubbing her arm. “Tell me she’s not going to make me forget about Valen!”
“Oh, you won’t forget.” Seraphina grinned, bringing her own hand up to hover over the bracelet. “Although, once this is off, you might beg for a memory charm.” And with that, the healerswished her wrist, and the bracelet tumbled to the ground with a clatter.
Immediately, Raena cried out and grasped her chest. Her once rosy brown cheeks paled to a sickly green as Seraphina thrusted the bucket into her arms just quickly enough for Raena to retch deep into it.
“You’re a mage,” I breathed, trying to comfort Raena while also trying to make sense of exactly what I’d just witnessed.
The healer shrugged. “Not quite, but you may call me that if you’d like.”
“But you’re so young, I thought mages were supposed to be old and—” I gasped. “Is that why you’re here with the King? Are you some kind of magic prodigy? Can you fix his curse?”
“So many questions,” Seraphina tutted as Raena retched again. “Age does not define your power. And yes, I came here to help the King, but my magic cannot help fix a curse that strong. He knows there is no cure. I can only make him comfortable now.”
“But…” My mind was spinning with so many questions. “You must be part fae then? Is that how you know so much about them? Do you—” I lowered my voice – “do you visit them at night too?”
Darkness flickered over her gaze. “The faeries have no business with me,” she replied sharply as her tone shifted to one of annoyance. “Now, please, I do not wish to speak of this further. You should let your friend rest here for a few minutes and then take her to bed. Do not tell anyone about the cuff or that I helped you remove it. I must leave now, the King needs me.”
I wanted to argue, to ask her more questions, but she’d disappeared up the stairs before I could say another word, her purple-edged cloak billowing behind her.
Beside me, Raena still had her arms wrapped tightly aroundthe wooden bucket. Once Seraphina was gone, she slowly lifted her head to reveal her face, now sweaty and tinged with green.
“Naria,” she winced, groaning, “I can’t… I never want to go back.”
Returning my attention to her, I patted her back softly. “It’s alright, Raena. You don’t have to. And after all this. I’m not sure if I want to either.”
“You must do what is right for your kingdom.” She groaned again before retching into the bucket. “If it is the only way to save Corlixir, then you should go back.” Tears formed on her already wet cheeks. “But please, be careful.”
“What happened?” I asked delicately. “If he put his hands on you, I swear I will send an army.” I didn’t have an army, of course I didn’t, but I would find one. For her, I would marry Lukas and make him send one; the divine beings only know he already hates the faeries enough to do it.
Raena shook her head. “He didn’t hurt me. I remember everything.” She shuddered, still gripping the bucket. “He dragged me to the cell, and when I tried to break out, he cornered me and slipped the bracelet on. My memories are strange after that. I can still see everything, but it’s like looking through honey.” She swayed for a second, and I held my arms out, thinking she might faint. “Oh, Oceans, I am so tired.”
“Let’s get you to bed,” I told her, trying to ignore the growing anger inside me. “It’s been a long night – and day – for the both of us.”
CHAPTER 18
Afew days had passed since our secret visit to the faery kingdom, but, within my mind, conflict still raged like an intense battle. I knew I’d eventually have to go back, even if it was just to confront Arenn about the behaviour of one of his guards. It wasn’t his fault, I knew deep down it wasn’t, but still, I couldn’t help but blame him for giving the order to send Raena away. The poor girl had spent most of her time over these past few days resting and avoiding anyone but the servants who came in to deliver food. Whenever I’d try to go in and comfort her, she’d insist she just needed time alone. But it was so hard to give her that time when I’d lay awake at night listening to her screaming nightmares through the walls.
The sun was just hovering near the mountainous horizon as I returned to my tower after another long dinner with Lukas. Ever since he’d barged into my room, we’d spent our evenings together again in the dining hall. I’d been hesitant at first, but now, I was glad to have something to clear my head – even ifthat meant only replacing one kind of confusion with another, like the strange yet warm feeling I’d get every time our eyes met.
I turned a corner into another window-lined corridor when suddenly, a sharp cry echoed down the walls. “Healer! We need a healer!” A young woman dressed in a bright green gown was running frantically through the hallway. “Please, somebody help him!”
My heart leapt into my throat, and without thinking, I raced towards her.
“Where is he? Where’s the patient?” I demanded through shaky breaths.
“In the palace grounds, by the big fish pond. But we need a healer, now.”
“You’ve got one,” I told her while hoisting up my skirts, and before she had a chance to reply, I’d sprinted to the archway that led outside.
