“But I can heal—”
“I said no!” Lukas cut me off with a fierce glare. “I can’t risk it. I won’t.” Then the glare faded to a softer look as he sighed. “Besides, you’ve seen the…tricksthat I can do. If the situation calls for it, then I’m sure I can repeat what happened in the woods, and the little beasts will scatter, just like last time.”
I’d almost forgotten about the bizarre weather. Making a mental note to force him to spillallof these dirty secrets when we weren’t on the cusp of invasion, I leaned forward to remind him of the one thing he seemed to be forgetting. “But you said you can’t control it yet.”
Whatever the strange magic was that lurked under his skin, it was useless if he couldn’t wield it on command. And it wouldn’ttake long for the goblins to realise that too.
“What if you try to use it and nothing happens?” I pressed. “I know we have our differences, Lukas, but I still can’t bear to think of you getting hurt.”
He stiffened, glancing away almost sheepishly. “If it reassures you, I’ll make sure to bring a few healers from the infirmary,” he offered. “And I’ll try again to locate my father’s healer. I’ve heard her skills are unmatched in the realm. I was actually hoping to question her on what happened in the King’s bedchamber, since she always seems to be right by his side, but she seems to have vanished too, along with my parents.”
“Seraphina is gone as well?” I pondered out loud. The more I learned, the more confusing this situation was proving to be. Wherever she was, though, I hoped she was safe.
Shaking my head, I focused on what was really important. My gaze locked onto Lukas. “Promise me you’ll come back from this unharmed?”
“I promise you.” His jaw tensed. “Naria, I—” There was a brief silence, and he chewed his lip, as if there was more he wanted to say but he couldn’t bring himself to say it yet.
“What is it?” I asked softly.
He shook his head, rising from the bed. “I’ll tell you when I return.”
I wanted to argue, but I knew if I opened my mouth, a sob would force its way out instead of any useful words.
When he reached the door, he paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder one final time. “Stay safe… forest princess,” he said, then he smiled in a way that made my heart ache the second the door clicked shut behind him.
Please, please stay safe too.
I lasted all of two hours before I began throwing on a lightweight travelling gown, our heated conversation still ringing clearly in my mind:
‘But I can heal—’
‘I said no!’
It didn’t matter what he’d said. Every time I blinked, I could only see him flashing across my vision – lying there helplessly against the bloodstained leaves of the forest floor. It made me feel ill. Of course, I couldn’t fight, and if someone tried giving me a sword, I’d probably end up stabbing myself. But I wasn’t lying when I said I could heal. I knew I could help them. Without me, Lukas and his soldiers would be defenceless against the hundreds of savage goblins.
So I was going to help. And there was nothing that could possibly change my mind.
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” I asked hesitantly, but any fear faded instantly when the door slowly opened and Raena’s kind face blinked back at me.
First, she smiled, clearly relieved that I was alright after my ordeal yesterday, but then her gaze dropped to the travelling gown that swung around my calves, and then to the healing supplies on my hips. The colour drained from her cheeks as she pieced it all together.
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving too?” Raena squeaked, using her body to shut the door behind her.
“I have to,” I insisted. “I can’t just let him ride out to his death. You haven’t seen the goblin camps, Raena. There are so many of the little monsters! He’ll die!” Another sob lodged in my throat but I swallowed it down. I had to stop with the crying. These pesky tears weren’t helping anyone. Especially not Lukas. Wiping a hand across my face, I turned to continue packing upmy medical supplies.
Behind me, Raena stepped closer. “Erik told me everything that happened,” she said in a gentle tone. “I heard about the goblins and how the Drothmore armies have left us. It’s not safe out there anymore. You should stay here and wait for news. I’m sure the prince will be fine.”
“You don’t know that,” I shot back, hurriedly stuffing crushed flowers into little potion bottles. “He could be dying right now, and no one would be there to save him!”
“There would be healers amongst the soldiers. This isn’t your fight, Naria.” I felt her place a hand on my shoulder.
“But what if it is?” I spun around, tears streaming down my cheeks. “This is all my fault. I should’ve never visited the fae. What if it’s Arenn who called for the army? What if I’ve made him jealous and this is all because of me?”
Raena shook her head, making the tight curls around her face bounce. “You’re being silly. None of this is your fault,” she soothed. “From what you’ve told me, it wouldn’t make sense for the faeries to do this. Not unless there’s something else going on, and whatever it might be, it would be much bigger than any of us.” She wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Now please, let’s just try to relax. How about we read a book together? I can fetch that naughty romance you liked? Remember how it made us fall about in laughter?” She just about managed to tease out a weak smile from me before I forced my lips to flatten.
Another blink, another flashing image of a bloodied prince.
