“The cure,” was all I said before attaching it back to my hip and clenching my fists. “Now I’m going to find the prince. Both of you are welcome to join me or you may stay here. I do not mind which you choose.” Spinning on my heels, I’d made it two steps before I was yanked back into, this time, Arenn’s chest.
“There’s no point walking when I can just deliver you myself to the prince,” he grumbled, holding me tight.
I began to resist, but then I stopped. Travelling this way would be easier, I supposed.
“Take your hands off her,” Lukas growled, lunging for us.
But Arenn just ignored him. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Close your eyes, Princess.”
For once, I did exactly as he’d asked.
CHAPTER 32
Leafy herbs and crushed spices overwhelmed my senses as I opened my eyes to see a familiar, candlelit bedchamber. Tucked beneath a dozen blankets and wheezing through strained breaths was Prince Raphael. His mother sat by his side, quietly sobbing as she wiped stray hairs from his face and pressed kisses against his forehead.
Thick curtains blocked the sunlight from outside, and judging by the way Prince Raphael winced even at the dim candle by his mother’s side, they weren’t drawn just because someone had forgotten to open them. The limpets digging into the skin by Raphael’s eyes had grown so severely, the poor boy could hardly blink.
“Is there still hope for him?” The heartbreak in Cora’s voice made me pause.
“All the while he breathes, there is still hope, Your Majesty.” Another figure stepped out from the shadows, carrying a bowl of smoking herbs and wafting the steam over the boy. As I watched Ivy work, pride swelled in my chest.
“This should help to calm him,” she said soothingly. “Marius also has a new mixture that he wants to try on the limpets today. If we’re lucky, we may be able to remove a few.”
“Thank you, dear.” Cora passed her a watery smile while I blinked away tears of my own. I knew my friends would never give up on healing Prince Raphael, but guilt still gnawed at my mind at the thought of me leaving here to return to Drothmore without them. If I hadn’t found the cure last night, would I still be leaving today? Could I even call myself a healer if I abandoned a patient in favour of a crown?
Shaking my head, I swallowed down the thoughts. This moment wasn’t about me. But before I could call out to them, Arenn tugged me back into the shadows, smothering my lips with his hand.
“What are you doing?” I hissed through his fingers.
“Just wait a moment.” Roughly, he pushed me away until my back pressed against a wall. When I glanced at Ivy, she was still too absorbed in her conversation with Cora to notice either of us. My gaze turned murderous as I turned back to Arenn, but he ignored it and held me firmly against the wall.
“Perhaps you should just leave the cure with your friends? No need to treat the prince yourself,” he suggested, his tone oddly fearful. “Leave the cure with me and I’ll make sure your friends find it.”
“Why would I do that?” I sputtered the moment he drew his hand away. “I can make him better right now.”
“But what if—”
“Just stay here if you’re afraid.” I scowled.
Dropping his hands, he puffed out his chest. “I am not afraid—” But I didn’t let him finish. Shoving past him, I marched out of the shadows and towards the sick prince.
“I have something that might help,” I declared, holding out the pouch.
“Naria?” Ivy gasped before her surprise gave way to excitement. “I thought you’d already left! What is that? Is it Marius’s new poultice?”
“Something better. I hope.” Perching on the edge of the bed, I slipped the pouch open as Cora’s eyes met mine.
“I’m so glad you’re still here,” she told me sincerely. “You must forgive my dear Ronan. He’s gone mad with grief even though I made it clear you’d never willingly hurt our son. He acts like our boy is already dead. But he’s not dying. I won’t let him.” Her voice cracked. “Please, tell me whatever you have in your hands will fix him?”
“It should.” I held my breath as I brought the pouch’s opening to Raphael’s lips. Gently, I pried open his mouth and tipped a small clump of the green creatures in, using my fingers to close his mouth again.
“Come on, Raphael,” I pleaded. “Swallow it down for us.” I could almost hear our collective heartbeats as the three of us watched him expectantly.
One beat. Two beats. Three beats.
The boy gasped as water spouted out of him. “Mother!” he cried, his voice clear and strong.
I couldn’t help my tears. Beside me, Ivy squealed and threw her arms around my shoulders as the two of us watched Raphael reach for his mother. His skin was still tinged blue and coated in painful limpets, but whatever damage the curse had done inside had been healed. Raphael could breathe clearly as his breath rushed out in thick sobs.
