She continued, “Would you like me to restore your womb, child?”
I sat up abruptly, meeting her eyes. Stunned, I asked in a breathless voice, fighting back tears, “You can do that?”
She nodded with calm assurance.
“Yes. Yes, please,” I cried as emotion flooded through me. I had never allowed myself to imagine it as a possibility. I did not know if I would ever use my womb again, especially given my circumstances, but having the choice mattered. Having that part of me restored, of being whole again, mattered, even if this was only a dream.
Tears streamed down my face as she instructed me to lie back. She placed two crystals on my lower abdomen, where my ovaries once were, then closed her eyes and let her light flow through me again. This time, my body vibrated more intensely. I sensed it required far more magic than healing my leg.
After what felt like an hour or so, the crystals had fully evaporated by her lilac-colored healing light, and she was done. She looked tired and drained, somehow seemed to have aged even more. Feeling guilty I thanked her from the bottom of my heart. She nodded wearily and settled into a wooden rocking chair beside the fireplace. With a simple motion of her hand, she waved her palm toward the steady flame and extinguished it with her magic.
“There is one more thing you should know. The High Lord of Flame will learn of your existence soon. He will take great interest in you, so be careful.” Her warning hung heavily in the air. Even the crystals suspended near the bay window, which moments before had cast dancing flecks of light around the room seemed to freeze in response to her words.
She then blew twinkling dust from her palm in my direction. It swirled over to me. It looked like star dust and smelled like lavender, “sleep child.” She whispered. I sank back onto the bed, and the world faded as I fell into a deep, healing sleep.
CHAPTER 6
Calpurnia
DELILAH
Iwoke to a feeling of incredible warmth, as if a summer sunset had wrapped itself around me. My eyes fluttered open, and I was bathed in a rich amber glow, the kind of light that seemed to belong to fire itself. At first, I thought it was sunlight, but then realized it was the light of eternally burning crimson fireflies captured within delicate golden glass orbs, suspended from the high ceiling. The light shifted and shimmered, making the air itself feel thick with magic. The pendant lights were breathtaking, yet I could not help but feel a twinge of sorrow for the fireflies trapped within.
I’m alive. I think. And if this is still a dream, it’s the most vivid one I’ve ever had.
My hospital gown had been replaced with a long, off-white silk nightgown and matching modest undergarments. I instinctively reached for my neck. At least my pearl necklace was still there. They changed me? A wave of violation and disgust rose in my chest as I imagined what else could have been done while I slept under the spell of magic. But the richness of my surroundings pulled me away from those thoughts, and I paused to take it all in.
I lay upon a vast, low set bed, its frame carved from black wood so polished it reflected the firefly light like water. The headboard rose nearly to the ceiling. Pillows puffed like clouds of flame red silk, and the blankets were a heavy, opulent weave of black and gold threads, radiating warmth against my skin. They were the softest linens I had ever felt.
The walls glowed in the colors of an autumn sunset, framed by thick gold moldings. Furniture crafted from dark, richly stained wood accentuated the room’s lavish elegance. Curious, I stepped out of the bed to explore.
If my brain was inventing this, it had expensive taste.
I was beginning to doubt this was a dream. I had never fallen asleep within one before. Whether it was the healer’s magic or the indulgent softness of the bed, I did not know. What I did know was that it was the best sleep I have had in years.
The floor was a mosaic of polished obsidian and gold veined marble, warm beneath my feet. Was it heated somehow? The air carried the scent of spice and burning cedar, an intoxicating blend that filled my lungs with unexpected comfort, like sitting around a bonfire with friends.
The splendor of the expansive bedroom was fit for a queen. At the very least, it was better than the forest of horrors. This place, this entire castle, was a paradox, both terrifyingly fierce and breathtakingly beautiful. It felt like a direct reflection of the beings who lived here. What had the healer called them? The Fae?
I moved to the arched window and sat on the ledge. At this elevation, everything appeared black and gray. Far below, patches of green farmland softened the valleys between jagged peaks. In the distance, beyond the volcanic landscape, I could see an expansive blue body of water. The castle sat higher than any other structure in thekingdom, offering a view of several villages tucked into the valleys below.
Dragons of all sizes and colors roamed freely through the sky.
Dragons in the sky like it was normal. Okay. Sure. Why not?
At least they were not trapped like the fireflies. My quiet window gazing was interrupted by the creak of the door hinge.
My door burst open, followed by a swirl of bright orange and gold fabric, and a different Fae came rushing in. She was a stunningly beautiful female with long, wavy chocolate-brown hair, amber eyes, and skin that shimmered like warm gold. There was something about her glow that caught the light like polished metal.
All of the Fae here seemed to have gold shimmery skin and
molten amber eyes.
Her features were symmetrical and angular, with high cheekbones that reflected the firefly light. She radiated bubbly energy, her movements quick and erratic like a hummingbird’s, her large, sparkling eyes wide with excitement.
“Eeek, you’re awake!” she squealed, prancing in place. Her voice rang like tinkling bells. “Oh, glorious, glorious day!” she added, spinning in a joyful circle.
This lady had far too much energy for this time of day.
