Page 51 of Haunted Hearts

Lillith rolled her eyes, knowing Serena was probably fine but just wanted the attention. However, it surprised her that she was no longer trying to get away from Blaze. Instead, she almost seemed to be trying to get closer to him.

“I’ll carry you,” said Blaze, sweeping Serena off her feet. Serena cried out in surprise, and quickly latched her arms around his neck.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him. Her face was very close to Blaze’s and it caused a knot to form in Lillith’s stomach.

Lillith followed along silently as Blaze walked to his solar and gently laid Serena on his bed. Minerva rushed in, followed by Posy.

“Let me see your ankle,” said Minerva pushing between Blaze and Lillith, placing her medicine bag on the bed. “Mmm,” she said, touching it.

“Ouch!” cried Serena, pushing up to her elbows.

“It is very swollen, but not broken.” Minerva opened her bag, pulling out several vials and a rolled-up piece of cloth.

“What are you going to do?” asked Serena.

“My mother is skilled in healing,” Blaze told her.

“Using what? A spell?”

“Serena, stop it.” Lillith sat down on the edge of the bed. “Minerva uses herbs and items from the earth to heal. She has gemstones like this one she gave me that help to absorb physical and mental pain.” She held up her crystal pendant to show her sister.

“My mother gave you that?” Blaze didn’t sound happy.

“Yes,” she said. “Don’t you have one too?”

He was silent and didn’t answer.

“Lady Serena doesn’t want anything that is not something a normal healer would use,” Posy spoke up.

“Oh, you mean I shouldn’t use bat wings and lizard tongue and frog eyes to heal her ankle?” asked Minerva, digging through her bag, sounding serious. “That’s exactly what I was planning to use.” When no one said a word, Minerva looked up and smiled. “I’m jesting,” she said.

Still, no one answered.

“Serena, you’ll need to remove your stockings so I can put ointment on your ankle and wrap it.” Minerva unwound the rolled-up rag.

“I’ll leave.” Blaze headed to the door. “I’ll send a man to carry you to your own bedchamber in a little while.”

“You’re not going to do it?”

If Lillith wasn’t mistaken, Serena sounded as if she were starting to become smitten with Blaze and she didn’t like that in the least.

“I’m sorry, but I have things to tend to and preparations to make for All Hallows’ Eve that are not finished,” Blaze told her.

“Posy, you’ll need to stay with Serena,” said Lillith, following Blaze to the door.

“I don’t want to miss the festivities,” complained Serena.

“Well, you’re going to have to, I’m afraid,” Minerva told her. “If you stay off your foot for a few days, you should be fine.”

“Yes, Serena. Listen to Lady Minerva and you will be healed in no time.” Lillith left the room, trying to catch up to Blaze.

“Serena is starting to accept me,” said Blaze as they walked together.

“Yes. It seems so.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Why should it?”

Blaze stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. “Lilly, even if Serena likes me now, I still can’t marry her.”

“You have to, Blaze. So much depends on this alliance. Without it, there is so much at stake.”

“I’m sorry, but I guess I’ll just have to find some other way.”

He walked off, making Lillith wonder exactly what he meant. Then, she wondered if she really wanted to know.