Page 35 of Ruling the Green

I shrugged.

I had no idea where it was. I never ventured far from it. If I did, it started to call to me, to beckon me back.

“It couldn’t be far from Grimwood’s estate,” Vishen mused. “How many lakes could possibly be in that area? We could bring samples of each back, see which one is right?”

“It’s worth a try. I mean, two drops of that water has her upright and not groaning in pain.”

“Groaning?” Jet asked, his spine stiffening. “Can she speak?”

“She’s sitting right here. Why are you asking me?” Nira asked, rolling her eyes at him.

I barely knew my new guard, but I had a feeling I was going to like her.

“Have you tried to speak?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to me, making my belly slosh around. I suddenly just wanted all their eyes off of me. I opened my mouth and pretended to try, making just a rasping sound, not an actual word.

“Damn,” Jet said. “Isn’t this too long?”

“I don’t know if Bellhush affects her kind of fae differently. Maybe her metabolism is different because of all the water.”

“The sooner we can get her water, the better,” Jet decided. “Hopefully, it will revitalize her and counteract the Bellhush.”

“Why don’t you take more of your water now?” Vishen asked.

I shook my head, clutching the flask to my chest.

“You can’t blame her for not wanting to use it all up until we can guarantee a supply of it. Would you want to be as sick as she’s been?” Nira asked.

Jet turned to me. “Did Grimwood have you longer than a day?” I shook my head. “Longer than half a day?” Another no. “In that case, why don’t you two head out and try to cover as much land as you can today. Collect water. Mark it. Then bring it back here.”

“Leave you two completely unprotected?” Vishen asked, jaw going tight.

“I’ll have Knight. And I’m not exactly as helpless as you’re making me seem.”

“Maybe it would be best to be as public as possible today,” Vishen suggested. “Take a walk around the courtyard, have a picnic, that sort of thing. Serin can bring her flask and have a drip if she is feeling especially weak.”

Jet looked to me, silently asking me my thoughts.

I shrugged. I was feeling better. And I really did need a tour of the castle and grounds if I was ever going to be able to leave.

“That’s settled, then. You two get moving.” I tapped my leg, filling the room with a little slapping sound as my palm met bare skin. Then I gestured down at my body. “Right,” Jet said. “Nira, do you have a gown for Serin to wear?”

“Do I look like a woman who has a gown to borrow?” Nira shot back. The eye roll was implied. “Besides, we’re a completely different size.”

“Can you find something for her?”

“Does it have to be a gown? Does a princess always waltz around the castle in a full gown?”

“There hasn’t been a princess in the castle in longer than I’ve been alive. Or a queen. I have no idea what she would wear day-to-day.”

“A dress should work, then,” Nira said. “I’ll go find one.”

Jet and Vishen helped me off the floor while she was gone, leaving me alone to get myself ready for the day.

It was so shocking not to feel two steps from the grave that I barely even noticed the heaviness of my limbs or the ache in my muscles.

Nira returned when I’d just finished plaiting my hair, flashing a lovely midnight blue gown at me. The material was light, the pattern simple, but with an intricately embroidered bodice.