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Chapter 41

The next two weeks pass by quickly, Silas and Dakari have been busy trying to figure out what to do about the other Dragons that have been lost to the curse. Dakari seems to think that when their mates died, part of them died with them and that’s how they became monsters. Dakari also seems to think that it wasn’t my magic at all that changed them, it was my blood which at first didn’t make sense because only one of the two Dragons bit me. The other bit Aldrin, which has now led to the theory that it is Fae royal blood that changes them. Either way, Aldrin and I aren’t willing to go out and taunt them just to be bitten, so now we are trying to come up with ways to inject them without getting too close. The Dragons can’t fly so that gives us an advantage, but the problem is one of them knows Fae blood is the cure, so Silas is now worried we may have a war on our hands soon.

Matitus and Dragus have also been busy when they aren’t seeking me out, they have been helping repair the city. We now have three orphanages and two homeless shelters. The city is starting to resemble an actual township now. The place is flourishing, and the people are happy, giving me hope that our future is bright.

Walking through the castle, I search for Abigail. I have to tell her Victor has finally made a sleeping remedy for Claire. Claire has been suffering terrible nightmares and Dakari came to ask if there was any way we could help her, so I sent him to Victor. He is as close to a doctor we are going to get, although Victor too has been rather busy training those who are willing to learn how to make medicine and what they are used for. He has nine apprentices so far all eager to learn.

Walking into the kitchen, I spot Abigail helping Marian sort vegetables they picked this morning.

“Hey Abbie, Victor wants you to go see him, he made something to help Claire sleep.”

Abigail looks up excitedly, exhaustion after many sleepless nights lining her face. We tried to insist she take some time off, but she refused, wanting to help where she can.

“Oh, thank the heavens, I hope it works. I don’t think I can go much longer without sleep,” she says.

“Go home, we don’t need you here. Get some sleep and spend time with Claire,” I tell her. She shakes her head.

“Go on love, you need it,” Marian tries to tell her.

“I will make Silas fire you if I have to” I warn her. She hangs her head.

“Fine, but only for a day or two. Okay.”

I nod; anything is better than nothing. I watch Abigail duck out of the kitchen going to see Victor.

“How are you feeling, you don’t look any better. Still been feeling sick?” Marian asks. I am also exhausted. I dreaded the night. I have nowhere to hide and the lack of sleep from the past week is starting to show. Matitus and Dragus never leave me alone. Not that I am complaining, but they have been insatiable.

Marian opens up the fridge, a foul odor wafting to my nose.

“What is that?” I ask, pinching my nose.

“What’s what?” Marian asks, looking over her shoulder at me.

“That smell.” It is making my stomach turn violently.

“I can’t smell anything,” Marian says, sniffing the air. I unplug my nose taking a whiff. The smell makes me dry heave and I pinch my nose again.

Walking over to the fridge, I peer inside. All that is in there are fruits and vegetables and cheese in this one. I unplug my nose again, sniffing the fridge before grabbing some cheese off the shelf and smelling it. It is not a good idea. The odor is coming from the cheese, and I instantly feel bile rise. I drop it, running for the sink only just making it. I empty my stomach. Marian squeals, rushing over.

“Shit love, are you alright?”

“The cheese, it’s bad,” I gasp, and she picks it up sniffing it, while I continue to spew.

“Smells fine to me,” she says, and I look up as she breaks a piece off and pops it in her mouth. The sight of her eating the curdled cheese makes me throw up again.

“Tastes fine too, maybe you’re coming down with something,” she says, putting the cheese in the fridge and closing the door. I wet my face and drink water straight from the tap to rinse my mouth out. I feel hot, really hot, and start pulling off my coat.

“Elora it’s freezing in here, leave it on,” Marian argues, trying to push it back up on my shoulders.

“No, I am hot, I need it off,” I tell her, and she reluctantly removes it for me while I remain over the sink worried about throwing up again. When the urge leaves, I finally stand up.

“Maybe you should go lay down,” she says worriedly, touching my head.

“You do feel a little warm,” Marian muses.

“I’m fine, I just need some sleep, maybe a shower first.”

“I will go see if I can find the Kings…”