Page 66 of Twin Crowns

“Then we will let it suffer.” The gull let out a pitiful cry as Thealaid it in her lap. “It will die eventually. Either it will starve, or another bird will come along and eat it.”

Rose opened her eyes. The poor bird had fallen still. She sensed defeat in its beady eyes, and it made a part of her soul ache. She knew it was just her magic toying with her emotions, but it felt real. It felt painful.

Thea cupped her hands underneath the bird. “Or we can simply toss it in the water and give it to the fish.”

“No!” Rose flung out her hands. “Give it to me.”

“Only if you are sure, Rose. After all, intent is—”

“I know, I know. Intent is what matters most,” said Rose impatiently. “I want to heal the bird. All right? I don’t want it to be in pain anymore.”

The corner of Thea’s mouth twitched as she settled the bird in Rose’s lap.

Rose laid her hands on the quivering creature. She could feel its tiny heartbeat fluttering against her fingertips. Its wing was bent so badly that bone was piercing through its feathers.

“I... I don’t know what to do. When I healed Shen, I didn’t even think about it.” Rose flushed at the memory of her hands on his bare leg. “I just put my hands on the wound, and then it healed. Like...”

“Magic?” said Thea wryly. “You must have wanted to heal him so badly that you did it without realizing how. Try that now. Focus on the bird. Let your desire guide you.”

Rose closed her eyes. She saw the bird’s life like a golden thread in her mind, short and dimly glowing. She reached toward it.

The gull twitched in her hands.

“Calm your heart, anxious one. Let me heal what is broken.”

Her fingers began to prickle. Beneath them, she felt the fine bones knitting themselves back together, one by one. In her mind, the golden thread grew stronger, brighter.

“Good,” said Thea in a low voice. “Now gently set the wing.”

Barely breathing, Rose let her instincts guide her. She moved her fingers, slowly, gently. With a small click, the wing slid into place.

Her eyes flew open. “I did it!”

The bird flapped suddenly, its mended wing whacking Rose in the face. She laughed and let go. With a resounding squawk, the gull lifted into the air. It glided in a circle above them, before taking off for the shore.

Rose flopped backward, her rush of exhilaration quickly followed by a wave of fatigue. She hadhealedsomething. On purpose!

“You’ll find that healing is exhausting. You must be mindful of your limits.” Thea patted Rose’s knee. “I’m proud of you, Rose. Shen was right, you are a natural.”

Rose beamed with pride. She’d never been told she was a natural at anything. It felt nice to be good at something. Even if that something was magic.

“And fitting, too, that you healed a bird out here in the ocean,” Thea mused. “You do know the origin of Eana, don’t you?”

“Of course,” said Rose. “The Great Protector founded Eana over a thousand years ago. He came here from the Eternal Kingdom in a ship full of gallant knights and beautiful maidens, and together they cast out the witches and freed the land from dark magic. The Protector established a ruling monarchy that— What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Theahmmed. “That is a pretty story, but I’m afraid it is not the truth. And it certainly does not explain why our island is shaped like a bird.”

Rose laughed. “Shaped like a bird? What are you talking about?”

“Haven’t you ever seen a map?”

“Of course I have! But Eana simply looks like Eana.”

“Next time, look closer.” Thea swept her finger through the air as if to draw it. “Our land marks the shape of a bird in flight. Right now, we’re tucked neatly under its wing.”

Rose gave Thea a polite smile. “That’s a nice image.”

“It is this way because our land was once a bird.”

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