Page 23 of Crown of Slumber

My mouth went dry, and sweat coated my palms. My voice was rough as I said softly, “Nor have I. It is not an incident I intend to repeat. We will make this visit brief. I swear it.”

“And who is he?” asked the third witch, a shorter woman with flaming red hair. She gestured to Fennick, who stiffened beside me.

“He is my companion, here to assist me in breaking the enchantment,” I replied without even glancing his way. I hoped my casual dismissal of him would prevent the witches from scrutinizing him further.

The three witches glanced at one another, their eyes conveying hidden meaning. Given what I knew of their abilities, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were communicating with their minds.

After a moment, the hook-nosed witch nodded brusquely. “Very well. You may request an audience with the sage. But if she refuses you, you must leave.”

“I understand,” I said. “Thank you.”

“Follow me.” The witch turned on her heel and strode toward the mass of tents. The other two witches stepped aside to let us pass, but the white-haired one shot me a glare that told me she’d be watching closely to ensure I didn’t try anything foolish.

I felt Fennick’s eyes on me as we weaved through tents, following the dark-haired witch. I didn’t look at him, though. Instead, I focused on my breathing, trying not to allow the earthy clove smell to overwhelm my senses.

It smelled so familiar and brought with it a whirlwind of memories I’d tried so hard to forget.

Screams. Broken bodies strewn on the ground. My blood on fire. Mal’s shrieks of agony.

“What happened when you were last here?” Fennick murmured next to me.

“That’s not your concern,” I snapped, blinking rapidly to clear my head of the nauseating images that plagued me.

“It is if I’m yourcompanion,” Fennick pressed. “If my life is in danger by being here, I’d like to know.”

I whirled to face him, my nostrils flared and my eyes drilling into him. “It’s not. You are perfectly safe. When I was last here, I was curious and reckless and dabbled in spells I shouldn’t have. I assure you, I will not be doing it again.”

Before he could reply, I turned away, hastening to keep up with the witch’s brisk pace.

Though it had been years since my last visit, I still remembered Samiria’s large tent, the smell of rosemary wafting from the flaps. The dark-haired witch raised her hand to stop us before she ducked inside, leaving me alone with Fennick. Around us, several witches bustled about, casting us curious glances, and some outright glaring at Fennick, clearly dismayed by the presence of a man.

I crossed my arms and chewed on the inside of my cheek, trying to control my breathing.

It’s not like last time. It won’t happen again. You are safe. Everyone here is safe.

I closed my eyes. My heart was racing, thundering mercilessly against my ribcage. My bodice felt too tight, too restrictive. All around me, screams and cries echoed, results of the damage I’d caused.

“Aurelia.”

My eyes flew open, and I found Fennick standing before me, his jade eyes searching mine. His hands were on my shoulders, thoughI hadn’t felt or heard him approach. Startled by his nearness, a sudden rush of sensations slammed into me. The warmth of his fingers on my shoulders. His now familiar scent of pine and mint. The whispering breeze in the air, tickling my face.

I exhaled, long and slow.

“Aurelia,” Fennick said again, his voice a soft murmur. Belatedly, I realized he had never spoken my name before. It was always “Your Highness.” Though it was oddly intimate, I realized I needed to hear my name from his lips. It grounded me.

And perhaps he realized this, too.

“Move your feet,” he said.

I blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Feel the earth beneath you. Plant yourself right here in this moment. You are here and now. Nowhere else.”

I swallowed hard, though my pulse still skittered. I shuffled my feet, the toes of my boots digging into the soft earth. Closing my eyes, I focused on the sensation. The smoothness of the soil. The soft scuffing sound of leather gliding along the dirt.

My breathing was shaky, but my pulse was slowing.

“You’re safe,” Fennick murmured. “There is no danger here.”

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