Page 26 of Crown of Slumber

Samiria’s amusement faded as she fixed a somber look at Aurelia. She said nothing as she approached the princess, then gripped her elbows to turn her around. With a baffled expression, Aurelia obeyed, and Samiria pulled on the cotton fabric of her dress, gentlytugging it downward to reveal a black spiral marking on her left shoulder blade.

My eyes widened. Aurelia had a witch rune?

Aurelia wriggled uncomfortably, but Samiria kept a firm grip on her. “What is it?”

“You can’t see it?” I asked.

“Of course I can’t,” Aurelia snapped. “It’s on myback.”

“But you’ve never seen it in mirrors? Your lady’s maid never pointed it out when she does your hair?” My voice was thick with incredulity. And she accusedmeof duplicity.

Aurelia finally jerked free of the witch’s grip and turned to face me, her cheeks reddening. “No.If there’s a mark on me, I was not aware of it, nor have I seen it.” She glared at Samiria. “What is it? Did you put it on me?”

Slowly, Samiria shook her head, her expression unreadable. When she said nothing else, Aurelia put her hands on her hips. “Samiria, tell me!”

Samiria straightened, her eyes narrowing. “You do not command me, Lady Aurelia. Remember on whose land you tread.”

Aurelia immediately ducked her head. “Forgive me.”

Samiria strode to the cauldron, running her finger along the rim once more. “There are many runes of my people. Some are so complex that they can be rendered invisible to the bearer of the mark, along with anyone else not blessed by runic magic.” Her eyes lifted to meet Aurelia’s. “Rest assured that I have never marked you before, child. Nor has anyone in my coven.”

“But… surely, you recognize it?” Aurelia asked. “Do you have any idea what it means? Or who put it there?”

Samiria sighed. “I am forbidden from speaking of it. There are holy laws that I am blood sworn to obey.”

Aurelia took several trembling breaths, then shook her head. “I don’t understand. How could I have a witch mark on me? And if you or your coven didn’t put it there, then who did?” She lifted her hands to her face and massaged her temples. “Gods… What does this even mean? Is thereanythingyou can tell me?”

“Only the witches ofthis landare bound by this law,” Samiria said, her words slow and measured.

A stunned silence followed her words. I shifted my weight,thinking of the witches in my land. Could they help her? They had certainly been willing to help me in the past.

“As for your sleeping enchantment,” Samiria went on, her gaze fixed on the steaming contents of the cauldron, “there are powerful elements that can break curses. One of these is the blood of a Blue Amethyst.”

My brows furrowed. A Blue Amethyst? Was that some rare bird species I was unaware of?

Aurelia’s breath hitched, and her eyes flared wide. Whatever a Blue Amethyst was, she knew. Her face paled, and she shook her head. “Samiria, I cannot. She’s too weak. I don’t even know if her blood is potent enough.”

“It’s not,” Samiria said. “You’re right; the beast is too weak. But if you can find a way to heal her—or find her mother—then you can break the curse.”

I crossed my arms. “What is a Blue Amethyst?”

Aurelia’s gaze was fixed on the floor, her eyes calculating. Samiria said nothing; she merely watched Aurelia, as if waiting for something.

“Did you know this would happen?” Aurelia asked in a low voice. Her eyes flicked to the witch, and a hint of suspicion crept into her gaze.

Samiria straightened, her eyes flashing. “No, I did not. I know the Dream Mage has been getting stronger, but I did not know she would strike this kingdom.”

Aurelia nodded slowly, and I found myself prickling with irritation that she trusted this witch’s word so easily, whereas I had sworn in blood and shestilldidn’t believe me. “If I bring the Blue Amethyst to you,” Aurelia said softly, “can you break the curse?”

“Yes,” Samiria said, her eyes cutting to me and back to Aurelia again. “Do you recall the… substance I told you about yesterday in the nesting grounds?”

Aurelia nodded, her jaw tense.

“The Blue Amethyst needs to ingest this substance first. It will help her heal. And once her strength is restored, then her body will be able to endure the spell.”

What the hell were they talking about? Whatsubstance?

But Aurelia nodded, clearly understanding whatever Samiria was talking about.

---