Page 43 of Crown of Slumber

I opened my eyes to peer at him, inspecting the room with fresh eyes. I’d stayed here once a year every year for a long time. Mother and Father had expected me to marry the Autumn Prince, but that arrangement had ended when?—

I shut down the thought. I didn’t want my mind to go there. Not now. I didn’t have the energy for it.

Instead, I focused on the cozy bedroom. Plum drapes framed the large window. A matching purple rug covered the left half of the room. On one end was a large bed with four posters and delicate white drapes. On the other end was a wide, copper tub with steam rising from the depths. Next to it was an open wardrobe, through which Fenn was shuffling.

“It’s furnished with clothes exactly my size,” he said with a laugh of disbelief. “This is incredible! I’ve never experienced fae magic like this.”

I smiled slightly. “The witches bound her to the land. I’m sure that connection helps to strengthen the magic.”

“Bandages, ointments, and poultices,” Fenn said as he continued searching through drawers. “Yes, this room definitely has what weneed. Although with your shoulder wound, I think we’ll need a healer.”

“There’s an arrow still protruding from your body,” I shot back. “Webothneed serious medical attention.”

Fenn closed the wardrobe and leaned against it, rubbing his face with one hand. “What happened back there with the goblins?”

I cocked my head at him. “I could ask you the same thing.” When his brows knitted together, I added, “You told them to stop—toleave—and they did.”

“That’s what you’re concerned about? Not the fact that they spontaneously burst into unholy blue flames?”

The incredulity in his voice made me drop my gaze. In truth, I couldn’t explain what had happened.

But I had a hunch that I wasn’t keen on sharing.

I cleared my throat, refusing to look at his probing gaze. “Did you do something to those goblins, Fenn?”

“Didyou?”

“Will you just answer my damn question?” I barked. “I asked you first.”

He smirked at me. “And if I answer, will you do the same?”

My lips clamped together tightly. After a moment, I said, “Yes.”

He laughed. “I don’t believe you.”

“I can’t lie.”

“No, but you can dodge my question. So I’ll do the same. Yes, Idid somethingto those goblins. I fought with all the strength I possessed in order to keep myself—and you—alive. You’re welcome, by the way.”

My nostrils flared, my blood boiling as I climbed to my feet, ignoring the shooting pain that seared through my body, my cuts and scrapes throbbing. “Fine. You want me to answer honestly? The truth is, I don’t know what the hell happened or what caused the fire. All I know was that goblin bit off a chunk of my shoulder and suddenly, he caught fire.”

Fenn straightened, then winced and cradled his right arm. “Your shoulder?” he repeated.

“That’s what I said,” I snapped.

He took a step toward me. “Can I see?”

Frowning at the note of curiosity in his voice, I turned to show him thebloody gash of my flesh wound, still bleeding profusely through my dress.

Fenn sucked in a breath. “Aurelia, that’s exactly where your rune is located.”

My heart jolted as I remembered Samiria pulling down the fabric to expose my shoulder blade and the witch rune I had never known was there.

A goblin bit my shoulder—in the precise location of the rune—and then caught fire. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

My breathing turned ragged, and I suddenly felt dizzy. Gods, I was so tired and confused and overwhelmed by all of this—the sleeping curse, the mysterious rune, and the insufferable prince in front of me.

A warm hand pressed on my uninjured shoulder, grounding me in place, and I found myself leaning into that warmth. Fenn had drawn closer without me realizing, but I didn’t mind it. The warmth of him at my back was strangely comforting.

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