Page 49 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

My heart lurched as I hurried toward her. “Seven Hels, you’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing serious.”

But her frown only deepened as I took her uninjured arm and slung it over my shoulder, offering her my support as we made our way back. She didn’t refuse the aid, and that alone spoke volumes.

By the time we reached the castle, we were both soaked through. With a trail of puddles in our wake, I led us into the kitchen and helped her into a chair.

While I made tea, I darted glances at where she sat cleaning and bandaging the wound on her arm. It was a clean slice, probably a short blade. No poisons or infections from the looks of it—but that shouldn’t have been enough to slow her down like this. It should’ve healed by now.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noted her holding a small vial to the wound, capturing a few drops of the blood that still leaked from it. Then she tucked it into her pocket and began dressing her wound again.

I carried tea over for us and set it in place; then I slid into the chair beside hers. When her gaze lifted to mine, I could see the questions written there as easily as if she’d asked them aloud.

“You first,” I said.

“I came down to make dinner, and the creature surprised me.” She scowled, and I knew it grated on her to admit. “It got a lucky slice in before I drove it back and out the door. Then I went to find you.”

“I must’ve just missed you,” I told her then recapped my own story for her, including the trick with the smoke.

“Are you sure the smoke didn’t come from you?” she asked.

I shot her a look. “I know my own power.”

“Yes,” she agreed on a sigh, “you do.”

“It doesn’t make sense, though. Since when do those things know how to wield magic?”

“It could have been a glamour he purchased. A vial of fae blood might?—”

“It came from him. I felt it.” I shuddered, remembering how it had crawled over my skin. “The magic coming from that smoke was strong—and dark. I almost…”

“Almost what?”

I shook my head. “It distracted me. I wasn’t expecting it.”

She looked grim. “Neither was I. The wards have begun to fail. I…” She didn’t finish the sentence, and that, more than anything, broke my heart. To see the great Aine warrior brought so low…

“What can I do?” I whispered, pain lacing my words. “Tell me. I’ll do anything to stop this.”

Her own expression twisted in pain.

I didn’t expect her to answer, so when she suddenly straightened and said, “There’s only one thing left to try,” it took me a moment to process it. When it did, hope surged.

“What?” I asked quickly.

“Come with me.” Her voice was suddenly stronger than it had been in days. She stood, and her eyes gleamed with something other than pain—resolve.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I think the library will be best for this.”

I wanted to ask what that meant, but she was already moving, steadying herself on the edge of the table. Biting back my questions, I followed her through the castle’s winding corridors. Her pace was determined, and I found myself rushing to keep up. Outside, the rain pounded against the windows, the wind groaning through the trees.

In the library, Sonoma closed the door behind us with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the space. She pointed to the hearth where hot coals still glowed from earlier.

Above the fireplace, a tapestry with the royal crest—a golden sun over a laurel wreath—hung on the wall. I glanced at it and back to Sonoma.

“Stoke the fire, would you?”

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