Page 27 of Blooms of Darkness

The walls of the palace felt like they were closing in. Another freedom, which right now seemed like the only freedom left, had been taken from me.

I couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Despite knowing we needed more information about our enemy, the choice for me to be a part of the solution remained made for me.

I fled my bedroom, and the pity on Ian’s face. I couldn’t bear it.

Couldn’t bear the truth I’d run from for so long.

In a world where power was currency, what good would a queen be who had none?

Chapter 8

Clutching my arms around my middle, holding myself together, I moved with purpose toward the only other place inside the castle walls providing solace.

Elisabeth’s room.

She’d know what to say, as always. She would pour me a cup of tea, listen, and then turn everything around.

Rounding a corner, I squealed as I ran into someone moving quickly in the opposite direction.

“Elisabeth.” I embraced her the moment I recognized her. “I was just coming to see you.” Despite being two inches taller than her, any hug from Elisabeth made me feel cocooned and safe.

Wherever she had been running to in a hurry, she didn’t push me away to get back to it. Instead, she rubbed my back. “What’s all this now? What’s on your mind?”

We never formally informed Elisabeth about the Hidden Henchman, but something told me she knew, nonetheless. She never pressed or asked about it, though. I refused to confide specific details to her in fear someone would learn of what we’d been doing and punish her.

“Ian and I aren’t seeing eye to eye right now,” I said.

She cupped my cheek. “Everyone argues. I’m surprised the two most stubborn children I know haven’t argued more to be perfectly honest.” Her smile shone bright, but after taking a closer look, I noticed the puffy, dark bags under her eyes.

“Are you all right?” I asked, linking my arm with hers as we continued down the hall.

“I’m just tired, child. I’m not quite as young as I used to be, and I haven't been getting much sleep recently while tending to your father at all hours of the day and night.” Elisabeth patted my hand gently.

“You look more than tired,” I said, offering Elisabeth a bit of space to elaborate.

After all these years with her, I knew if I pressed a little and remained quiet, she'd offer more.

Sure enough, a few paces down the hall, Elisabeth sighed, pausing, and pulling her arm from mine to face me. “I’m worried, Illiana. I’ve never witnessed anything like this before. In all my training and years of experience, I’ve never encountered a sickness which doesn’t respond to my treatments. I’m trying everything I can think of, and nothing is working. I’m unsure what else to do. It’s why I’ve missed our last few weekly tea sessions. I’m so sorry.”

I threw my arms around Elisabeth in another hug, engulfing myself in her calming lavender scent. “I know you will figure it out. You are the smartest person I have ever met. You fix everything.” I drew away, searching for any sign of reassurance.

But there was none.

Instead, I noticed wrinkles I hadn’t observed before, lining her eyes and face.

I leaned my forehead down, resting it against hers. “And regardless of what happens, I know you give all those you heal more than anyone else could.” My lip quivered at the thought.Her failing meant my father would die. I refused to confront that reality.

Elisabeth offered a grim smile, and in a few strides, began rifling through the pockets of her apron. “Enough mushy talk now. Ah, here you go.” She handed me a small vial, one I recognized instantly.

A special concoction, a sleeping potion for when my nightmares grew to be too much.

“I meant to give this to you yesterday, but I ran out of time. Let me know when you are running low. Now, I’m off for a bit of a rest before the next time I am summoned.” She left me with a quick squeeze of my hand as she made her way down the hall toward her room.

An all-too-familiar pattern of heavy footsteps behind me caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end.

He has no power over you now,I told myself, aware of what I’d see when I turned.

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