Page 37 of Ties of Shadow

“You would choose something with stars.” I smiled. “But Father said that causes headaches.”

“Only because it boosts the mind.”

Uncle Koll chuckled loudly. “Alright you two, enough for this old man. All I know is that whatever you two concoct, I’ll be happy to test it out.” He stood without using the table. “This potion’s a good one. My knee isn’t quite so angry now.” He walked more easily to the stairs. “My boy, if you would.” The Shade’s hand wavered ever so slightly as he reached out and created a shadow chair for his uncle. “So long for now.” And with a wave, the shadows carried Uncle Koll back down the stairs.

I started tidying up the potions to be boxed up when I noticed the Shade take a small sip out of one. He set it down in the box as if to hide what he’d done. Then he turned and pushed in his chair. “Dayspring, tomorrow, I think we should figure out how to augment this potion.”

I bit my lip and focused on the table.

“Spill it, Dayspring.”

“What about cloudy mossweed?”

The Shade paused. “For what, exactly?”

“I just…I wonder if it could be heated and separated. The concentrate could maybe help with the fatigue.”

“Do you think it would do more than the adimantus mushroom?”

“Yes, since that’s really more of a nutrition supplement.”

A swirl of shadow was the only sign of his consideration. “Maybe…maybe if we combine it with—”

“Bitterroot,” we said together.

He smiled, and his eyes crinkled before they narrowed. “The trouble is, lately I’ve only seen the cloudy mossweed on the western cave walls. The ones on the cliffs near the castle were all killed off.”

I deflated. “So it’s too dangerous because of the spyrings?”

His lips peeled back in a smile that looked much like the wolf’s. “Nothing is too dangerous for us, Dayspring.”

“Then…we could go get some?”

Swirling out, the Shade descended the stairs. “Let’s go tomorrow. Maybe some of the scary beasties will be sleeping the day away.”

Tomorrow. The caves. I shuddered at the thought of the spyrings, but my fear was short-lived, replaced by the image of a potion that was better, stronger, and would help even more.

I couldn’t give the prince what he wanted, but maybe I—maybe we could still help the queen.

I was afraid to wonder too hard about why the Shade would be willing to save his enemy. For a moment, I worried that he would try to poison her, but if Uncle Koll was our test subject, of course he’d be careful. I jolted at the realization that I trusted that relationship. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep myself on guard and remember what I knew before I came here. The Shade was darkness, evil, vile…

“Tired, Dayspring. The Shade is tired. Let’s go to bed.” His steps seemed heavier as each struck the stone floor with a click. He swept a whirl of shadow around the room, dousing the lamps. I shuddered and stepped closer. I frowned in confusion at my own actions. If I really thought the Shade was vile, then why would I move closer to him just because I feared the dark? I really should be more careful of my thoughts.

“Sorry.” My face flushed as my fingers slid to my necklace.

“Your thoughts were leaking.”

“Sorry.”

There was a pause as he slowed his steps. “I like knowing your thoughts.” His eyes swirled with blackness as he regarded me, his gaze a weight that trickled across my skin.

A burst of nerves fluttered through my belly.

Fear, certainly. Those nerves must be fear.

Chapter seventeen

Bitterroot Caverns

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