Page 40 of Just Crumbs

“Can’t you see the strands?” I ask, pointing at the tangled mess in front of me.

Gerrit shakes his head, but Hans takes a step toward the plant. “I can see what look like green threads, all tangled up. I have never seen that before. What is it?”

It never occurred to me that others couldn’t see the magic. It must be a perk of being a magical creature versus a human with magic. “My power boost must be allowing you to have visibility. I see the life of your father and the plant and the curse all tangled together. They are all so knotted that I’m unsure if I can get them out intact.” I reach out and poke the writhing mass of life. It’s like a bundle of snakes, all tangled and tied together.

“Anything you can do?” Hope is a living creature in Hans’s voice.

“I can try to cut the curse instead of unraveling it. But that’s risky.”

Flint’s by our side quickly.“Tell all of them the risks. The Duke included,”he projects into my head.

Sometimes, I think Flint knows more than he lets on. It’s almost like he can see outcomes and guide us toward the safest one. It must come with being an eternal spirit.

“Duke,” I say gently, taking a few steps from him. “Your lifeforce, that of the plant, and the curse are so intertwined that I cannot weave them apart.”

“What does that mean?” he says, eyes bouncing between us before landing on me again. “Do you mean there’s no hope?”

“There is a small amount of hope,” I say, looking at Gerrit and Hans, ensuring they’re paying attention to me. “The curse and the plant are intrinsically combined. If I cut the curse, there is the possibility that it will release you from it and the plant.”

“Why wouldn’t you just do that? It sounds easier,” Gerrit asks.

I wince, wringing my hands together. “To do that, I have to weaken the curse significantly so it doesn’t tear your father’s strands on the way out.”

Hans grabs my hand and squeezes, and Flint begins to whine.

Gerrit hasn’t figured out where this conversation is going yet because confusion still mars his face. “How do you do that?” he asks quietly.

The door at the back of the room slams open.

“By killing me.”

Chapter21

Shadow

BRIAR

The woman is beautiful. Ethereal, even.

Her blond hair falls down her back in waves, nearly hitting the back of her knees. She’s got wide blue eyes and a pointed nose. Her shapely body is wrapped in rich green velvet that cascades down to the floor. Gold threads weave through it.

She looks like a dream.

“Mother,” Gerrit says through gritted teeth.

“My baby,” she coos, sweeping across the floor and gathering him in her arms. She’s barely shorter than him, and despite the conflicting feelings I know he holds for her, he melts in her arms. “It’s been entirely too long.”

“Are we just going to ignore that you swept in here and claimed this curse?” Hans spits out. “That you admit to cursing my father?”

“Oh Hans,” she says in a chiding tone. “You know I love your father. I would never do such a thing.”

The Duke coughs loudly into a kerchief as he attempts to sit up straighter, his posture regal despite everything. “But my love, if killing you would weaken the curse…” His eyes fixate on the writing mass of magic in front of me. “Then it is your curse.”

She releases Gerrit and perches on the side of the bed. “Yes, my dearest, I purchased the curse. But I did not create it, and I did not intend to curse you. It was an unfortunate accident. I have been searching for a cure since it happened.”

His eyes brighten at this, but mine narrow.

I have not met many people in my long life, but my instincts are screaming.

---