Page 111 of In the Blood

She nodded. “Aye. Is there anything I can do? Beyond dressing your wounds.” The way she was staring at me… she wanted to help. But what could she do?Find Raf, was my first thought. But if he could easily be found, he’d be here. I tried to think through the fog of pain… and then I latched onto something that had a low probability of working.

“I have an idea… though it’s not a great one.” I told her the plan and she promised to do what she could before applying a cooling balm that helped numb the pain. And then I was alone, lost in my misery.

The door opened and I didn’t bother lifting my head.Lusha. “Your message has been delivered, Your Grace. I brought your gown for this evening. I’ve been instructed to give you a sponge bath and make you presentable.”

I gave her an assaulted look. “Your Grace? Lusha, please… call me Marigold. Look at me.” I was covered in bandages. My hair hadn’t been washed in over a week and was coated in blood and sweat. I was so tired. How did Galen expect me to stand tonight when I could barely move? Every muscle in my back protested as I sat up.

“Alright, Marigold. Take it easy,” Lusha hushed, carefully checking my wounds. I felt a surge of hope when I thought about my dance partner. Raf would show if he could, if he was alive, but Galen would be prepared for that.

I was going to be bait for a trap. A new wave of pain had me clutching my stomach. If anything happened to Rafael because of me, I’d never forgive myself.

Lusha worked her magic; brushing tangles out of my hair, taking away small bruises, smoothing my hair, and cleaning my nails. Next came the dress. It was a white satin, off-the-shoulder gown, embroidered with lace flowers. Galen had a sick sense of humor. It was almost a replica of my debut dress, except tailored to faerie fashion. It was simple and elegant and Ihated it. Which was good, since I’d bleed through it within the hour.

After much effort, Lusha helped me into it, spoon fed me, then forced water down my throat, like I was a helpless baby. This entire experience was demoralizing, but I’d be forever grateful for her kindness. When it was time for her to go, I clung to her. “Please, don’t leave me,” I begged.

Her face crumpled. “I must. Prince Galen will be coming to collect you soon. I’ll keep an eye out for his brothers. Be brave, sweet one.” She touched my cheek, but as she moved to leave, I gripped her wrist.

“Throw a shield around us,” I hissed. We were alone in the room but there were guards outside in the hall. She didn’t hesitate though, shielding us in a thin layer of water.

“Raf and Louis found the abducted humans,” I said in a low murmur. “They’re planning to bring them here. If I get out, I’m going to tryand help them escape to Erador. I’ve been cut off from any more updates, but this is important…”

Lusha nodded, staring at me with round eyes as I continued, “The Elders, Sylvia, and Galen are exterminating humans—they’ve found a way to steal their magic and plan to hoard it, giving the Crown complete control. You need to warn as many people as you can and build a resistance. If I make it back to Erador, we’re going to break the curse and then we’re coming back to fight. I won’t abandon you here. I promise.”

Her eyes were cartoonishly large as she exited the room without another word. Even if I died tonight, at least someone knew what was happening. I did all I could. Now it was time to wait.

I sat on the bed, staring at the door. Panic slithered its way through me—squeezing my heart, clawing into my stomach. Galen was going to burst in any moment and then I’d be on display, surrounded by crowds and chaos. I was so weak. Would I get the chance to beg a stranger for help? I had to try.

Before I could strategize any further, the door opened. I held my breath, expecting to see Galen, but instead a pair of bright blue eyes stared back at me.

fifty-two

“We don’t have much time,” Isla said, already dressed for the festival in an evergreen gown that shimmered as she flitted around me. She pulled a set of keys from her cleavage, fumbling with them, then testing them on my cuffs.

“You-you retrieved the key… I didn’t have high hopes of you helping me,” I breathed.

“All of his keys, actually,” she chirped smugly. “I’m here, aren’t I? I want the crown and I believe what your maid told me—that he plans to propose to you. I’ve never trusted him, and lately he’s been even more erratic. I need you out of the picture. If he doesn’t propose to me, my father will assume it’s my fault.” She scowled, then met my gaze. “Will you leave us for good?” she asked, pausing her progress on the lock.

“Yes,” I promised. “I’ll leave as soon as these shackles are off my wrist. I never want to see Galen again. Please, be quick. He’s due to come any moment.” I heard the click of a cuff and then one wrist was free.

“Obviously, I know that. He’d be here already if it wasn’t for me. It wasn’t easy to retrieve these,” she said, holding up the keys. “First, I had to get him drunk, which wasn’t difficult. Then I had to lay with him until he was so thoroughly exhausted that he passed out. His valet will wake him soon, though.”

The second shackle dropped and I felt magic surge through me. My back tingled and itched as flayed, charred skin began to heal itself. “Thank you, Isla. I owe you my life.” She’d already turned around.

“Don’t forget it,” she said, looking back with a grin before rushing out.

My legs wobbled as I walked to the door and peered out the hallway. Only a few dim sconces lit the way. I turned towards the staircase, but the steady thud of a phantom heart beat drew me back. The heavy drumming shook my bones as it pulled me in.

Dark magic, seductive and sweet, called to me as I moved towards the Elder's evil creation. I approached it cautiously, studying the mechanics. An encased, blackened heart sat suspended in the air, pumping on its own. Blood funneled from a network of arteries into a large vat in steady, gushing bursts. I hissed at it with disgust.

Its magic brushed against me in soft, soothing strokes, but it had no power over me. I’d already been to hell and back, and I’d learned a thing or two.The best way to defeat darkness was to let in the light.

With no time to waste, I shifted into a unicorn and sent wave after crashing wave at the heart. The dark magic curled and writhed as it flooded out of the pulsing organ. It tried to escape, but there was nowhere to hide as starlight lit up the room and disintegrated every evil thing in its path. Glass shattered, blood boiled, and the heart splintered, until the only thing left was a pile of white sand. Then I ran for my life.

It took all my willpower to not stay in my pneuma form. I knew I couldn’t be seen, but the impulse to protect myself was difficult to ignore. I let out a steady breath before shifting back into my fragile human body, feeling instantly vulnerable. I raced up the stairs, two at a time, until I arrived at a door. I cracked it slowly and then stepped through.

Fresh air engulfed me and I sucked it down with gratitude. The position of the sun told me it was late afternoon and guests would be arriving soon. I backed up against the castle’s white stone walls, trying to camouflage myself as I reigned in my frantic desire torun.

I began to slowly scoot along the building until I came to a corner and cautiously peered around it. Before I could so much as yelp, someone grabbed me from behind… and everything went dark.

---