Page 45 of Enchanted Heir
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the snickerdoodle cookies were coming out of the oven. And then Owen went quiet because he was too busy shoving the things into his mouth.
“The Harvest Festival is in a little over three weeks,” Mother told me. “Can you believe it?”
I smiled, thinking of all the work, and also the relief our part of the kingdom would soon feel. Another season of crops harvested and stored away. “I wish I could be here for it. Instead, my version of the Harvest Festival will be dressing as a tree and going to a fancy ball.”
My mother smirked. “Not many women would probably wish for the Nerede fall celebration over the one up in Kavan Keep.”
I shrugged. She was correct, but it was still how I felt.
By the time the cookies and dishes were done, it was time to depart. Krew was right. He hadn’t made it to say hello. But I had told Mother as much, so it wasn’t a surprise to any of us.
“Take care of yourself,” my mother said as she hugged me. “It is good to see you not so hurting and torn.”
I still felt moderately confused though. Trying to balance the act with Krew, slowly becoming his friend and confidant, and then trying to figure out how my blood had a healing element to it.
My heart might not be in a constant state of wreckage anymore, but I also still had a lot to figure out before I walked out of the castle for good.
CHAPTER12
Afew nights later, I woke to the moon. Or what I assumed was the moon in my sleepy slumber. Instead, it was Krew’s magic glowing in the night. It was snaking up his arms, then disappearing entirely. He’d twitch, and it was gone. But then it would crackle across his cheek bones only to disappear again.
It took me a few minutes to realize his magic wasn’t taking possession of his body like I first assumed. Instead, it seemed with how he twitched that he was simply having a bad dream.
I didn’t know that his magic would do that. As if it was rising to the surface to help protect him or maybe because of the emotions he was feeling within his dream. There was still a lot about magic I obviously did not know.
But the one thing I did know was that I could fix the situation. I reached a hand across our pillow divide and rested it on his shoulder. I didn’t want to wake him, but I just wanted to calm his magic in any way I could help.
It seemed to work as he went still beneath my touch.
But then his hand was on top of mine. His thumb brushed across the top of my hand and held it in place.
His breathing was slow, so he must have still been asleep. But while sleeping he was now holding my hand in place. If I jerked it away, he would surely wake up.
So I was stuck.
But at least his magic was no longer keeping me awake? I was left with no other choice than to wait it out, keeping my hand where it was until the moment he would move in his sleep.
I stayed awake countless minutes, waiting for the opportunity to free my hand and save us both the embarrassment. But my eyelids went heavy long before my hand was ever free.
* * *
The Hallows’Eve ball was finally here. I was dreading the entire evening but felt less nervous than the previous ball because at least Krew was talking to me this week.
Though based on his bad dream the previous night, and also the look that crossed his face on occasion, I felt he was struggling through something. Likely something his father had said or done. I wasn’t sure.
“Are you ready to see the gown?” Silvia asked with a clap.
I winced. “I have never dressed as a tree before, Silvia. Or even worn a costume of any kind. So you have already outdone yourself for the best costume I’ve ever worn.”
She laughed. “You should tell that to your face. You look worried.”
I smirked. “So I am. A little.”
She unzipped the dress bag. “You needn’t be.”
My eyes went huge as she exposed more and more of the dress. The color itself was what our forest should have looked like. It was a deep forest green gown, with a texture to it that in some parts resembled leaves, and in others, a dark brown sparkle, like bark. There was one shoulder to this gown, but for the most part, I was fully covered. It was exquisite.
“See?” Silvia beamed. “Now. I will do your hair down, to add to your tree look, and I have a mask for you.” She pulled it out as she explained. “Do not fight me on this. If you do not wear the mask, the rest of the room will not pick up on our tree theme. You’ll be too underdressed.”
