Page 43 of The Healing Dragon
At the look of utter hatred in Alejandra’s eyes, everyone can tell she is about to object yet again.
“This is not a democracy, soldier. We are all wounded from that night.” He turns to the crowd. “We must do everything in our power to find a solution to our current threat and I can assure you that is not Janelle. She is not even in possession of her magic.”
The majority of the people who are looking at the King nodtheir head with determination in their eyes. Some in the group avert their eyes, staring at the ground instead. There are only a few who hold my gaze, and their eyes show utter hatred for my existence.
Brandon turns to me, but his words are directed at his people. “Lady Janelle Duelo will not stay in the Black Castle as a royal family member. She will be allowed accommodations with the condition that she earns her keep and continues to work to fulfill her arrangement for the Crown.”
I can feel Jesse’s eyes burning the side of my face. I fear what I will see if I turn and meet his gaze. Does he feel sorry for me like he did back at my father’s house? I cannot take his pity again. Despite his hate for me, he cannot help himself. Or does he fear I will decline the low bargain?
I swallow my pride.
“I accept.”
It’s not like I haven’t cleaned toilets these past couple of days. My words make the King nod and perhaps a sliver of relief leaves his shoulders too.
People dispense soon after at the order of Roman. I could be mistaken, but I think it’s he who calls for Isabel. The small young woman I’ve seen him around with on multiple occasions stands next to him. Brandon approaches them and they all speak in hush voices.
“That was dramatic,” Matias tells me. He turns to Calaca. “I’ll be fine here. Will you be fine there?”
Is he serious?
“If you ever need me, just call for me.” Calaca walks to the forest edge and, as if a shadow in the wind, it fades into the darkness.
“Calaca is a creature of death,” I say to Matias. “Not much can hurt dead creatures.”
Before Matias can say anything, Bianca and Isabel reach us.
“Matias,” Bianca says in a soft voice. “Let’s go inside and get you looked at by Amy Bee.”
Her demeanor is as if she’s approaching a wounded animal. I don’t blame her, mostly after how he snapped at her, but the tone is annoying.
He looks at me with a pained expression, like I can save him from his fate, but I agree he should visit the clinic. They might not heal what my father did to his magic or the trauma he caused, but they can at least aid exterior injuries.
“I’ll be taking you to your room for the duration of your stay,” Isabel says, distracting me.
Listening to Bianca and Matias feels wrong, so I nod at Isabel and gesture for her to lead the way. We are met with many stares as we cross the yard into the castle. We walk into a long hall, and I recognize my surroundings right away.
I have been here many times throughout the years. The visits I managed to sneak out of my father’s sight always ended here. It always started with late night quiet, yet hurried steps trailed by laughter.
“You will take Roman’s old room,” Isabel says as she opens the door to a suite.
I have been here before. The space has a central shared room with two adjacent doors that lead to bedrooms. The other room belongs to Jesse. I let that detail go and instead try to pay attention to what Isabel is saying.
“This will be your room.” She opens a door and looks at the space inside from the doorway. “Your job at the castle will be with me at the plant nursery. After the attack,” her eyes downcast as she has to be ashamed of anything that happened that day, “Many job duties in the castle have been vacant. Having an extra pair of hands in there would be a lot of help for me.”
I turn sharply at her words. The job vacancy commentrings in my ears. Her eyes meet mine and my expression must convey my shock at the information.
Isabel takes a step forward. “Oh, no. Not because they died. I mean, many people did. But the man who ran the plant nursery left for his hometown after the attack. Many people don’t feel safe here anymore. Not when whispers of war linger in the wind.”
My father has hurt the castle far more than he even knows. The lingering effects of his attack have caused long-lasting consequences for the King.
“Settle in and rest. We will begin tomorrow in the morning. If you need anything else, you can ask me or Jesse. He is just next door.”
Next door.
I try not to linger on that thought. We will both be here every night. Just a wall away. After years of sneaking into his bedroom at late hours it is ironic that now that we are a door away he wants nothing to do with me.
“You don’t have to be so kind to me, Isabel. I have done horrible things and I don’t deserve your kindness.”
