Page 52 of The Healing Dragon
As I take the paper from her hand, I realize the harsh difference between her hands and mine. Dirt marks the edges of my nails and crevices of my fingers. I scrubbed my hands, but some dirt is truly impossible to get rid of. Amy Bee’s hands are soft and clear of any stains or marks. If anything, they look like what my hands had once looked like.
“I’m not sure where her new room is since pairing up with Roman, but I will see her tomorrow morning,” I say, folding and pocketing the piece of paper.
Amy Bee’s eyes don’t leave mine like the news is something she was not expecting to hear. It makes me wonder if the information has somehow not been included in the daily castle gossip. Isabel spoke of it so freely and casually that no hint of secrecy was implied on the subject. I’m also not included in any inner circle, so sharing information seems out of the question.
“There you are.”
At the phrase, both Amy Bee and I turn to see the newcomer standing at the front door of the clinic. The sun has bathed the room in low orange light coming from the open windows.
Her smile widens and, looking thankful for the distraction,Amy Bee turns her attention to the newcomer. “Hey Matias, have those pesky nightmares finally subsided with the herbs?”
His steps falter a bit as his eyes move from me to Amy Bee. Her cheeks instantly darken to a shade of crimson. The tension in the room takes a nosedive.
I wonder if he took those herbs before or after I saw him in the food hall in the morning. Matias looked tired when I saw him at breakfast, but I figured it was from everything else. After what he went through, I can only imagine how much rest is needed to finally feel healthy again. Lack of sleep due to nightmares sounds more like something everyone should expect after the ordeal.
“I am so sorry.” Amy Bee touches her lips like she cannot believe those words came out. “I have lost my mind and all sense.” She points in my direction as if to follow up her sentence with something else, but even I’m at a loss about what she could refer to. “Please forgive me,” she finally says.
“They helped.” Matias crosses the distance to us. “I would like it to stay between us three now.” He looks from me to Amy Bee. “I don’t want to worry Bianca. Not until I figure out what they mean.”
“Of course. I will not utter another word about it.” Amy Bee inclines her head.
“What kind of nightmares?” I ask. “Are you frequented by memories?”
I figure I might as well know exactly what kind of secret I’m keeping from the King and his beloved. I can already see their faces when they learn I know something about Matias they didn’t.
“In my dreams I’m not reliving…” his words trail off as his eyes turn to Amy Bee, “my time in the cell. I am being spoken to.”
“Trauma has a way of manifesting in the brain. It’s how itkeeps us in survival mode. Did the voices quiet down?” Amy Bee asks. The concern clearly written on her face.
Matia’s nod is reassuring and filled with thankfulness, but I can see the stress marked on the edges of his eyes. I witnessed a portion of what he endured the past few weeks, and I know what my father and his men are capable of.
While I lack the gift of wisdom, a person who frequently told lies raised me. Jesse was right. I can see Matias is hiding something. The question is what and for what reason.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JANELLE
Iclose the clinic doors behind me and head to my room. Today’s gardening is weighing on my muscles. Especially my back, which feels heavy and tense. I roll my shoulders and feel the sting of pain. I know it will turn into a full ache by tomorrow morning. It’s like whatever I did today affected the muscles I don’t use often.
“Hey,” Matias calls from the clinic doors. He closes them behind him and rushes in my direction. “We need to talk.”
“I won’t tell a soul of your secret,” I assure him.
Not like I have anyone to tell, but if saying it makes him feel better, why not?
“Not that, but thank you. I appreciate it. I need your help.”
“My help with what?” I tilt my head.
“Answers,” he says, then begins walking the opposite direction without looking back.
Despite my exhaustion, I find myself following Matias. There are a lot of questions regarding him, but I don’t have any answers as far as I know. That alone intrigues me enough, and I think he knows it.
He is walking beside me, but his eyes don’t turn in my direction even once as we cross the halls of the castle to our destination.
I pause when a set of double doors comes into view. This is my first time back here after the attack. My heart rate picks up with every step I take. Despite smelling smoke, I disregard it as a figment of my imagination because Matias seems entirely unfazed. I watch a light glow under the doors. My mind tells me that when I open that door, flames will greet me on the other side. It's unreasonable for me to believe so, but not impossible, and that sliver of possibility is where I am.
Someone then exits the library, leaving the doors open behind them. The person casually pushes past us without sparing us a second glance.
