Page 103 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
My heart sinks. Until…
“Actually,” Beron’s voice cuts in. He steps closer. “I altered the original spell. I didn’t use the belladonna extract.”
“Pardon?” Queen Taynia’s voice rises in ire.
“I swapped it,” Beron admits. His face is calmer than mine would be in admitting to betraying the queen’s orders. “Instead of belladonna, I used Valerian root. Stole it from the illusionist’s supply. Instead of a deathlike sleep, Talvie is in a dream-state. She’s not as deep as death, and there’s plenty more Valerian root to put in a counterspell.”
Taynia glares at him. “You betrayed me.”
“I did, my Queen. I cannot apologize, because I would do it again.”
“Why, Beron? Why would you do this?”
“I did it for you. Because I knew one day, you would come to regret this loss. I couldn’t let you kill the only person you still love in this world.”
Conflict rages across her face, her mouth gaping and closing. “Did I also hear you say you arranged for Talvie’s escape from the carriage on the road that day?”
“Yes, my Queen. And I’ll surrender my axe to you when this is done, if that is your desire. You can do with me as you will, but let me help you save Talvie first. I know you still care for her.”
Silence presses in from all sides as she stares at him, unspeaking. I barely dare to breathe. The kids are still as statues. Hugo freezes on my shoulder in a pool of Lumi’s light.
Finally, Taynia sucks in a long breath, her mouth pursed tight. “We will speak of this later, Beron.”
He nods, his face stony.
“For now, you will help this Wild One gather the ingredients. Also, since you altered the spell, it appears you are now the caster. It will be your tear we will need. See that you provide one. For Talvie.”
I can’t even find offence in the offhanded way the queen insults me, because I’m too busy gleefully staring at the Head Huntsman’s gaping mouth.
“I—I don’t cry,” Beron says.
“‘Course you don’t, big guy.” I pat him on the shoulder. “Come on. I know a gremlin who’ll gladly bite you somewhere sensitive. We’ll bring a tear to your eye yet.”
Helkki howls with delight.
“There’s one more thing,” Taynia says.
“What is it?” My stomach hollows at the tone in her voice. How much worse can the last ingredient be?
Taynia stares at me so long, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to pluck the knowledge directly from her brain. Then she sighs. “The counterspell potion isn’t given to the cursed. It won’t be Talvie who drinks it. It has to be drunk by another, and with the potion fresh on their lips, that person can awaken her with true love’s kiss.”
“What?” My heart sinks like a hot coal through ice. Iknowwhat I feel for Talvie is love—fierce and forever.
But true love has to be returned.
“There will only be one chance,” Taynia continues. “The counterspell can only be used once, so we must be sure.”
If she doesn’t feel the same, then my kiss would be nothing but a goodbye. And how could she? I never even told her I know her true identity. Never told her I’m in love with her—wholly and irrevocably. Never said that I feel at home with her more than anywhere I’ve ever roamed.
We might have had fun together, laughed and shared secrets. We worked well together, and there’s no denying our chemistry. I believe she genuinely likes me.
Butlove?
She belongs with someone worthy.
Someone like Talvie doesn’t fall in love with a penniless outcast like me.
Chapter 36
