Page 70 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“I don’t think she likes me,”Aurorasaid, rubbing the drying cloth in her hair.
“Grace has been here too long.Seentoo many things.”Nievesmiled. “Howare you feeling?”
“Terrible.”Aurorarubbed her face. “WhydoIfeel likeI’mdying?”
“Because you are.Godsare not supposed to be here.”
“Great.”Auroraquickly braided her hair. “I’llbe sure to tell the rest.”
“It wasn’t always like this.Itused to be a rich kingdom.Filledwith fields of green for as far as the eye could see.Therewere villages and cities.Weraised the fastest horses in all the land.Itwas a place mortals dreamt of coming to.”
“But that’s not how fairy tales work, is it?”Auroraslowly lowered herself on the bench near the fire.Nievewore a moss-green tunic with a sable fur collar.Histrousers were wool, and his boots had been polished until they reflected the fire.
“No.Andnow there is nothing left of my kingdom.Justthis frozen palace and the few loyal servants who have survived.Oh, and of course, my beloved queen.”
Nieve sat down next to her.Hewasn’t a large man.Hehad soft golden hair, and he kept his facial hair neatly clipped.Onhis fingers he wore several gold rings, and his smile was warm and inviting.Helooked like a fairy-tale prince, handsome but not as beautiful as a god.
Her body ached, and her lip was throbbing.Itprobably needed to be stitched. “Doyou have a healer?”
Nieve slid closer toAuroraon the bench, taking her chin in his hand. “No.Thatis a nasty cut.It’llprobably leave a scar.”Histouch was light on her bruised skin. “Youreyes are still exquisite.Andyour mouth, what is it brushed in?”
Aurora pulled away. “Youcan see that?”
“Yes.Pleasetell me your name?”
Aurora couldn’t remember if it was theFaeor fairy tales she wasn’t supposed to use her real name for. “Thehealer first.Pleasetell me it’s notGrace.”
“No.Ourhealer died years ago.You’llhave to settle with me.”Nievestood and moved around the room, opening and closing cupboard doors.Hegathered his supplies before straddling the bench next toAurora. “Letme see.”
Aurora turned, cringing asNievetouched the gash. “Ouch.”
“I can put a bit of numbing oil on it, butIcan’t give you anything for the pain, in fear that you will fall asleep.”
“Why can’tIsleep?”
“Because that’s how she’ll kill you.Justbecause you are a god doesn’t make you immune to the spell.”
“Gods can’t die.”Aurorawas starting to believe that was a tale told to gods to make them vulnerable.
“You’d never wake.You’dbe dammed to sleep here until the curse was broken.Now, this might sting a bit.”
Aurora jumped off the bench whenNievetouched the cloth to her lip.Itfelt as if he had touched a hot ember to her skin. “Whatin all the gods’ names was that?”
“It’s burning weed.Itnumbs the skin.”
“No, it doesn’t.”Aurora’slip felt as if it were on fire.Theburn spread to her tongue and her bottom lip.Shehated this place.Shewas either freezing or on fire.
“Just give it a moment.”Nievelooked through the small basket on the bench in front of him. “AllIhave is black thread.Ihope that’s okay?”
Aurora touched her lip again.Theburn faded, and her skin now tingled.Shesat down next toNieve. “Blackis fine.”Auroraclosed her eyes, not wanting to see the needle so close to her face.Shejerked slightly when it pierced her skin and the thread was pulled through.Itmade her stomach twist. “Stop.”Aurorapulled away. “IthinkI’mgoing to be sick.”
“Don’t think about it,”Nievewhispered.
“What else shouldIthink about?”Auroradidn’t open her eyes.
“Are you from the heavens or the underworld?”
“The heavens.”Auroraopened one eye to seeNieveconcentrating on his work. “Isthat the curse?Sleep?”Howwould she break that curse, especially if she couldn’t sleep?
