Page 280 of Cursed Evermore
“I’m okay. And don’t worry, it’s not contagious like a virus. You get infected, but you don’t pass it to anyone.”
“Oh, I wasn’t implying?—"
“I know, but I thought I should explain, so you don’t have to worry.” She smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach her eyes the way it usually did. “You see, the disease is incredibly rare, and the medicines to keep you going are even harder to come by. I wanted everyone to focus on my mother. On keeping her alive. Mother managed to get a rare potion that could extend life by a hundred years. But she gave it to me when she found out I was afflicted, too. She didn’t tell anyone until after she did it. She swore me to secrecy and told me about her plans to end her life.”
“Oh, Zyrra.”
“I honored her by keeping her secret. But then everyone blamed me because I knew what she was going to do, and they didn’t. Wolfe, and maybe Alaric, believe I waste my life by not being the standard Fae noble. I disagree. In my eyes, my mother gave me a second chance at life, and I want to live it the way I want. To the fullest.”
“I would be the same.”
She seemed to appreciate my response. “When Wolfe and I argue, he always brings up our mother, and I… I feel bad enough as it is. The last time was terrible. That’s why I need space and time. The blight will catch up with me eventually, but I still have a few decades yet, thanks to my mother.”
Her words moved me, and I reached for her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. “I understand completely. I’m so sorry for what happened.”
“Thank you. Gods, listen to me. I didn’t expect you to be the one comforting me.”
“And I’m about to take it one step further.” I handed her a muffin from the tray. “Take this. Sirril made it this morning.”
“Gods be good. Sirril is the most amazing cook. Everything he makes tastes like heaven.”
I nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. “Hopefully, a little taste of home will make you feel better.” I was paying Wolfe’s idea forward. He always got Sirril to make me food from home to make me feel better. I hoped it would do the same for his sister.
“You’re the best. You truly are.” Zyrra’s face brightened, and she seemed more like herself. “A little taste of home definitely helps.”
“I’m glad. I hope to sit with you in the manor one day and enjoy a real meal.”
She laughed out loud. “Are you inviting me to dinner?”
“Iaminviting you to dinner.”
“A muffin and an invite to dinner. Thank you, Elariya. You’ve really cheered me up.” She placed a hand to her heart and grinned. “And I should probably leave you now to get back to your studies.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m going over basic conjuring. I’m having a little trouble controlling my powers.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Really? You seem perfectly balanced to me. I mean, I can’t pick up anything that’s not flowing as it should, especially for basic conjuring.”
“Well, at least that’s good to hear. I think I’m just trying to run before I walk, and not in a good way. I’ve been told to slow down.”
“Show me what you mean.”
“Gods, it’s embarrassing.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s just me here.” She flicked her wrist and smirked. “Think of it as a practice session with someone who is obsessed with conjuring.”
“Are you really?”
“Oh, yes. Come on, show me.”
I set the book on the table and sat up. “Here goes. I’m just going to conjure a rose on the table.”
“Go for it.”
I opened my palms, felt that inner spark that connected me to my powers, and repeated the incantation slowly. “Vereverto al vero, verviereai.”
Zyrra and I watched as a tiny brown stalk sprouted on the table, looking as if it was growing from the wood itself. Leaves and petals appeared next, unfurling until a beautiful red rose bloomed to full magnificence. Before I could even feel excited, the petals turned black and shriveled, then the stalk flopped over, lifeless and limp.
My shoulders slumped as I stared at the dead flower, then I looked up at Zyrra. "See what I mean? Out of balance. I can't even keep the flower alive for more than a minute before it withers away. It's like time fast-forwards straight to death."
