Page 101 of Rage of Her Ravens

Clenching my fists, I repressed a curse, fighting the urge to chase her and throw myself at her feet.

But then I spun around at the sound of wings beating overhead.

One of my lieutenants landed, his wings draped behind him as he bowed low. “My Lord.”

“Yes?” I snapped, knowing it was wrong to take out my frustrations on him.

“The green witch has arrived,” he answered, warily eyeing me as if I would set him on fire. “She said she needs a moment to rest.”

“There’s no time.” I motioned toward the bedchamber. “Bring her here straightaway.”

“Yes, My Lord.” He bowed, then shot into the sky.

“Do you think she’ll be able to heal him?”

The breath was knocked out of my lungs when I saw Shirina standing in the doorway, the gossamer curtains billowing around her, moonlight setting her skin aglow. She was a goddess. I swallowed back my longing, wishing so badly I could take her in my arms.

I took a step toward her. “She’s the strongest green witch in Delfi.”

“I didn’t know that!” Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank the elements!” She took me by surprise when she lunged for me and hugged me. I stood as stiff as a board, fearing if I hugged her back, I’d never let her go. She pulled away much too soon, her face and neck flushing before she disappeared into her bedchamber again, her light footsteps echoing across the floor like a whisper in the wind. I stared after her, wondering if that whisp of a witch knew how hard I’d fallen for her.

Chapter Sixteen

Shirina

Ipaced the balconyfor what seemed like hours while the green witch worked on Nikkos. Night had long fallen, and it was especially cold tonight. I wore only a blanket wrapped around a thin nightgown, but I dared not go inside and disturb the witch’s progress. Fortunately, Draevyn had lit a fire in a beautiful stone pit in the middle of the balcony. I took a seat on a comfortable chair by the pit, rubbing my hands together for warmth whenever I got too cold. Draevyn had stayed with me the entire time, alternating between sitting by the fire and checking the skies for any signs of Blaze, his quiet, calm presence oddly comforting.

I turned my gaze toward the closed double doors. It was so quiet inside my bedchamber, I was starting to worry the witch had fallen asleep. Or maybe she’d escaped to alert Malvolia I was here. Draevyn had said the green witch had sworn to secrecy, but her oath meant nothing to me, not after I’d been tricked and betrayed by my own parents.

“What’s taking so long?” I finally asked Draevyn. “Tari could’ve healed Nikkos in minutes.”

“Tari is a white witch,” Draevyn answered as he slowly stood, stretching his wings, his soothing tone similar to the one I used on the girls when they were upset. “Most green witches take days to heal something this severe.”

Chewing my bottom lip, I squinted at the glass doors, trying to see any movement inside through the sheer curtains. “What happens if she can’t heal him?”

“She’ll heal him.” He crossed his arms, his wings falling around his shoulders. “She once healed one of my guards who was in worse condition.”

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