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I couldn’t, so I waited.

“They aren’t all so dimwitted,” the healer continued. “My family is intelligent. And then my faerie half is too, of course. I assure you, Lady Neve, you’re in excellent hands.”

“Oh,” I said because not only did her calling me a lady throw me off, but I had no idea what else to say.

Instead, I stood there, feeling stupid and unworldly, a combination I rarely experienced where I came from. The vampires in the Blood Court saw me as the lowest of the low, but there I knew what life had in store for me. I understood how to navigate the hand I’d been dealt—how to survive. Here, everything was different.

“Althea is a gifted healer.” The Warden of the West smiled at the healer with appreciation. “Her father taught her and brought her to Guldtown when she was young. She has helped to save the lives of many of my soldiers.”

“And I’d do it again.” Althea nodded. “It’s always a pleasure to serve, my lord. You’ve always been good to me.”

Warden Roar smiled. “So, you can help Neve?”

“Come.” Althea motioned me to a bed fitted with white sheets and a downy blanket folded at the bottom. She pulled off the blanket and set it on the next bed before patting the mattress.

I shuffled over and sat. Her hands, gentle despite their large size, explored the contours of my wings, and I held my breath.

“I’m sorry,” Althea said, “I may not have them, but I know wings are sensitive for faeries.”

She spoke true of course. Others didn’t normally touch a faerie’s wings for that reason.

“These markings,” she pointed to the needle marks on the backs of my hands and arms, “will fade substantially, if not completely disappear with my balms.”

“Really?” My heart skipped a beat. This was more than I dared to hope for.

“Yes. They’re already quite faded, with time, I suppose, but given a proper course of balms, we can possibly even erase them. Would you like the one on your temple to fade too?”

I paused. That scar was with me before I left my mother’s dead arms, before I became a slave. It was mine, even if it wasn’t beautiful. “No. Leave that.”

She did not seem surprised. “And as for the wings, I can excise the rods. Six in each wing, though, is quite a lot,” Althea let out a thoughtful hum. “I’m no Master Healer and the wings are complex and fragile, but once the rods are out, I have an elixir that I think can help fade that scarring too. I’d prefer that to the balm you’ll use elsewhere, the elixir is more gentle.”

I could hardly believe it. “Thank you.”

“Of course, I will do what I can. Right now, however, I advise you to take a sedative, Lady Neve. Are you willing?”

“Will I still be awake while you work?”

“You don’t have to be. I’d suggest one of my stronger doses so that you pass out. Though, you might do so anyway from the pain.”

My mouth dried up. Stars, what had I gotten myself into?

“Her elixirs and balms are effective,” the warden said softly, clearly trying to assure me.

“I’m willing.” I reminded myself that no matter what, I had to attend to these matters one day. Once I truly became free, I did not want others questioning my scars or wings. “I’d like to take the strongest one that I can stomach.”

Althea drifted to the far wall and plucked two vials from her stash. Inside the glass, red liquid sloshed. “Drink these.”

I uncorked one and downed it. The elixir wasn’t unpleasant but sweet and tangy. I licked my lips. “That was far better than I’d expected.”

“I made countless tweaks so that it would taste like raspberries,” Althea said with a little laugh. “The recipe my father used was revolting. Unnecessary.”

“Much appreciated.” I finished the second vial and handed the glassware back to her.

She placed it in a sink and picked up a scalpel and an overly large set of tweezers from a table. “My Lord Warden, now is the time to make yourself scarce.”

“Take good care of her, Althea.” The high lord turned to me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I expect.”

“Thanks for everything,” I replied. In the short time that I’d known Warden Roar, he’d done so much for me that a thanks did not seem enough, but I only had it to offer. “I’ll have my answer ready soon.”