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“We can’t tell you,” I repeated.

“Right . . . of course.” The dwarf swallowed. “Well, we have all the ingredients to make the potion here. Whether there is some already brewed and bottled, I cannot say.”

“Can you check?” I was hopeful we’d get to leave with a dose today. That would mean one more moon of being able to defend myself from anyone prying into my past.

“Not with you in tow.” Duran gave a humorless chuckle. “Most potions are brewed and stored at the base of the White Tower. I’ll have to go there to check. Which I can’t do until tonight—not without rousing suspicion.” He gestured to the mop and the bucket not far away, forgotten by him, not even noticed by me.

“And if there isn’t any in stock? How long does it take to brew?” Vale asked.

I stiffened. I hadn’t even considered that might be an issue. The vampires had always had the potion on hand, but what if it took an entire moon cycle to create the potion?

“I believe it takes around a week to mature.”

Too long. I had six days. I shot Vale an alarmed look.

“Check to be sure, will you?” The prince placed a steadying hand on my shoulder.

“Yes. And if I need to, I’ll brew it in secret.” Duran’s gaze flicked to the door before returning to Vale. “I can look for it in the storerooms tonight and send you a message tomorrow? To the castle?”

“No, I’ll have Filip come here and take the message from you,” Vale said. “This can’t get in the wrong hands.”

Duran shrugged. “Whatever you want.”

“Thank you, friend.” Vale inclined his head. “I think we should go. Wouldn’t want to keep you from your work for too long. Vishku Sindri wouldn’t approve.”

Duran rolled his eyes. “If only I could make you help as payment without rousing questions, I would.”

The pair hugged, and Duran took my hand and kissed it. The hairs of his short beard tickled my skin before he lifted his face to grin at me. “You wouldn’t happen to have a single sister, would you, my princess?”

Though pain sliced through me at his question, one that I’d been wondering more often of late, I smiled. “Not that I know of.”

“A shame.” Duran released my hand and bowed. “I’ll send word, and perhaps a dose of your brew, tomorrow. Should I show you out? Or do you know the way?”

Vale pressed his hand into my lower back. “We can handle it.”

We left Duran to his work and found the long, gray hallway empty. I exhaled. “Hopefully, they have it on hand.”

“Agreed. If not, though, Duran will find a way to brew it.”

I prayed to the stars that he was right.

Chapter 19

NEVE

My wings burned as I whipped around, blocking an attack from Sayyida. She howled in frustration as she soared by me, and Sian, my team member for the day, appeared to take her on.

I barked out a laugh at her frustration, but my relief was short-lived as Filip came at me next.

“Head in the game, Princess!” Filip’s wooden sword struck mine. “No one is here to protect you!”

I parried a second attack before retaliating with one of my own. “Nor you!”

He scoffed, performed a twirl in the air, and attacked again. “As if I need it. I feel great today.”

Admittedly, he’d been doing well. The difference between Filip in the middle of his magical growth spurts and Filip at his full strength was striking.

Sweat dripped down my face as we fought and flew. Below, Vale watched, assessing the teams. Today it was me, Sian, and Marit, against Sayyida, Filip, and Saga.