Page 51 of Manor of Wind and Nightmares (Fae of Brytwilde #3)

Now

B utterflies danced in my stomach, their fluttering a reminder of both my nerves and my desire—even now, when I knew the darkness consuming Prince Kaede only wanted revenge. He wasn’t looking at Florian’s and my close proximity with jealousy. Even if I wished he was.

Still, I pulled away hastily, my cheeks burning.

“Your Highness.” Florian stood and bowed with a flourish.

There was nothing of Kaede’s usual charm and warmth in his expression as he studied us both stonily.

My stomach dropped back down, sinking somewhere into my toes.

Finding I had recovered enough strength to stand, I rose.

“Prince Kaede.” I dipped my head in a show of deference that allowed me to avert my gaze.

The air seemed to crackle with magic and power, the temperature lowering as a breeze kissed my cheeks.

It lifted my hair and brushed along my cheekbone where Florian had just touched me, but I couldn’t tell if it was a caress or a threat.

Gathering my courage, I asked, “How is Laura? Is Azalea with her?”

Prince Kaede shifted on his feet. “She is expected to make a full recovery. She’s conscious now, so I finally had the opportunity to thank her for her bravery and commend her on her use of my magic.”

The warmth in his tone was painful, but I nodded along.

“Azalea remains with her, as she’s still weak.”

“Thank you.” I dipped into a curtsey, thankful my knees didn’t feel too wobbly. “I need to speak with her.”

“Are you well enough?” Florian asked urgently.

I nodded. “Yes, just a passing moment of weakness... I seem to be quite recovered now.” I smiled shyly, thankful for his attentiveness.

As I swept past Kaede in the hall, I felt a hand land on my arm. With a jolt of surprise, I glanced up to meet the prince’s unreadable gaze. “What happened?” His voice gave no hint to what he was feeling as his eyes flicked toward my shoulder.

I swallowed against the dryness in my throat, trying to find words. Shaking my head, I pulled away. “It’s nothing.”

Prince Kaede flashed a mirthless smile, giving me a glimpse of his pointed incisors. My heart lurched. “I’ve never seen someone’s shoulder bleed from nothing before.”

I wasn’t sure if he was eyeing it with concern or bloodthirst. I imagined him seizing me by the waist and burying his fangs in my throat right there, despite Florian’s presence.

Perhaps the darkness had consumed him fully.

Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to resist when he could smell my blood and sense my weakness.

“Still, it is not worth troubling oneself over,” I insisted. “Florian was kind enough to help me rest, and I will see a healer soon. Please, go about your business, both of you. Don’t concern yourselves with me.”

As I hurried down the hallway, neither the prince nor Florian tried to follow. I was alone at last, able to knock at Laura’s door undisturbed.

“Yes?” Azalea called.

I opened the door and lingered in the entryway, blinking from the change in lighting. Outside the day was bright, sunshine flooding through the manor’s windows. Here, the curtains were drawn and only a single candle burned on Laura’s nightstand, immersing the room in a blanket of shadows.

Laura slept soundly, her golden curls strewn across the pillow.

Bathed in the buttery candlelight, her delicate features made her look like something from an artist’s imagination.

Pale yet flawless skin but for the violet circles beneath her eyes.

Long lashes against her cheeks. Full lips downturned in the slightest pout, as if, though she lay still, her breathing peaceful, her dreams were troubled.

I was startled to find that Azalea wasn’t the only one sitting in a chair at Laura’s bedside. Bentley, cradling a book in his lap, peered up at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “You’re hurt,” he said.

I ignored him, not wanting to have that discussion again. There wasn’t time. “Please, I must speak with Azalea alone. Could you give us a moment.”

Bentley dipped his chin in acquiescence, setting the book on Laura’s nightstand and then hesitating, studying her face with a gentleness I hadn’t seen in his expression before.

Laying a hand over hers where it rested atop her quilt, he murmured something I couldn’t hear.

Blinking, he dipped forward to press a chaste kiss to her forehead before retreating from the room.

The sound of the door shutting behind him allowed me a sigh of relief. Not that I didn’t trust that Bentley had Kaede’s best intentions at heart. But I didn’t know how much Kaede wanted others to know about his condition, and I didn’t want to stir up panic or cause any delays.

“Allvar told me what is happening to the prince,” I said heavily.

Azalea stood from her chair and approached me, her expression wary.

She glanced toward the door, as if reassuring herself it remained closed.

“Have you shared this with anyone else? We don’t want fear to spread across the kingdom, don’t want them to think both the king and prince are dying without leaving any heirs.

Especially when Princess Laila so desperately does not want the throne. ”

“I did not.” My chest was hollow. “Please, tell me again how you came to be Prince Kaede’s healer. You are from Ashwood, correct?”

Azalea frowned, likely wondering about my change in subject.

But I needed to know if I could trust her, needed her to recount her story so I could attempt to untangle her words to find ways she might weave them deceptively.

Though Kaede seemed to trust her, I wanted to feel confident that I could.

“I serve the Ashwood kingdom. I’m not the royal healer, but I was learning in the palace under him when King Ashwood brought Prince Kaede back from the dead.

Because Ashwood and Willowbark have formed an alliance, the royal healer, Kinsey, requested that I use my knowledge in poisons around the world to research Kaede’s fate.

At first, we thought perhaps we would only need to monitor him and treat him for occasional weakness as he recovered.

But as you now know, his condition is not improving. ”

Her words seemed sincere. Drawing a deep breath, I stepped further into the room. “Allvar crafted a possible antidote.”

“I’ve never heard of an antidote for demon’s breath before.

” Azalea tilted her head to one side, considering me.

“You’re hurt. Was that part of your bargain?

” She came nearer, her eyes scanning my shoulder and then darting toward my cheek.

I wondered if it was bruising from where King Wystan had struck me, and was thankful that my hair covered whatever goose egg was developing on the back of my head from my fall.

The dull throbbing in my head was as easy to ignore as the pain in my shoulder when all my focus was on saving Kaede.

“In a way,” I said evasively, “but I can have another healer tend to me later. We don’t have time.”

The healer pursed her lips. “Did Allvar give his word that he was gifting you an antidote, or did he say so in a roundabout way?”

The implication that I was a na?ve human who could be so easily tricked rankled a little, but I didn’t let that show. After all, I once had been. It was a legitimate question.

“He made no guarantee it would work. He said it is a well-kept secret among spellweavers and his kind.”

She chewed on her lip. “What if it worsens his condition?”

I plucked the vial from my boot and held it out to her. “He’s already dying a torturous death,” I said, voice breaking. “It could hardly become worse than it already is.”

Carefully, Azalea took the vial from me, inspecting it closely. “What did you bargain for this?”

“Nothing that will harm Prince Kaede.” The words made my heart crack inside my chest, breaking all over again. He did not care, not anymore. Or at least, not enough to forgive me. I didn’t believe that would change once the antidote healed him.

“I’m glad you didn’t take it straight to him.

Even if I know nothing about this supposed antidote, I can at least observe his reaction.

” The healer approached Laura’s bedside and held the vial near the candlelight as if trying to determine the potion’s ingredients.

“I need to check Laura’s vitals before I leave, and then I’ll find the prince. ”

“He trusts you. Please hurry,” I urged. “I know you understand time is short, but the fact that Allvar knew and offered to bargain with me for this... I fear we have very little time left.”

Azalea glanced over her shoulder. “He probably read your desires and knew how to best get what he wanted from you.” She frowned. “I’ve heard stories of him. It seems dangerous for the court to test its contestants with him.”

“And yet, let us hope it was worth it.” I nodded to the potion.

“You must care a great deal for the prince.”

I turned away, not wanting her to see my expression. “He is the kindest man I have ever known, and I don’t think he or his kingdom deserve such a fate.” Shrugging, I departed without another word, praying the antidote would work.

“Aurelia.” Florian was striding down the hall toward me. Had he been waiting for me to exit Laura’s rooms this whole time? “Did you not have Azalea tend to your wound?”

“She has an urgent matter to deal with. I can go to the infirmary.”

“Allow me to escort you there.” Florian extended his arm, as charming and gentlemanly as any man courting a woman in the mortal world.

Though the spell of weakness had been short-lived, I wasn’t sure it was related to my injuries. Instead, I feared it was a reminder that Allvar was going to drain me of life. Did he even need to be near me? Would he come to collect on his bargain, or would he even need to show his face at all?

But I smiled and accepted Florian’s arm, allowing him to lead me to the infirmary and sit with me as a healer fretted over me, laying his hands on my arm until the skin at my shoulder knit back together, the ache in my head vanished, and the smarting bruise developing on my cheek eased.

It all felt in vain, like passing comfort, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to share with Florian the price I’d paid to the warlock.

As I was urged onto a cot in the infirmary, a wave of exhaustion rushed over me from the healing’s effects, and I let myself sink into sleep.