Page 22

T hat night, I didn’t sleep until the three medicines for Prince Raphael had been prepared and tucked into tiny lilac pouches. Despite having just escaped our prison cell, Ivy and Marius didn’t hesitate to postpone their bedtime when I explained the young prince’s condition. And when I returned to share how he’d taken his medicine, neither complained when I collapsed onto Ivy’s bed as the three of us slept until noon.

Or at least Marius and Ivy did. I awoke a few hours after dawn to freshen up in my bedchamber and throw on a clean lavender gown.

If Raphael had been cursed by merfolk, then the nephew of the merfolk queen might be his only chance of survival. I needed to find Lukas as soon as possible. Only there’d been no sign of him in my bedchamber, and the palace was endlessly large.

After hours of searching through winding hallways, I gave up on finding him inside and shoved open a door that led to the gardens. But my search didn’t last long in the sticky tropical air. Within minutes, I slumped onto the first shade-covered bench I could find and squeezed my eyes shut.

The squawking birds in the palm trees were too loud, and the smell of tropical fruits made my head spin. Even with my palms pressed against my eyes, the bright sun and vibrant green of the shrubbery still crept in. Too bright. Too much. If I didn’t find somewhere dark and quiet soon, I’d—

“Would you like me to carry you, human?” a familiar voice purred.

Startling, I whipped around to see Arenn leaning against a palm tree with a wicked smile across his face.

I couldn’t help but groan.

“Don’t let me disturb you,” he chuckled as I flopped back against the stone bench. “Though I was rather enjoying watching you wander aimlessly.”

“I was not wandering aimlessly,” I grumbled, too focused on slowing my breathing to care that he’d been following me. “I was looking for Lukas. Have you seen him?”

“Afraid not.” Arenn stepped closer. “Though I suspect he’s not out here. Especially since Queen Marigold has arranged for her daughter and your beloved to take lunch together in the royal dining hall.”

My eyes snapped open. “What?”

“They’re probably together right now,” he shrugged, “enjoying fine wine, getting to know each other, gazing into each other’s eyes .”

My stomach twisted. “Stop that.”

“Stop what?” He grinned.

“You’re trying to make me angry.”

“But you’re so pretty when you’re upset,” he chuckled. “And the offer still stands for me to help you make him jealous.” His eyes glinted as he leaned closer. The shift in his tone sent a dangerous shiver through me. “Think of how furious he’d be if he left his meeting with Princess Callie and stumbled upon you pressed against a wall, my hands sliding down your sides, my lips inches from your—”

“That’s enough.” I bolted up from the bench. “Don’t speak in that way.” Even if Lukas were taking lunch with Princess Callie, it would be strictly political. Nothing more. He showed no interest in Princess Callie at the party.

Then again, the last time he saw me, Arenn’s lips were pressed against mine.

Arenn laughed, tilting his head as he watched me with a heavy gaze. “You’re even prettier when you’re nervous.”

Snarling, I spun away and marched deeper into the gardens. I could hear Arenn’s footsteps trailing lazily behind me, but by now, I was too hot to care. The intense midday heat, paired with my lingering headache from last night, meant my senses were reaching their limit.

If I didn’t find a quiet place to calm down soon, I’d—

“Human?”

“Just leave me alone!” I screamed, perhaps a little louder than I should’ve. Birds squawked in the palm trees above me, the sound drilling into my mind. The once-beautiful green shrubs overwhelmed my vision. Heart pounding, I whirled around, desperately searching for a way back inside the palace – or at least another bench in the shade.

“Human? Is something wrong?” Arenn’s voice was muffled by my rasping breath.

I raced down a tree-lined path, but my lungs began to feel fuzzy, as if I was breathing too much air with each gasp.

“No,” I wheezed to myself. “Not now.” An unwanted sob tore up my throat as my hands began to seize. Dropping to the grass, I hugged my knees to my chest. “Calm down. Calm down. Calm down,” I hissed, rocking my body with each breath.

“Naria, what’s happening?” I could barely hear Arenn through my rasps. “Are you sick?”

Too much heat. Too many thoughts. Too much noise.

“I can’t… Can’t breathe… It’s too hot… I—”

“Close your eyes.” Arenn’s voice echoed in my ears.

For once, I welcomed his compulsion as my eyes were forced shut. His hand clamped around mine. Then a whoosh of air rushed past me, taking all the uncomfortable heat, squawking birds, and bright green grass with it.

When I finally opened my eyes, the overwhelming palace grounds were no more. In its place was a quiet, shade-covered courtyard. The cool stone floor grounded me as we both knelt against a well. Surrounding us were four vine-covered walls, muffling the distant murmur of the rolling waves.

“Is that better?” Arenn asked quietly.

I stared at him, finally noticing the concern in his gaze. “Y-yes.” I swallowed. “Thank you.”

“What was that?” His brows drew together. “Are you ill?”

“Shh, please,” I hushed him. “I’m fine. I just… I’m tired, and there was a lot going on in my head, and I panicked. I—”

“You’re shaking.” Cutting me off, he snatched up my hands. “Why are you shaking, human? You know I would never let anyone hurt you.” His gaze turned murderous.

“I’m fine.” I exhaled, pulling my hands away. “I just find the world a bit too much sometimes. I’ll be alright in a few minutes.”

Arenn leant against the stone well, studying me. “What do you mean?”

Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair. How could I possibly explain something I didn’t quite understand myself? My sensitivity to sounds. Bright colours. Smells. The way my mind jumbled itself when things became overwhelming. It was all just part of who I was. And while some days were worse than others, I certainly wasn’t ill. At least, not in the physical sense.

“I’m fine now, alright? I’ll just go back to my bedchamber and meet with Lukas later.” I wiped the tears from my face as I stood. Arenn looked at me, unconvinced, but before he could protest, footsteps echoed through the courtyard, followed by a grating, sing-songy voice.

“Lord Arenn?” Marigold called out to us. Her heels clicked against the paved floor as she trotted closer. “What a lovely surprise. And… Naria.” Her wide smile faded.

I wanted to groan, but then my gaze flicked to her side, and my chest tightened. Walking beside her, unable to meet my gaze, was her dark-haired daughter.

“You said Callie and Lukas were eating lunch together,” I hissed to Arenn.

“I was under the impression they were.” Eyes narrowed, he rose to his full height. “Or perhaps their date went so well that her mother had to separate them before things became… indecent.” His gaze flicked to me, full of wicked amusement.

I scowled at him. But before I could reply, he turned towards the pair. “It is a pleasure to see you both, but I’m afraid Naria and I have important business to attend to, so we cannot linger.”

Marigold hummed in thought while her daughter kept her gaze fixed on the floor. “You ought to be careful with that one,” the Queen said to Arenn, glancing slyly at me. “Didn’t you hear she infected Cora’s son with one of her foul diseases?”

“That had nothing to do with me,” I shot back.

Marigold chuckled. “That’s not what the rest of the palace is saying,” she cooed. “Why, I was just speaking with some courtiers outside who told me you ought to be locked up.” Her eyes glinted. “If I were you,” she leaned closer, “I’d go home. To your real one, not Drothmore. Go back to your woods, Naria. You don’t belong here with us.”

“Mother…” her daughter gasped, the compassion in her tone surprising me.

Beside me, Arenn drew closer to my ear to whisper, “Let me know when you change your mind about me gutting this beast. Just say the word, and I’ll leave her in pieces at your feet.”

“You know murder isn’t always the answer to everything,” I growled back to him. Balling my hands into fists to stop them shaking, I faced Marigold again. “The prince may be sick, but we both know his illness has nothing to do with me. And if you’d let us pass, I can get back to helping him get better.” I spoke through gritted teeth. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find Lukas.”

“If you find him, you’ll let him know that I’m looking for him too,” she all but ordered. “He was supposed to meet my dear Callie for lunch today, but he never showed.”

My brows shot up. “He didn’t go?”

“You seem awfully surprised,” she scoffed, “considering he probably spent the morning in your bed. You do know that kings never marry their harlots, don’t you?”

My jaw unhinged at her boldness. “How dare you—”

“So you’ll think twice about distracting him next time, unless you want another trip to the dungeons.”

“Mother, why are you saying these awful things?” Callie’s brows pinched together.

Before I could scream out exactly why, Marigold made a strange, squeaking sound and gripped her stomach. When horror pulled at her features, all my anger became concern.

“What is it?” I rushed to her side, feeling her wrist to find a racing heartbeat. “Are you in pain?” Ignoring me, her wide eyes flicked up to Arenn as something tugged at her brow. Confusion, maybe? It faded before she could answer me, and all at once, her limbs became like jelly as she flopped to the floor.

“Mother!” Callie whimpered. Taking her mother’s other arm, we worked together to heave her to her feet. But the moment she was standing, she scoffed and shoved me off her.

“Get away from me, forest witch,” she croaked.

“What just happened?” I glanced from the two fearful women to the glamoured faery prince.

“Come, Callie.” Marigold smoothed out the wrinkles in her bodice before tugging on her daughter’s hand. “We’ll have you meet Lukas later.”

They’d both disappeared down the corridor before Arenn finally answered my question. “She’d had watermelon for breakfast. With seeds. I doubt you’ll want me to elaborate.”

Definitely not. Just thinking about it made bile rise in my throat. “Will she be alright?”

“Most likely.” Arenn shrugged. “But my offer still stands. Just say the words, and I’ll murder her.”

With a thick swallow, I turned, looking for a way out of this courtyard when the sound of sprinting made me pause.

“Princess Naria!”

My lips parted at the sight of Callie rushing back towards us. She scooped up the skirts of her dark velvet gown as she ran, sweat beading on her tanned forehead.

“I saw him in the library,” she blurted, glancing over her shoulder to make sure we were alone.

Confusion tugged at my brow. “What?”

“Lukas,” she whispered, checking over her shoulder again. “I saw him in the library earlier, but I didn’t speak to him. He looked like he wanted to be left alone.” Her voice wavered. “I know the feeling.”

My brow softened. “Why are you helping—”

“And I’m so sorry,” she continued, “for my mother’s behaviour. I don’t know why she’s being so cruel.” She wrapped her arms around her middle, glancing away. “I don’t want to marry Prince Lukas. I tried to tell her but she won’t listen. I promise I’ll keep trying to get through to her.” There was genuine sadness in her voice. Any dislike I might’ve felt for her vanished as I slipped my hands into hers.

“Thank you for letting me know where he is, and for being honest,” I soothed. “I’m sorry about your mother too.” When she looked away again, I released my hold on her hands.

“I’m going to find Lukas now,” I told both Arenn and the princess.

The faery prince straightened and extended his arm to me. “I shall escort you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I groaned, but I may as well have said nothing at all. I could still hear the faery prince trailing after me after I bid goodbye to Callie and started towards the palace library.