Page 31

Once I am back in my room, I take a long bath, dumping various amounts of the fancy salts and oils that line the counters. I scrub the evidence of the day away ignoring the throbbing of my open cuts.

My hand leisurely drips blood into the clear water, rippling ruby at the surface before dispersing. I watch, mesmerized. My father’s last words replay in my mind almost like a taunt. “Your blood, Layla, it is in your very blood.”

What did it mean? And if it was true then why hadn’t it worked?

When the water cools, I ease myself out of the stone tub. Wandering over to the vanity, I find some pristine white swatches of cloth I use to wrap the twin gashes tightly.

I find a lavender nightgown hanging in the closet and throw it on. Failure and defeat are eating me alive as I lay in bed. I fist my hands in the sheets, hissing at the sting, and wanting to check on Ledger.

He risked so much by bringing me here and it would all be for nothing if I was unsuccessful. Sighing, I get up and open the book I’d retrieved from the library. I translate the ancient language, word by word. It reads exactly as Ledger had said.

Maybe I wasn’t one of the chosen few with power infused within my blood. My hand throbs as I look at the crimson soaking through the white cloth.

I jump as Ledger busts through my door. His eyes are wild, and his breathing labored. “You have to come—now.”

I spring up and go to him, my stomach lurching into my throat. He grabs my hand and pulls me through the hallways. I jog to keep up with his long strides.

“What is it? Is your father okay?” My heart wallops against my chest. When he doesn’t answer, I squeeze his hand anxiously. “Ledger,” I say his name, but he doesn’t stop or answer me until we are bounding through the open doors of his father’s room.

Ledger is tense as we stand at the foot of the bed, the muscles in his body taut. “Look,” he breathes, and I turn my attention to the King.

His sickly complexion is no longer a pale yellow but a rich golden that matches Ledgers. His sunken cheeks are full and have a dusty rose hue .

The hair atop his head isn’t dull and dry, but a lush, shiny black. His once frail body, while still underweight, is now more of an athletic build.

He appears handsome and healthy and as if he is resting. His breathing is steady, and when I touch the pulse at his wrist, his heart is beating strong and sure.

I run the back of my hand over his forehead; his temperature is normal. “It worked,” I murmur in disbelief. “It worked!” I say again louder, looking at Ledger.

His mouth is agape with astonishment. “He’s— he’s going to be alright?” His eyes roam his father’s features.

“I can’t be sure, but he looks like a different person,” I say, awestruck as I study him again.

Ledger lets out a shaky breath. “Do you think he will wake?”

“I think it’s possible,” I respond as he touches his father’s hand.

“Your Highness, is everything okay?” Humphrey cracks the door, his high voice carrying through the room. “I heard some commotion.

“I think we did it, Humphrey,” he breathes as Humphrey enters, gasping as he beholds the King.

“It’s a blessing from the gods,” he whispers.

I stay for a few more hours, monitoring the King as Humphrey prepares for him to wake. His vitals improve and no matter how many times I check him, he still appears to be in good health .

Ledger stays by his side, his eyes rarely straying. He is quiet, barely even breathing as he waits for him to wake. I can taste his fear and see it in the lines of his forehead as each minute passes.

Finally, the King of Westray begins to stir, and then his eyes blink open. They are a devastating green, matching his sons. Ledger quakes letting out a noise of disbelief.

They embrace, murmuring to each other, and I back out of the room. The moment feels intimate, coated in many years of emotions I can’t begin to fathom.

Humphrey notices and leads me out of the room. “May I escort you to your room, Miss Sutton?”

“Sure, thank you.” I follow him through the halls.

“Now that His Grace is healed, will you be needing transportation back to Bellehaven?” he asks, catching me by surprise.

“Oh, um, I am unsure of my departure but thank you for your offer.” I slow as we reach my door.

“You are a distraction for the prince. I see how he looks at you, his childlike infatuation. I fear you have forgotten yourself. Ledger is a prince, and you are just a healer. You do not mix into this world, and the sooner you go back to where you came from, the better.” He sneers, and I rear back at his words.

My mouth opens and closes, trying to form a response.

“His Grace has not seen what I have seen, but I know he would mirror my words. Take this as a reminder because it seems like you have forgotten your place. Goodnight, Miss Sutton.” He shuts the door, uninterested in what I have to say. I am left standing in shock.

As much as I hate to admit it, Humphrey was right. I had let myself get swept up in this world, in the allure of Ledger.

I lay down, attempting to sleep. It was well into the early morning now. I shut my eyes but with the adrenaline pounding through my veins and my impending return to Bellehaven that much closer, I find it almost impossible to rest.

I eat when a maid drops off food and then sit on the windowsill looking out into the dark.

A knock comes, startling me. I patter over to the door on bare feet and crack it. Ledger is standing there in a black button-down shirt. The first few buttons are undone, and his broad chest is peeking out. He has a shadow of stubble lining his square jaw. The sight of him makes my mouth go dry.

“Your Highness?” I question and get my desired reaction when I see his jaw tick.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” he says.

“With the events of the day, I am finding it hard to sleep,” I answer back.

“May I come in? ”

I widen the door in response, stepping back. He enters, walking past me. The door clicks shut, and I stand awkwardly watching him.

“Do you mind?” He saunters over to the wine decanter and sets out two glasses.

“Be my guest.” I watch as he pours two glasses of the burgundy liquid and walks one over to me. I can tell his palms are sweaty as I take the glass from him.

“Thank you.” I take a long drag and let the rich, fruity liquid coat my mouth.

Ledger takes his own mouthful, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. I fidget with the stem of my glass.

“How is your father?” I break the silence first.

“He is impossibly well.” He clears his throat from a lump of emotion. “Thank you, Layla, truly. You are Westray’s salvation, my salvation, and I am in awe of you.”

“Well, you didn’t bring me here to fail now, did you?” I throw his words back at him but with a teasing tone.

“I get it. I should not have said that. I can be a real ass at times.”

“Your words, not mine.” I grin while taking another sip.

“I was hoping to talk to you before morning. Honestly, I was afraid you’d already be halfway to Bellehaven by now.”

“Considering I can’t ride a horse, that would be highly unlikely.” I smile into my wine glass.

“Have you thought of what your life could be here if you stayed?” The words tumble out of his mouth, and I realize he’s nervous. “You could have your own healing wing. You’d be able to treat who you like when you like.”

“My very own healing wing? Fancy.” I entertain him. “And would your people have to pay to see me?”

“You could do it for no charge if that is what you wish.”

“Where would I sleep?” I know I can’t stay, but I need something to dream of when I inevitably must go back.

“In your room, of course.” He looks around the room we stand in, and I like how he refers to it as mine.

I nod, taking a generous sip of the wine before placing the glass down to ponder his words.

Having free will and being able to use my abilities to truly help people without stipulations has always been a dream of mine.

For people to be able to get the care they need without having to choose between their health and putting food in their stomachs.

It would be the life my father would have wanted for me.

“What will you do when the King of Bellehaven retaliates?”

“We will offer him riches, give him what he desires as long as it is not you. And if it is your mother you want, we can try to get her out. Bring her here.” My heart flips at his offer, at the way he makes it all sound so deceivingly easy.

I know the King of Bellehaven would not accept any amount of money.

I couldn’t think of a single thing that Ledger could offer him in exchange for me that he would accept .

As far as my mother goes, I would love to bring her to Westray, take her to the library, and show her the gardens. I just didn’t believe she could travel so far in her condition.

“And if I wish to leave Westray?” I think I see a grimace pass over Ledger’s face, but it is gone too rapidly to confirm.

“Then I will escort you back to Bellehaven myself.”

“What do you want, Prince? Do you wish me to stay, or would it be a great relief to see me go?” I ask, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear him say it again.

“I will not tell you what to do, Layla. My opinion should hardly matter,” he responds, and I try to hide the disappointment that passes across my face at his answer.

“But it would be a great relief to think of something that isn’t you.

To be able to concentrate without my mind wandering to your beautiful face, your wild hair, your fucking frost-blue eyes,” he continues and my heart gallops.

“I’ve been able to think of little else.

I fear, however, not even your absence will deter that. ”

I can hardly breathe at his confession. He always did have a way to stun me into silence. I find it hard to comprehend I have any effect at all on this beautiful man.