Page 41 of The Healing Dragon (The Red Book #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

JANELLE

I don’t hear from Jesse or any of the Oscuro boys for the remainder of the day.

My worry over the earlier interaction upsetting Jesse only grows when I don’t hear from him by lunchtime.

I skip lunch in favor of finishing my tasks early.

I monitor the door, expecting him to show up any minute to check in, but he never does.

Other than Isabel coming in and out, that door remains closed.

I walk into the library and find it more empty than usual for late afternoon. We still have a few hours until dinner, but I finished all the tasks ahead of time. As I always do with any spare time, I go to the library.

“Is Matias getting ready for the trip?” I ask, wondering why he isn’t here.

“They already left.” Santiago looks up from a paper to a clock, then back at me. “A few hours ago, actually.”

“What?” I sit down and look at my hands.

Perhaps things are worse than I imagine. I can’t even think of what exactly could’ve been the trigger. Leaving without a word isn’t like Jesse. My eyes focus on a bit of dirt under my nails. I’m often diligent to clean it all out before I leave, but in my hurry today, there’s still some left.

“Jesse didn’t tell you? Trouble in paradise already?” Santiago asks.

I don’t want to show that the comment hurts my feelings, so I push it aside.

“Did you hear about the impromptu visitors?”

He chuckles. “Who didn’t? Royals can be such spectacles. There are actual fan clubs for them. Did you know?”

Now that is ridiculous. I give Santiago a side glance and he meets my eyes. A belly full of laughter erupts out of him.

“Do you want to know if you have a fan club?”

“Absolutely not.” I get to my feet. “Actually, there is something I’ve been meaning to do.”

Now feels like the best time to do it. For the past couple of days, I have been circling questions that have no answer. At least I have no answer for them. But the answers might be closer to me and I just need to reach for them.

The last time I went in, I was asking something of them. This might not be exactly the same scenario, but I’m seeking something. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I lose nothing by trying. After all, a small part of me just wishes to know if they would allow me in.

I make my way to the Fates temple. As I approach, the stone structure appears enchanting. The trees and leaves provide a contrasting green backdrop to the gray granite walls, only partially covered. The chirping of the birds blends into the magic of this place.

I close my eyes and remind myself I’m no longer the girl who once came here seeking help.

Seeking freedom. The tightness that once shackled my wrist together felt like it would sink me in the waters of my reality.

Now it all feels so vain. From where I am standing, the problems that once made it hard to breathe seem like nothing.

Stepping inside, I ponder if I will be denied entry.

I don’t realize my eyes are closed for a second.

The fear of rejection is just as bad as the fear of not knowing.

I take a step forward and cross the threshold.

The low glow of three figures above a small pool greets me.

My feet are frozen in place. I have wanted to come here for so long, but now that I’m here, I can’t seem to move forward.

“Seek what you wish to find, but ignorance is bliss for the feeble,” the blue looking fairy says.

Her sisters don’t look my way, choosing to stare at the water instead.

Goading me is exactly what I needed to move. I sit on a stone bench across the water fountain and take in my surroundings.

As soon as I realized my stay at the Black Castle was going to be longer than expected, I knew I had to make a visit.

I once pleaded with the Fates to alter my future.

I’m not sure exactly what I expect or hope to get from them, but if I’m making amends and turning things back around, I need to make this request.

“I’m trying this new thing where I make things right.” A wave of shame passes through me. “I asked you once to change my fate. Would it be possible to change it back?”

“She is asking twice.” The pink looks up from the water.

“Just to fix things,” I hurry to say.

The gold floating creature moves closer to me. Its face is not human-like, but almost enough for me to make out an expression of comfort. “What is meant to be will be. Fate has a way of finding a way. One wrong choice does not alter the ending.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I am scared but those words give me so much hope. I’m winded as tears gather in my eyes. The emotions floating are high. It’s like everything I’ve pushed and compacted into my chest cracks open and is freely out for them to see. There’s no point in hiding.

“I want to be worthy.” A tear runs down my cheek and I wipe it with my palm. “I want to make up for all I have done.”

The visit of the other royal offspring has reminded me there’s a chance. I haven’t been all bad. There is room for redemption and something to go back to. Not to mention Jesse.

“You have come here to ask us to make you worthy?” Their three faces, free of expression, close in on me. “You must not ask for something only you can do for yourself.”

“I want the opportunity to make the right choice.”

“You get that every day you draw a breath,” they say in unison.

There’s a chance for me to make it. The realization of this makes my chest lighter.

Lately I’ve felt like I’m swimming against the current.

My arms are getting tired and every time I look up to see my progress, it’s not enough.

There’s so much more to do. I’m behind despite not taking a day off. I’m tired.

“What about Ray?” I ask, looking from one to another. “My soul was bonded to him. He became my soul bond after I asked for my fate to change. Can that be undone?”

There is a giggle shared amongst them. I wish more than anything to be in on the joke right now.

“You severed that the second your hand wielded the blade that ended him.”

“Regardless,” The pink one peers up. “You never meant to bond with him or anyone else. Not in this life.”

“This life,” I follow.

They giggle again.

“We may not meddle on bonds created in other lives. But it’s always fun to see them find each other in every life they live.”

“Interesting,” I say carefully. “Are you all telling me I’ve found my way to a bond I had in another life?”

Could this explain this unavoidable connection I’ve had with Jesse since childhood? Why we’ve always been magnetically pulled to each other.

“We cannot say.” The pink one giggles again. “Go on and face the situations presented to you. The opportunities to do what is right will be plenty. It’s up to you to bear through it or cower from it.”

With that positive message, they all turn back to the water fountain. They point at different things displayed on the water and whisper amongst each other. I don’t wish to overstay my welcome and make my way out the back door.

I cover my eyes from the sun as I take a step outside the temple. There is only one entrance and one exit on the opposite side, leaving me with a longer walk back to the castle. I start my journey feeling lighter than before. The sun is high up and I can feel the rays beating at my skin.

A noise that doesn’t belong to the forest stops me in my tracks. I freeze and my senses are suddenly on overdrive. I strain to listen closely and catch a grunt and huff. I hear it again.

I’m not alone.

I hear it a couple more times. Whoever is making the noise is not trying hard to conceal themselves. I debate if I should go investigate or rush back to the castle. The bushes and tree tops hide it from sight, adding to my nerves.

I didn’t tell anyone I would come out here. The decision felt safe, but I never counted on being hunted. Stupid thinking for someone with so many enemies.

Movement from a bush alerts me I’m too late for an escape.

A body flops down clumsily. An older man struggles to get to his knees.

His clothes are dirty and bloody. He’s clasping a hand to his stomach.

His hair is plastered across his forehead, drenched in sweat.

When he rises to his feet again, I realize it’s Oli.

I run and kneel next to his body. There is a wound on his belly that profusely continues to bleed. I press my hands down on the wound to stop the bleeding. I close my eyes and push the healing magic against it. The continuous flow of blood tells me it’s not working.

“The wound is too deep.” I lean over closer to his face. “Oli, what happened?”

His eyes don’t focus on me. I need to get him help soon. He has already bled so much. The hand I have on his belly isn’t doing anything. I can feel a pulsing flow under my skin.

“There isn’t much time,” he says in a painful whisper. “He is coming for you, my girl. I had to warn you.”

“Hold on,” I say, getting to my feet. “I’m going to get you help.”

I’m still a few miles away from the castle, but I need to get there as soon as possible. Running there and coming back with help isn’t an option. It would take too long. I’ve never felt more powerless to not have magic. This is the time it would be vital.

I stand behind him and hook my arms under his.

I lift up as much as I can then walk backwards in the castle’s direction.

If I had my magic, I would’ve been able to pick him up as light as a feather.

With a single spell, I could have crossed the distance between us and the clinic.

But there’s no point in dwelling on the what ifs.

Oli is a big man, easily four times my size. Every few steps, I run out of breath.

“They are coming soon,” he says between heavy breaths. “You need to leave. Go far away. ”

“Dammit, stop talking, Oli,” I yell. “Save every breath to fight for your life.”

Please.