Page 92 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

“All right,” I whispered, leaning back in the chair. My eyes closed.

Florence got a hold of my other hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m sorry, Cordelia.” Her thumb rubbed against my skin.

Before I could reassure her it was not her fault, Francis’ fingers brushed over my injured flesh. Dozens of needles pierced my skin under his touch—

“It’s going to hurt,” he said and before I was able to process the meaning of his words, his hands wrapped around my wrist as he pulled on it.

A cry escaped me when the bone popped against Francis’ cold touch. My teeth punctured the inside of my cheek when Francis squeezed my wrist, pushing the bone back into its place.

Another cry pushed through my lips as the cold sweat broke through my skin despite the numbness of the berries. My lungs expanded taking in all the air they could fit; blood spilled in my mouth.

“That’s it.” Francis wrapped the tight fabric around my wrist as my head spun. “It will be perfectly fine by tomorrow.” he said, tying the ends of the bandage.

Florence’s hand wrapped around my shoulders when my mind threatened to pull me under.

“Caleb saved my life,” I managed to say in between my rapid breaths.

“He is alive.” Francis put a wet cloth onto my forehead that immediately made the pain more bearable. “If he was of no use to them, I would have at least found a dead body.” He sat on the chair across from mine. “They captured him.”

“What do we do now?” Roxanne asked, pouring the crimson liquid into a goblet.

“Get me a meeting with the Queen,” my weak voice exclaimed.

The room quieted; three pairs of glowing eyes stared at me as though I had lost my mind.

“Get me a meeting with the Queen,” I put all of my remaining energy into sounding confident.

“We tried several months ago; the royal council denied every letter,” Roxanne replied. “She does not want to meet us.”

“She will talk to me,” I argued, as Florence changed the cloth on my forehead. The cold calmed my flaming skin, easing the pain that now traveled up my shoulder.

“It’s dangerous,” Francis chimed in, his hands fell onto my knees. “What if they harm you? What if she orders them to kill you?”

“Then make sure they don’t.” I met his gaze before facing Roxanne once again. “I will write a letter to her. Will you send it?”

Roxanne’s eyes jumped between me and Francis before she finally replied, “Sure.”

“Cordelia—” Francis sighed; a sad smile made it onto his face.

“It’s the only way to actually do something and you know it,” I interrupted him, blinking the fog out of my vision.

“Perhaps you could meet on neutral territory,” Florence suggested. “She won’t be able to bring a whole army with her.”

“There is a hunting lodge near the palace,” I nodded. “I could suggest that location in the letter.”

“This is madness.” Francis shook his head as he jumped to his feet. “Royals are no help.” He faced Roxanne. “We stay away from them, remember?”

My eyebrows shot up.

“That’s not what I meant—” Francis shook his head, looking at me as regret filled his eyes.

“Who did you meet in the Royal garden during the Crimson War celebration?” I argued, remembering the events from months ago. “Wasn’t it one of the Queen’s councils?”

Francis’ lips turned into a thin line. “They denied us, Cordelia. That is exactly why we stay away from them from nowon—before they get a chance to spread the word filled with lies about what we are trying to do.”

“This is different,” I persisted, getting up from the chair. My feet swayed to the side as Francis caught me by my waist. “The Queen will want to hearmyjudgment.” I stared into amber eyes.

“Aye, because she took you seriously before?” Francis’ voice was ice cold. “Or perhaps because she would hear your cries and still do as she pleases.”