Chapter 9
Something had happened between Aurelia and the witches, and whatever it was, it still haunted her. As curious as I was about it, I knew she would never tell me. I was the last person in the realm she would trust with that.
Perhaps it had to do with her fae magic. I wasn’t sure what her power was. Maybe it was dangerous and volatile. Maybe she had little control over it.
I could understand possessing a power you didn’t want.
Yes, my powers of persuasion were convenient. But after years of using them for my own gain and for the benefit of my people, I started to feel exactly like the filthy deceiver Aurelia believed me to be. And it became harder to tell the difference between people who genuinely agreed with me, and those who were coerced into it by my magic.
Aurelia and I entered the sage’s tent, and the flaps closed behind us. To my surprise, the dark-haired witch remained outside, leaving us alone with the sage.
The tent was bigger than I’d pictured, spanning the size of my bedchamber. In the center of the space was a bubbling cauldron, though I saw no fire burning underneath it. Shelves lined the perimeter of the tent, filled with ancient books and texts as well as various magical objects such as crystal balls, jars of sinister-looking fluid and body parts, and black candlesticks.
Atop a stool in front of the bubbling cauldron was a petite figure with white hair. Her eyes were closed, her fingers hovering over the steaming contents of the cauldron as she whispered words in a different language.
Beside me, Aurelia shifted her weight on her feet, clearly uncomfortable. I thought of how she’d nearly stopped breathing from her panic earlier, and I stepped forward to speak.
Before I could, the woman said in a low, ethereal voice, “I know who you are, Prince of Midnight.”
I stilled at that. Slowly, she opened her eyes, which were a piercing silver as they fixed on me. “Your kind have shunned my people for centuries. And you dare set foot on our holy soil?”
I swallowed. “Whatever animosity exists between the royal family and the fae witches does not extend to me, Shalani. ”
The sage straightened, her eyes flaring wide. Shalani was a term of respect in the witches’ holy tongue. Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed me with closer scrutiny. “And yet,” she said slowly, “you have done nothing to quell such animosity, have you? A prince of noble breeding such as yourself would have remarkable influence on other people, wouldn’t you agree? But you choose not to use it.”
I frowned at the way she’d said influence. As if she knew exactly what my fae magic could do. My spine was rigid, my skin prickling with awareness. I said nothing more, partly because I had no response—she was right, after all—and partly because I was afraid what I would give away by speaking. It already seemed she knew too much about me.
The sage’s eyes slid to Aurelia. “Lady Aurelia. I am surprised to see you here, given what occurred the last time you visited our lands.”
Aurelia’s cheeks flushed, and she bowed her head. “Forgive me, Samiria. I would not intrude if it were not urgent.”
“You’re referring to the sleeping curse.” Samiria slid off the stool, sweeping her emerald cloak to the side as she strode toward us. Though she only came up to my chest, her presence was still commanding.
Aurelia sucked in a sharp breath. “You know?”
“Of course I know, child. When a powerful magical presence enters my domain, I always know.”
“Then, what is it? How do I break the enchantment?”
Samiria said nothing for a long moment. She dragged a long finger along the rim of the cauldron, seemingly unbothered by whatever heat emanated from it. Finally, she murmured, “I do not know. It is no magic I have seen before.”
Aurelia’s shoulders sagged, and her breathing turned shaky. “There is nothing you can do?”
“I did not say that.” Samiria’s eyes sharpened as they fixed on Aurelia. “All I know is it is not normal witch magic. This particular spell bears resemblance to the magic of the Dream Mage.”
“The Dream Mage,” Aurelia repeated.
My stomach coiled tightly in recognition. Oh gods…
Samiria looked at me as if she knew I’d recognize the name.
Before I could speak, Aurelia said, “Did this magic not affect you?”
Samiria shook her head. “It seems the witches are immune. But the entire palace grounds have been claimed by this spell.”
Aurelia’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “And the rest of the kingdom?”
“Unaffected.”
Aurelia’s breath rushed out of her, and her hands relaxed. “Well, that’s good, I suppose.”
“I know you are clever enough to understand the purpose behind such an attack, Lady Aurelia.” Samiria’s expression hardened.
Aurelia nodded. “To incapacitate the royal family.”
“Yes. But they aren’t the only ones who reside at the palace, are they?”
Aurelia’s face paled. “The barracks.”
Samiria nodded slowly.
Shit. I ran a hand through my hair. The barracks were likely located on the palace grounds. Which meant the entire army of the Summer Court was under the sleeping spell.
Anyone could invade and face no opposition.
Aurelia’s wide eyes fixed on me, as if she were thinking the same thing. Anger and horror warred in her gaze, and she glared at me in accusation. I shook my head slowly, prepared to deny it. How could she still think I was the one behind this?
But could I blame her? Our kingdoms had been at odds for centuries. The Star Court was the most likely suspect .
“How are we unaffected?” I asked, hoping to distract Aurelia before she ripped out my throat.
Samiria lifted her chin, then strode toward me. With a swift movement, she tugged down the collar of my shirt. I jerked away from her, but not before she exposed the witch rune etched below my collarbone.
“What is that?” Aurelia asked.
“Yes, young prince,” Samiria said slyly. “Do tell us what that mark is.” Her smirk indicated she knew exactly what it was.
I fumbled with my tunic, shifting the collar back into place as I tried to find my voice. “It’s a protection rune.”
Silence followed my words. After a moment, Aurelia demanded, “What does that mean?”
I closed my eyes with a sigh. “It’s a mark of the witches, meant to protect me from harmful magic.”
“Harmful magic like a sleeping curse, I’d wager,” Samiria said, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Aurelia whirled to face me, her eyes blazing. “Tell me again you had nothing to do with this,” she snarled. “Perhaps you have another witch rune somewhere that allows you to lie to me. Or to even falsify a blood oath.”
“Nothing can negate the power of a blood oath,” Samiria said sharply. “If this prince truly did spill his blood and swear something to you, it is binding. Even witch magic cannot counteract that.”
“Aurelia, I’ve had that mark for years,” I quickly explained. “I was curious about runic magic and wanted to try it for myself. A witch in my lands made it for me.”
Aurelia’s nostrils flared, her gaze full of venom. “Whatever explanations you give me, it is still oddly convenient that the instant you show up, this curse takes my family, and you have a rune that protects you from it.” She frowned, turning to Samiria. “But what about me? How was I not affected?”
Samiria’s amusement faded as she fixed a somber look at Aurelia. She said nothing as she approached the princess, then gripped her elbows to turn her around. With a baffled expression, Aurelia obeyed, and Samiria pulled on the cotton fabric of her dress, gently tugging it downward to reveal a black spiral marking on her left shoulder blade.
My eyes widened. Aurelia had a witch rune?
Aurelia wriggled uncomfortably, but Samiria kept a firm grip on her. “What is it?”
“You can’t see it?” I asked.
“Of course I can’t,” Aurelia snapped. “It’s on my back. ”
“But you’ve never seen it in mirrors? Your lady’s maid never pointed it out when she does your hair?” My voice was thick with incredulity. And she accused me of duplicity.
Aurelia finally jerked free of the witch’s grip and turned to face me, her cheeks reddening. “ No. If there’s a mark on me, I was not aware of it, nor have I seen it.” She glared at Samiria. “What is it? Did you put it on me?”
Slowly, Samiria shook her head, her expression unreadable. When she said nothing else, Aurelia put her hands on her hips. “Samiria, tell me!”
Samiria straightened, her eyes narrowing. “You do not command me, Lady Aurelia. Remember on whose land you tread.”
Aurelia immediately ducked her head. “Forgive me.”
Samiria strode to the cauldron, running her finger along the rim once more. “There are many runes of my people. Some are so complex that they can be rendered invisible to the bearer of the mark, along with anyone else not blessed by runic magic.” Her eyes lifted to meet Aurelia’s. “Rest assured that I have never marked you before, child. Nor has anyone in my coven.”
“But… surely, you recognize it?” Aurelia asked. “Do you have any idea what it means? Or who put it there?”
Samiria sighed. “I am forbidden from speaking of it. There are holy laws that I am blood sworn to obey.”
Aurelia took several trembling breaths, then shook her head. “I don’t understand. How could I have a witch mark on me? And if you or your coven didn’t put it there, then who did?” She lifted her hands to her face and massaged her temples. “Gods… What does this even mean? Is there anything you can tell me?”
“Only the witches of this land are bound by this law,” Samiria said, her words slow and measured.
A stunned silence followed her words. I shifted my weight, thinking of the witches in my land. Could they help her? They had certainly been willing to help me in the past.
“As for your sleeping enchantment,” Samiria went on, her gaze fixed on the steaming contents of the cauldron, “there are powerful elements that can break curses. One of these is the blood of a Blue Amethyst.”
My brows furrowed. A Blue Amethyst? Was that some rare bird species I was unaware of?
Aurelia’s breath hitched, and her eyes flared wide. Whatever a Blue Amethyst was, she knew. Her face paled, and she shook her head. “Samiria, I cannot. She’s too weak. I don’t even know if her blood is potent enough.”
“It’s not,” Samiria said. “You’re right; the beast is too weak. But if you can find a way to heal her—or find her mother—then you can break the curse.”
I crossed my arms. “What is a Blue Amethyst?”
Aurelia’s gaze was fixed on the floor, her eyes calculating. Samiria said nothing; she merely watched Aurelia, as if waiting for something.
“Did you know this would happen?” Aurelia asked in a low voice. Her eyes flicked to the witch, and a hint of suspicion crept into her gaze.
Samiria straightened, her eyes flashing. “No, I did not. I know the Dream Mage has been getting stronger, but I did not know she would strike this kingdom.”
Aurelia nodded slowly, and I found myself prickling with irritation that she trusted this witch’s word so easily, whereas I had sworn in blood and she still didn’t believe me. “If I bring the Blue Amethyst to you,” Aurelia said softly, “can you break the curse?”
“Yes,” Samiria said, her eyes cutting to me and back to Aurelia again. “Do you recall the… substance I told you about yesterday in the nesting grounds?”
Aurelia nodded, her jaw tense.
“The Blue Amethyst needs to ingest this substance first. It will help her heal. And once her strength is restored, then her body will be able to endure the spell.”
What the hell were they talking about? What substance ?
But Aurelia nodded, clearly understanding whatever Samiria was talking about.
Impatience and confusion clouded my thoughts. I blew out an exasperated breath, knowing these two cryptic women would not answer any of my questions.
At long last, Aurelia bowed her head and said, “Thank you for your helpful information, Samiria. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Samiria inclined her head, too. “I will await your return, Lady Aurelia. I wish to protect this land as much as you do.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Aurelia grabbed my arm, all but hauling me out of the tent. The last thing I saw was Samiria’s knowing look before the tent flaps concealed her from view.