Chapter 62 #2
I follow him, close on his heels, and glare upward into his scowling face, forcing him to acknowledge me.
Blood pumps through me, hot and reckless.
“And what’s your plan? To kill me and seize my kingdom?
To rid yourself of the curse I represent?
” Even though I already know his answer, I want him to say it.
I push on his chest, hoping—no, praying—that it angers him.
“Why are you being such a coward? Just end it already!”
But I know he won’t.
Not here.
Lir would never allow it.
He seems surprised when I reveal my knowledge about the curse, but he averts his gaze and approaches the ship’s railing, scoffing. “What is one life when thousands suffer every day?”
Lir joins him, and the two of them stand next to each other, everything uncertain.
Gathering my hysterical thoughts, I lift my chin. “I’m getting off this ship at the next port.”
The searing pain in my wrist returns, burning down my arm. I bend over, trying to smother my reactions.
Ashland slowly turns around and steps closer to me, his body mere inches from where I stand.
I have to tilt my neck as he stares down at me with contempt.
“I don’t need to kill you. Your own stupidity does a wonderful job of that, as it is.
So by all means, go ahead and stumble into some foreign, disease-riddled port.
It will only speed up the process of killing you for a coward like me. ”
Lir stays facing the open ocean, as though sensing something in the vastness. “We’ll change course and set sail for the Devana, but it won’t be enough. She must take an elixir draught if she’s to survive the journey to the witch-healer.”
“What is that?” I moan, trying not to sob from the pain again. Hadn’t I learned my lesson about taking strange food and drink? What if it’s poison? What if they lie and take me somewhere else? Panic creeps up my spine, and I fight the urge to flee.
“It will put you to sleep—any curses or ailments frozen in time,” Ashland explains, reaching out and holding my wrist to examine it. I want to pull away, but I need his help.
He can’t hide his lingering displeasure as his calloused fingertips run along the glowing imprint around my finger.
Lir adds, “You won’t be able to wake until you drink the vitality tonic, but you will wake. You have my guarantee.”
“Can you trust us to do that?” Ashland asks, the sincerity in his words confusing me.
“What if I say no?”
“The rest of your brief life will be full of agony,” Lir says with a resigned sigh.
I stop Ashland from inspecting my hand by grabbing his palm and squeezing it.
“I’ll only agree if you promise me that we will set sail for Alexandria after we see the witch-healer.
You don’t understand the horrors Balor Black is inflicting on Klara.
Whatever malice you hold for my family cannot possibly extend to her.
She’s the innocence this world has forgotten. ”
“Tabitha, I won’t sacrifice my men, but I promise we will go together and free the girl.” Ashland stares at our clasped hands.
I tighten my grip, pulling him closer. “Swear to me!”
“I swear it. You have my word,” he declares. “Now, will you agree to drink the damn elixir?”
I yield to him, nodding and mumbling, “Yes, yes—okay…” The pain comes in another wave, rocking through my arm and taking my breath away as I bear down, humming to get through it.
Lir lifts me into his arms, and I wrap my hands around his neck.
The entire time I’m carried, Ashland follows, not breaking eye contact with me until we’re inside the captain’s quarters below deck.
It’s dark, with painted glass windows and finely crafted furniture and tables.
Lir gingerly places me on the quilted bed built into the wooden wall.
It’s comforting and warm and smells like his seaside cottage.
Every second soon feels like a pain-filled eternity as Ashland helps Lir rifle through the shelves for the correct bottle. The sounds of clinking tinctures and trinkets fill the air.
With a little brown glass jar in hand, they order me to sit upright, but I can’t handle the exertion. I’m too weak. Lir wraps his arms around my waist as he moves behind me, letting me use his chest as support.
Ashland pulls the cork out with his teeth. “Drink it all.” He places the elixir into my trembling grasp. I’m sweating and shivering. My fingers falter, so Ashland kneels between my spread thighs and wraps his palm around my hand, guiding the medicine to my mouth. “Open,” he orders.
Not realizing my jaw is clenched shut, I part my lips but only barely. Ashland’s tender fingertip grazes my chapped flesh as the first droplets hit my tongue.
I gag and cough, sputtering, “I think I prefer the gravy.”
Ashland chuckles as Lir holds my cheeks so that my mouth stays wide as he pours what’s left down my throat. The liquid coats it with a tingling sensation. “It’s best not to fight it. Let sleep take you.”
My eyelids grow heavy, but somehow I slur, “I forgot… Theodora…”
Ashland shushes me. “There’ll be plenty of time to talk when you wake.”
Lir gently crawls out from behind me and stands. Leaning over, he pushes my shoulders back so I recline on his feather pillows. “Don’t worry, love,” he says, his words fading. “We’ll wake you when we arrive at Devana.”
Ashland’s voice warbles and distorts, but I hear: “Best get comfortable. The real journey begins now.”