Chapter 13
I’ve slept through three nightmare-filled nights without seeing any of the dragon shifters, my father, or even Adrian.
All alone.
I haven’t even felt that prickling feeling of someone watching me from the shadows.
I haven’t been informed of what everyone is so busy with, but I know our visitors still remain in the castle.
One of the handmaidens told me as much. I’ve fallen back into my usual routine I had before they came and everything was disrupted and thrown into chaos.
But somehow, things feel different now. I hate to admit to my naivety and innocence, but it feels like chunks of that are being slowly chipped away.
I’m starting to doubt myself, wondering what I was even thinking, believing that I could break a thousand year old curse all on my own.
But then I remember that if I didn’t have this to work toward, what would my purpose be?
I’d spend my days wandering through the halls of this dark, gloomy castle, bored out of my mind?
Have babies in twenty years and carry on my father’s lineage eventually?
With Adrian Greenwood becoming king, and me the queen at his side?
He’s not going to willingly give up his rule over the kingdom, even to me, so that means it won’t happen until he dies.
Not that I even want to rule. I’ve never felt like I really wanted to.
The thought of that life fills me with crushing ennui.
It doesn’t feel right. And it’s not that I don’t feel things for Adrian, but I don’t think that’s the path in life I want to take, and I’m not sure how he’d feel about that.
As I slowly stroll through the hall on my way to the library, a silvery sheet of hair catches my eye. My heart skips and I pick up the pace.
I’m nearly running as I approach the corner she disappeared behind, but then I turn and slow my stride as I catch sight of her only a few paces ahead.
“Milanda!”
She turns instantly, almost a little too fast, as if she’s on edge. That would make sense, given what happened to her. I immediately feel bad for frightening her.
“Sorry,” I say gently as I catch up to her.
“It’s okay,” she replies softly.
“I just wanted to… see if you’re doing okay. Or any better, I guess.”
She smiles, though her eyes are sad. “I am. Thank you.”
“Good. I’m sorry… about what happened. If you ever need anything you can always come talk to me.”
She tilts her head, studying me curiously. “I appreciate that.”
I nod, then look down at my black silk slippers. I want to ask more about that night, but I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. I need to know, though. “So Daegan really was just helping you?”
Her mouth pulls into a wider smile. “He did. If he hadn’t been nearby and heard…
” Her eyes become distant as she trails off, but then she snaps out of it.
“It’s funny… I feared them before they arrived.
But it turns out, maybe it should be the other way around.
They’ve been nothing but kind to me. We’re the ones who probably look like monsters to them. ”
I nod, deciding that she’s completely sincere, and completely right in her assessment. “Yeah… you’re probably right.”
“Anyway,” she says after a long pause between us. “I need to get going. It’s my first shift back.”
I nod, thinking about how I’m going to see to it later that she get a raise, better lodgings, and more days off.
Once I say goodbye to Milanda, I turn around and head back in the direction of the library.
~
Daegan is here in the library again tonight.
He glanced my way maybe once since I came in, and that’s it.
I wonder what he’s always reading about…
but I don’t dare get close enough to inspect his reading material.
I also don’t want to open that conversation and have him then ask me what I’m reading.
I don’t want to reveal that. Not now, anyway.
I still don’t know if I can trust him at all.
Just because he’s turning out to be a decent, sometimes honorable person doesn’t mean he’d want to team up with the enemy and help me.
Besides, the feeling of his cool blade pressed against my throat is still vivid in my mind.
Like a strange nightmare that doesn’t seem right, that you can’t seem to shake.
I’m having a hard time focusing on the words in front of me tonight, but as I skim the page, something rips me from my wandering thoughts, pulling my focus back to the words written in ink.
Cut by one born from ember, the witch’s blood must flow once more.
The diadem of the elves shall be set upon flame’s brow,
and the blade that drank the dragon’s heart shall rise again.
Yet not till the four are gathered and kindled in the fire of their foe shall the sky be freed of its shroud.
This is it. My heart races as I flip the book, checking the cover.
It’s a very old, simple book of recipes supposedly written by a cook who lived in the elvish castle at the time.
Everything in it so far has talked about gathering ingredients and instructions for different recipes.
And here, in the middle of the book, are the instructions to break the curse.
I’m sure of it. I’m suddenly grateful my mind was too busy to realize I was skimming a useless recipe book and quitting before I got to this part.
My mind is reeling. The anticipation and excitement of finally getting one step closer makes me stand and pace around the table, chewing on my lip.
Why does it say the four must be reunited, when it only lists three items?
The blade.
The diadem.
The blood of the witch.
What am I missing?
Disappointment begins to sink in. Disappointment, because I already knew the items used to create the spell, and I had already guessed that reuniting them would reverse it. I suppose having it confirmed in writing is still an exciting victory though.
I finally snap out of it, realizing how bizarre I must have looked, and glance over in a panic to find Daegan’s gaze on me.
His expression is mildly curious, but he doesn’t say or do anything as he holds my gaze.
It feels like he’s trying to look deeper and read my thoughts as he takes in the disarray that is my table.
I got so excited I forgot he was over there.
I must have been making a scene as I flipped through the book excitedly reading the page over and over again.
He finally decides I’m not that interesting after all and returns to his own research in front of him. I slump back into my chair and reread the passage once, twice.
This still doesn’t give me any clues as to where I can find the items. There is one that I have a hunch about though.
Perhaps it’s finally time I pay a witch a visit.