Chapter 36 Alfrie
Chapter thirty-six
Alfrie
Against my mental will, my body betrays me, and I find myself wandering into the medicinal garden looking for the ingredients I need to make the sleep aid for Elara. I'd planned on going back into the Woodlands, but now I’m stuck here, unable to fight against the compulsory spell she placed on me.
There’s no moon tonight, completely shrouded by the clouds and a heavy fog that thickens by the minute. I brought a lantern, but I know this garden like the back of my hand, and I set the light on the bench near the entrance.
A small dirt path leads the way then disappears into the tall hedges and bushes covering the grounds.
I walk through the darkness, knowing exactly where I need to go.
I stretch my fingers out to my sides, brushing them along the leaves and stems of shrubs as I pass.
I continue through the green hedge maze until I reach the clearing that houses a small glass greenhouse surrounded by thorny rose bushes.
I slip through the door, lightly closing it behind me to avoid making any noise. Three long tables take up most of the greenhouse space and they're covered with dozens of potted herbs and medicinal plants. I reach for a match and a candle I left on a hanging shelf by the door weeks ago.
The flame of the candle gives off a soft glow of light and my own shadow flickers over the leaves of the plants crowding the room.
I slowly walk between the tables inspecting the work I’ve spent years nurturing and perfecting.
I gently graze my fingers over the thick and furry leaves of a licorice plant, and I lean in to inhale the sweet aroma of the gardenias I pass by next.
When I reach the end of the table I stop in front of a large pot near the ledge.
In the center of the pot is a single sprout top heavy with one white bloom dangling from the tip of the stem.
Jimson Weed. It’s beautiful and will induce sleep in minute amounts but can be deadly when used improperly.
I pick up a glove from the table and don it, pulling a single petal from the flower and pocketing it in my shirt.
Any more than that would induce a coma. Or worse.
“This is lovely.”
I jump at the voice coming from the greenhouse door nearly knocking the pot of Jimson into the dirt. “What are you doing out here?”
Zara scans the greenhouse, her hazel eyes glittering in the candlelight.
Her hair is undone and falls in waves down her back.
“I needed some air, so I took a walk. I saw your lantern.” She gazes at the plants and lightly sweeps her fingertips over the delicate flowers and buds as she floats between the tables.
“Is this where you make your medicines?”
“Yes. Well, this is where I grow what I need. I have a room—" I stop myself. Only Leer knows of my sanctuary below the palace—and Elara somehow. “Do you need something?”
She shakes her head, moving toward me, and I stiffen when she stops right next to me, our shoulders nearly touching. “What’s this?” She reaches out her hand, about to touch the Jimson Weed flower.
“Don’t!” I grab her hand before she can touch the petals of the plant. Her hand is warm, and her eyes widen slightly with surprise. “It’s Jimson Weed and it’s deadly. Even touching it can be dangerous. You need to wear gloves.”
She glances down at our clasped hands and looks up at me through thick lashes. I can barely breathe. And this time it’s not due to glamour. I clear my throat and release her hand. She bites her bottom lip and, dammit, how I long to be that lip.
She stares at the flower. “What’s it for?”
It takes me a moment to realize she’s asked me a question over the sound of my pounding heart. “The plant? It’s for sleep. In incredibly miniscule doses though and only from the liquid that gets steeped from the petals. It’s a process of sorts.” I push my hand through my hair.
“Will you be using it for something?”
“I really can’t say.” I literally can’t say. I work my jaw, trying to form the words. I want to tell someone about the encounter I had with Elara, but I physically cannot. Zara gives me a strange look and before she can question me further, I say, “I can escort you back to the palace if you—”
“Alfrie, about yesterday morning. I was just scared. I hope the situation didn’t cause any awkwardness between you and Leer. Or between you and me?” She inches closer to me, her flowery scent invading all of my senses.
I have to get out of here. I back away toward the door. “Of course. I didn’t think anything of it. I hardly noticed at all.”
She moves parallel to me on the other side of the long table, gliding her hand along the edge of it as she walks.
Her gaze never leaves mine, and we meet at the end of the table in front of the greenhouse entrance.
“I want to make sure that things are okay with us. I feel like we’re actually starting to tolerate one another.
And now that I’m in Lanray…” Her voice trails and she chokes on a sob.
She quickly wipes a tear that's betrayed her by rolling down her face. “Sorry. I hope we can maybe become friends. I don’t want to make it weird.”
Another teardrop leaks from the corner of her eye and I catch it with the back of my finger.
She freezes and I pull my hand back swiftly, my cheeks flushing.
“Now I’m the one making it weird.” I try to smile to cover up the endless pit of embarrassment opening up beneath me.
I wish I could fall into the pit and disappear forever.
She grins and it might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She takes my hand and squeezes it. “Thanks for making me smile.”
“Glad to help.” I reluctantly take my hand from hers and stuff it into my pocket before I’m unable to control myself and pull her to me.
“What’s this?” Leer swings the glass door open, his expression unreadable. He narrows his eyes at me then turns to Zara, his smile faltering slightly. “I was waiting for you in the dining room.”
“I needed to walk and saw the lantern at the garden gates. I’m sorry.”
“Ah. I see Alfrie has let you in on one of his many secrets in the castle.” Leer puts a firm hand on my still healing shoulder.
I tense at the sting. “I don’t have any secrets.”
“Oh, come now, we all have skeletons waiting to be uncovered.” Leer laughs and smacks me hard on the back. “Shall we go to dinner?” He holds out his arm for Zara and she takes it. “Alfrie, perhaps you can work with Zara on shifting if she feels up to it?”
“I don’t want to waste your time. I think perhaps it’s something I’m not meant to do.” Sadness flashes in her eyes and she flattens her lips.
“Nonsense. I know you can do it. Remember what we talked about. I need you to be in your best shape so we can take back what is ours.” Leer puts his free hand over the one she rests on his arm. He nods as if willing her to agree to training and kisses her on the forehead.
I look away suddenly feeling like I’m intruding on a private moment—and to hide the pang of jealousy gripping my chest.
“Tomorrow, then, Alfrie? Work with my bride?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” I dip my chin and watch as they stroll up the path toward the tall hedges, arm in arm. Zara glances back at me over her shoulder and the corner of her lips curve into a smile.
I return the gesture and slowly count to ten in my mind. I have to get past whatever this feeling is that consumes me. I take a deep breath. She belongs to Leer. She’s a princess.
I’m a no one.
Content with my resolve, I close the greenhouse door and follow the hedge maze out of the medicinal garden, retreating to my sanctuary below the palace.