“With William it happened relatively fast, but there was pushing on his part, and no boy had dared to even glance at Luna before. With you, it was natural, like the two of you fit together from the beginning.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, but you’re right. It did happen fast, and we do fit together. Not that you helped in any way. She thinks your thrall is the only reason I have feelings for her.”
“My sister’s a pessimist. Always has been. Sure, I gave you a nudge here and there, but most of it was you, Prince.”
“No wonder she’s pessimistic,” I said pointedly, coughs racking my body.
“On the off chance that you’re right, and that saving you will calm her anger, I’m going to heal you now. But if you try anything to hurt me or my familiar, you will meet a worse death than your brother did. I’m choosing to trust you not to make a stupid mistake and force my hand against you.”
I took a deep breath, still holding my chest. “I’d appreciate… being able... to breathe.”
She walked to me and grabbed my arm, whispering a spell over me.
“Poison in your veins no more
From his skin you will pour
To former health return this man
All the toxin from him ban.”
Suddenly, it felt like slippery eels were writhing beneath my flesh, under her fingers. I pushed my sleeve up to see white, milky liquid pooling from my pores. With each drop of the toxin that dropped to the floor, my strength returned and I could feel the power in my muscles, bones, heart, and lungs.
I looked at her in awe.
She grinned. “You’re welcome.” Letting go of my arm, she pinched her lips together and then said, “Make sure Luna knows I did it.”
“I’ll tell her.” But I wondered if it would make a difference at this point. Luna was coming to use her spell and potion to separate them, and Aura was going to fight tooth and nail to keep her from tearing their bond apart. Only one would emerge victorious. I just prayed it was Luna.
Aura nodded and walked back inside, her enormous gown flowing behind her. She looked ridiculous and gaudy. “You plan on facing Luna in that?”
She stopped and turned around. “Of course not,” she sniffed indignantly. “I have a much grander gown than this for the special occasion.”
chapter twenty-four
LUNA
The full moon was my favorite phase. We were made of more blood than flesh, and since blood was mostly liquid, the moon pulled and tugged at us just as it did the oceans, as if we were puppets and it our puppeteer. That was even more the case for me, her daughter.
I dressed in fighting leathers, the bottom hems of my tight breeches tucked into my tall boots. Straightening, I stretched and bent, making sure the outfit was flexible enough and allowed for every movement I anticipated, and even those I didn’t. My doublet fit like a second skin with long sleeves layered with thick patches made to look like dragon’s scales. I kept the small potion vial inside my clothes, near my heart. If she tried to cut it out, her blade would strike the glass, release the spell, and save me the trouble.
It has to be one of us who severs this tie.
I just hoped I wasn’t too late. Was Phillip still holding on?
My plan was to find him first. Malex could stay with him and keep her from using him in the fight that was about to ensue. Malex promised to shield Phillip for me, and then he once again reminded me of the favor I owed him. If he protected Phillip, I would owe him two.
I threaded sheaths onto my belt and inserted the daggers for which they were made. I couldn’t use fire or air once I threw the potion. I could only use my hands or a knife, if I was lucky enough to pull one before she did.
“You look like a warrior,” Malex said, stepping into the bedroom, startling me. I hadn’t heard his footsteps on the porch or the creaking of the hinges. He looked as he always did. He wore a rich suit that consisted of matching breeches and a coat. Stark white, embroidered with gold. Terrible and royal.
“You look like you’re about to be crowned,” I teased.
He tugged at his lapels. “I suppose I do.” We both laughed at that.
“You have the potion?” he asked, his eyes searching me for it.
I decided not to show him where it was. For some reason, I knew I needed to keep it hidden. “I do.”
Ember appeared behind him, squalling and arching her back. He stared at my familiar, unaffected. “Why don’t you like me, kitty?”
“She hates everyone. She and I are very much alike.”
“Ah, but you don’t hate everyone. You like Phillip.” He glanced at Ember. “And so does your familiar.”
“I hope we aren’t too late.”
He gave me a long stare. “You don’t love him,” he said.
“I’m not in love with him yet, no. But I do care about him.”
“You fear love. That’s interesting. Most women are in love with the very thought of it.”
“I’m not like most women,” I teased, tucking a blade into my boot.
He inclined his head, agreeing. “We can stay hidden in the woods until the eclipse begins.”
I grabbed my broom and turned to Ember. “Stay here. You’ll be safe.”
We walked down the steps side by side, the fae Prince and half-fae Princess, and I wondered again why he saw fit to help me and what favor he would ask. I looked up at the full moon, noting the colors and scars she wore proudly, and hoped she would be with me tonight. I would gladly accept any scars she gave me if she would see me through this.
Malex patted his jacket pockets and then jogged back up the steps. “I dropped something,” he muttered apologetically.
As I waited for him, my mind whirled with the heaviness of what I was about to do. I hoped I could do this. I wanted to save Phillip, which meant I needed to end the bond with my sister so I could destroy her. I wanted to save him from her toxin, the way I couldn’t save his brother. Even knowing William didn’t really love me didn’t take away my guilt. At the end of the day, William was human and he shouldn’t have tried to play games with the fae, but he didn’t deserve to die for it. And I should have been able to see through it all and protect him, regardless.
Ember squalled from inside, probably hating that she was in the cottage by herself with Malex.
Refocusing and trying to center myself, I raised my face to the moonlight.
I was more powerful than Aura.
It just took Phillip to show me that.
MALEX
I didn’t forget anything; I just needed to tie up a loose end. A witch was stronger with her familiar, and I had no doubt Ember would follow us to Virosa to help her master, despite Luna’s order for her to stay in the cottage.
Grabbing the cat by the scruff at the back of her neck, she clawed at me, but my coat’s sleeves were made of thick fabric. I forced the vial between her teeth and let the bitter liquid sting her tongue. She’d be dead in less than an hour, given her weight. She clawed at me again and I flung her across the room.
Ember landed on her feet, but her claws stuck into the floor boards. I saw the exact moment she decided to attack me, but then her eyes became heavy, and she tottered to the side and fell to the floor. Giving a dismissive sniff, I straightened my lapels and headed to the door.
Outside, Luna waited.