“I don’t know,” Briar said. “I’m breathing, but I still can’t move my legs.”
Henry shifted. “It probably doesn’t help that I’m lying on top of you. How about now?”
“No. Still can’t.” But her heart was racing, pushing healthy, healing oxygen to her limbs. However, she was pretty sure her heart crashing against her ribs had nothing to do with breaking the curse, and everything to do with being in Henry’s arms.
Fanny finally pushed through the door of her cage, the bars shrinking and changing back into pebbles. “You’re getting better, I can tell. Her power is weakening.” Fanny made a move like she was going to transform something else, but Isodora backed outside before Fanny could settle on something.
“I’ll find a way to fully unblock my magic,” said Isodora. “And when I do I’m coming for you, Fanny. You’ve stood in my way long enough.”
Fanny chased her out the door, but came back a few moments later. As she walked in, the spiky trees outside the door shrank down and returned to dried rose petals. “So much for the primroses,” she said. “They didn’t work when I needed them most. I lost her. But now that she’s revealed herself, Prudence will be able to track her quickly and take care of her.”
“The boys,” Briar said reaching an arm to the door.
“Are with the Princes. No need to worry. Here, dearie, let’s get you settled back in bed and continue the treatments. You’re going to be fine. Just fine.”
“But what about Isodora? Henry can stay here with us while you do what you need to do.”
“My priority is you kids here. Prudence told me in no uncertain terms that I was to stay with you all no matter what. Besides, making you stronger will make her weaker. Let me do my job, yes?”
Briar shared a look with Henry. She wouldn’t relax until the spindle was safely removed from her frame and locked back up wherever they usually kept it.
Fanny plumped up the pillow then guided Briar back to a prone position. “The curse was old and slow-moving. Perhaps the cure is as well,” Fanny said. She beamed at Henry. “I’ll get the tea and see if we can help speed things along. Pansy? Your help?”
Alone in their corner of the cottage, Henry kissed Briar. “In case another kiss would ‘speed things along,’” he said, quoting Fanny. “Is it working? Because I can keep going.” He kissed her again.
Briar laughed, very much enjoying Henry’s doctoring. “It is.” Her voice came out stronger.
Henry smiled. “How are you feeling now?”
“Are you going to ask every minute?”
“Purely scientific inquiry. I’m curious about how potent my kisses are.”
Briar tried wiggling her toes. Nothing. Too soon. Her knees? No. But the pins and needles feeling was working its way back down her body. It had cleared her lungs and was now in her middle. The tea might do her some good at flushing out the rest of it.
Fanny and Pansy had finished their preparations in the kitchen, arranging a high tea service on the kitchen table with selections of all the recent gifts. “Can you sit up, dearie? We’d love to have you join us at table.”
“May I?” Henry held out his hands to indicate he’d help her.
Briar put her arms around his neck and he swung her up, carried her over to the table, and settled her into her usual chair. She hadn’t sat with the family for days. She was going to live! To think, Henry Prince—the boy who never took anything seriously—had saved her life. At the rate the prickles were traveling, she might have use of her legs by bedtime. Certainly by morning.
Fanny bustled about, pouring everyone their tea, and was in the midst of pouring her own when the door banged open again. They all jumped and turned at the sound, expecting an angry Isodora, but standing in the doorway was an angry Prudence.
Nanny had finally returned.
Her black bonnet was thrown back on her head as if she had traveled a long way in a great hurry. Her diminutive form seemed to fill the doorway.
Pansy rose in excitement, but noticing Fanny’s shocked expression, slowly sat back down.
Prudence stared unwaveringly at Fanny. “Just what is going on around here? Sitting down to tea and cookies as if you have no other responsibilities in the world?”
Fanny’s teacup began to overflow and Pansy intervened, pulling the teapot out of Fanny’s hands. She mopped up the spill with a rag.
“I— We— She—” Fanny sputtered. She pressed her hands on the table and leaned forward. “I’m sorry. What should I be doing aside from celebrating? We won. Isodora lost again.”
Prudence came forward and patted Briar’s shoulder. “I’m pleased to see you up and about, but Fanny and I have business to attend to.” She jutted her chin in Fanny’s direction. “Well, where is it now? Is it secured?” Prudence crossed her arms, looking between Briar and Fanny.
“It’s attached to one of my frames at the mill,” Briar said. “It won’t come off, I tried.”