Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

S unlight filters through the leaves above us, casting a golden glow ahead, as though lighting the way for us. There is a clear road that has been paved here at some point, but we are deep into the forest now, well away from human territory. I should be terrified, especially after what happened at the inn.

However, everything here feels different. I am not sure I could ever put it into words if anyone asked, yet the whole nature of the forest here feels… alive and curious. Here, there is not the same feeling of being followed, of beings hiding in the darkness and waiting for their chance to hurt me. The heavy weight of dread that hung around my shoulders is no longer there, and although my gut is telling me to stay alert, I truly believe that I am not in danger here.

Colour, light, and beautiful creatures line our path. Birds chirp their songs around us, not bothered by our presence, and butterflies and bumblebees flit from flower to flower, colours and shapes of which I have never seen before. A deer steps out into our path, pausing as he hears us. He is no ordinary deer, his antlers tall and golden, glittering in the light. His eyes meet mine, and there is far more intelligence in those soft brown orbs than any creature I have ever seen.

I would be a fool to let my guard down completely, even if we are now in Seelie territory. They are still fae, tricky creatures who could easily hurt me if they wanted to. We are being watched here, yet the gazes I feel upon me are those of curiosity rather than malicious intent which I experienced in the woods before. It reminds me a bit of being in my little pocket of the forest at home. Nostalgia hits me, and my heart aches with the knowledge that those times are gone… that Nyx is gone.

I must have fallen asleep at some point after we left the inn, an impressive feat on the back of a horse, because when I awoke, pressed against Alaric’s chest, the sun was high in the sky, all traces of darkness having long since disappeared.

We have been riding in silence for some time now, Blaise and Daisy leading the way. My body quickly fit against Alaric’s, his chest pressed to my back, and I cannot help but notice how perfectly we fit together. Ever since his comments after the fire, my mind cannot seem to think of much else.

I see you, Iris, for everything you are and everything you will be. We have been placed in each other’s path for a reason .

What is the reason though? My foolish, naive heart wants to believe that he’s saying our connection is romantic, that we belong together. I cannot deny that I am attracted to him, and the pull of our connection is all the more intense when we are together. However, he is a fae prince, and I am a poor human from a village. Why would he want to be with me that way when he could take his pick of females?

That does not mean that my mind cannot wander and daydream, especially when I am pressed against him like this. Each step the horse takes makes my hips lift and roll back, one side, and then the other, brushing my behind against his crotch. Just thinking of his nether regions causes my core to clench and desire to flood through me. I have never been so reactive to a male before. Thankfully, I am in front of him, and he cannot see the embarrassment and desire on my face.

What I have not accounted for, though, is the fact that he has the superior fae sense of smell.

Curling around my back, he leans forward so his lips brush against my right ear. A gasp escapes me before I can control myself, the skin of my ear and neck tingling from the touch of his breath.

“What are you thinking about that has you smelling so delicious?” His words are a seductive purr, so unlike anything I have heard from him before, and it causes every cell of my body to come alive.

“Oh,” I murmur, scrambling. “Flowers,” I lie, saying the first thing that pops into my head. It is a stupid answer, yet there was no chance that I was going to tell him I was thinking about him the whole time.

Alaric chuckles, the sound low and rumbly. “You must really like flowers.”

He doesn’t believe me, yet he doesn’t call me out on it, seeming content with the knowledge that we both really know what I was thinking about—him.

Taking several deep breaths, I attempt to calm myself down, waiting for the desire to disappear on its own. Needing something to focus on, I cast my gaze ahead, my eyes landing on Blaise. His arm is resting in his lap, touching the reins, but it is clear that his other arm is the one taking control of his horse. Concern has me frowning, effectively reducing my arousal as I watch the tight way he sits on his horse. He has barely moved it in all the time we have been riding. He’s in a lot of pain, but he won’t admit it aloud.

“What is a redcap?” I ask quietly, needing to change the subject quickly and get answers at the same time.

Blaise mentioned that a redcap bit him. There had been many different creatures attacking the inn, and I have no idea what any of them were. From the state of Blaise’s arm though, I want to make sure that I know what to look out for so I can avoid them.

“They are small, goblin-like creatures with sharp teeth and claws, and an even worse temper.” Alaric sits back in the saddle, the moment between us over. “They get their name from the hats they wear, coloured red from the blood of their enemies—usually humans.”

Oh. They sound horrifying. I don’t remember seeing anything like that, but so much was happening at the inn that it makes sense I did not see them. From Alaric’s description, I am glad I didn’t.

“Iris, there is something I need to tell you.” Alaric gently places a hand on my shoulder, and when I turn to look up at him, his expression is concerned. Just what does he have to tell me that makes him look so anxious? He always seems confident and sure, so seeing him like this makes me hesitant.

Sensing the change in me, he takes a deep breath to continue. “When we get to court, I am going to have to act in a different way. There are certain expectations that—”

Whatever he was going to say is cut off by a low groan of pain. Both of us instantly turn to look at Blaise just in time to see him topple from his horse, landing with a sickening thud. He reminds me of a falling tree, his body smashing against the ground.

“Blaise!” Alaric shouts, jumping from the horse and reaching his friend’s side before I have even processed what is happening.

Pulling on the reins to stop the horse, I slide off its back and stumble over to the two fae. My legs are stiff from riding for so long, making me wobble on the dirt where Blaise landed.

My stomach sinks when I see his pale, sweating face. He cannot seem to form words as he weakly shifts in Alaric’s arms. His wounded arm lies useless on the ground. Impossibly, the wound is now double the size, and deep red lines extend from it, as though the poison is burning its way through his veins. If he were a human, an infection that severe would have killed him by now.

“The wound is badly infected,” I whisper, hoping that by keeping my voice low it will hide my horror. I don’t think I manage it. “Is the poison fatal to your kind?”

Alaric’s jaw tightens, the only sign of his panic, but he does not look away from his friend. “Yes, it can be if not treated quickly.” Readjusting the male in his hold, he slides his arm under Blaise’s legs, rising so he’s cradling him in his arms. “We need to get him to flowing water.”

He shows no signs of exertion, and there is only the slightest note of panic in his voice. Were it anyone else, they might not have picked up on it, but I feel connected to Alaric, sensing his deeper emotions.

I nod in agreement, not bothering to ask about the need to get to water. Instead, I start to stand and walk towards the horses. How are we going to get Blaise onto horseback when he is barely able to open his eyes?

“No, leave them,” Alaric calls, already stepping off the road and moving through the trees with Blaise in his arms. “There is a river close by, but the terrain is too steep for the horses. We shall need to walk.”

We can’t leave the horses loose like this. Who knows if they would still be here when we return? It is clear how urgent the situation is becoming from Alaric’s pale face. He is taking one small step at a time, waiting for me to join him.

“Go, I’ll catch up,” I order, waving him away as I spin and hurry over to the horses. Thankfully the horses have not gone far, and it does not take me long to gather them together and secure their reins to a nearby tree. Satisfied, I turn and jog in the direction Alaric went.

Somehow, I instinctively seem to know which way he walked. I always felt comfortable exploring the woods behind my cottage, and this forest has a similar homey feel. Even so, I have no real tracking experience. A little part of me is whispering that there must be a reason I am so drawn to Alaric that I am able to track him down.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I focus on what I can do to help. I have no magic or special skills that will help Blaise. The only thing that I really know well is plants… Wait. I know something that can help.

Scanning the ground, I look for a familiar heart-shaped leaf. It means that I have to slow my steps, but if I can find this plant, it could help save Blaise. The bleeding heart fern loves to grow in forest undergrowth, where the ground is a little damp and sheltered from direct sun. I can hear the light trickle of water, so this is the perfect environment for it to grow.

Thankfully it doesn’t take too long, and I spot the distinctive green and purple plant. I let out a noise of success and hurry forward, harvesting several of the leaves. Around the size of my palm, the leaves are a rich, dark green except for the deep purple centre. From a distance, the plant looks as though it is bleeding. Add that to the shape of the leaves, and it is clear why it is called the bleeding heart fern.

I see Alaric pause ahead, glancing back to check my progress. “Iris, what are you—”

Cutting off his call, I hurry to his side, out of breath but smiling. The handful of leaves I hold could really make a difference, I just have to convince Alaric to stay still long enough for me to use them.

Frowning, he starts to walk away, and I grab his arm, pulling him to a stop. “Wait, trust me on this.”

Not waiting for his decision, I start to prepare my solution. Pressing the leaves between my palms, I rub them together gently until a sweet, grassy smell reaches my nose.

“The heat and friction activate a healing response in the leaves. If you place it onto a wound, it helps draw toxins from the blood.”

I reach for Blaise’s arm, but Alaric moves away, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Water is the only thing that will save him now.”

Despite saying this and his obvious desire to get going, he stays where he is, showing that he trusts me enough to help his friend. My chest tightens at the responsibility that falls on me, and I know I would never forgive myself if Blaise were to die because I delayed getting him to water.

“Then there is no harm in me placing the leaves on his arm. I shall be quick.” Finally looking up at him, I let him see my promise in my sincere expression.

We stare at each other for a moment, and I can feel his desperate desire to trust that I can help him. He wants to believe me, but he is so fearful of losing Blaise that he is struggling to choose. I would not want to be in his position, but I know I can help. He must see something in my expression that helps him make his mind up, as he lets out a frustrated noise and jerks his head in a motion that I take as an affirmative.

Not wasting any more time, I lay the leaves over Blaise’s mangled arm, creating a barrier over the wound. The leaves will change colour as they draw out any toxins, and even now I can see the purple centre expanding as it absorbs the poison. Dreading what I am about to do, I press my palm down on the wound. The heat of my hand will help speed up the process.

It is also agonising though. Blaise groans and weakly tries to pull away from me, but I hold on tight. Pushing away my guilt, I continue to press, knowing it will help.

“Iris, we cannot wait.”

This time, I agree with Alaric. Keeping my hand on the wound, I jog beside the fae prince, attempting to keep up. It is harder than it sounds, and I stumble along, almost falling on several occasions. I can hear the sound of rushing water, so we can’t be far now. A sense of urgency settles over me. Before, I was reacting to Alaric’s stress, yet now this feeling is entirely my own. We need to hurry.

Through the foliage, I can see a break in the trees. Surging forward, we stumble into a small clearing with a little river, complete with stone bridge. It is not the bridge that we go to though. Removing my hand, I step back as Alaric walks straight up to the edge of the water and walks directly into the middle of the river. It is not deep, the water hitting him around mid-thigh as he lowers his friend, kneeling so he can support him.

Blaise is almost completely submerged, only his face visible as Alaric holds him in place. I wait on the bank, not quite sure what I am supposed to be witnessing. Alaric is frowning, and I can almost feel his fear despite the fact that he is hiding it well. Removing some of the leaves so he can check on the wound, he curses loudly.

Stepping up to the water’s edge, I hesitate, not knowing what to do. “What’s wrong?”

“The water isn’t working.” Looking from the wound to his friend’s pale, almost lifeless face, he curses again. “Fresh running water should cleanse the wound, but he is too far gone. We are going to need a naiad.”

Overwhelmed with the sudden influx of information, I shake my head in confusion. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment as I try to organise my thoughts. A naiad—is that a type of fae? How are they going to help us? Taking a deep breath, I consider what I do know instead of all the unknowns about this situation.

The water should have helped him, and it hasn’t.

The bleeding heart leaves were applied too late and weren’t enough to reverse the damage done.

Finally, Blaise is so unwell that whatever magical properties the water has will not help, which I have taken to mean that he is dying.

While I don’t know Blaise that well, and he is constantly snarky, I have grown to like his sarcasm. When I look forward, I see the possibility of us being friends in the future, but that will only happen if we can save him. How much time does he have?

“What is a naiad?” I ask, clinging onto that one small piece of information.

“A type of fae being that is bound to the river,” he explains as he moves through the water, guiding Blaise’s body gently. “Most bodies of water have one, and they are always female. She might be able to bless the water and heal him.”

Nodding as he speaks, I process this new information as he holds out his hand for me to join him in the water. “How do we find one?” Stepping into the water, I brace myself against the cold, not stopping to question why he needs me in the river. “Are they friendly?”

Alaric guides me over to a rock that juts out into the water, mostly submerged, and I slowly piece together what is happening. “They are of the Seelie Court, but I would not call them friendly.” His face twists slightly as he gestures for me to sit on the rock and positions Blaise between my legs, his head resting on my thigh. Sure that his friend is secure, he places a hand on my cheek, his expression open. Desperation and feverish hope drive him now, and I realise that I need to let him do this.

“Stay with him,” he instructs, but I hear the plea he’s trying to hide, his thumb stroking my cheek softly. “I need to find the naiad.”

His body is primed and ready to go as he waits for my response. I nod, and he disappears in a splash of water, his supernatural speed too fast for my eyes to track.

He must have been holding back on the journey here. If he could move that fast, there is only one reason that he was going the speed he was—me. Guilt floods me, and the back of my throat stings as I try to swallow. Am I part of the reason Blaise is as sick as he is?

Looking down at the fae in my lap, I know I cannot carry that blame by myself. Blaise refused help when he should have spoken up. Alaric would have moved fast if he was able to. He was probably just taking it easier so he didn’t disturb Blaise as he moved through the forest. Yes, that must be the reason. He wouldn’t risk his friend’s life on a slow human female.

Sitting in the water with Blaise’s limp body draped across my lap, I have no idea what to do while I wait. The bleeding heart leaves washed away when he first entered the water, but I have some spares leaves shoved into the belt at my waist. With nothing else to do, I rub them between my hands as I sing. I don’t know where the words come from or why I feel compelled to sing. The song is an old folk song my mother used to sing to me when I couldn’t sleep, and even now, I find it comforting. I hope Blaise can get some peace from it too.

Laying the leaves over the wound, I place my hand over the top, allowing my warmth to pass through them. Anxiety tightens my chest because there is no reaction from Blaise as I put pressure on his wound. While causing him pain is the last thing I want to do, his stillness means he is unable to react. Not letting those negative thoughts taint my mind, I continue humming my tune. With my free hand, I brush back the tangled mess of Blaise’s hair, running my fingers through his tresses.

Sitting here like this, a sense of calm washes over me, and I push my will towards him—heal, survive, hold on until Alaric returns. I manifest my wishes over and over, adding it to my song. Warmth and the feeling of safety wraps around me like we are surrounded by love and protection.

Something shifts in me, and I blink my eyes open to assess why I feel so different all of a sudden. The world is a blur, and my head feels like it is spinning, my vantage point at odds to the physical position of my body, almost as though I am lying down. As I stare up at the sky, only colours and blurred shapes are visible, and my body feels like it’s floating…

Need to get back to Alaric. He needs me …

Wait, am I hearing Blaise’s thoughts? No, that’s not quite right. Not thoughts, more like fuzzy sensations of what he is feeling, the pain in his wound now a dull ache as he is held in a shining light.

I am inside Blaise’s mind.

There are no full coherent thoughts, nor can I hear him actually thinking. The guilt he feels at not being well enough to protect and assist his prince is strong enough to reach me. Strangely, it is as though his body is now my own, yet I do not control him. I cannot influence his thoughts, nor can I move his body, yet I can feel every sensation he can.

There are tales of beings that can slip into your body and control it like it is their own, turning you into a human puppet, and for the briefest of moments, I panic. Is that what this is? Am I really a monster? I check once more that Blaise is unaware that I am here and that I cannot command his body to move. No, mercifully I am not one of those, but I have no idea how I am able to sense all of these things. I was probably just imagining it.

A gentle but unquestionable pull tugs at me, and I don’t fight it as my consciousness shifts back into my body. It is the strangest feeling, as though I could feel my body the whole time while simultaneously being able to sense Blaise’s. My eyes are still closed, yet it is undeniable that I have returned to myself.

A light, almost undetectable brush against my arm alerts me to the fact something has landed on me. I blink my eyes open, and it takes a moment for me to adjust to the bright glow around us. It slowly dims as my eyes adjust, and as I glance down at my arm, I spot a gorgeous butterfly. It pulses its wings, almost in sync with my heartbeat. A smile graces my lips, which grows as a second one lands on me. I realise that this is not just a chance encounter, as one after another lands on me and Blaise. Had I not been so shocked by what is happening, I might find it amusing that the male’s exposed head is covered in a crown of butterflies.

I had a moment where many butterflies landed on me before, but that was alone. This is completely different as I am covered in the colourful creatures. It feels magical. Could this be because we are in the Seelie Court lands? Does nature work differently here?

A splashing noise down the river catches my attention, my head jerking up and scaring off the butterflies in a flutter of colour. As they clear, I see Alaric standing between the trees where the clearing ends, the river continuing on through the maze of forest. He is staring at me like I am a ghost, some enigma he cannot work out, and it makes me uncomfortable. Glancing over my shoulder to make sure it really is me he’s looking at, I frown, spotting nothing that would have caused that expression.

Another splash snaps my attention away from Alaric. Someone else is here. Are they friend or foe? A gorgeous female walks towards me across the top of the water. Only, that is impossible, no one can walk on water, except apparently, she can. As she gets closer, I see her clothes ripple in a phantom wind, and her hair, which I thought was pale blonde, is actually silver. Everything about her exudes magic, and she’s impossibly graceful in the way she moves. This must be the river naiad.

Her pale blue eyes move from Blaise in my lap up to me. She seems to pause, blinking once in surprise. It would have been easy to miss her shock, because in the next moment, she eyes us both cooly once more, but I caught the look. Is she surprised that a human is this deep in their territory and helping a fae? Or is there another reason completely?

Reaching us, she takes a moment to stare down at us before kneeling. Somehow, she can kneel on the surface of the water, but I am too worried about what is about to happen to Blaise that I barely register it. Up close, I notice that her skin is covered in iridescent scales. They are faint, and I only notice because a ray of sunlight breaks through the trees and makes her skin glimmer.

With one pale arm, she scoops river water into her hand and lets it trickle over Blaise’s forehead. Placing her now empty palm above his brows, she closes her eyes and hums quietly. Blaise doesn’t react to any of this, making my heart clench painfully. Are we too late?

Suddenly, the naiad’s eyes shoot open and lock onto mine with the intensity of a hurricane. Having something so powerful stare me down like this makes me comprehend my fragile mortality. It would be so easy for her to reach out and snap me in two like a twig. She is one of the fae after all, one of the creatures I have been taught to fear and avoid at all costs. Despite all of this, though, I find myself more worried for Blaise.

“What are you?” she asks with a soft lilting voice, tilting her head to one side in the slow, deliberate action of a predator watching her prey.

“Human,” I reply, confused. It should be fairly obvious that this is the case. None of the other fae have had problems identifying me, so what is different about this situation?

The naiad seems just as confused, and then she chuckles, shaking her head at my answer. The sound is like the pitter-patter of rain. “You are much more special than that. I have never met one like you, and I have been bound to this river for centuries.”

Centuries. This creature is hundreds of years old. If she is saying she’s never met anyone like me, then what does that say about me? I might be the doe from the Unseelie curse, but I am still an unremarkable human. Swallowing against the lump in the back of my throat, I push those thoughts away and focus on the fae in my lap.

Alaric beats me to it, asking the question on the tip of my tongue. “Can you heal him?”

This is the first thing he has said since returning from finding the naiad, seemingly having shaken off the trance he had been stuck in. Appearing at my side in a flash of fae speed, he stares down at his friend, his face tight.

“He is very weak,” the female comments quietly, one hand still resting on Blaise’s forehead while the other gently pours water over his wounded arm. “If your human friend had not used the leaves to draw out the poison, then he would have been beyond my help.”

Alaric looks at me then, gratitude in his eyes. His mouth opens then shuts before he looks away, clearly not knowing what to say. I don’t hold it against him though, understanding that this is a difficult time.

Hands hovering over Blaise, the naiad starts to whisper words in a strange, harsh language. Her face shifts as she blesses the water, the beautiful female fa?ade shifting to reveal high cheekbones, blue, scaly skin, and ferocious pointed teeth. It is her eyes that frighten me the most though—empty, bottomless pits the colour of dark well water. She’s terrifying.

My pulse races, and my palms sweat, my muscles tensing as though ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. It is a pointless thought. I would never be able to outrun a fae. I try to calm myself, and in my mind, I know that Alaric would never let her hurt me. She is only here to help Blaise. The primal part of myself, however, recognises her for what she is—a threat.

I watch her as she works, her hand hovering over the wound, slowly rocking from side to side as though moving with the flow of the water. Her magic has created a small current, directing a stream of water to wash over Blaise. The colour in his cheeks begins to return.

Her posture changes, the only hint that something has changed. On alert, I look over at Alaric, not sure what is happening. The naiad opens her eyes and releases her magic before standing and stepping back, maintaining her position above the water.

Her appearance has returned to the beautiful maiden she first appeared as, her expression solemn. “Your friend will be fine now. The poison is out of his body, and he is healing. It will take time, but he is alive.” Turning, she pins her gaze on Alaric, a hint of flint in her eyes. “Am I released from your service?”

Release from service? Does that mean Alaric paid her to heal his friend, or offered a deal perhaps? I was warned that the fae love to make deals, so this is probably what happened. Why does she seem on edge all of a sudden, as though she does not expect Alaric to honour their deal?

Alaric sighs and looks away from his friend, clearly frustrated by this. “You are free and no longer bound to the river.” Magic fills the air, and the hair on my arms stands on end as he makes a complex gesture with his hands.

The naiad shudders, her shoulders rolling and head falling back like she is in the throes of passion. When her head lifts once more, she is smiling a wide smile.

Alaric is still staring at her, his brows furrowed. “Remember what I told you though. If you break the terms of the deal, I shall hunt you down.”

I don’t think I want to know the particulars of that deal, so I stay quiet, brushing Blaise’s hair from his face.

“Understood, Your Highness,” she hisses in return. The honorific felt tacked on and false, even to my ears. Her gaze falls on me, I can feel it moving across my body looking for… something. I pretend I’m oblivious.

There is a sudden splash, and when I look up, I see she has vanished. My heart pounds. She is free of the river now, so does that mean she is able to stalk the land? Alaric said they weren’t particularly friendly creatures.

Before I can panic any further, Blaise groans in my lap, shifting in discomfort. His eyelids slowly flutter open, flicking first to Alaric, and then to me.

With Alaric’s assistance, he is positioned on the edge of the rock beside me. Sitting up, he looks at me as though he doesn’t recognise me.

“You saved me,” he mutters.

My chest tightens at the gratitude I see in his eyes. Perhaps we really could be friends in the future. Clearing my throat, I decide to tell him about the naiad healing him, but he lurches forward and vomits violently right into my lap.