22. Jasmine

We left my room and skirted past the merriment, aiming for the library where Boshun knew the healer, Geradine, would be reading.

When we entered the room, I swallowed hard and crossed it, pausing beside her. I hated to disturb her when she'd only recently returned to the palace, but my sister needed help—something only this woman could give.

"Yes?" she asked as she placed her finger on the page to mark where she was reading and looked up. "Do you need something?"

The sharpness in her eyes made me want to turn and leave the room as quickly as possible. If I was here for myself, I would. But I'd do anything for Lana.

I quickly explained why we were here and my sister's symptoms.

"How long has your sister been sick?"

"Almost two years."

Geradine's lips thinned, and she closed her book with a sigh. "That's much too long. With conditions like this, the best chance of success lies in treating it early."

"She's still alive. She's strong and determined. It's not too late." I dropped to my knees. "Please. I've done all I could for her, but I can't get her well. Can you help her? Would you be willing to try?"

Boshun lifted me to my feet, holding me. "You're a healer, Geradine. No one, not even a woman from the village, should have to beg."

"This is my time," Geradine said. "I've spent over a week with a family helping first one, then another recover from the wasting sickness. I only want one evening to myself."

"Tomorrow, then," I said. "Please?"

Geradine grumbled but finally nodded. "All right. I'll go see her in the morning. Not too early, mind you. I want to sleep in as well."

We all needed rest, but we were talking about my sister's life, not whether this healer should have sausage or bacon with her eggs for breakfast. But I couldn't risk antagonizing her.

"Thank you." I pinched my lips together before I said something that would offend her, but I hated that my sister's health could be subject to this woman's whim.

After giving her the address, we left, returning to my room.

"I was going to take her to your sister myself immediately," Boshun snarled, pacing back and forth inside the room. "I would've brought her supplies and pinned her down until she'd not only examined your sister, but prescribed her a cure."

"That's very close to healing someone. I'm sure it breaks your rules."

Stopping in front of me, he gripped my arms, staring down into my eyes. "I'd break every rule to help you, Jasmine. Don't you see that?"

"Then why didn't you do it yourself?"

"I tried."

"When?"

"I went to her the night I met you and . . . something odd happened." He swallowed hard. "When I tried to heal her, my magic left me—for only a brief time. But . . ." He closed his eyes and when he opened them, pain filled them. "It happened again after I brought us here. I tried to use it to take her to your sister, but nothing happened. My magic doesn't work any longer."