AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We walk through the doors, and it’s much quieter than usual. Looking around the hall, there are not as many people up and eating. The ones who are here show the remnants of last night’s celebration on their faces. Many are rubbing their temples as they nurse mugs of coffee and nibble on thick biscuits. Simple meals seem to work the best when nauseated from a hangover.
Theo and I head to our table, taking our seats. Pyke walks out of the kitchen, slower today than usual. He places two heaping plates before us, and another kitchen staff member brings mugs of coffee.
Pyke attempts to bow to his customary depth, but wobbles on his feet. Theo leaps up to steady him.
“Are you ok, Pyke?” he questions as he places my chef back upright, not letting go. Pyke pats Theo on the arm.
“Yes, I may have over-celebrated last night. Just like everyone else, it seems.” Theo and I both laugh as Pyke slowly turns and walks back to the kitchen.
Theo rejoins me at the table just as Nyx slides into the chair next to me with his own plate and coffee. The fresh roasted scent reignites my hunger, and I dig into my food.
“Have issues braiding again, my queen? This time is worse than usual.” Nyx’s fingers snag the end of my braid, picking it up as if it were something rotten. I swat at him.
“No, Nyx, I didn’t. Theo braided my hair for me today,” I retort with a smile. Nyx wrinkles his nose in disgust before shaking his head and returning to his food.
“Looks like another thing I’m better at than you, Captain.” Theo’s face is void of all emotion as he chews his food, open-mouthed and exaggerated. I fight back a laugh at my two favorite men poking jabs at each other.
Nyx breaks my enjoyment with business. “We will be a few less on our quest tonight. Apparently, the festival was one for the ages, and everyone is still drunk from last night.” I look around the sparsely filled hall, confirming we may have all over-celebrated in our own ways.
I turn my gaze to Theo and smile, remembering how we worshiped each other last night instead of the gods. He returns my smile, making me think he was having the same memories. “That’s fine. It may work out better with a smaller crew. Easier to maneuver and less suspicious,” I say. Nyx nods as he takes a bite of sausage.
“You have a quest to go on tonight?” Theo asks, and I realize I never told him I would be gone this evening. I reach across the table and grab his hand.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to mention it earlier. Yes, we do. Hiram and Silas will remain with you here. I’ll come find you when I get back.” His eyes come to mine, and he gives me a small nod before taking a bite of his remaining eggs.
After breakfast, we spend the rest of the morning together, enjoying each other’s company. At lunch, I leave Theo with Hiram and Silas, promising to stop and say goodbye before we leave. I hate having to be away from him, but we need to strategize for tonight.
Nyx and I plan in the council room for a few hours. Deciding simple is better. We aim for a quick in-and-out trip to retrieve the amulet. We don’t need Leopold or Arthur finding out we are in their kingdom. They would see it as an invasion and use it as an excuse to attack us.
I leave Nyx and head to see Loma in the apothecary. The herbal scent of the shop provides a calming effect as I walk through the doors. Loma looks up from her notebook with a warm smile.
Reaching under the counter, she places a small violet vial on top. I pinch my lips together as I pick it up. Popping the cork, I drink the liquid like a shot before setting the empty vial back down.
“I figured you’d be needing a lady tincture after last night. This new batch is stronger, so you’ll only need to drink a vial once a week,” Loma says as our eyes meet. I smile at her and admire her constant work to improve her tinctures. This one will help so many women and be more discreet.
She reaches under the counter again and sets down a vial filled with a thick, black substance. My eyebrows pinch together as I stare at the repulsive-looking liquid.
“I found the antidote to the elixir you asked about. I had to make a few changes to cover all bases since we’re not sure who made the original. This is powerful, and only a small amount is needed to lift the veil.” Loma clarifies as I lean in for a better look. I pick up the vial. It feels oddly warm in my hands.
“It won’t hurt, will it?” I question, concerned about Theo and Junie’s safety. I’ve spent the last ten years trying to protect them, and I won’t risk them now.
She shakes her head. “No, it’s safe, I promise. There might be some discomfort as memories are restored, but it should feel more like a headache.” I turn the vial in my hand, the liquid coils like my shadows.
“Thank you for this, Loma. I know it wasn’t easy to make, and it means so much to me.” She walks around the counter and pulls me into her arms. She leans back to cup my face. “Help them see the truth, Lily. They must know the depths of the secrets stolen from them. All will be revealed in due time.”
I nod, but a knot forms in my stomach at her words. She has been cryptic lately, and it has my instincts flaring. She’s always been forthright with me, and I’m questioning what my healer knows that she isn’t telling me.
