AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Admittedly, there was some truth to it. Nava did have Arkimedes under a spell: fate had carved it into their skin and sealed it with a soulmate mark. They were magically bound and destined to fall for each other. No matter how much they pushed against it, that old, unbending magic always won.
“I would never hurt our prince. I know Miss Nava cares for him, and I don’t think she’s evil.” Leela’s lips thinned. “I don’t believe she’s forcing him to do anything.”
Devon dropped his hand from the doorknob and pressed his forehead to the wooden surface. Then he reached for another potion with a shaky grip. This had to be the reason Arkimedes was choosing to stay as well.
“What else did my father’s concubines say?” Arkimedes asked.
“They told me Miss Nava and Mr. Black wanted to kidnap you from our kingdom, which will make the land suffer.”
The irony of those harpies blaming her for something they had done to him. They had kidnapped Arkimedes and taken him against his will.
Nava reached for her friend’s hand. It was damp and cold inside. “Leela, we aren’t leaving the kingdom. We need shelter in your home tonight, so we can figure out how to defeat what’s causing the forest fires.”
In the distance, thunder rolled, shaking the windows behind the velvet curtains. The gentle patter of raindrops followed it shortly.
Leela blinked. “The fires?”
“What Nava said is true.” Arkimedes’s expression sharpened with resolve. “We will have to go to the castle to speak with my father—eventually. But tonight, we need a meal, a place to wash off, and somewhere to sleep. We won’t burden you for long.”
Leela nodded and gestured toward the wooden stairs at the very end of the room. They were narrow and uneven, with metal spindles that swirled organically, like ferns.
Leela’s home was a far cry from the opulent elegance of the Society manor or the castle itself. This was a working-class house, built with uneven materials. Imperfectly beautiful.
“My home is not fit for you, sir, but you may stay for as long as you need.”
16
NAVA
They gathered around a small table on the second floor in front of a large, slender window with latticed metal running across its glass. Outside, a storm raged, blurring their view of the now-empty streets.
Their silverware scraped over ceramic plates, and the salty taste of buttery potatoes lingered in Nava’s mouth as she chewed slowly. She was so tired. All of her itched to remove her stiff and filthy clothes.
“Leela, is there a potion maker nearby?” Arkimedes asked.
Yes, Nava wanted to say. I’m here. But the weight of the thought alone nearly brought tears to her eyes.
Leela took in Arkimedes’s injured hand and Devon’s general appearance. Then she shuddered and studied Nava’s face. “There is no magic on the west side of the canals, sir. The potions available to us are only those of herbs and alchemy. If you require a true healing potion, then you must go to the center of town—or better yet, the castle’s infirmary.”
Devon’s brows met in the middle, although he didn’t lift his eyes. He’d been shifting his food from one side of his plate to the other, barely taking a bite. “You don’t have to go anywhere because of me. I’ll be fine.”
Arkimedes dropped his cutlery on the table. “We both know what’s coming for you.”
Death by poisoning? A week, Arkimedes had told Nava as they escaped the safe house. Devon had a week at most if he didn’t get proper help.
Nava cleared her throat, reaching for the blackberry wine to wash away the bitter taste that clung to her tongue. “Arkimedes also needs a potion and fresh bandages.”
The silence grew thick. How much could Leela deduce from their conversation and appearance? Probably enough to grasp how dire their situation was.
Leela poured some orange and cardamom tea into a cup and pushed it across the rustic table at Devon, still quietly observing. “I—I could go to the center of town tomorrow and try to source you some potions. I’m afraid I’m unable to obtain one from the castle, as I’m no longer allowed inside the main walls. I would draw the attention of the guards if I tried to enter.”
“Later today—” Arkimedes started with a smile, just as a flash of lightning cut through the sky, followed shortly thereafter by thunder. “Or tomorrow morning. I will be in your debt.”
“I will, sir.” Leela’s face turned bright red, her eyes shining as she nodded. “Mr. Black, may I warm you up some stew? I know when I’m feeling unwell, it makes me feel better.”
Devon leaned forward, interlacing his fingers in front of his face. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. “The food is not the problem, Leela. I’m not hungry. I’m quite spent and would like to retire for the night.” He caught his breath as his cheeks turned a sickly green. “Can you show me where I’m staying?”
“I…I don’t have a lot of space. Downstairs in the shop, there is a small room that we use mostly for storage. Mr. Black can use that one if he prefers. And there is a bed in there.” She gestured to the dark hall on the other side of the living area, past the mismatched chairs and the narrow couch. “I suppose Miss Nava and I can sleep in the smaller room up here—unless she wants to share the downstairs with her fiancé?”
