“What do you use it for?”
“It stops bleeding, reduces fevers, and aids digestion. It’s really a handy little flower.”
“I can’t believe it. I know you said you healed your dragon, but I wasn’t sure if you just cleaned out his wounds, bound them, something that a layman would know how to do,” Prince Gareth says softly.
I glance at him, still gathering flowers. “Believe what?”
“That you actually know about this stuff.”
My gaze narrows. “Why is that so unbelievable?”
He runs a hand through his long black hair, eyes not meeting mine. “You’re like this puzzle that doesn’t make sense no matter how many puzzle pieces I gather.”
I lift a brow. “I guess you should be grateful I’m not simple. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have anything to obsess over.”
His striking blue eyes meet mine. “You think I’m obsessed with you?”
I flash a smile. “I think all three of you are obsessed with me. I think despite everything you say and do, you’re drawn to me.”
Instead of arguing with me, his look grows heated. “Maybe.”
Whoa. Didn’t expect that.
Once I’ve gathered enough yarrow, I keep going. We walk in silence through the woods for a while, while I scan ahead, looking for anything of value.
“Isn’t that chamomile?” Prince Alaric asks, pointing at a yellow flower just up ahead.
“Yes,” I say, surprised he’s familiar with it as we head closer.
“It helps with sleep, right?” Prince Lucien asks.
Again, their knowledge is unexpected. “You’re right, but chamomile also soothes stomach aches and works as an anti-inflammatory.”
“I’ve never really paid much attention to what herbs the healers use,” Prince Alaric admits.
“Knowledge is power,” I tell him with a smile, gathering the chamomile.
As we continue exploring, I find nettle, mint, wild garlic, and elderflower, all of which the princes ask questions about and I explain. But more surprising than the herbs I find are the men’s attitudes. I don’t know why, but something has shifted, and that shifting has softened my own attitude a bit too. “So, you actually worked as a healer?” Prince Lucien asks, but there’s no disbelief in his voice this time.
“Yes, my mother trained me from the time I was a little girl. She tried training my brothers, but they were terrible with it. None of them had the patience, so they just assisted my father on the farm. People come from all over our town for help whether it’s for a small scrape or something far more serious.”
“What was one of the most serious things you’ve treated?” Prince Alaric asks, watching me carefully.
Kneeling down by a stream, I spot some comfrey. The plants are a healthy green, and the little blue flowers are blooming. “My mother and I once delivered triplets.”
Prince Gareth swears under his breath, while Prince Lucien and Prince Alaric stiffen.
“How many survived?” Prince Gareth asks.
“All of them.”
“Come on…” Prince Lucien says in complete disbelief.
I start gathering the flowers. “No, really. We had just about every complication you can imagine. The babies were born tiny. The mother wouldn’t stop bleeding, and one of the babies was breech."
“I’ve never heard of anyone delivering three babies, at the same time, from one mother, and having all the babies survive,” Prince Alaric says, sounding genuinely impressed.
I tuck all the flowers in my bag and stand. “That’s because it’s hard to do. But my mom and I stayed calm. We used olive oil to help lubricate the baby so we could turn her. As the babies were born, we had to rub them to keep them alive. I held thempressed up against me to keep them warm. And when their mom wouldn’t stop bleeding, we used yarrow and shepherd’s purse to staunch her flow.”
