And now, he’d touched her.
And everything had changed.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice rough with emotion.
As she turned away from him, the light from her lantern splashed along the ground.He closed his eyes and claimed the magical price.
Chapter 4
Serenahurriedbackdownthe path from the well as night enveloped the village.In one hand, the lantern swung back and forth, lighting the way in a pale yellow glow.In her other, she clutched the small round vial with the cork, the substance inside shimmering with golden light.
Her labored breath turned to smoke in front of her, but she hardly noticed.Nor did she notice the cold seeping through her boots and cloak.Hope bloomed within her that this elixir would heal her father.That he would return to good health.
As she entered the outskirts of the village, though, she halted.
A strange sensation came over her.She saw stars as though she’d hit her head.She shook it, trying to understand what was happening to her.Her heart did a strange thump followed by an ache so deep, she doubled over.She still clutched the elixir in one hand, the lantern in the other.The lantern splashed light across her worn boots and for a moment, she didn’t remember anything.Who she was.Where she was.Why she was outside in the darkness carrying a lantern.The bottle bit into her palm.She looked at it, a moment of confusion piercing her.
Her vision cleared as she sucked in a cold breath that stung her lungs.Then she righted herself and peered down at the row of houses in the small village ahead of her.Lamplight flickered in a few of the windows.The one on the end seemed familiar.It had rows of flowers along the dilapidated picket fence that was in desperate need of painting.Faded green shutters framed the windows and the red front door stood out in the shadows.
She tilted her head to the side, trying to recall why that was familiar.Another glance down at the vial in her hand.
Oh, yes.She went to see the wish maker.She asked him for…for…
She blinked, her brow wrinkling as she tried to pull the memory back.
She asked him to save her father.Yes, that was it.
Her father…who was sick and dying in his bed.
Her eyes landed on the small house with the faded green shutters and the red front door and it hit her.That washerhouse.That was where she was headed.
How strange she was unable to remember moments ago.
Serena shook it off and started down the path once again, into the village, toward her home.When she reached the red door, she jostled the vial, tucking it under her arm to grab the knob and fling it open.
Inside, the air was stuffy and smelled like sickness and…death.She kicked the door closed with the heel of her boot and set down the lantern on the floor.Maris popped out of their father’s room, her eyes wide and round and full of hope.But the moment she saw her, hope faded from her face.
“Where’s the doctor?”she asked.“Papa is worse—”
“He gave me this.”She lifted the bottle.Inside, the golden liquid gleamed.
She shoved past her sister into the room and nearly gagged.The metallic tang of blood filled the air.Next to the bed, bloody rags.Her father, pale and sweating, propped against the pillows.His dark hair was plastered against his head.His lips were the color of snow.His breath was labored.
Maris followed on her heels.“What is that, Serena?”
She ignored her, as she pulled out the cork.Then she paused at her father’s bedside, taking one of his hands.He was cold and clammy, his skin damp with fever.His eyes fluttered open as he looked up at her.He tried to smile, but it faltered.
“Serena…” His voice rasped as he squeezed her hand.“Where—”
“Shh, Papa.I have something that will help you.”
She slid her arm around his back, easing him forward so he could drink.His gaze flickered to hers, uncertain but steady, filled with an abiding trust.In that moment, she felt the weight of it—that he relied on her for everything.The household, the debts, the meals.And more than that, he loved her.
“You’ve always been so strong,” he muttered.“You have to keep being strong.”
Her throat tightened.“I will.I promise, Papa.But now, you have to drink.”
She pressed the bottle against his lips.He didn’t resist.He swallowed the golden liquid until it was gone.Then he sank back into the pillows, exhausted.
