Lady Aura eyed me from across the courtyard as she directed crates of produce into place. Lord Orion checked them each off his list.
I sat beside Rowena, reading names of herbs off the list. “We don’t have oregano?” The glass bottles clanked in the crates as I sifted through the contents.
“No, it won’t grow as fast as we use it. It’s a shame, too, ithas so many wonderful medicinal properties—to fight off infection.”
I thought of the lavender fields, of the roses blooming beneath the willow. Maybe I could make it grow. Everything I grew I had touched before, but I wasn’t sure if I had ever even seen oregano.
“Rowena?” I hesitated to ask, to admit what magic I had hidden from them all. “Do you have any oregano?”
“Yes, but we need it desperately here, too. I don’t mean to be selfish, but I can’t part with it.”
“Can you bring some oregano to me? Even if you have just a sprig. I can give it back when I’m done.”
“Done with what?” Her eyebrows rose.
“Are you almost done packing the herbs?” Lady Aura ran her fingers along her dress, trails of dirt fell on the fabric.
“Almost. Can we have a little more time? I wanted to try to prepare something for the shipment.” I stood beside her.
Fyn watched from a distance as he crouched beside a crate.
“Whatever you and Rowena have will be welcomed,” Fyn interjected. A hint of a warning glimmered through his gaze.
“If you bring me the oregano Rowena—I may be able to make more.” I looked at the dirt beneath a nearby oak tree.
“Make more? How?” Lady Aura’s gaze softened.
“With my magic.” My voice was a low murmur.
“I’ll get some.” Rowena stood and darted back inside.
Fyn leaned over me until only I could hear his whisper. “Do not get me in trouble, please.”
Rowena returned moments later, a sprig in her hand—my fingers trailed it, I closed my eyes as I caressed the soft fuzzy leaves, the pungent smell lifted to my nostrils. I handed it back to her and ran my fingers in the soil beside the castle wall.
Magic awoke within me, my skin still carried the scent of the sprig and tingled as if the fuzz from the leaf still lingeredthere. I felt the land call to me, a whisper that pulsed up through the ground. The ground felt firm beneath my fingers, as my energy drifted away from me. When I opened my eyes again, all those who came to help Othryl stood beside me.
They assessed the oregano as it came to life beneath my fingertips.
Fyn extended a hand to me. “Of course…You had to do that.” He winked as he raised me to stand. “He’s not going to love this,” he murmured under his breath.
Rowena ripped a sprig free from the soil, and inhaled. “You made them grow? How?”
“My magic sometimes helps flowers grow, I thought maybe it would help the oregano, too.”
Lady Aura placed her hand on my arm. “Thank you.” Her gaze greeted mine—I thought I saw a hint of acceptance behind it.
Rowena wiped back tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Aelira.”
“Your Highness,” Lady Aura called to Lioran as he walked out of the castle. “You didn’t tell us you had one with such interesting talents amongst us.” She gestured to me.
The stone castle wall felt cool against my back, settling me as my body trembled from the weight of willing the oregano to grow. My muscles pulsed with a dull ache.
“Aura, not everything needs a grand explanation,” Lord Orion interjected. “We’re grateful for your help, my lady.” He lowered his head to me.
“You did this?” Pride beamed in Lioran’s eyes as he looked back at me.
“There wasn’t enough to give the healer in Othryl.”
