I sighed, ‘It’s a malachite… a stone of loss. My people use them to help release bad emotions and traumas. Now I understand what happens to them afterwards.’
All of them watched as if I were speaking another language. But when I saw hope spark in River and Michael’s eyes, I knew I would stop at nothing to cleanse their brother.
‘They’re using your people’s traumas to curse my people? That’s just…’ River’s fists tightened as his palms pressed into the edge of the table, knuckles pale, head bowed in a posture that seemed almost like surrender.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, I promised, ‘Any curse can be undone, River. Explain what you’ve tried so far.’
Whatever it took, I would help him end this.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Avari
Listening to all the ways River and his close circle tried to help their people made my head spin. Knowing he had gone through difficult situations was one thing, but seeing the pain and tragedy in his eyes felt like drowning in a cold, black sea of despair.
Their list of tried solutions had been limitless, and I could spend hours sifting through all the ways they had tried to cleanse their comrades.
When I explained that several of them could work but only performed by a witch, they shared that they suspected but could not let them suffer without searching for a remedy.
They kept a list of people cursed and the symptoms as well; some even worse than their brother Blaze, and a lot of them already deceased. It became blatantly obvious that Ortensian soldiers had been putting twists on the curses; once fulfilled, the object felt compelled to end their life. A blessing in disguise since those currently incapacitated still had achance at a normal life once I gathered enough resources to cleanse them.
Moonstones, moonlight, spring water, sage and salt. Things I asked for in abundance, that now lay before me, charging and gathering the energy from the surrounding nature. My green coils wrapped around the crystals like ribbons of light, pulsing softly as I nudged the flow of magic to increase even more.
‘We used to leave them outside to charge, but they never glowed like this before.’ River looked intrigued. His solemn attitude was long replaced with a commitment to heal his family and citizens.
‘That’s because crystals respond better to witches. Besides, I’m pushing more energy into them as we speak to make them more potent.’ I brushed my hand over one, picking it up and passing it to River.
‘Is it ready?’ he asked, shocked at the prompt process.
‘This one is. Cleansing isn’t super complicated, though depending on the curse, more than one type of cleanse might be necessary.’
River analysed the glowing object from every angle before querying more, ‘And we just make them wear it?’
Happy to help and pleased he no longer recoiled from my witchcraft, I provided the necessary details. ‘Wear it, keep it in their pocket for the next few days. It needs proximity to work.’
We stood, making our way back to the castle. His eyes welled up as he thanked me. ‘I don’t think you know how much this means, Ava.’
‘I can see how much your people mean to you. My mother never cared about ours; she only cared about power.’ I lowered my gaze, searching for the right words. ‘I know you're different, and you don't know how happy this place makes me.’
I drew a slow breath.
‘But, River, I never realised how far she'd go to win this conflict between you. Please... don't hate me, but I think you really have to consider what you're doing by keeping me here...’
A flicker of dread twisted through me—not fear of him, but fear of wrecking the fragile peace we had finally built.
Taking a step back, he flinched.
‘What are you saying, Ava?’ He looked defeated. ‘This again? Are you asking me to let you go back to that monster? She hurt you and cursed you worse than I have ever seen her curse my people! You think I will let you go back to her to kill you next time?!’
I knew the conversation was difficult, but I needed him to see reason. ‘Please, River, I’m just saying—’
‘No, Ava! I need space. I don’t want to listen to this any longer. I’m not letting that bitch near you, understand?’
Raging off with tendrils of flames breaking out of his hands, River left me in the courtyard. The air stayed hot where he’d been, waves of residual heat lapping at my skin long after his footsteps faded.
Not willing to be alone, I reached out to the only one I needed at that moment.
‘Are you up?’
