Page 12 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

"Can I ask you a question?"I asked, worrying my lower lip between my teeth.

"Anything for you, princess."

I gritted my teeth and growled."I told you not to call me that.I am no princess."

"Sorry.An old habit, I suppose."He shrugged."What should I call you then?"

His odd apology hit me strangely, sending an odd shiver down my spine, a flicker of familiarity that made my temples throb with that same hollow ache I'd felt in the village.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead, trying to grasp whatever memory was trying to surface, but found only fog.Mother's voice echoed in my mind."Some memories are too dangerous to keep, my darling.Sometimes forgetting is the kindest magic of all."

I'd never understood what she meant by that.

I narrowed my gaze."Rosemary.My name is Rosemary."

He grinned, flashing brilliant white teeth as he came forward again.He eyed the blade still held within my fist as he offered me his hand."A pleasure to see you again, Rosemary.You can call me Elias."

I switched the dagger to my other hand, shaking his hand briefly before pulling away.As charming as he was, I still didn't trust him.

"I meant what I said earlier.I really do need your help.I know how you feel about the unseelie, but I need you.What if I promise to enter a blood pact with you to protect you and do you no harm throughout our journey?I will travel with you deep into the Everland Forest to procure the daemonacus flower."

I slid the dagger back into the sheath and narrowed my eyes at him.What he offered was something nearly unheard of."What's in it for you?"

He dipped his chin, looking at me through his long, dark lashes."I need you to use some of the flower to make an extra dose for me.The petals of that flower are known to be the strongest ingredient for breaking unbreakable curses.Strong enough to save my lovestruck brother from his fate."

"Lovestruck?"

Elias shoved his hands into his pockets, feigning innocence."Oh, yes.Did I forget to mention that his love cursed him?I need to save him."

I frowned."The one he fell in love with cursed him?"

"Not exactly," he stated, irritation dripping from his words."He was cursed because of his love."

An uneasy knot twisted in my stomach.Something in this story felt familiar, but I couldn’t grasp what it was.Still, I couldn't help feeling suspicious."Are you an unseelie prince?"

He almost laughed, smirked.“A prince?Me?Can you imagine?”He leaned closer, his voice dropping, “but I'd be a prince for you, if you'd like, princess."

I ignored the nickname."When was he cursed?"

"Hard to say, really.I only just learned that he'd succumbed to it a few decades ago."He smirked."We unseelie aren't as family-friendly as the seelie.We see each other infrequently as we get older.Decades can pass without a moment's thought."

He tried to play it off as no big deal, but the easy grin didn't reach his eyes, and the rounded slump of his shoulders told a different tale.He was worried about his brother.

And I did need a guide.I was determined and stubborn enough to do this on my own, but if I wanted this journey to be successful, I would need help.A blood pact wasn’t something to be taken lightly because it bound you.He’d be physically incapable of hurting me, and he’d be bound to protect me.

"Fine," I said with a sigh."Let's make the bargain.But if you try anything..."

"I know," he replied, that wicked smirk in place again, "you'll cut me."He winked."I got it."

I pulled the dagger free again and sliced the flesh of my palm until a well of blood bubbled free.The pain came hot and fast, and I winced as cold air whistled through my clenched teeth.I held the tip of the dagger out for him.When he held out his palm, I dragged the blade across his skin.

"Do you swear not to harm me, ever?To help me on my journey through the Everland Forest to get the flower I need, protecting me as we go in exchange for a dose of the potion?"

He clasped his hand against mine, our blood mixing as he tightened his hold.He brought his other hand up to graze along my jaw.I should have flinched away, but something held me in place."Oh, princess," he said, "I thought you'd never ask."

My heart raced."Say the words."

"I promise to protect you and cherish you always..."