Page 26 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

"He'd done it," I said, "he’d broken the curse.All he had to do was return to his princess."

The pixies sighed dreamily, their wings fluttering softly.There were definitely more of them now.They'd come out of hiding to hear my tale.

"But as our knight stood atop that tower, staring down at the dragon's broken body far below, he realized something terrible.The curse hadn't just bound the princess.It had bound him too, in ways he’d never understood.Every choice he'd made, every life he'd taken, every moment of darkness he'd embraced to reach this tower had all been leading him away from the very thing he sought to save."

I paused, my gaze finding Rosemary's in the firelight.Something flickered there, recognition or understanding, I couldn't tell which.

"The princess's heart, the one so pure, wasn't his to win anymore.For he had done such terrible things to break this curse.He'd angered the woodland creatures, so they'd tricked him.He'd laughed instead of being honest with the troll.He'd killed the pack of wolves just for his ease of passage later.And he'd slaughtered a dragon, a species near extinct.

"The curse was broken, yes.But in breaking it, he had broken something in himself.He didn't deserve the princess.She deserved someone better.Someone who hadn't been willing to sacrifice everything good in himself for her sake."

The fire crackled between us, and I could feel the weight of every pixie's attention, the weight of Rosemary's stare.

"So, without further thought, our valiant knight made his final choice.Instead of returning to claim his prize, he chose to disappear into the world, carrying the weight of what he'd done so that his princess could be free to find the love she truly deserved."

Only the sound of the flames flickering broke the silence as everyone remained fixated on me.Several eyes seemed misty, but not Rosemary's.Her gaze was sharp, searching.

"That was such a strange story," she said quietly, her small hand touching my shoulder."The knight saved her, but he didn't get his happy ending."

"Sometimes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "love means knowing when to let go."

"Oh," Queen Mab said, a knowing light glinting behind her golden eyes."That was a delicious story indeed.Dark and beautiful and tragically true."She studied me with newfound interest."I especially like how honest it was.So very unexpected from you, Elias."

My chest tightened.Had I revealed too much?

"Now," the queen continued with a wicked grin, "dance!"

"Wait," I said, but my words were cut off as my legs jerked beneath me, compelled to obey the queen.The night burst into a gentle melody, and my body danced all on its own.I glanced backward to where Rosemary still sat, thankful the pixies left her out of this, at least for the moment.My arms drifted upward, swaying to the beat to which my feet tapped.

The queen flitted closer to Rosemary now, examining the air around her.“It’s sad about the seelie.There really aren't many of you around these days."The queen's gaze found mine as I danced in a circle around the flickering flames."Why, my dear girl, are you with this unseelie rake?"

Rosemary shrugged, her brown eyes finding mine."I need his help."She frowned, pulling her gaze from mine as she studied the pixie before her."I thought you liked him?"

"I don't mind his company," the queen replied."But I also know who and what he is.Why do you need his help?"

“He’s my guide,” Rosemary explained, "I need a special flower that grows deep in the forest.He claims to know where it is.My sister...she's cursed.I have to save her."

The urgency in her voice, the pain, made my dancing feet stumble for just a moment before the magic forced me back into rhythm.

The queen watched me as I danced, but she spoke to Rosemary in a voice meant for me."I'd be careful with that one's promises.They are never made without attached strings or broken hearts."

Rosemary didn't even look my way.She straightened her spine, squared her shoulders, and replied, "You’re right.He’s a rake.But he’s also the only hope I have of finding this plant.If I don't acquire it, my sister will likely die.I understand your reservations about Elias, believe me, I do.But I truly need his help.Will you grant us safe passage?His story surely was enough to grant us that much."

The queen regarded her thoughtfully, and already, the heels of my feet grew pained from the constant stomping into the ground.The pixies fluttered around me, twirling next to me, their dust getting all over me.The song never ended, and this dance would only let me go if the queen deemed it so.

"There is something about you, child.A strength and determination that reminds me of the seelie folk of old.Your aura may shine bright, untainted by darkness, but I feel that is not to remain unblemished if you truly intend to see this journey through."She leaned closer to Rosemary, her voice softer.So soft that I almost couldn't hear what was said."You look and feel familiar to me, child.Your magic...it carries echoes of old bloodlines, ancient power."She paused meaningfully, her eyes studying Rosemary with knowing intensity."There are prophecies about one who would come seeking to heal what has been broken.One whose very essence transforms darkness into light."Her voice dropped to barely a whisper."I sense you may be closer to what fate has in store for you than you think.”

The queen lifted her hand into the air and snapped once, and the dance dropped its hold on me.I crossed the small distance between us until I stood next to Rosemary.

"I will grant you safe passage, but heed my warning, girl.This unseelie is devastating trouble wrapped in a pretty package.His silver tongue may spin tales of romance and adventure, but his heart is a tangled web of secrets and sorrow.Tread carefully lest you find yourself ensnared in the trap that is Elias."

"I'm standing right here," I interrupted her.

"Oh, I know," the queen replied, her golden gaze narrowed."You are free to go, Elias of the unseelie court.But only because this brave seelie has vouched for you.Do not make her regret her trust in you, or you will never find safe passage with my court again.Do you hear me?"

I bowed deeply, so bent was I that my nose almost brushed the grass."You have my eternal thanks, Your Majesty.I will forever be in your debt.I hear your words clearly."

The queen tsked."Pretty words, as always.Just remember, pretty one, the forest has eyes and ears everywhere.Should you prove unworthy of this second chance, the consequences will be dire."