Page 116 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“About healing magic,” Anders supplies with a charming smile.

“Oh. Yes.” I shift on my feet, looking over the males’ shoulders.

The woman is gone. Damn.

“—find it helpful.”

My gaze snaps back to Anders. He watches me expectantly.

“I’m so sorry.” I adjust my grip on the satchel. “What did you say?”

His brow furrows. “That I hope you’ve found the healing text useful.”

“Incredibly,” I lie. “Thank you.”

The text Anders gave me revealed that the most powerful healing magic is a form of earth magic—that the human power comes from outside the healer, drawing on the patient’s body to mend themselves. It acts as a way to accelerate the natural healing process. An incredible feat, but it’s not how my power works.

Not at all.

My healing magic has always come from within me. The mending power flows from my touch into a patient and assesses and treats their injuries. Not the other way around.

A delicate throat clears.

“There you are, my dear.” Helen’s musical voice travels through the air.

Her light-blue toga swishes around her legs, and her brown hair brushes her waist as she shakes her head with a rueful smile. “I should have known you’d rush away the moment I turned my back.”

“Nonsense, my dear.” Augustus reaches for his wife’s hand. “I simply needed to speak with Anders, and with all the guests here for the celebrations, the library seemed like the best place.”

“Don’t tell me work is overshadowing your son’s betrothal events.” Her lovely eyes flash.

“Of course not.” He kisses her knuckles.

I avert my gaze, unused to witnessing public displays of affection. In Verdanthia, intimate moments were concealed in dark alleys or behind closed doors.

Like my moment with Rian at the Late King’s Festival…

“Oh.” Helen’s gaze lands on me, and she blinks. “Forgive me, Elara. I didn’t see you there.”

Sure she didn’t.

My smile tightens. “Lady Helen. It’s nice to see you.”

“You as well. Tell me, how are you finding Virendrell? I trust everyone has been welcoming and our accommodations hospitable.”

Something stirs at the back of my mind—an insistent, crawling sensation that prickles my thoughts, like fingers plucking at strings, trying to untangle them.

I clamp down on the unwelcome feeling and rip it from my mind before it can take hold.

“Very much so,” I say, forcing the words out smoothly. “Thank you.”

Helen’s lips drop into a subtle frown.

Augustus asks, “Are you enjoying the contests?”

I shift my gaze to the mayor. “Yes. It’s amazing to see magic wielded so…effortlessly.”

The three Virendrellians chuckle.