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Lex took a long sip and hummed. "Lovely!" He placed his hand over his heart. "It's simply been too long since I had a good herbal tea."
Haxa scrunched her nose up before turning to me with the biggest smile. "He's so cute!"
"He's adorable," I said with a quick smile before my eyes pulled back to the tin. I couldn't help it.
Haxa followed my gaze and nodded. "Go ahead."
My hands jerked, hovering just at the container. "Are you sure?" I asked. My desire not to be rude was stupid, but I couldn't help it. She was being so kind, and the omega in me demanded it.
"Of course." She nudged it toward me with her fingertips.
I whispered a quick 'thank you' before snatching it up and turning my attention to Joon.
My fingers trembled as I worked the tight lid off to reveal a smooth, slippery substance that shimmered at me. It smelled milky and wet. I dipped my fingers in it, then looked at Joon's face. His eyes were sunken with dark circles, and his breath was labored.
This had to work. I needed it to work.
Saying a quick prayer to the Moon, I scooped up a decent glob and immediately set to work, pushing it deep into his wound as gently as possible. The muscles along Joon's neck and jaw strained, but he didn't wake. The oily cream mixed with a fresh swirl of blood, then bubbled around the edges. I stared at his face, willing him to open his eyes, but nothing happened.
Fear slipped down my spine.
I didn't have the strength to survive the loss of another wolf I loved so dearly.
If this didn't work, I'd curl up and die with him.
The Witch’s Kitchen
Byriel
* * *
Tzidal stared at her alpha,her lips pressing tighter and tighter with each passing second.
“Give it a few, sweetie. It works quickly, but he’s fairly sick. He just needs a moment.” Haxa squeezed her shoulder. I didn’t miss the way Tzidal leaned into her touch. Even with Lex’s affections, I was sure the omega was desperate for contact. Omega’s always were when distressed. And while Tzidal’s scent hadn’t spiraled completely, her usual sugary perfume was hanging a little thick lately.
Tzidal let out a soft sigh, then pulled herself away from Joon. She scooped up a sizable glob of the witch’s potion and pushed it into my hip. The salve immediately set to work, making the tight skin ease and the pain cool. For the first time in weeks, I could breathe.
“Now, Byriel,” Haxa turned her glassy eyes to me. I always thought they looked like crystal balls, the kind seerers used in shady markets to rob simpletons of their gold. “I know what your father tasked you with,” she gave me a pained, half-hearted smile, “but I don’t know why he’s now harassing my people. What’s going on?”
“I failed,” I blurted out.
My wolf jerked within me, disgusted that I would admit to anything the King had commanded me to do. My missions were something I was forbidden to share with others. The only reason Tzidal and Joon knew was because they were there when I ended their mates’ lives.
A soft tingling sensation warmed my belly, spreading outward into my chest and arms. Haxa was a powerful, green witch. A kind of sorcery most handwaved as a weak bit of magic, but I doubted there was a creature in all of Havre she couldn’t convince to do her bidding.
Pulling a deep breath, I was resolved that I had no control over this situation. My wolf warred within me, urging me to fight and flee. I dug my claws into my thighs, trying to stay in control. The scent of wolfsbane hidden somewhere in Haxa’s little home burned the inside of my nose, but the charm in my pocket made the weed useless. If I slipped it on, I could shift, and my wolf knew it. But I took it off for a reason. Shifting in Haxa’s home would be inexcusably rude.
“You failed what?” Haxa sat in the rickety chair next to me, placing her hand on my knee. I hadn’t realized my leg was shaking up and down, making the glass jars clink throughout the house.
“Finding the marked wolves,” I said. “I failed my King.”
I needed to shut up, but the sleepy, soft feeling pouring over me made my lips loose. I would share whatever anyone wanted to hear, then bathe in the joy of the crystal, clean relief it was sure to provide.
Haxa leaned in, asking softly, “How many are left?”
“One.” Tzidal and I said in unison.
“There’s only one,” Tzidal whispered. She smoothed her hand over Joon’s stomach, then turned to Haxa. “You couldn’t help us find them? Could you?”
