A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic, #1)(68)

“What?”

“Eldas mentioned that he sent Poppy away and she won’t be back for at least two more months.” I finish gathering the supplies I think I’ll need and proceed to check them twice. “I remember you saying she was on some kind of a trip a while ago… Is it the same one? Is everything all right?”

“He sent her to the Natural World.”

“What?” I gasp softly.

“I thought you knew…” A frown briefly crosses his face. “I’m sorry, I would’ve mentioned it sooner.”

“No, it’s fine. What did he send her for?”

“He was worried about the city across the Fade not having its healer after you left, or that’s what Grandmother told me. It seems a bit odd, if you ask me. I’ve never heard of a king sending aid to your side.”

I pretend to focus on my basket as my insides knot. I remember the conversation we had in the Fade and the fears I confided in him. Here I was going about my days, oblivious to this kindness… I merely figured Poppy was busy elsewhere in Midscape. Why didn’t Eldas say anything?

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” I sling my arm through the basket. “Do you mind watching Hook while I run this errand? If he gets troublesome you can send him off.”

He gasps. “I would never send my Hookie off!” Willow hops from his perch to grab Hook’s face with both hands. “Are you ready? We’re going to figure out those biscuits today. Yes we are. Yes we are.” His puppy talk brings a grin to my face and I depart knowing Hook is in good hands for the time being.

I’m recall the way back to Harrow’s chambers from memory. It’s slow going and I second-guess every step. But the leisurely pace gives me time to think about Eldas’s gesture in sending Poppy back, as well as Sevenna, Harrow, Eldas, and the unconventional family I’ve found myself not quite a part of.

I knock on Harrow’s door and pray Sevenna isn’t there. There’s no response, which I take as a good sign. It’s possible he’s still sleeping.

“Hello?” I say as I crack open the door.

“Is that my brother’s queen?” Harrow rasps.

“And your personal healer,” I respond and shut the door behind me. Someone has cleaned up the room. There’s much less for me to dance around as I make my way to his bed.

“Lucky me,” he says dryly.

“We both have the best luck, it seems,” I retort, just as dry.

“Fair. You had to end up married to my bastard of a brother.”

“He’s not half as much of a bastard as you.”

Harrow snorts and gives me a tired grin as I check on the status of the medicines I left behind. Both the powder and second dose of the potion are gone. And judging from the color that’s returned to Harrow’s cheeks, my concoctions worked.

“Careful, Luella, if you keep talking to me like that I may end up liking you.”

“The horror.”

He snorts. “I do find I prefer the company of people who treat me like shit.”

“And why is that?” I ask offhandedly, though I’m genuinely curious of the answer.

“Who knows? Maybe because I know I’m not worth anything better?” Harrow speaks as I finish the potion I started in the laboratory. A bundle of thyme turns to dust in my fingers as the liquid in the mug I’m holding shifts in color to a murky brown. Magic tingles on my palm. I have more control of my powers, I think, more confidence at the very least.

“That’s not true,” I say as I hand the mug to him. I sit on the edge of the bed. He eyes the movement, but doesn’t tell me to get out…which is progress I didn’t know I was after.

“What do you know?” he says, half hidden behind the mug.

“Everyone is worthy of decency. It’s why I’m helping you, after all.”

“And I bet you think you’re so much better than I am because of it.” He sneers. But the expression lacks the same kind of venom it once held. Or perhaps I’ve become immune to his particular brand of poison.

“I’m not better than anyone.” I sigh. “Though I wish I was better for myself.” If I was, I might have known I was the queen earlier. I might have been able to figure out a way to stop the cycle and fix the seasons of Midscape by now. I might have seen Eldas’s kindness. I might not be ignoring the stirrings in me toward him.

“Don’t we all?”

“So, what happened?” I divert the topic and my thoughts. “Tell me what actually happened to you this time.”

“So you can report to my brother?”

“It’ll stay between us. I swear it to you.” I look Harrow dead in the eyes.

“You swear it?” He arches his eyebrows.

“I take the relationship I have with my patients seriously, Harrow. You have my word I won’t tell Eldas—or anyone else—anything.”

“I guess I can believe that. You didn’t last time.” He sighs. “I…I may have involved myself with something I shouldn’t.”

“What?” I ask as he passes his mug between his palms.

“I can’t believe I’m telling a human this,” he mutters.

“I’m your healer; think of me that way and nothing more.”