Savage Beauty(58)

“No, Aura. You have your own. Luna doesn’t.”

“So he’s pretending to help her just so he can kill her?”

“I think if he kills one of you, he’ll kill the other one, too.”

“Why?”

I looked out over her garden. “Because you’re both a threat as long as you’re alive. I’m not sure who he is or why he wants you dead, but I think he does.”

“He could just want you dead and out of the way. Have you ever thought of that?” Aura argued. “You’ve concocted this wild conspiracy theory based on me and Luna, but maybe it’s as simple as the fact that you came between him and Luna, and he wanted you out of the picture.”

“Maybe he wants Virosa, and wants you two princesses out of the picture. But if you really think he likes Luna...”

“From what I’ve seen through you and Peace, I don’t think he does. Not truly. He’s marked her and pretends to be her friend, and when he’s with her he gives her an inkling that he might possibly be interested, but it’s fake. His emotions are cold. He doesn’t love her.” She looked at me and I knew that she saw the way I felt for her sister.

“How did it happen so quickly?” she asked, leaning in to stare at me like I was a piece in a puzzle she could not solve.

“With William it happened relatively fast, but there was pushing on his part, and no boy had dared to even glance at Luna before. With you, it was natural, like the two of you fit together from the beginning.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know, but you’re right. It did happen fast, and we do fit together. Not that you helped in any way. She thinks your thrall is the only reason I have feelings for her.”

“My sister’s a pessimist. Always has been. Sure, I gave you a nudge here and there, but most of it was you, Prince.”

“No wonder she’s pessimistic,” I said pointedly, coughs racking my body.

“On the off chance that you’re right, and that saving you will calm her anger, I’m going to heal you now. But if you try anything to hurt me or my familiar, you will meet a worse death than your brother did. I’m choosing to trust you not to make a stupid mistake and force my hand against you.”

I took a deep breath, still holding my chest. “I’d appreciate… being able... to breathe.”

She walked to me and grabbed my arm, whispering a spell over me.

“Poison in your veins no more

From his skin you will pour

To former health return this man

All the toxin from him ban.”

Suddenly, it felt like slippery eels were writhing beneath my flesh, under her fingers. I pushed my sleeve up to see white, milky liquid pooling from my pores. With each drop of the toxin that dropped to the floor, my strength returned and I could feel the power in my muscles, bones, heart, and lungs.

I looked at her in awe.

She grinned. “You’re welcome.” Letting go of my arm, she pinched her lips together and then said, “Make sure Luna knows I did it.”

“I’ll tell her.” But I wondered if it would make a difference at this point. Luna was coming to use her spell and potion to separate them, and Aura was going to fight tooth and nail to keep her from tearing their bond apart. Only one would emerge victorious. I just prayed it was Luna.

Aura nodded and walked back inside, her enormous gown flowing behind her. She looked ridiculous and gaudy. “You plan on facing Luna in that?”

She stopped and turned around. “Of course not,” she sniffed indignantly. “I have a much grander gown than this for the special occasion.”





chapter twenty-four




LUNA

The full moon was my favorite phase. We were made of more blood than flesh, and since blood was mostly liquid, the moon pulled and tugged at us just as it did the oceans, as if we were puppets and it our puppeteer. That was even more the case for me, her daughter.

I dressed in fighting leathers, the bottom hems of my tight breeches tucked into my tall boots. Straightening, I stretched and bent, making sure the outfit was flexible enough and allowed for every movement I anticipated, and even those I didn’t. My doublet fit like a second skin with long sleeves layered with thick patches made to look like dragon’s scales. I kept the small potion vial inside my clothes, near my heart. If she tried to cut it out, her blade would strike the glass, release the spell, and save me the trouble.

It has to be one of us who severs this tie.

I just hoped I wasn’t too late. Was Phillip still holding on?

My plan was to find him first. Malex could stay with him and keep her from using him in the fight that was about to ensue. Malex promised to shield Phillip for me, and then he once again reminded me of the favor I owed him. If he protected Phillip, I would owe him two.

I threaded sheaths onto my belt and inserted the daggers for which they were made. I couldn’t use fire or air once I threw the potion. I could only use my hands or a knife, if I was lucky enough to pull one before she did.

“You look like a warrior,” Malex said, stepping into the bedroom, startling me. I hadn’t heard his footsteps on the porch or the creaking of the hinges. He looked as he always did. He wore a rich suit that consisted of matching breeches and a coat. Stark white, embroidered with gold. Terrible and royal.