A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #2)(7)

“My Finley was always good with plants,” Father said, smiling at me with bleary eyes. “She has the divine gift from the goddess, she does. Everyone always said so. She was wild, yes, but she could work miracles if you gave her an everlass plant and some time. She would’ve stood before the queen one day if the world hadn’t ended. I was always hard on her, but I had to be! If she was going to stand before royalty, she needed to know how to act. You can’t be a foolish, silly girl when speaking to the queen. She was going to be our hope for a better life.”

Tears flooded my eyes. I’d never heard him say anything like that. I’d never heard anyone suggest that I might have a bright future. Then the queen died, and the curse had descended on us. Father had kept up the pretense of trying to calm me down, but when Nana got sick, and then Mom…

His hopes had been dashed.

“We’ll have a better life.” I went to his other side and took his hand. “We will, someday.”

I felt his forehead. Cool. The fever was down. His eyes were a bit bloodshot, but they were clearing.

He smiled at me before his lids drooped. “Yes, we will at that, Finley.”

“Can I speak to you in the living room?” Hannon asked softly.

“Yeah, of course.” I followed him out, barely able to breathe through my shock. “How can we be sure it is a cure, though?”

“Honestly…I shouldn’t have said that. It’s too early to know. But even if it’s not, it’s a huge step in the right direction. A huge step, Finley. We’ll wait to see how much of the sickness is cleared, and then we’ll have a better idea.”

“If it isn’t cured, then it gets dicey,” I said, my mind racing. I wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks. “It would mean that the first batch probably wasn’t strong enough. But I can’t just top him up. That’s not how the crowded plant works, I don’t think. Damn Nyfain for leaving so soon. I need more information.”

Hannon squeezed my shoulder. “He might’ve left sooner than you wanted, but he was ultimately responsible for your discovery. By saving his life, you were able to save Father. And eventually the other villagers.”

“And you’re suddenly A-okay with him now? Your grudge over being drugged has been dropped?”

“Forgiven, not forgotten. I don’t hold grudges quite like you do…”

I scowled at him. “Fine, whatever. Anyway, I got your stuff—”

“Our stuff. You’re not doing errands just for me—”

“Yeah, yeah, you know what I mean. Anyway, Phyl is coming down with the sickness, and they don’t have any everlass. I need to get him some and also harvest more of the crowded plant. I have to go to the Forbidden Wood again.”

“When?”

I glanced out the window. “I could either hurry now and try to get back by dark, or go later when the wood is…possibly being cleared by a limping dragon.”

“Go now. If Nyfain was as bad off as you said, I doubt he’ll be much good at clearing the wood tonight. Make him some salve and healing ointments. Leave them at the field if you don’t see him. He’s bound to stop by.”

I stood there like an idiot. “Why would he stop by?”

Hannon shrugged. “He seemed to enjoy playing games with you. I doubt he’ll give them up because of duty and honor. Men claim to be that noble, but when it comes to a woman…they rarely are.”

“Oh really, mister guru? And when did you become such an expert?”

“You’re not the only one who reads. If you see him, tell him we’d love to have him around for dinner if his schedule permits. Or a midnight snack.”

There was no way I’d see him.

Oh goddess, would I see him?

If I did, I’d have a helluva time keeping my animal off him.





Three





Shadows draped across the path as I made it to the birch next to the everlass field in the Forbidden Wood. With the sun holding any demonic creatures at bay, I approached it with a scowl. As soon as I got close, out came the jig. Snitch.

“One day I’m going to bring my axe, and then how cheerful and zippy will you be, huh?”

Stop talking to a tree. It’s enchanted, not alive, my animal grumbled.

You could do with a little zip. How long do you plan on moping?

Until you pull your head out of your ass, screw it back on, and go get that alpha.

Would you stop bringing that up? It’s getting old.

Do you know what’s getting old? Your eggs. Best get that big alpha dick up in your cumquat so you won’t prove that red-headed wankstain right by dying old and alone.

I won’t be alone, I thought cheerfully. I have you. And what a delight you are.

As I passed the shaking birch, the most delicious smell caught my attention. All my senses snapped taut as it slithered across my skin and soaked into my body. I groaned, recognizing it immediately. Intimately. Pine and lilac and a hint of honeysuckle. It spoke of lazy afternoons with sex hair and oversized T-shirts. Of fingertips gently grazing bare skin. Of hard bites while soaked in exquisite pleasure.

I turned toward it slowly, attuned to the feeling it evoked in me. Melting even as I breathed it in.

Nyfain had been here. Recently.

Within a thick bush at the base of the birch, I could just make out a rectangular package wrapped tightly in waxy material. Bright yellow. With my animal’s power, I could largely see in the dark using a white, black, and yellow color spectrum. This would stand out, even at night, especially if I were also using my animal’s increased sense of smell. The covering would prevent any sort of weather getting at whatever was inside, and coarse brown string kept it closed.