Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4)(37)

“First, I need to get out of this cold air.”

Lysandra nodded and led them to the nearest building, a shop that sold candles and lanterns, that was closed at this early hour.

“Stand back,” Lys said, approaching a window and preparing to break it.

“No need.” Olivia grasped the handle and pushed the main door open.

“Is that the custom in Limeros, to leave doors unlocked?” Jonas said.

“No. But it’s unlocked now.”

Jonas and Lys shared a wary look as they followed the witch into the small, vacant shop furnished with tables heaped with wax candles in every size and shape imaginable. Lysandra immediately took a few in hand and lit them with her flint to provide additional light to the small area.

“Show me your wound,” Olivia said, waving her index finger at him. “Quickly.”

Jonas removed his satchel and dropped it to the floor.

Olivia sighed with impatience. “Today would be lovely. Really.”

He glared at her.

He had absolutely no idea why she wanted—seemingly needed—to help him, but if anything she’d said was true he couldn’t risk losing this opportunity. They were looking for a skilled witch, and—as if by magic—one had just marched right up to them and offered her services.

Now wasn’t the time to question her intentions. He promised himself he’d do that later, when he didn’t feel like death itself.

That was, if Olivia could do what she claimed.

Lysandra helped him untie the front of his shirt and pulled it off his left shoulder.

“Oh, Jonas!” she gasped.

Olivia scrunched her nose up at the sight of the festering and oozing wound. “That is the foulest thing I’ve seen in my entire life. I’m truly stunned that you’re still upright and breathing.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Yes, well, imagine how I feel. Now, can you help me or not?”

She rolled her eyes and glanced at Lysandra. “Is he always this belligerent?”

“Never mind him. What do you think? Can you make some fresh healing mud?”

Or perhaps she has a bag of shiny, magic grape seeds in her bag ready and waiting, Jonas thought. Then he’d know for sure he’d fallen into a fever dream and none of this was real.

“Is that what you originally applied to this?” Olivia gagged. “Oh, my. I think I may actually vomit.”

Lys grimaced. “The mud was apparently too old to hold its magic so it did nothing at all.”

“No wonder it’s such a repulsive mess.” Olivia shook her head. “Fine. Yes, I will make some fresh healing mud since it is a perfect substance to hold earth magic. First, I’ll have to find a cow.”

Jonas was too weak to fully express his impatience for her to start, but this was truly unexpected. “Why do you need a cow?”

“What do you think the mud is made from?” she asked, a glimmer of amusement in her emerald eyes. “Cow dung is a common ingredient in many earth magic concoctions.”

She left the building without waiting for a response.

Jonas stared after her, stunned. “She means to heal me with cow dung.”

Lysandra patted his good arm. “And you’re going to let her.”

? ? ?

Olivia returned with a bucket of her foul-smelling findings. She ordered Jonas to take his shirt off completely and peel away all the bandages when she was ready to begin.

Lysandra peered into the bucket of brown muck. “So that’s it, is it?”

“It is.”

Jonas gritted his teeth. “Let’s get it over with.”

“Lie down.” Olivia reached into the bucket and drew out a handful of the stinking mud.

Jonas lay down on the sturdy table before which he’d previously been seated. He reached for Lysandra, who took his right hand in hers. “Ready,” he said.

“Think healing thoughts,” Lys suggested.

“I’ll try my best.”

The witch began to smear the healing mud over his shoulder. Even the slightest touch was painful, but the mud felt cool against his burning skin.

“More,” he said.

“Yes, you’re definitely going to need all of it,” she agreed.

This was very different from when Phaedra had healed Jonas with the grape seeds. Olivia’s magic gave him a cool and pleasant sensation, whereas Phaedra’s had felt like lava had been poured down his throat, only to go shooting through every limb.

“This feels so nice and soothing,” he said. “Is that what it’s supposed to feel like?”

“Soothing?” Olivia frowned. “I don’t think that—”

Jonas lurched up and cried out in pain. It was as if a soldier had grabbed hold of his arm and tore it right out of its socket before setting it on fire and throwing it to the wolves. He flailed, desperately trying to wipe the burning mud off his skin.

“Hold him down,” Olivia barked at Lysandra. “We can’t remove any of it yet.”

Lys immediately did as the witch ordered. They each took an arm and held Jonas down against the tabletop while he writhed in agony.

“She’s trying to kill me!” he exclaimed. “Lys—Lys, stop her!”

“Hang on,” Lys whispered. “Please, just hang on a little longer.”