Page 37 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

As she lost herself in her writing, my mind raced.The full moon was only days away.Briar's time was running short, and I was no closer to having Rosemary's love than when we'd started.If anything, her heart seemed more guarded than ever.

How can I make her love me when I'm already planning to betray her?The question haunted me as I watched her work by moonlight.And how can I leave her when the time comes?

The plan that had seemed so clear in the abstract was crumbling in the face of reality.Every moment with her made the thought of betrayal impossible, but also necessary.She deserved better than a cursed unseelie prince with blood on his hands and darkness in his heart.

Two more days, I reminded myself.Two more days to make her love me enough to break the curse, then I’ll leave so she can have the future he deserves.Without me in it.

But as I watched her sketch by firelight, her face peaceful in concentration, I wondered if I'd have the strength to follow through when the moment came.

A Lush Green Moss

ROSEMARY

Istared at the plant in front of me, shaped like a star with pale pink petals and a long, green stem with feathery leaves.It wasn't a flower I currently needed, I grew my own stock back at our cottage.But it provided an excellent distraction from the emotions warring within me.

The Star Candidis Orpheus stood tall, its soft petals swaying in the gentle breeze.Here in the wild, they sang differently than in my carefully tended beds at home.This plant knew freedom I'd forgotten existed.

I peeked at Elias again, leaning impatiently against a tree.

This was a different species than the one in my gardens.The magic of the soil lent it stronger properties.I prodded at the dirt around its stem, the roots had the power to knock someone out for hours.A powerful sedative that might prove useful.

With careful deliberation, I plucked the star-shaped flower from the ground, roots and all.My heart fluttered nervously as I turned to face Elias.

"What is this one used for?"he questioned, arms resting across his chest.

"It has soothing properties," I answered, holding the flower out for him to see."It can calm anxiety and ease tension."I hoped he couldn't detect the slight quiver in my words.I wouldn't tell him how this flower, in higher dosages, could send someone into a brief coma.

Why did I feel the need to keep things from him?The thought unsettled me.What am I preparing for?

"Here," he said, handing me a square of cloth."I assume you'll want to wrap it before tucking it away."

My fingers brushed against his as I took the cloth, wrapping it carefully before placing it in my pack.He pushed himself from the trunk, and I hurried to match his pace.

How much time did we have left?The full moon was only days away now.Every moment traveling was another moment Briar remained trapped, growing paler and colder.

Elias pushed aside a thick branch, revealing the path ahead.I stepped forward and gasped.Cobbled stones led to a quaint cabin surrounded by a wildflower garden.Through the windows, a flickering warmth glowed invitingly.The front door was slightly ajar, beckoning us inside.

I stepped forward, grinning, but Elias's arm shot out, blocking my path."Hush!"he warned, pulling me back into the thick bush.He crouched, guiding me down next to him with a fierce focus that sent a chill through me.

"What's wrong with you?"I hissed."We could stay there tonight.We're losing too much time sleeping rough?—"

"What do you see when you look at it?"he interrupted.

I faltered, my gaze swinging from the worry etched around his eyes to the cottage ahead."I see a cozy cabin..."My words trailed off as something occurred to me."Wait.I see my cabin.My home.But why would I see that?"

"We see what comforts us, what we yearn for, what calls to our soul."

I peered over the bushes again.My entire being froze as the front door swung open wider.Briar walked out, bending to smell the wildflowers.She straightened, searching for me in the brush as a smile stretched across her porcelain face.Her hand waved for me to come to her, but every bone in my body went rigid.

I want to go to her, I thought desperately, nearly rising before Elias's grip on my arm held me in place.

"No," he said."You must not give in to it."

The vision shifted.Briar wasn't just awake, she was radiant with health and power.Behind her, the cottage transformed into something grander, a healing sanctuary where dozens of people waited for my help.I could see myself there, curing every illness, breaking every curse.

"I could save everyone," I breathed, the pull growing stronger.

The echo's whisper drifted across the clearing, soft and seductive."You could have the power to ensure no one ever suffers as Briar has suffered."