Page 103 of The Witch Queen

I’ve never used my power to heal anything before, but surely I can. In this instance, at least. Malum swells within me, cantering through my veins. I call my shadows and they burrow into Nox’s body, threading between his bones and winding around his organs. I grit my back teeth, concentrating. For a few moments, it seems to help. Nox relaxes and ceases to whimper. But then, as if snapped, my shadows shrivel away. The power in my own veins cools.

“No.” I shake my head. “It didn’t work.”

Whydidn’t it work? Because Malum doesn’t heal things? Or is there a deeper reason?

Because you’re not as powerful as you believe,that voice taunts.

“Here.” Jacquetta approaches. “Let me try.”

I instinctively move to shield Nox. “So you can kill him?”

“I wouldn’t have to do anything at all if that’s what I wanted,” she replies, gesturing at Nox. “Take my help or leave it.”

Grudgingly, I shift to allow her room. Jacquetta kneels beside Nox and places her hands on his body. She closes her eyes, her lips moving in a spell. After a few moments, I can feel Nox’s heartbeat strengthening beneath my palms. His wounds knitting together, leaving nothing more than a scar on the Nevenwolf’s side. I stare at him, bewildered.

“How did you do that?” I ask Jacquetta.

“The same way I always use magic,” she says. “I just…asked it.”

That doesn’t make any sense. Why would awitch’smagic have cured Nox and not my own? Nox isn’t concerned about such details. He rises, shaking himself. His crimson eye glitters in the night. Jacquetta flinches as he faces her, but I touch her arm.

“He’s thanking you,” I explain.

“I…you’re welcome,” she tells the Nevenwolf, a slight tremble to her voice.

Nox throws his head back, his howl startling a few birds out of their nests. Then he bounds away into the shadows. Jacquetta is quiet for a long while, watching him go.

“He…canfeel, can’t he?” she says at last.

He.Warmth blooms in my chest.

“Yes,” I reply. “I told you. Shade, Nox—they’re all the same as we are.”

Jacquetta absorbs this. “I just…I didn’t understand.”

“And now? Does it change anything?”

The seconds stretch on as I wait for her reply. Jacquetta looks at me, her blue eyes bright in the moonlight.

“I don’t know,” she says at last.

It shatters the hope I was fool enough to let form in my heart. Because of course nothing has changed. Nothingwillchange. Jacquetta is a coven witch now. She always will be.

“As I said, we’re wasting time out here.” And then I push myself up to stand and leave the garden, ignoring the hollow ache in my chest. A void that I worry not even the shadows can fill.

Chapter Thirty

Blodwyn

When I return to the Great Hall, the trial is in full swing. Courtiers twirl in time to the music, their costumes making it appear like a sea of shadows is undulating through the chamber. On the far end, I spot Elinor and Constance. This time, though, they make no move to acknowledge me. Neither does anyone else, everyone whispering behind their hands and veering away from me like I have the plague. Among them is Aunt Margaret, who stands with a few other courtiers, all laughing and chatting as if nothing happened. My anger kicks up again, smoldering like hot coals in my chest.

“You look like you could use a mallet.”

Another courtier waits behind me. Her face is hidden by her mask, but I recognize the color of her eyes: a warm brown that usually glimmers with a hint of mischief. There’s something else there tonight, too, though. Accusation. One I deserve.

“Verity, I…” I start, fidgeting with my gown. “I’m such a fool. I can’t believe I…”

“Rejected me in favor of two of the most insipid women at court?” She tilts her head.