Page 11 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

Caw.Caw.

I wiped sweat from my brow as I paused, glancing to where Herb sat perched, his blue-black feathers glistening in the warm light of the sunrise.His beak dipped to a pile of brush at my feet, then his beady gaze met mine.

"I'm leaving today and need to make sure the cottage is hidden," I said, bending to take another armful of dried grass to the front wall.When I straightened again, Herb still watched me.My shoulders drooped as I felt his judgment."I have to leave.I think I know how to break this curse, but the missing ingredient is deep in the Everland Forest.I have to at least try.For Briar."

The crow swung his head, as if telling me I couldn't go.

"I have no choice, Herb!"I snapped at him.Tears slipped down my cheeks before I even realized I was crying, my frustration building to a breaking point."I have to do this.For Briar."

He swung his head again.I folded my arms across my chest and glared up at him."It's either this or I march myself to the queen and demand to know what will break the curse she placed upon my family.What do you think, Herb?Do you think she’ll tell me how to wake my sister?"

Something dark flickered behind his beady gaze, but then he lowered his head as if defeated.

"Will you watch over her for me?"I asked.

Herb leaped from the branch and plummeted through the air, landing neatly on the windowsill.He poked his head through the window, scanned the main room, then turned to face me.He jumped from the ledge and flew to me, landing lightly on my shoulder and nuzzling his head against my cheek before flying back to the ledge.When he landed and looked at me again, his head dipped in agreement.

Afew hours later, my feet sank into the moist earth as I cautiously stepped toward the dense underbrush, drawn to a patch of barksbeard at the forest's edge.It was a rare plant that flourished here despite my failed attempts to cultivate it in my own gardens.

I paused to admire the striking blooms, pale pink and vibrant yellow petals with rough, bark-like texture and dainty white flowers cascading down like the flower's very own beard.Beautiful but dangerous, and a must-have for any healer.

With steady hands, I reached out, plucking stalks while avoiding damage to the delicate leaves.I hummed a soothing melody, taking only what I required.

I reached for a final stalk when a twig snapped behind me.Every nerve tightened as I spun, my fingers tugging my dagger free from its sheath.My gaze swept the dense forest and settled on a familiar, stormy gray gaze.I gasped.

"Are you stalking me?"I demanded, lifting my dagger."Have you forgotten how I enjoy sticking you with this?"

"Funny," he said from where he leaned casually against a tree."I was just thinking how I'd like to stick you with..."A wicked grin lit up his gray gaze."My instrument of choice, should you want that of course."Something in his voice sent an unexpected shiver down my spine, not of fear, but of recognition.As if some part of me knew that voice and had been waiting to hear it again.I shook my head, dismissing the foolish notion.I'd never met this man before in my life.

I almost dropped the dagger as I scoffed."Not even in your dreams.Now, answer me.Are.You.Stalking.Me?"

"You can't pretend to know what I dream about, princess."He came closer, pushing himself from the tree in a fluid motion.Before I even blinked, his chest was against the tip of my blade.He dropped his attention to my tight grip along its hilt.

"Get back," I warned, "or I will cut you."

His fingertips came up as if he were going to caress my jaw, but he thought better of it and pulled his hand away."Oh, princess.The sweetest words fall from your lips."His smile faltered, and he took a slow step back."I sought you out because I need your help."

My brow furrowed, but I didn't lower the blade.He was unseelie, and I couldn't trust him.I searched his form for any sign of a wound and found none."Why would you need my help?Are you injured?"

"No, not for me.My brother.I'm at my wit's end."He ran a hand through his dark hair, and his shoulders slumped."He was cursed, and I can't break it."

Alarm bells rang in my head.I took a step back, careful not to trample the barksbeard.This was too convenient.Too similar to my own plight.I lowered my brows."I'm a healer, and I try my best to do no harm, but you’d better tell me right now what game you’re playing, or I’ll make an exception."

His gray eyes glittered as if I'd delighted him with my words rather than threatened him.This man was infuriating.He made me feel things I hadn't felt in ages: rage, heat, confusion.I folded my arms over my chest, the dagger still held within my fist.

He backed away, giving me more space as he leaned against another tree."I’m playing no game," he said, his gaze lowering to the forest floor."I've tried all that I can think of, but nothing has worked.”

"You're lying," I accused, "and I don't have time for this."

I began collecting my supplies, needing to find a way to lose him in the woods.I couldn't risk bringing him back to Briar.

"I swear to you that I'm not lying," he exclaimed, and when I faced him again, there was something behind his gaze that made me want to believe him."I can’t lie.But if it makes you feel better, cast a truth spell.Dig into my thoughts."

"What do you mean you can’t lie?"

He looked at me as if I confused him."Unseelie can’t lie.Just like seelie can’t touch iron."He shrugged."We each have our...weaknesses.Don't you already know that?"

I suddenly felt foolish.I'd spent the past century studying plants and healing potions, even keeping up with current affairs of the kingdom.Yet I'd never thought to study the unseelie themselves.They'd destroyed my family and kingdom, but I'd done everything in my power to leave them in my past.I’d read this somewhere before, but I’d never confirmed it.It would be just like the unseelie to say this only to be the best liars.