Page 22 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

"So," Elias drawled, breaking the charged silence between us, "tell me more about the daemonacus plant.How do you plan to use it?"

"It's an extremely potent herb known to break even the most powerful curses without the need to fulfill the original curse-breaking conditions."

"Ah, a shortcut.I like the sound of that."He adjusted his hold of me, my body sliding against his chest and my head nuzzling deeper into his neck until his chin rested atop my head."And what curse are you trying to break exactly?"

I scoffed."It's...personal.I'd rather not discuss it."Images of Briar, trapped in her endless slumber, flashed through my mind, but I blinked them away.

"Personal, hmm?Sounds intriguing.I do love a good mystery."His voice lowered to an almost provocative purr.

Heat rushed to my cheeks at the blatant innuendo."I'm sure you do," I muttered."But I have no intention of being unraveled by you."

"Oh, trust me.You star in every single one of myunravelingdreams."He winked down at me then, causing me to roll my eyes again."But I much prefer reality.So, what do you say, princess?Care to make some magic with me?"

"Not a chance," I said, giving his chest another smack."Now, can we please focus on the task at hand?The sooner that we find the daemonacus flower, the sooner this ill-advised journey will be over."

"Do you think you’re ready to try walking on that ankle now?"

I nodded."Yes, but can you lower me slowly please?"

"It's not as if I was going to toss you to the ground," he replied, placing me gently to my feet.

"I'm quite all right, thank you," I said, taking a few steps backward.My ankle still hurt something fierce, but I didn't want him to see that weakness.

"That you are, princess," he admitted, taking a step toward me.A dark look crossed his face for the briefest of moments before he advanced again.I backed away from him until my spine pressed into the bark of a tree.Elias hovered over me, leaning in until his voice was a hot breath upon my ear."I once knew someone like you.Someone I spent years worrying about.You remind me so much of her..."

I couldn't breathe.It was as if he had stolen my breath.His finger caressed the soft skin of my cheek, then the rounded tip of my ear as he tucked away strands of my hair that had escaped my braids.My tongue darted out, wetting my suddenly dry lips.

"Please, could you back up?"I pressed my palms against his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath my hands as I lightly pushed.He didn't move an inch.

"What will you do, princess, if I don't?"he asked, his silver gaze dropping to my lips.There was a molten heat behind those eyes, a heat matched within my core.

My fingers dropped to the sheath at my thigh."I'll have to stab you."

He leaned down closer, his lips but a breath away from my own.So close.All I would have to do is tip my chin upward and they would collide together.Something flickered within my mind.A memory.Another kiss.One that had left me weak in the knees.It had been meant only for our bargain, but it had been burned into my soul.I felt my gaze widen and my heart beat like a drum in my chest as I swallowed and took a deep breath to regain my composure.

Briar.She was my purpose.I couldn't afford to get lost in this male's clutches.My brow furrowed, and I glared up at him.He must have felt the shift in me because he gave me that crooked smirk before he stepped back.The warmth that had built between us vanished, leaving me colder than I realized.I wanted that heat, but I clenched my fists hard, resisting the urge to give into my traitorous body.

The Price of Petals

ROSEMARY

Bogwart pansies are found in humid, wet areas.They are good for stomach illnesses and replenishing dehydration.Ginger, a root found in tall leafy grass, has long, brightly colored stems and can be used to relieve the symptoms of an upset stomach.

I continued my mental catalogue of remedies, using the familiar recitation to distract myself from the heat that still simmered between Elias and me.When he realized I wouldn't say anything further, my mind occupied with my compilation of remedies, he stepped away from me, leading the way deeper into the woods.A long exhale escaped me, and I hurried to follow him, limping slightly on my injured right ankle.

Hours passed as we traveled in silence.

The sun began its descent, painting the sky in golden tangerine hues.How many days until the full moon?The question pressed at my mind like a physical weight.Three days?Maybe four?Each step we took deeper into these woods was a step closer to finding the daemonacus flower, but was also precious time slipping away from Briar.

I paused at a star-shaped flower with pale pink petals, its sedative properties calling to my healer's instincts."This could be useful," I murmured, quickly harvesting a small portion before tucking it into my pack.

Elias's jaw tightened as he watched me work, his fingers drumming against his thigh with barely contained impatience.I could feel his frustration radiating from him like heat from a forge.

"We need moonbell petals," I said suddenly, stopping in my tracks as I spotted the telltale silver shimmer of leaves in the distance."They only bloom at twilight, and they're essential for the final preparation."

Elias turned, his brow furrowed with concern."How essential?"

"Without them, even if we find the daemonacus flower, the potion won't work.Moonbells are the catalyst that allows other magical ingredients to bond properly."I bit my lip, studying the silver shimmer ahead."But they only grow in places of pure magic.Places that are usually...protected."