Brielle. The mention of her best friend was ice water over her, and she pulled back her hand and retreated to her corner of the carriage. She had quite lost her mind for a moment, rushing over to him like he was a damsel in distress. In fact, her heart beating fast and erratically told her she was too on edge. If she didn’t clear her mind, she wouldn’t be able to think clinically.
Eye swelling, redness, and sneezing. His body was reacting unfavorably to Calcifer, but that wasn’t an ailment that Brielle ever endured, so there was no tonic within the basket that was sure to work. Still, if it were an inflammatory process, Ginger and turmeric might serve the purpose. Lifting the basket cover, she withdrew the vial and held it out to him.
“I don’t know if this will help, but it’s worth a try,” she said.
He shook his head and sniffed once more.
“I’ll be fine. The same thing happens when I’m around my sister’s dog. Master Hartrich has tried for years to come up with a solution, but it’s a minor inconvenience. Once we get home, it’ll take about three hours, but I’ll be back to normal.”
“Maybe he’s not a good healer,” Luci said, grabbing Calcifer from Brielle’s lap.
His purring ceased immediately, but when he realized it was only Luci abducting him, he curled back up and resumed his purring with the help of a few strategically placed pets. Lazycat. It probably wouldn’t make a difference, but putting as much distance between the prince and Calcifer was worth a try.
Without Calcifer, on her, Brielle murmured something, her head lolling to the side to rest on Prince Ira’s shoulder. He stiffened for only a moment before he placed a careful smile on his lips and readjusted his position so that Brielle could lie more comfortably.
A sour sort of feeling burned in Luci’s stomach, reminding her of when she ate too much roast from time to time. It felt as if she were intruding. Neither of them would say it to her, but they were engaged. Luci was only along because Brielle needed her.
Taking a deep breath to steady her, Luci forced her attention out the window, where gray clouds gathered above, mirroring her own feelings. Maybe it was seeing Brielle with someone that she might end up needing more than Luci. Simple jealousy. The truth was, there was no convincing Brielle that this was the wrong path, so Luci would have to find a way to live with her jealousy. All she could hope was that Prince Ira was worthy of her.
Chapter twelve
Masks and Tonics
Magic is unique to every person who experiences it. Certain smells, emotions, and sensations can appear for one and not another.
-Tales from Meridea, Volume III
Two hours later, Luci was nearly certain she was going to have to drag Ira out by his arms and explain to the king and queen why their eldest son was dying.
Oh, you see, we just trapped him in a carriage with the furriest cat alive. Before his eyes were swollen shut, he told usit was fine, though. Yes, I know he’s sneezed so much his voice is hoarse; that’s why I mentioned the part about him saying it was fine.
“Ira, I’m so sorry. I wish you had said something before we left.” Brielle said, her bottom lip puffed out.
“It’s fine,” he waved a hand.
At least, Luci thought that was what he said. In truth, it sounded more like a frog croaking than human speech.
“If chivalry means dying so your fiancée can have her cat, I fear for the state of our kingdom,” Luci muttered.
She only regretted the words a little bit, but if she didn’t get out of this carriage in the next five minutes, she was going to say much worse. Calcifer was on edge, crawling over her shoulders to her lap, then behind her. Every sneeze was a direct attack against him, and he was contemplating murdering the crown prince or being so afraid of his roars that he might pass out. Then there was Brielle, who had woken up to the sneezing attacks and spent the last hour fawning over her prince and praising him for his generosity and thoughtfulness.
Prince Ira said something with a wide smile, but the fairy knew what it was. Luci groaned and looked outside, wondering if she and Calcifer might just walk the rest of the way. Her feet were saved by climbing blue and gold spires.
“Thank goodness.” She said, closing her eyes.
“Are you sure you won’t take one of Luci’s tonics? We don’t mind in the least.” Brielle said.
The feen of a prince shook his head and lifted Brielle’s gloved hand to his lips, pressing a ghost of a kiss to it.
If Luci spent much more time with them, she was liable to end up with her eyes rolling into the back of her head and staying there.
The moment the carriage ceased its journey, Luci jumped out before the attendants even made it to the door. Calcifer wiggledsomething fierce in her arms, making a guttural sound as he clawed up her shoulder.
“No, you are not escaping into the woods after almost murdering the crown prince, you beast,” she said.
Tightening her grip on him, she headed straight for the palace doors that were being opened for their prince. There were at least twenty guards, so Brielle would be fine. Once she got Calcifer inside somewhere, he couldn’t escape; she’d go back for it.
“Ma’am? I’m afraid I must ask you to wait here,” the guard in front of the twenty-foot wooden doors said.