Shuffling his feet, Prince Ira ran his hand through his hair.
“Someone should go get Calcifer and bring him to your rooms,” he said.
Strange man.
“Room.” Luci corrected. “And I can go get him in a little bit. He’s safe and contained. You don’t happen to have anything to calm cats, do you?”
“While they aren’t my usual subject, we might be able to find something.” Noah offered.
“He'd better not eat my research,” Max grumbled.
“See? Max’s poor research is at risk.” Prince Ira said.
“Maybe you should go get him if you are so worried,” Luci said.
The words were out of her big mouth before she could take them back. Maybe her life was just one possible beheading to the next, finding new and creative ways to offend royalty.
The room was painfully silent as everyone waited for the shout of “guards!” or maybe “you’ll pay for this!” Instead, Prince Ira’s deep laugh filled the white walls, and everyone let out a long breath.
“You really do say whatever you are thinking,” he said through his laughter.
“What’s funny about that?” Max said, watching his brother with narrowed eyes.
“All right. Luci, you stay here, and we will meet up with you later. I was hoping I might get a chance to meet your sister, Prince Ira. I’ve heard she’s wonderful at croquet.” Brielle said.
Croquet? Brielle? Those words did not go together in the least. Worst was the wink she sent Luci’s way as she placed her arm in Prince Ira’s and gently guided him from the room. His laughter quelled, and his mouth opened and closed as he glanced at Luci, but it was too late now.
Luci already took several vials in hand and turned to place them in front of the wall of ingredients, tapping her finger as she took in each one.
“What about fevers?” she asked.
“I have a wonderful book on that, let me grab it,” Noah said.
Brielle’s lilting voice slowly disappeared, but Luci was lost in the possibilities before her. A world opening with endless possibilities. Maybe coming to the ball hadn’t been the worst idea after all.
Chapter fourteen
The Library
Animals are sensitive to magic as they are innocent in all ways. Even spoiled housecats.
-Tales from Meridea, Volume III
Moonlight poured through the windows of the infirmary as Luci added three drops of concentrated lavender to the glass in front of her, adjusting the flame so that it burned just a little brighter. Orange- yellow wisps dancing below the glass. She breathed in the floral smell, letting it waft over her.
It was easy to lose track of the hours in here. Like a world of its own, free from royalty, princes, and expectation. She should have checked on Brielle, but if something was wrong, they would have at least called for Noah. Instead, the healer spent all day with Luci, teaching and critiquing her technique. Already, she learned that heating lavender and feverfew could increase the duration of the tonic by potentially two hours.
That meant fewer ingredients and more time for Brielle to rest without having to redose. It was all invaluable.
Covering her mouth, Luci let out a long yawn that came from deep within her chest. She’d spent the last hour ignoring the heaviness in her eyes in favor of continuing to read and try to follow recipes. More concerning was the rumble of her stomach.
Noah had brought them dinner, chicken and potatoes, but Luci’s stomach was of the mind it was time to sneak down to the kitchens. The only problem with that was that there would be no sneaking down to the kitchens in a castle. She should have packed snacks.
“It’s getting late,” Noah said, coming up beside her.
“Oh,” Luci said. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Her traitorous body took that opportunity to demand another yawn from her, which she attempted to hide by itching her nose.