“Prince Ira thinks there is a magical flower that can heal her, left by the last fairy godmother. He’s going to find it tomorrow, but it will take too long, and it probably doesn’t exist,” she said.
Noah stilled, eyes jumping from the floor to her.
“What does it look like?” he asked.
A knock on the door.
That was quick. Maybe there was magic left in the castle because word of treason quickly made its way around.
Despite the fact that no one gave leave to enter, Lucien Vencia entered, a small book clutched in his hand. He was dressed in simple pants and a loose navy shirt that dipped low onto his chest. His light blond hair mussed, and jawline taut. He might have been beautiful if it weren’t for his obnoxious nature.
“I came to see how she was doing,” he said.
“She’s fine, you can go.” Luci snapped.
“No, stay,” Brielle murmured.
Hope, as a wingless beast soaring through the sky, shot through Luci. Those were just mad ramblings; those words held purpose.
Running her hand over Brielle’s cheeks, the sound that broke from her was half laugh and half sob. A tragic melody meant forstolen moments and false hopes, yet beneath her hand, Brielle’s skin was clammy rather than fire. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and she gave a violent shiver.
“The fever is breaking,” Noah said.
The fever was breaking. Whatever Noah gave her worked.
“Brielle, can you hear me?” Luci asked, choking on her sob.
One eye squinted open before fluttering closed.
“You are always so dramatic,” Brielle whispered, her voice weak.
They were the most beautiful words Luci ever heard in her life. She removed the towel from Brielle’s head and pressed a kiss to it.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Lucien cleared his throat. “I- uh- I just came to see if you wanted a break and to read- I know Brielle likes stories, so I asked Max- I’ll just go,” he said.
“Stay,” Brielle whispered. “Please.”
Luci sat up, already fighting back the urge to chastise Brielle for her poor judgment.
“That would be good, actually. I wanted to speak with you, Luci,” Noah said.
Lifting her eyes, she saw Noah with his hands in his pockets still, but a muscle in his jaw flicked, and she understood he wasn’t saying something. It made her joy fade into a faint mist, dissipating into nothing.
“Okay, but just for a minute.”
Bending down, she pressed another kiss to Brielle’s forehead that was cool beneath her touch. No fever. Whatever he used was working better than she ever could have hoped.
“I’ll be back,” she said.
“Obviously,” Brielle murmured.
She felt the smile on her lips and promised herself she wouldn’t take for granted any minute with her. Shifting off the bed, Luci pointed a finger at Lucien.
“Do not exhaust her and don’t do anything. I’ll be back in a minute,” she said.
Lucien held up his hands, book in tow. “You are intimidating.”