Pru continued to fuss over me, her words alighting on the air like a butterfly filling the void. “I can’t believe someone shot you with an arrow. Who would do something like that?”
But her words and worry fell on deaf ears. My wound and heart were numb as I replayed the scene over and over again in my head. My cruel words to Xander. Yasmin’s successful attempts at wooing him. And in the middle of it, my own confusion about what I was feeling toward him. I could feel the jealousy seeping into my heart and poisoning my soul.
A gentle touch of Pru’s hand as she brought out a needle and thread and moved to stitch the wound interrupted my thoughts. Shaking my head, I glanced down to inspect that it was thoroughly cleansed before pointing a finger to my shoulder and whispering, “Numera.”
Numbing the area around the wound was dangerous, because if my finger had slipped, I could have numbed my heart. Though that may have been preferable.
“Okay, I’m ready.” I gripped the armrests of the chair as she stitched. My charm worked; I didn’t feel the slide of the needle through my skin or the slight tug as she stitched.
Gobbersnot kicked open the trunk, and I saw the tip of his nose first as it wiggled and smelled blood. Then he crawled out wearing a petticoat that wasn’t mine, he lips smeared with red. At first I was worried it was blood until I saw the waxy texture. It was red lipstick—also not mine. I smiled as I imagined Yasmin using the same lipstick as my goblin.
Gobbersnot pawed at my knee and looked up at me with big pouty eyes. I knew that without a doubt that, if I didn’t watch him, he would be licking my wound in my sleep. I handed my bandage to him, and he gave me a kiss on my elbow, leaving a smear of lipstick, before muttering in goblin and crawling back into my trunk.
A sound captured my attention, and my eyes went to the front yard. Gaven was trying to ease his own rash by rubbing his back on the corner support beam of the stable while organizing and directing the hunting parties out toward the woods. I prayed he would find the beast and the merciless killings would end.
Xander led Nova into the yard while laughing at Gaven’s itchy predicament.
Yasmin ran out of the house and slowed, waving to Xander before he rose to climb on Nova’s saddle.
Prince Xander rode forward, bringing his horse up beside Gaven’s, and leaned forward. She reached up, placing a scarf around his neck. A token of affection? My breathing had picked up, and my fingers scraped along the arm.
I watched the prince’s face for a reaction, but he was emotionless, already pulling away and turning toward the woods, his mind most likely focused on the coming hunt.
They rode off, heading deep into the forest, and I waited as the woods swallowed them whole. Glancing down, I saw the dark wood slivers under my nails, the deep gouges they had left in the armrests. Spreading my fingers, I carefully tried to cover up what my anger had done. How was I so strong? Was my jealousy really that powerful?
Pru stepped back. “I’m done.”
I nodded, acknowledging her. There was nothing left to say. I was an empty shell.
“That will be all,” I said, feeling the ice queen’s return.
“Would you like me to bring you food?”
I shook my head. “I would like to be left alone.”
Pru cleaned up her work, picking up the rags and bowl, and left the room, closing the door behind her. I went to the side table and picked up a small gilded hand mirror, then reached for the needle. With a slight prick on my fingertip, the deep red drop welled, and I stared at my lifeblood. We all were taught how to call each other using reflections and blood. I whispered an enchantment and let the drop fall onto the glass. Instead of spattering across the surface, it passed through like a water droplet, causing the mirror’s reflection to wave and spiral outward.
“Sister,” I said, hoping one of them would be near a mirror and hear my call.
Nothing.
I spoke a little louder. “Sister!”
The reflection moved as someone picked up a mirror and bright green eyes met mine.
“Rosalie!” Meri exclaimed excitedly, her voice ringing out, my name on her lips as lyrical as a song. “It’s you!”