Page 34 of Treasured

Genevieve nodded. “What do you think?”

He hummed and hawed. “It might be… We need another opinion. Is Imali coming?”

“Yes, she’s on her way.”

With the priestess came a dozen more vampires and witches. Each paraded through the room, which was not built for such an influx of bodies, causing us to stand in the corner. The newcomers inspected Luna’s plant and tossed various theories back and forth. Much of what they said went over my head, but I didn’t mind.

Luna answered question after question about the plant, seemingly pleased to be sharing her theories with like-minded individuals. I stood beside her, rubbing her back slowly, content to take a backseat. It didn’t escape my notice that she kept the Sunwalking and the harbinger a secret no matter what they asked.

By the time dawn was on the horizon, the leaves had been prodded, touched, and smelled by nearly every member of the Second Order.

Footsteps pounded on the stone floor outside our room just as Genevieve was about to leave. A redhead who was a few inches taller than Luna stopped in front of the door, holding the frame and panting. “Did I miss it?” she gasped, short of breath. “I came as soon as I heard.”

Genevieve shook her head. “No, the plant is still here.” To us, she said, “This is Odette. She’s one of our witches who was out tending to some ill in a nearby village.”

“Hello,” Luna said.

Odette murmured a greeting, but her eyes were locked on the plant. “Isvana, have mercy on my soul. You found it.” She looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Long ago, I was tending to an elderly witch, and she told me of this plant and the things it could do.”

Luna’s face lit up. “Truly?”

The witch nodded eagerly. “She said it’s medicinal, and with the right combination of magic and herbs, it will form a healing tonic as black as night. It will be so potent; it can cure the Wasting Illness.” She tilted her head. “Honestly, I thought the plant was an old wives’ tale. I searched and searched, but I never located it.” She touched the leaves reverently. “But here it is. The cure.”

The last word was a whisper as it left her mouth, but it echoed through the room. Luna drew in a sharp breath. Goosebumps erupted on my flesh.

“Did the witch tell you how the plant works?” Luna asked.

“Not exactly. She was rambling and very close to the Fade. She didn’t even survive the next winter.” Odette frowned. “I think her grimoires are still somewhere in the abbey. Maybe they contain more information.”

“I want to help you,” Luna said. “Please. I can’t sit around and wait.”

Odette looked up. “Your brother has the Wasting Illness, doesn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

A heaviness filled the space, and I squeezed Luna’s hand.

“You must help,” Odette said after a few drawn-out heartbeats. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Why don’t you meet me first thing tomorrow? I’ll dig up the grimoires, and we can get started.”

A smile stretched across my wife’s face. “I’d love that.”

For the first time in a long while, Luna looked… happy. Tired but happy.

Genevieve and Odette lingered for a few more minutes before leaving us alone. Finally, it was time to sleep. Luna and I climbed into the too-small bed, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close to my chest.

“I love you,” she whispered sleepily. “Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be even better, I think.”

Something in her voice kindled a spark of hope within me.

It kept me warm as sleep dragged me under.

* * *

Athena tugged my hand, her skirts swooshing as she danced from one foot to the other. “Come on, Bastian,” she said excitedly as the trees parted in the wind, revealing the tall stone towers of Castle Sanguis. “I can’t wait to see your home.”

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