Page 368 of Kingdoms of Night

Heal me, I willed.

Make me strong.

The buzzing in my head stopped, and I was left weak once again.

Too much magic without sustenance to replenish it.

My body was wrapped in a light blanket, hair strewn about on thick pillows, and the bed was almost too plush. My mind returned to my private quarters in the palace.

Yes, the palace. I remembered it fondly. I had lived there until I was knighted. But, I’d never see it again.

I dearly missed how my clam-shell bed would wrap around me each night—how the vibration of the sea would lull me to sleep.

Now, there were new lands to explore—new experiences to be had.

I stiffened as the door knob turned and was pushed open. Footsteps tapped on the wooden floor, and a small figure entered.

A rosy-cheeked boy walked in with a tray.

A humanchild.

Did he know what I was? Should I still hide my identity?

“Hello, miss,” a soft child voice said, and I shot a look at him. He had a mop of roughly chopped brown hair, and was missing a few teeth as he smiled at me.

Big brown eyes met mine, and I couldn’t help feel endeared to him. He was a just a little human boy. He wore pants and an untucked buttoned shirt, and had a nose that was red like he’d been out in the cold for too long.

“You’re awake,” he said, and sighed with relief. “I was right worried about you. Thought you might die in the night.”

My brows rose. Was I on the brink of death? Had I used that much energy?

Oh yes, I remembered quite clearly.

I’d killed two men, cursed one, and revived another from the very brink of death.

That’ll do it.

“The physician said you had a fever. Then, he scurried off with his coins—told to stick around for a bit.”

The boy chuckled. “And by a bit, it means he’s now part of the crew.”

The mention of Elian brought warmth to my belly.

Where was he?

My brows furrowed. “Physician?”

I felt like I should know what that was.

He nodded. “Yes, Doctor Brown was his name. Bastian found him drinking in one of the saloons. Turns out he was in town to heal a nobleman up the mountain. You’re lucky, miss.”

Oh, a healer.

Fear bubbled in my belly. I could only hope the physician hadn’t discovered my secrets while I’d been unconscious.

“You will have to thank this Doctor Brown for me,” I said.

His cheeky grin widened. “You can thank him yourself, miss. He’s working on a concoction for you, and will be returning this evening to check on you, as he has done for the past three days.”

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