Maxfield gave an exaggerated bow. “Forgive my casualness, My Lord. Your father was a great leader.”

Something flickered across Lu’s face. It vanished in a blink, but not before I noticed the tightening of his jaw. A cold glint dulled the warmth in his eyes. He didn’t respond to the compliment. Didn’t even acknowledge it. Instead, he pivoted sharply, his tone clipped.

“Let me ask you again. How much?”

Maxfield, unbothered by the sudden shift, shrugged. “Life-binding, you say?”

“It’s the only reason she’s still with us.”

Maxfield sighed. “For a son of Artos, I’ll make an exception. Let’s say… five hundred laurric?”

Lucius nodded once. “Deal.”

The afternoon sunfiltered through the forest canopy, casting twinkling shadows across the leaf-littered ground. We had a long walk back to the cabin ahead of us.

“Should I try the sprite ash now?” I asked Lu as we passed the outskirts of Maxfield's glade.

“Do you need it?” He raised a brow. “How are you feeling?”

“No, I’m good—I don’t need it. But I’d rather know now what I’m getting into than wait until I’m desperate for help.” I didn’t want to put all my faith into a remedy that might not work.

“Actually… now that you mention it, I like the idea of you trying it while we’re still fairly close to Maxfield’s. You know, in case something goes wrong.”

“Bloody hell, Lu! I hadn’t even thought about possible side effects. That settles it.” I glanced around for a place to sit, settling on a moss-covered rock. “Do you think it needs to go somewhere specific?” I asked, rolling the vial between my fingers.

“He said, ‘a little smear will do the trick.’ I’m guessing you use it like faerie dust.”

I popped open the vial, pressed a fingertip to the opening, and tilted it. A sparkling silver-blue powder clung to my skin. “It’s pretty,” I said, then hesitated before smearing it across my cheekbones like an ethereal highlighter. Except… it wasn’tmakeup. It was the remains of a small creature. I tried to remind myself that the sprites had offered their remains in hopes of eternal life—but the idea still gave me the ick. I decided it was best not to think about it.

Almost instantly, my head spun. Colors became more vibrant. The sounds of the forest sharpened. Energy surged through me, and a giddiness bloomed—like the warm buzz of one too many drinks. My limbs, and my…other parts were tingling. I began giggling uncontrollably.

“This is getting interesting,” Lu said, biting his lip to hide a smile.

“I wonder if it can make you fly—like faerie dust?” I focused for a moment, centering on all the things I had to be happy for.

Nothing happened. My feet remained firmly planted on the ground. I guess sprite ash wasn’texactlylike faerie dust. “Well, I’m not flying, but… I feel amazing! Lu, I haven’t felt this good—ever. I feel like I could run a marathon.”

“I’m not sure what that means, but seeing you full of life is intoxicating. There’s a light in your eyes I’ve never seen before.”

I felt childlike—simple and uncomplicated. Most of my life had been filled with fear and trepidation. Hospitals and doctors, needles and chemo. But before the cancer, before the dreaded terminal diagnosis, I’d been filled with hope and innocence. Aspirations for the future, dreams of becoming the fairytale princess from Gram’s stories.

It was all back. The fire, the clarity, the weight of who I was. The real Michaela—raw and unadulterated.

And not only did I have the attention of my very own prince charming—I had caught the eye of several.

I decided right here and now: I wouldn’t waste this moment.

I stood and tapped Lu on the knee. “Tag, you’re it!”

Then I ran, not a care in the world.

“Wait—what?” Lu stammered, confusion flickering across his face as he scrambled to his feet. A heartbeat later, realization hit, and a mischievous grin spread over his lips. “Oh, it’s on. You better run fast, Dove!”

I could hear his heavy footsteps gaining behind me. I ducked behind a wide tree, trying to still my breath.

“You think you’re clever?” Lu called out. He was close. I could hear the leaves crunching under his boots. “You can’t hide from me.”

I screamed as his head popped around the trunk. He was fast—but I wasn’t ready to give up the chase.