Page 29 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
His gaze turned to her father then.“And your recovery, Master Windriver.Dr.Graves says it was a miracle, that even the best healers from the realm could not heal you.And yet, you stand before me.Hearty and hale.”
Papa cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back.But Serena saw them shaking before he did so.He was nervous.
So was she.
She cast a glance to her sister, who remained pale faced, wide eyed, and mute.Thank the stars.
“An elixir, your grace,” she said, stepping forward.“I am good with herbs and the like.”
A dark brow lifted as he pinned her with his cold stare.“You cured him?”
“Yes.”It was not so far from the truth, but her voice shook a little with her response.
“Rather the miracle worker, aren’t you, Mistress Serena?”he said, snidely.
Silence stretched as he peered at her, then took a sip of tea.He leaned forward and deposited the cup on the tray, then rose.His height was imposing.His gaze unflinching.And Serena suspected he saw through her.The only sound was that of the thudding of her heart in her ears.
The Grand Duke paused so close to her, she smelled horse and leather.She lifted her eyes to his and met his gaze.
“A lie is a dangerous thing, Mistress Serena.Not because of the telling, but because of the keeping.They weigh heavier than gold.”
Hot fear pulsed through her as the man stepped toward the door and removed his cloak.He pulled it on around his narrow shoulders.
“I take my leave.”But his cold eyes landed on her once more.“The king is interested in miracles, Mistress Serena.Expect me again.”
And then, he whisked open the door and was gone.
Chapter 11
Thatnight,Serenafoundit difficult to sleep.Maris wasn’t speaking to her, even when she tried to apologize for her snarky comment.
With her mother’s shawl wrapped around her shoulders, she curled in the chair by the fire.When the flames got too low, she placed another log on it.She grappled with everything that had happened.The stranger at the Well of Wishes.Lying to Papa.Lying to the Grand Duke.His veiled threat that he would be back.She could not stop playing his last words over and over in her head.
The king is interested in miracles, Mistress Serena.Expect me again.
He was going to return with the king in tow.And when he did…then what?What miracle did he expect from her?Without knowing, she could not go back to the Well of Wishes to ask for—
She stopped that thought before it fully formed.No, she would not return.She would not risk more than she already had.She’d lost two precious things to her—even if they were things she did not remember.She could not afford to lose more.
But the king—
Her stomach was coiled into a tight knot as she clutched her elbows, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames in the hearth.
Papa’s bedroom door opened, and he shuffled out.He halted there, his eyes dark orbs in the shadows.He was surprised to see her.
“Couldn’t sleep?”he asked.
“No.You?”she replied.
“No.I suppose insomnia is better with company.”
Heaving a heavy sigh and clutching a book under his arm, he lowered himself into his favorite chair across from her.The book rested in his lap as he gazed at her from across the fire, the yellow light flickering across his haggard features.
She had done that to him.She had made him weary and suspicious.But now, she was so far in, how could she tell him the truth?The lies and secrets were her burden to bear.
They sat in silence for a time.His gaze drifted to the fire, his hand clutching the well-worn book.Outside, the wind howled low, swishing through what leaves were left on the trees and clacking the branches together.It was a quiet night.Too quiet.
“You carry a heavy burden, daughter,” he said at last breaking into the silence.“Tell me what it is.”
