ith's

nt of me, as we walked through the palace corridors, my mind buzzing with one question that I coul

ow which wo

and after knocking twice, she pushed them ope

my head, my eyes glu

ring upon the light blond of her hair. She didn't pay me any attention. She didn't say anything at all

r head and she spoke. "Why

"When I was putting up the flowers for your sister's arrival

ention the

n of the cup rattling on the saucer, and the

" she said. "The servants must work despite bei

na," I replied

"You have one less off day as a r

Luna." I

ll I could say would only m

e of contentment. "There was one m

my Luna,"

Forest, my sister's tonic can't be made without it."

ea, particularly for a lone person, particularly so late in the day. A refusal of

aid, "I'll leave right a

in my hand, that only cuts stems and roots, I took the light with me but it was immediately absorbed by the forest. The further I w

looking them over against the description Seraphine had given me,

one or somethi

tened myself up

nly trees

that I have to concentrate on the herbs that

twig break

fr

e, I was sure.

unding in my ribs. I heard another sound, from somewhere to my

of the shadows,

rumbled from their throats. I stumbled back clutching the wort

just a breeder, I'm here picking herbs for

oad and tall, a man, his eyes cruel and mocking. "You must be kidding me, do you

. "How did you fin

him. Blood as potent as that is not difficult

his?" My voice c

the query was insignificant and there was no need for an answer.

d you?" I

wly and cruel

Kaedric's child. Not after what happened at the ceremony. Her orders were c

knees buckl

back, and a third pulled out a small bundle from a leather pouch in his hip

y. Nightbane root.

against the hands that he

opened my mouth, and the other one pushed the harmful herb into my mouth, and he

that engulfed my

to foot. Blood was spilling out of my mouth, leaving stains on the dirt

over me, unmoved

said, "That

k into the trees, leaving me al

the shallowly, getting weaker with each second. Tears blended

"Please. Please sur

devouring everything, th

rough the bushes just befo

f my strength,

determine whether it was to complete what they had started, or for another purpos

y word I could must

lp.