Page 116 of Reaper’s Curse

I laughed weakly, my eyes closing tighter in the action.

“Is that a yes? Are we fleeing?”

“No.” I cringed against the sound of my own voice bouncing around the inside of my skull. “I know it looks bad, but I’m going to be fine, and everything will be better soon. You’ll see.”

Another collection of booms thundered through my head, and another shudder consumed my body.

He brushed my hair with his palm. “I might know of a tonic that could help with that pain of yours.”

“No.” Neive’s voice came from the other room. “I don’t think⁠—”

“I am under orders to give the message only to her,” said a gruff voice.

A message for me. Could enough time have passed with regard to Earl?

I pushed to a sit, my arm muscles like rubber. Lucas assisted and fluffed my pillows. I mumbled a “thank you” and leaned against the headboard.

“It’s all right, Neive. Let him in,” I called to the next room, my voice weak.

Weak or not, the sound reverberated internally. I pressed the heel of my palm to my temple, attempting to still the throbbing.

A man stepped to the foot of the bed, appearing every bit official from his palace uniform to his stiff demeanor.

“You have a message for me?” I swayed slightly.

Lucas braced my shoulder, holding me steady. The messenger tossed a questioning glance at Lucas. A silent statement not lost on me.

“Lucas is staying, so message away, palace boy.” I didn’t care about decorum.

If I offended, then he needn’t deal with me again…hopefully. I was too tired and too sore to care about much of anything.

“The royal healer told me to inform you that the project was a success.”

Anything, accept that. I cared about that. I had healed Earl, and that I cared about a great deal.

“Really?” I sat straighter despite my aches and pains. “What happens next?”

The man looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected any questions. I supposed he hadn’t. Deliver the message—that was his duty. Not serve as an information center.

“I gather he will be sent home. The royal healer made no indication of anything different.”

“Can you deliver a message to Valen for me?” I asked, and the man agreed. “Tell him I want to be involved. I want to be there when he returns home. Not see him off but go with him.”

When the man departed with my message for the royal healer, and I was once more alone with Lucas and Neive, they closed the bedchamber door and attacked with the questions.

I relented and told them what I’d done, what it meant, and what I wanted to do next.

“That is Ah. Maz. Ing!” Lucas brushed my shoulder. “But, sweetness, you’re in no condition to leave this bed anytime soon.”

Neive wholeheartedly agreed.

“For Earl’s return home, I’ll be ready,” I said, ignoring their concern.

Two hours later, I was up, dressed, and leaning against Lucas for support.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea,” he mumbled. “Your goddess mojo is seriously depleted. Like, into the deeply dangerous zone.”

I patted his chest. “But you’ll be there to help me. Catch me if I fall and all that good stuff.”