Page 2 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

Information on the Daemonacus flower filled three devoted pages with elegant script.Its petals, dark as the midnight sky, glowed faintly deep purple.But there was a catch, it bloomed only in the heart of Everland Forest, where tangled vines and moss-covered trees whispered of secrets long buried.Only the unseelie seemed to wander there without fear.

My heart quickened.This flower was my last hope.

"Excuse me," a quiet voice spoke, jarring me from deep concentration."A friend told me that you would have what I need."

A fist closed around my heart at her timidness.I'd grown used to the fear mortals held for me, but it affected me all the same.I closed the book, tucking the silken cloth around it.

"What is it that you require?"I asked, keeping my voice soft.

Her delicate fingers curled around her pale-yellow dress as she blinked through thick lashes.Her mint-green eyes darted nervously across the market, though something deeper outweighed the fear in her gaze.

"My son.He took a tumble three days ago and hasn't opened his eyes since.The town's doctor has seen to his injuries, but I was hoping you would have something that could pull him from his slumber."

My breath caught at her plight, so close to my own.I moved toward my cart, fingers grazing the jars of tinctures until I found what I needed: a small, round glass jar with warm orange liquid that flickered like a trapped firefly.

"This should help," I said, holding it out."Mix half into heated water, let it cool, then give it to him slowly.He'll wake within the hour, but if he doesn't, come find me in the woods."

Her long fingers wrapped around the bottle, knuckles pale with effort.A single tear slid down her cheek."How much?"

The weight of my sister's slumber pressed down on me.Briar, trapped in endless sleep.I'd tried this potion on her too, but it hadn't been enough.Nothing ever was.

"Take it," I said, voice sharper than intended."No fee."

Her fingers wrapped around my wrist with featherlight care, trembling like autumn's first leaf."Thank you," she whispered, then disappeared into the market's bustle.

With an hour left before market's end, I gathered my wares.Half remained unsold, but my coin purse felt heavier, though not yet close to three golds heavier.I draped the thick brown blanket over my glass containers and folded my chair, securing everything for the journey home.

The unease lingered, that quiet weight between my shoulder blades, as though the forest itself watched me.I ran my fingers through my hair, the soft waves catching sunlight through the square's tall trees.

I made my way toward Floribunda's Apothecary at the village edge.The bell tinkled as I entered, and the scent of dried petals and ground herbs enveloped me.

"Good afternoon, Rosemary," greeted Madame Eliza, her silver hair pinned in a neat bun.

I returned her greeting and handed her my list of needed herbs.As she gathered items from the shelves, I asked, "Have you ever heard of the Daemonacus flower?"

"The Dae...The what, my dear?"

My breath fell in a heavy sigh."It's a rare flower I just read about.It has unique healing capabilities."

She frowned."I'm afraid I've never heard of such a flower.If you find it, I would love to see what you create with it."

After paying for my purchases, she placed a small bundle of fresh lavender in my hands."For you, dear.A little something to bring you peace."

I smiled my thanks.

"Oh," she said suddenly, "before I forget.That traveling book vendor dropped something off for you."She placed a thick tome on the counter: The Histories of the Seelie and Unseelie Fae.

My fingertips traced the lettering, feeling some small connection to what I was.

"If you’re smart," Madame Eliza said, "you'll forget what you were and find a way to appear more mortal."Her emerald gaze studied my seelie ears."I've heard the unseelie are searching out the last of the seelie.It's better if you hide those ears and be careful."

I nodded, swallowing sudden fear.After tucking the wrapped package and tome beneath my arm, I turned to leave.

"Be careful out there, dear.You're the only fae I'd miss in this world."

I pulled my cart through the village toward the forest path home.That feeling of being watched never dissipated.At the town square, a young woman I recognized stopped me.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I've been told you can help me," she said in a rush.