Page 30

“But I think you can become proficient enough to combat it. You are stronger than her, Princess. There is no doubt about that. But in order to beat your sister you need to be more than strong because she will have numerous methods to destroy you. If you want to survive, you need to be prepared for anything.”

Thicket leaned out the window, savoring the crisp aroma of wildflowers and the wash of golden light warming her face. After hours of cleaning, she had nearly eradicated the dust and cobwebs from the first two bedrooms.

Marcellus had been right. Using two spells without the help of her kiwi had been far more difficult. She could conjure one just fine, but when she went to conjure the second her focus splintered and the first winked out, becoming nothing but rogue wind and splattered puddles to ruin all the work she had done thus far. By the end of the day, she had managed to hold both spells at once, but could only spare enough attention to command one at a time.

She slumped over the window sill, exhaustion clinging to her bones. She spotted Marcellus sitting on the porch steps, Bayo sleeping soundly at his feet. She forced her aching body to navigate through the farmhouse to join him. He didn’t tear his eyes away from the surrounding fields as she took a seat beside him. Without the surplus of buildings blocking her view, the wall was visible in the horizon, a dark green smudge mingling with the low hanging clouds and fields of light green.

Since waking up from the sleeping curse, there hadn’t been a single moment for Thicket to catch her breath. She usually hated stillness and the silence that came with it. It allowed for too many spiraling thoughts to penetrate her mind. But there was something about the abundance of foliage that settled the anxious knots inside her. The way Marcellus looked at the fields was more than that, though. She got the feeling this place meant something to him. He appeared more vulnerable here, like his emotions, which were usually locked securely behind eyes of stone, were now visible through the cracks.

She recalled the words he had said when they first arrived.

Home sweet home.

She had dismissed it at the time as another one of his sarcastic remarks, but now she wondered if perhaps they had been sincere.

Thicket wanted to ask him, but the last time she had pried still plagued her mind.

I’m glad you are sorting through your problems, Princess, but some of us do not have the luxury or space to do so. Some of us are constantly shoved to the wolves. Though I don’t expect you to understand. How could you? All of your problems are the silly conjurings of a curse.

Thicket ran her fingers along Bayo’s coat, shutting out the memory. The wolf let out a small snore but otherwise didn’t stir. “You are extra tired today, aren’t you?”

Marcellus stood. “You should get some rest, too. I am waking you up at dawn.”

A small part of Thicket wilted at the word. Everything she dreaded always seemed to happen at dawn.

“That is if I am able to move tomorrow,” she said, struggling to get her body to rise.

“Magic is just like any other muscle,” Marcellus said. “You have to get used to using it to build up strength.”

Thicket pressed a hand over her aching belly. “What I need to do is find something to eat.”

She had searched the kitchen earlier for any signs of food, but all she had found were a few scuttling insects. She had managed to tamp her hunger down, but it was back with a vengeance, making her hollow stomach protest alongside the rest of her muscles.

“You didn’t happen to bring any food with you by any chance?” she asked hopefully. “Or a change of clothes?”

“I was in a bit of a hurry when I set out to find you and didn’t exactly have time to pack for a weekend getaway.”

Thicket’s shoulders slumped.

“But I did send Bayo back home this morning to collect some supplies.” Marcellus pulled a bag from behind his back. Inside was food, a change of clothes, bath products, and a few additional essentials. He snatched a pear then tossed the bag to her. “She got back about a half hour ago.”

“You couldn’t have told me this sooner?”

“You looked so engrossed in your training. I didn’t want to bother you.”

Thicket let out a growl. “I’m taking the bath first,” she said, stomping inside to start the water. Only when she turned the faucet on, the water didn’t pour out in a stream. It dribbled, hitting the tub one agonizing drop at a time. At this rate, she would be lucky to get a bath by next year.

“There’s barely any water,” Thicket called.

Marcellus’ footsteps approached. “Are you decent?”

“Of course I’m decent! I wouldn’t be talking to you if I weren’t.”

“Just checking.” He poked his head inside and examined the faucet. “The enchantment must have worn off,” he said, biting into his pear, appearing wholly unconcerned.

“Then how are we supposed to bathe?” The last thing she wanted to do was slip into her fresh clothes and sheets while her body was still filthy.

“Fill it with water yourself. After what I showed you today, you should even know how to heat it.”