From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47

I’ve never left Ravag, never seen beyond the small alleys of my village and now Cassian’s castle. I’ve never allowed myself to dream of traveling, and I think the fact that Cassian has shown me everything I’m missing out on beyond this is an act of cruelty.

“You’re awake, perfect. Here’s a basin with water.”

Evanora sets it on the small table. “When you’re done, we can go see Naja.”

I freshen up quickly, the cold water clears my head. Next to the basin I also see a simple blue dress. I put it on and leave behind my dirty clothes.

A

Luckily, my head is free of voices for now. I follow Evanora out of the cabin, lifting the hem of my dress so it doesn’t get stained by the filth of the streets. I look around me attentively. There are some little girls helping others with the laundry and, once again, no sign of the opposite sex. I suppose it’s admirable how these women do everything themselves without depending on men. I feel proud, and part of me envies them. At least they seem to control their lives and destinies–unlike

1. me.

TE

We reach a much larger hut than the others I’ve seen on the way. There’s a curtain made of seashells and animal bones. I grow uneasy when Evanora pulls it aside for me and gestures for me to enter with a nod. Inside is dark, lit only by a few red candles whose wax looks like blood spilling down. There are small animal skulls here and there, and the smell of herbs that my nose can’t identify overwhelms me. It feels like a hard slap to the face. The air inside is warm and heavy–nothing like the one I was breathing just moments ago.

Evanora walks ahead confidently; she knows where we’re going.

Bent over a bowl is a woman with violet and white hair, braided into hundreds of tiny braids that together form larger ones. Her skin is sun–kissed, and though I remember Cassian mentioning something about old blood, the woman before me doesn’t look it at all. When she lifts her gaze to look at us, I can see her skin is still taut, only touched by a few expression lines.

“You must be the young lady who needs my attention,” she says with a smile that unsettles me,

We get closer, close enough that I can see the pin she holds in her hand and her pricked fingers dripping blood onto the bowl, where small bones, like phalanges, rest soaking in it. She pushes the bowl aside when she sees my eyes widen in fear.

“Elara, right?” She circles the table. “Come closer.”

I glance at Evanora, who nods subtly. I take only a couple of steps forward before Naja’s hands stretch out to meet mine. Her fingers wrap around mine, and her blood–stained thumbs dirty my pale skin as she caresses me.

Behind us, we hear a voice raised, asking for entry.

“That annoying vampire again,” Evanora grumbles.

“Go to him, dear. I’ll handle this.”

Evanora nods obediently before stepping away. She’s already fading into the darkness of the hut again when I turn, almost begging her not to leave me here. As much as this woman smiles, she unsettles me.

“I don’t usually offer my help to anyone,” she says. “I’m an old woman who wants to spend her years in peace.”

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Chapter 47

“You don’t look like an old woman,” I whisper.

“Looks and reality are two different things.” She studies me with eyes that, up close, resemble a viper’s–amber with a slit pupil. “To be honest, I was a bit curious what you might have that would make Cassian come begging for help–and for a feeder no less. Your reputation has reached this far.”

“And?” I ask. “Is there anything special about me?”

She tilts her head slightly, looking thoughtful and somewhat intrigued. Her tongue slips out to lick her lips, and I take a step back when I see it’s bifid. I guess my comparisons weren’t so far off.

“Do you want me to tell you you’re special?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Am I?”

“No.” She exhales through her nose. “I don’t feel anything special in you, so tell me why you’re here.”

My shoulders sink at her words, and in an attempt to hide it, I begin to speak with confidence. I describe everything that’s happened recently–my problems healing, the fever, the experience in the garden when I lost some of my senses and then recovered them.

She bursts into laughter when I finish telling her how Cassian’s doctor couldn’t find a solution or explanation.

“Of course he couldn’t.” She holds her belly, as if laughing too hard had hurt her. “What’s happening to you is magical, not scientific.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let me check something.”

She’s as quick as the animal she shares traits with. Her hand grabs mine, and before I can protest, I feel a small prick on my finger. She brings the bleeding finger to her mouth and licks the drop of blood. My skin tingles when I feel the roughness of her tongue.

A few seconds pass with Naja’s eyes closed, though I notice the faint flutter beneath her lids.

“A curse,” she says. “You’ve been cursed.”

“What? Why me?”

“I don’t know, to both questions.”

“Can it be cured?”

“Not today,” she hisses. “Tomorrow is the full moon, and magic is stronger with it. We’ll do it tomorrow.”

“And in the meantime?”

“In the meantime, get out of my sight.”

She shoos me away with her hand, making it very clear I’m no longer welcome. It’s almost like my feet move on their own, because I walk with no will of my own. I reappear outside effortlessly, where a grumpy Evanora seems to be cursing out a very amused Drystan. Both turn to me the moment they see me,

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