Chapter 113: A cursed mark
The curtains were slightly open while faint sunlight flickered in through the bind. The subtle sounds of the crackling of flames continued to echo in the room occupied by just 3.
Abrielle, who was lying motionless on the bed, and Cedric, who had an unusually soft gaze that even if he was looking at himself he would not believe it. It would be ridiculous if he was staring at her that way. He didn’t even know when he started to carry her in such a tender gaze either.
Zoltana walked slowly towards them. She didn’t want to ruin their moment, but she wanted to save her mistress, who she owed her life to. Leaving as a maid in the castle was way more comfortable than swindling people on the streets.
Her lips parted, she was hesitant to talk just looking at the way Cedric’s thumb was rubbing Abrielle’s cheeks. "What do you want to say?" His voice was harsh, but he reduced the tone strangely like he was considering Abrielle.
"I am sorry to inconvenience you in any way, but can I take a look at the princess? I am a healing professional of the Dzari clan. Maybe I can check to be of help." Zoltana’s voice was very calm; her insides were shaking, scared of Cedric. He normally had a commanding presence around him, but he had something darker that covered him, which was influenced by Abrielle.
Cedric didn’t say anything for a while as his gaze was focused on Abrielle until a long sigh left his lips. "Fine, but if anything wrong happens to her, your head will have to find another shoulder to rest on," Cedric commented, which Zoltana nodded at.
He sat by the side of the bed and gave Zoltana the chance to check Abrielle’s condition. The hermit witch took Abrielle’s hand and a frown immediately etched in between her brows as her gaze drew to the mark on her neck.
She closed her eyes, muttering some words; in reaction, the flame mark glowed, and Zoltana jolted as she was forced to drop Abrielle’s hand. Cedric’s eyes narrowed at her actions. At that moment, the flame mark glowed, and Zoltana was forced to drop Abrielle’s hand. A sharp pain split into his head.
Her heartbeat skyrocketed, and she started taking a long breath to calm her nerves before her gaze slowly went to Cedric, who had a frown on his forehead. "I am sorry for my actions, your highness. I was just stunned by the backlash."
"I do have an idea of what is wrong with the princess. It is a very dark magic that wasn’t meant to be in her body and she just doesn’t know how to fight it." Zoltana explained then pointed at the flame mark.
Cedric’s eyes narrowed because remembered where it came from. He was the one who placed that there, but he didn’t understand why he had the usual urge to bite her or why the mark appeared.
"How is this related to her condition?" He asked patiently, giving a chance to Zoltana to speak, hoping maybe her Insights would help him.