Too late. Carolena had been too late.

The crowned prince curled his lip at the lack of response from her, and he took a step forward. She had gotten used to the height difference between herself and Shep as they had gotten older, but the sheer power and will for dominance that radiated off the prince nearly made her knees buckle.

Dipping her head down, Carolena bowed to the prince. "Good afternoon, Your Highness. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Bastian merely smirked at the gesture and moved himself to the table in the kitchen. Close enough to grab either Ma or herself. One look in those foxlike eyes showed Carolena that he was aware of their knowledge.

"We have need of a healer," Bastian turned his attention to the crown he had taken off of his head, picking at invisible dust as he spread out his offer. "And Nyssa Amoris is precisely who should come with us to fill that need."

Ma's face blanched at the words, not daring to look at her daughter. She was well aware that Ames Port was in no condition to be left without a healer. They had enough fishermen in the cottage leaving with stitches to know she shouldn't leave.

"How long would she be gone?" Carolena asked.

Bastian only shrugged. "Until she fulfills her role." Something darker flickered across his eyes that lit up that knife of a grin. "Or I get bored."

Carolena had heard the whisperings of some black market the royals participated in. Drugs, slaves, and even assassins they kept employed to ensure their rival's silence. Bastian's lack of response only seemed to confirm this, his eyes never leaving Carolena's face.

All feelings of life vanished from the cottage as the prince observed the women, that crafted warmth that could only spill from her mother floating out the cracks between the walls. Ma would find the cure, Carolena was sure of it, but coming back alive was a different matter.

"I will say," the prince mused. "That with as many people that recommended your mother, your name was also quite high on the list, Carolena."

It was her mother's turn to walk in front of her, Ma's hand gently resting on her shoulder. "My daughter will not be going."

The laughter that roared from Bastian threw salt into their wounds. "I don't care who goes." He flicked a tear from the corner of his eyes. "As much as this amuses me, I only require one. I know which I would prefer."

His eyes settled on Carolena, and it was an effort not to sneer at that gaze undressing her in his imagination. Gods damn him, he could rot in Mael's world.

"We need to discuss it first," Carolena cursed at the break in her voice. "To assure your… needs are being met."

Ma stiffened beside her as Bastian stood from the table, his sword peeking out from under the purple cloak. He grinned as he reached the door. "You have until night falls. Don't bother running, as amusing as that would be, too."

***

It would never have been up for discussion. Ma began to pack her things immediately, filling a trunk for clothing and another for any herbal remedies she would have needed.

"The Collins come each week for their tonic," She reminded Carolena as another tunic became scrunched into the hastily packed bag. "And Evalin Medows' child still had a nasty fever this morning. Tomorrow, you should check on her for signs of infection or if it worsens."

Ma rattled on about the endless list Carolena would need to carry on in her absence. The words only flowed out as soon as they came to her. A few hours more, and the last of the family she knew would be gone.

Carolena hadn't even noticed when Ma went silent, staring at a small wooden box in her hands. "This was your… It is an important family heirloom. I wanted to wait until your twenty-fifth birthday to surprise you." Her mother cracked open the box and presented it to her, both fighting back tears.

In the box lay a golden chain with a coin pendant. No signs of rust or wear were visible, but the writing on the medallion looked ancient. The metal draped around Carolena's fingers as she took it out of the box, like liquid gold flowing over her skin.

A star was stamped onto one side of the coin, the raised shape smoothed out from years of weathering. On the other lay a circle of script surrounding the imprint of a raven. Carolena rubbed the grooves of the coin with her thumb, and the metal sang to her as it grazed her skin. As if it was made for her in mind.

"Thank you," Carolena breathed. The fog from her thoughts cleared as she slipped the chain over her head, allowing the pendant to settle between her breasts as she tucked the necklace into her shirt.

Ma swallowed hard, taking in every inch of her daughter as if she were detailing every scrape, every freckle that was on Carolena's body. Memorizing someone she may never see again. "I should keep packing."

For the next two hours, Ma shoveled jars and clothes into her leather bags, wiping away tears that she thought Carolena couldn't see. When the third tear hit the pillow on the bed, Carolena had to leave. She couldn't stand the sight of Ma shaking as she wrapped the last few jars.

So Carolena said nothing as she slipped out of the cottage in search of the prince.