Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

“Stand back,” Lys said, approaching a window and preparing to break it.

“No need.” Olivia grasped the handle and pushed the main door open.

“Is that the custom in Limeros, to leave doors unlocked?” Jonas said.

“No. But it’s unlocked now.”

Jonas and Lys shared a wary look as they followed the witch into the small, vacant shop furnished with tables heaped with wax candles in every size and shape imaginable. Lysandra immediately took a few in hand and lit them with her flint to provide additional light to the small area.

“Show me your wound,” Olivia said, waving her index finger at him. “Quickly.”

Jonas removed his satchel and dropped it to the floor.

Olivia sighed with impatience. “Today would be lovely. Really.”

He glared at her.

He had absolutely no idea why she wanted—seemingly needed—to help him, but if anything she’d said was true he couldn’t risk losing this opportunity. They were looking for a skilled witch, and—as if by magic—one had just marched right up to them and offered her services.

Now wasn’t the time to question her intentions. He promised himself he’d do that later, when he didn’t feel like death itself.

That was, if Olivia could do what she claimed.

Lysandra helped him untie the front of his shirt and pulled it off his left shoulder.

“Oh, Jonas!” she gasped.

Olivia scrunched her nose up at the sight of the festering and oozing wound. “That is the foulest thing I’ve seen in my entire life. I’m truly stunned that you’re still upright and breathing.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Yes, well, imagine how I feel. Now, can you help me or not?”

She rolled her eyes and glanced at Lysandra. “Is he always this belligerent?”

“Never mind him. What do you think? Can you make some fresh healing mud?”

Or perhaps she has a bag of shiny, magic grape seeds in her bag ready and waiting, Jonas thought. Then he’d know for sure he’d fallen into a fever dream and none of this was real.

“Is that what you originally applied to this?” Olivia gagged. “Oh, my. I think I may actually vomit.”

Lys grimaced. “The mud was apparently too old to hold its magic so it did nothing at all.”

“No wonder it’s such a repulsive mess.” Olivia shook her head. “Fine. Yes, I will make some fresh healing mud since it is a perfect substance to hold earth magic. First, I’ll have to find a cow.”

Jonas was too weak to fully express his impatience for her to start, but this was truly unexpected. “Why do you need a cow?”

“What do you think the mud is made from?” she asked, a glimmer of amusement in her emerald eyes. “Cow dung is a common ingredient in many earth magic concoctions.”

She left the building without waiting for a response.

Jonas stared after her, stunned. “She means to heal me with cow dung.”

Lysandra patted his good arm. “And you’re going to let her.”

• • •

Olivia returned with a bucket of her foul-smelling findings. She ordered Jonas to take his shirt off completely and peel away all the bandages when she was ready to begin.

Lysandra peered into the bucket of brown muck. “So that’s it, is it?”