When Wishes Bleed

by Casey Bond

  Both women smiled proudly.

  “Can I be honest?” Estelle asked, glancing between us. “I’m shocked to be here. I’d never met the Prince, so I don’t know how he even knew I existed. My mother is a well-known portrait painter, and the King recently commissioned her to paint Queen Annalina’s likeness.”

  “Is that her painting in the main hallway?”

  “It is,” she beamed.

  I raised a brow. “I thought it was a picture at first glance, before I saw the brush strokes. She’s very talented. Do you paint portraits?”

  “No,” she answered. “I prefer landscapes, or more correctly, seascapes.”

  “I want to visit the sea,” I told her wistfully.

  “The Kingdom only has a sliver that citizens can access, located at the outer borders of Ten and Eleven. The rich soil ends and becomes sandy, like the earth is ending, and then it does. Tall cliffs drop straight to the deep, blue sea, but there’s a tiny beach at the bottom you can climb down to at low tide.” Estelle’s eyes took on a faraway look, as if she were painting the scene in her mind. “It’s worth it. The tide pools hold a vast array of sea life, and the water in summer is glorious. But you can’t linger. The tides are always sweeping in and out, and you don’t want to get caught unaware and have to scramble up the side of the cliff. Rough steps have been hewn along the cliff face, but they’re slick as an eel’s back from the constant sea spray. The best beaches are reserved for the naval fleet, of course.”

  “Have you been?” I asked Tessa.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Only once, and only to look at the rocks along the cliff. None of them were good for chiseling. Too porous from the constant battering of wind and sea water.”

  The tension broken, we enjoyed the ride in silence as we traveled over hills dotted with small purple flowers. A short time later, we ambled through the palace’s divisive wall and entered Sector One. “What is the purpose of the walls between sectors?”

  Estelle answered first. “Each sector is like a small city-state, with elected officials and a city structure unlike the others. Citizens pay taxes within their sectors.”

  “Which means the most densely populated are the nicest,” Tessa added.

  “Our sectors don’t have the amount of people the Core Four do, but we have enough, and our finished art earns a hefty wage. People from the Four decorate and redecorate to stay on top of trends we tell them about,” Estelle explained with a knowing smile.

  “And the trends always change somewhat.” Tessa grinned to her new friend.

  The countryside of Sector One was like that of the palace, with soft, rolling hills that were meticulously cared for. The enormous brick houses with wide, white columns weren’t palatial, but were certainly large and stately enough to be built around the palace. We passed a yard separated from the others dotting the land, trimmed with a small, white-picket fence. The house was immense, at least five stories tall. There were romantic gazebos and immaculate gardens filled with roses in every shade, scattered with lily pad-laden ponds with fountains of water gurgling and arcing from their centers.

  “That,” Estelle said, sliding closer to the window we shared, “is Rose’s house.”

  I knew she was from Sector One, but I was startled that she lived just a short ride from the palace.

  Tessa snorted. “And unlike us, she knows Tauren. She’s known him since they were little.”

  “They didn’t seem that close,” I argued.

  Tessa nodded. “I wouldn’t say they were close. Not friends, perhaps. But certainly, she’s attended balls at the palace with her father. Tauren was definitely acquainted with her before he extended an invitation.”

  Estelle shrugged. “It’s his right to invite whomever he likes.”

  “Do you want to be Queen?” I asked, waiting for her answer.

  Estelle looked me up and down, her eyes catching on my turtleneck, then on my gloves. “Do you?”

  Tessa started laughing. “It won’t be me. I’m absolutely sure of that.”

  “Why?” Estelle asked, sliding back toward Tessa, her eyes glittering with interest. She wanted to hear all the juicy gossip.

  “Rose is right. I have calloused, manly hands. If I became Queen, I would never be able to do what Annalina did and leave my passion behind.”

  “You would have to, if that’s what the Kingdom required,” Estelle said gently.

  “Would you be able to give it up so easily? Never hold a brush in your hand? Never mix a new shade, or a familiar one? Never visit family or the sea again without a guard with you?” Tessa challenged.

  “I really like Tauren, so I don’t know what I’d be willing to leave behind,” she mused. For the first time, Estelle stared out the window and was quiet.

  “I don’t understand why you’d have to give up your passions just to wear a crown,” I gently observed.

  The other two shared a look, but remained quiet.

  We passed into Sector Two, where the buildings rose to hold the blossoming population. And then into Three, which to me, looked identical to Two. If it hadn’t been for the wall dividing them, I wouldn’t have known we had crossed over.

  The carriages ambled through the streets, eventually stopping in front of a large, stone and metal building. “Do sculptors make these smooth stones?” I asked Tessa as we climbed out and stood beside the Sector Three Children’s Medical Ward.

  She nodded. “Those who love the feel of working rock but who can’t sculpt, shape stone for the Kingdom. They make a decent wage.”

  Tessa’s hand drifted along one of the stones as we walked forward to meet Tauren, Rose, and Leah. The crew unpacked the carriages behind us.

  Tauren left Rose and Leah to speak with Estelle and Tessa, while I stepped closer to the crew, studying the faces of the three men and two women. They were rushing, gathering their things and preparing their recording devices. Each of them who met my eye looked away, as did Tauren when our gazes met.

  He was still angry. I didn’t regret binding my soul to his, so we were at an impasse.

  Tauren led Estelle and Tessa up the short set of stone steps and held the door of the Medical Ward open for them to pass through. Leah filed in next and then Rose, who touched Tauren’s arm as she thanked him for holding the door for her. The camera crew caught every movement. Every word.

  I climbed the steps, prepared for him to leave me behind and get my own door. Instead, Tauren waited. Our eyes collided as I passed him, and though we never spoke a word, a thousand passed between us.

  The crew followed us inside. Tauren shook the hand of a middle-aged woman with tawny hair, streaked gray around her face. She fawned over the Prince, thanking him for bringing us. The woman knew him well enough that I couldn’t help but wonder how often Tauren came to visit the ill children in his kingdom.

  “This is Doctor Kingston,” Tauren said. “She will be giving you all a tour of the ward. Some of the children are very ill. You’ll be able to see them and wave at them, but you cannot get near them for their own safety. Each of us carry germs that could harm them. She will let you know if and when to approach or stay in the hall.”

  Doctor Kingston wore a sturdy white coat that swished as she walked down the hall and up a set of steps to the second floor. At the landing, she smiled kindly at each of us. “The children on this floor are almost ready to go home. I’d ask each of you to wash your hands before touching them, but you are free to speak with or approach any child.”

  She glanced at my gloved hands. “Miss Sable, are you comfortable removing your gloves?”

  The ichor on my skin began to tingle, as if it were coming alive. “Yes, Doctor.”

  She inclined her head and waited as the ladies washed in a nearby washroom. I was the last to wash my hands. When I removed my gloves, Estelle’s mouth dropped open. She looked from my face to my hands, then to my throat.
In the mirror, I could see that the stain had spread beyond the tall neck of my shirt. Like a dark flame, it now licked at my jawline.

  Fate sent a calming wave of energy through me just when I needed it. Tauren was concerned. I could see it in the tension between his shoulder blades as he bent to wash his hands beside me. He was probably embarrassed of me. Most likely wanted me to return to Thirteen and never set eyes on me again.

  He insisted that the crew wash their hands as well. Once they set their cameras down, he took the opportunity to come to me. “Why is it spreading?”

  “It’s not a disease; I won’t harm the children. Witchcraft isn’t an illness to be caught.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” he gritted, eyes boring into mine. “Is it because of what you did?”

  The accusation stung. “No, it was already here. It’s Fate’s doing, and he will reveal the purpose in his own time.”

  “Does it hurt?” he whispered.

  “No. It doesn’t hurt.”

  Tauren slowly nodded.

  Doctor Kingston waved her hand toward the hall. “Enjoy the children. They’re a little rambunctious, as they’re anxious to be discharged.”

  The children had been gathered into a large playroom for our visit. The room was painted a cheerful shade of pale yellow, decorated with bright posters and furniture. Some of the smaller ones pushed toy cars and rocked dolls in their arms. Older children read or chatted, sprawled across the many plush couches and chairs that peppered the space.

  Their attention snapped to us as soon as Doctor Kingston came into view. The youngest children scampered over and wrapped themselves around her legs. She laughed and plucked them off one at a time before walking farther into the room and introducing us to them.

  I was surprised to see they already knew Tauren. As he knelt, several ran to him, throwing their arms around his neck. The timbre of his deep chuckle filled the room, and he called them each by name as they reluctantly let him go.

  One small boy with beautiful dark chocolate skin and short hair with yellow lightning bolts painted on his cheeks grinned. “I’ve missed you,” he told Tauren.

  The Prince patted his shoulder. “And I’ve missed you, Wes. Has your leg healed?”

  The boy nodded.

  Rose forced a smile as Wes beamed up at her. “She’s pretty,” he told Tauren. Then he looked at Leah, Estelle, and Tessa. “They’re all pretty.”

  When his eyes found me, they grew as wide as saucers. “I’ve seen you on the telecasts!” he chirped and ran to me, stopping before he reached me. “I’ve never met a witch before.”

  I pulled a small wooden chair over and sat in it. “Well, now’s your chance to ask me anything.” I grinned.

  “Truly?”

  I laughed. “Truly, Wes.”

  “What is your talent? Water? Wind? Fire?” he asked so fast I could barely keep up.

  “I have a unique affinity,” I told him. “I divine fates.”

  “You know the future?”

  “The future is fluid, but yes.”

  Tears flooded his eyes. “Can you visit my sister? She’s on the fourth floor.”

  I glanced at Tauren, who swallowed thickly. Doctor Kingston pushed her lips together.

  Wes put his small hand in mine. “Please, Miss Sable?”

  When Doctor Kingston inclined her head, I squeezed his hand. “I will visit her.”

  “Thank you.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can help her, Wes. Do you understand?” He sniffled and nodded his head. The boy looked like he needed someone, anyone to hold him. I extended my arms and he ran into them, crying fat tears as I gently rocked him. My chest became tight, and a knot the size of the palace formed in my throat. Eventually, the boy calmed down.

  Doctor Kingston introduced the rest of the children. There were eleven, ranging in age from fourteen to four. Wes was seven. His sister, Belle was ten. I learned that the apartment below theirs had caught fire, sending plumes of flames and smoke upward. Their parents weren’t home when it happened, and the two small children couldn’t get the window unlocked and opened to escape. Luckily, a neighbor heard their pleas for help and came up the fire escape to get them out. He used an axe to break the glass and helped them to safety, but Wes’s leg was burned. Belle’s burns were more extensive, and her lungs were damaged from the smoke and flame.

  While the other women politely shook hands with the other children, Wes and I sat in the chair together and talked.

  “I get to go home soon,” he said in a quivering voice. “But I wish Belle could come home with me.”

  “I hope she gets to go home soon, as well.”

  “Thanks for sitting with me, Miss Sable.”

  I smiled. “Thank you for telling me about Belle.”

  Something happened while I listened to Wes tell his sister’s story. Fate called me to visit the girl. “Can you excuse me?” I asked Wes, standing up and following the pull of Fate. Doctor Kingston chased me into the hallway, followed closely by Tauren. The other girls looked awkwardly at one another, unsure what to do.

  “What’s the matter?” Tauren asked, waving off the cameramen.

  “I need to see the girl. Belle.”

  “You can’t,” Doctor Kingston said regretfully. “I only nodded to keep Wes from going into hysterics. She’s in no shape for visitors.”

  I looked to Tauren for help. “Fate requires it.”

  He nodded understandingly. “Please, Doctor Kingston,” he pleaded. “I give you my word that Sable will heed your every precaution.”

  She pinched her lips together. “No cameras,” she ordered.

  Tauren gave a relieved smile. “I’ll give the order.”

  While he did, Doctor Kingston turned her attention to me. “I don’t envy your affinity, Sable, but if Belle is about to die, I want to know it.”

  Fate didn’t confirm or deny the girl’s status. “I will let you know after I see her.”

  She inclined her head, and when Tauren emerged from the room, the three of us jogged to the fourth floor. Half of the rooms were empty, the curtains pulled back to allow a clear view of the sterile rooms. The other half’s curtains were drawn, concealing the ill from light and intrusive stares.

  Belle’s room was at the very end of the hall on the left. Doctor Kingston made us wash our hands again and don a plastic gown and mask. Then we were permitted inside.

  Belle was hooked to several machines that emitted different-sounding beeps. I followed a vast array of cords and tubes to the girl. Her eyes danced beneath their lids. Her lungs expanded harshly and then deflated with a hiss. At my quizzical stare, the doctor supplied, “She’s on a ventilator.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “A machine that breathes for her. Her lungs were badly singed in the fire.”

  I could only imagine what she’d experienced, and at such a young age. The fingers of my right hand began to tingle, and I started to reach for her. “May I hold her hand?”

  The doctor nodded and watched carefully as I took the girl’s limp hand in mine, clasping my other on top. As I closed my eyes, a scene emerged.

  One of terror. Of distorted, super-heated air, of clawing at a windowsill, tears and fear for Wes. Belle tried to break the window, but she wasn’t strong enough. She even tried hitting the glass with a chair, but the wooden legs bounced harmlessly off the window before splintering to pieces in her hands. She managed to crack the window a little, but the glass was still too strong for her to break, and the fire spread so fast. She covered Wes and shoved his nose and mouth toward the crack in the window so he could drag what little fresh air was available into his scorched lungs. He screamed for help, and she screamed as the flames spread closer.

  Fate stirred. He showed me how this girl was destined to help others. To learn to be a healer like Doctor Kingston, and to
wear her own white coat. But first, she had to heal. She had to wake up.

  I had no power to affect these things. There was no spell I knew to regenerate her lungs, or to erase the burns marring her head, face, arms, legs, and trunk.

  But Fate could intervene. He could take it all away and make her whole again.

  I clasped both of her hands, lending Fate my lips. He whispered over her, an incantation as ancient as he and nearly as powerful. The ichor that had stained my hands seeped slowly into the girl, healing every raw wound. Every puckered inch of flesh became new. Where the hair had burned away, it grew in soft and fuzzy.

  Fate used me, whispering over her until she looked perfect and not even a scar remained. She sacrificed herself to save her brother, and Fate rewarded valor.

  He rewarded selflessness.

  Her healing complete, Fate brought Belle out of the deep sleep in which she’d been entombed. The girl’s eyes blinked open drowsily. I smiled at her. “Hello, Belle. Please be calm.”

  Doctor Kingston, her hands covering her mouth and her eyes swollen with tears, burst into action. She called for a team to help her, and they worked to remove the tube from Belle’s lungs.

  Suddenly aware of the unnatural obstruction lodged within her throat, Belle began to panic.

  I held tight to her hand, sending calming thoughts to her and settling her back into a light sleep. “She will wake in an hour,” I told the doctor.

  “Thank you,” she cried, swiping tears from her cheeks.

  I stepped away toward the door where Tauren waited, still as death.

  “The magic in your skin was meant for her,” he marveled.

  I nodded. That was how Fate worked sometimes. I’d learned not to question it. He always revealed himself in his time, not mine. Flexing my hands in front of me, I saw that all the ichor was gone.

  Tauren took my hand in his. “Thank you, Sable.”

  “It wasn’t me, but you would have done the same. You’d do the same for every child in this ward, if you could.”