There was a faint cry from the Resnim Forest, and Aelys ran towards Morgana, dress streaming behind her like a silvery fish darting through dark anemone. Fatigue fell on Morgana like a heavy weight, and she collapsed onto all fours. The magic had taken its toll. But she didn't care. The chill from the frozen lake swept over her like a wintery breeze.

Aelys knelt in front of her. "What happened? I went looking for you and then I saw ..."

Morgana stared at the frozen lake behind Aelys.

Aelys shook her by the shoulders. "Speak to me!"

Morgana shrugged her sister's hands off and stood up. A coldness had spread over her heart just like the frost over the lake. "What did you see, Aelys?"

Aelys stood up, brows knitting with confusion. "I saw you covered in water, and then you pushed someone into the lake with it. But that's impossible ..."

Morgana closed her eyes, trying to slow her hammering heart. "I've absorbed too much of Elysia's magic. It's been out of control. Damon's been training me to help stop it." Her breath was coming in short gasps. "You can't tell anybody. I'm not supposed to tell anybody about the magic or the training."

"Morgana, you need to calm down." Aelys grabbed her shoulders again. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone."

"I couldn't help it, Elvenia tried to drown me."

"She what?" Aelys's hands went to her mouth in horror. "Oh, this is my fault. I should've stayed with you or had a guard escort you. I'm such an idiot!"

"You're not an idiot. Elvenia's bullied me for years."

"You were lucky that the magic protected you somehow, which must mean that the elixir isn't working as well as it should, right?"

"I don't know."

"Is Elvenia still in the lake?"

There was a tense moment where Morgana and Aelys gave the icy lake a grim look. Morgana knew that it was too late to save Elvenia. She shuffled over to the lake's edge, small pebbles clattering underfoot. She felt numb as if her blood and flesh had frozen over. There were soft footsteps from behind and a warm hand went through hers. Aelys's comforting freesia scent coiled around her like a hug, and something in Morgana's chest defrosted.

"We'll check together," Aelys murmured.

Morgana nodded, and they walked out onto the ice where the cold seeped into their shoes and up their legs like icy needles. Aelys waved a hand, blowing aside a layer of frost. What they saw made Aelys's hand tighten around Morgana's hand.

Frozen in the middle of the lake was Elvenia. Her mouth was open in a scream, lips blue, eyes glassy. Her hair was a tangled snarl.

What surprised Morgana was what little she felt. She'd just killed someone, but all she could feel was relief. Relief that Elvenia would no longer harm her. Or try to kill her. Vaguely, she wondered if that made her a bad person.

"I'll have to get rid of the body and make up a reason for why she died." Aelys chewed her lip.

"Damon made a decree that they weren't to bully me under punishment of death."

"Right, I forgot about that."

Silence fell.

"I know that you said the magic is out of control. But that doesn't explain why it did this to Elvenia and left you unharmed."

"I don't know why it didn't harm me. I was so angry and afraid, and for some reason the water did what I wanted. Maybe the elements respond to emotions?"

"They do ... for fae."

"But not for humans?"

"Not that I've heard. You were lucky that you didn't end up like her." Aelys tapped her foot on the ice. "This could've easily gotten out of control. Praise be to the Goddess. She must be looking out for you. But come on we have to go." Aelys tugged Morgana's arm and they walked back onto the grass. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't know. I don't feel anything."

"You must be in shock."

Morgana was like a frozen doll that had been left out all night in a blizzard. Stiff. Inanimate.

"I'll end the party and inform Elvenia's family about what happened," Aelys said.

"I'm sorry."

Aelys stopped walking and turned. "Don't you ever apologize. She tried to kill you. You had no choice."

"Am I a bad person?"

"No."

"Why do I feel so weird and tired?"

"Because there was too much magic in your body. Go home, take more elixir and get some rest. I'll check up on you later." Aelys gave her a hug and something in Morgana's chest cracked, like a glacier crumbling. Tears streamed down Morgana's cheeks and she sobbed into Aelys's shoulder.

**

Morgana could barely remember how she got back to the castle. The events that happened afterwards were like a puzzle with missing pieces. She remembered Aelys's soothing voice, and the dark rocking carriage, and then she was somehow lying in her bed.

Aelys told Damon about what had happened, and of course he'd barged into Morgana's room and demanded details. She'd told him everything, and he'd never been more furious. Furious that Elvenia had still attacked Morgana even after what had happened to Alston.

"They never learn," he'd snapped. Afterwards, he gave Morgana another cup of elixir. "You'll have to take three doses a day from now on, just to be safe. I'll speak to the healer and see if there's anything else that can be done." Then Damon left, and Morgana choked down the acrid liquid. She broke out into a sweat and her stomach roiled as if it were full of eels. Morgana ran into the bathroom and threw up into the toilet. Purple bile coated the bowl, and she looked at it for a split-second before throwing up again.

**

The next day Morgana was so sick that she was bedridden. She had a fever, body aches, and couldn't keep any food down. Larania had visited in the morning and tried to feed her soup, but she vomited it back up. Worried, Larania had ordered the castle healer, a withered old fae, to come visit but all he prescribed was bed rest.

At midday Aelys knocked on Morgana's door.

"Come in," Morgana rasped.

The door creaked open and Aelys entered the darkened room. Morgana's bedroom reeked of sweat. The curtains were shut because the light had given her a headache. Two candles glowed dimly on Morgana's bedside table.

"How are you?" Aelys made her way over to Morgana's bed. She wore an opal gown, and her hair glistened gold. Morgana thought her sister looked like an angel sent from the mortal heavens, but then realized it was probably the fever turning her brain into a scrambled egg.

"I feel rubbish," she croaked.

Aelys noted Morgana's pale sweaty face and the darkness under her eyes. "I made you a healing tonic, it's supposed to help with the vomiting." She held up a jug that was a pale orange and smelled of ginger. "Thought I'd put what I learned of the healing arts into practice."

"Thank you." Morgana's eyes fluttered shut. Even talking was too much effort.

Aelys poured her a glass. "I heard that mother sent the castle healer to you. Did he give you anything?"

Morgana shook her head.

"Goddess, he's useless." Aelys rolled her eyes. "Matthias only helps the males of the court. He thinks any female complaints are overreactions or imagined. That toad of a healer never listens."

Morgana gulped down Aelys's healing tonic, it was sweet and refreshing. Warmth spread to her limbs.

After a moment Aelys said, "Looks like it's working, there's more color in your cheeks." She brushed a strand of sweaty hair off Morgana's forehead.

"My stomach feels better."

"How are you after what happened at the lake? Elvenia's family were informed about what she did."

"I'm okay," Morgana said. "I'm just glad I don't have to see her again."

"Well, I'm here if you ever want to talk about it."

"Thanks." Morgana smiled.

"Is this the elixir you have to take?" Aelys gestured at the crystal bottle full of purple liquid.

Morgana nodded.

Aelys frowned. "I've never seen a shimmery elixir like this before." She picked up the bottle and studied it for a moment. Then Aelys unscrewed the stopper and sniffed the contents. Her head jerked back, and the elixir sloshed inside the bottle.

"What is it?"

Aelys fumbled with the stopper almost dropping the bottle in her haste.

"Aelys what is it?"

"Have you really been drinking this?"

"Yes, what's gotten into you?"

Aelys's face was drained of color. "It's a miracle you're not dead."

An icy finger grazed the back of Morgana's neck. "Why?"

"There's aconite in this."