I
Petal hurried through the kitchen, arranging the plates filled with food while other maids darted around her in a frenzy.
‘The young Lord and the lady will soon be back,’ she announced, gently lifting the tray with the dishes. ‘We need to get this arranged immediately.’
Ever since Claudia quit, Petal had been in charge of managing the manor. She knew the other maids whispered behind her back, saying she only got the position because of how close she was to Kamora. But if she were to say she felt bad about it, she’d be lying.
Truthfully, Claudia’s departure had come as a shock, but Petal couldn’t say she was sad about it. She’d never really liked the former head maid—something had always seemed off about her, even if she couldn’t quite place it. Learning that Claudia had been possessed by the Fae sent to kill Kamora didn’t change her opinion. If anything, it made her suspect that the two had been working together.
A familiar, infuriatingly handsome face flashed through her mind, and Petal quickly shook it off. A time would come—very soon—when she’d get her revenge on the witch who stole her memories and left her for dead.
‘They have returned!’ a maid announced, rushing in.
Petal stepped out of the kitchen and made her way up the stairs toward the master’s bedroom, knowing that Kamora and her son preferred to eat there. She quickly set the tray on the small table arranged for two and stood by the side to guard it while two other maids waited at the entrance. A few moments later, Jarosh’s loud voice echoed from the stairway, and Petal couldn’t help but smile.
When she first started working at the manor, the young Lord had always seemed broody and distant, isolated. Kamora’s arrival—even before she regained her memory—had brought light into his dark world. One could only imagine how much the young Fae Lord adored his mother after learning her true identity.
‘That doughnut was huge!’ Jarosh exclaimed, walking into the room with his hand in Kamora’s.
‘Then why did you attempt to stuff it all in your mouth?’ Kamora asked, exasperated.
‘Welcome home, my lady,’ Petal greeted with a smile, bowing her head slightly.
Kamora turned to her, eyes warm with appreciation. She moved closer and gently placed a hand on Petal’s shoulder.
‘We are friends, Petal. How many times do I have to ask you to call me by my name?’
‘Perhaps in private, my lady,’ Petal said, her gaze flicking to the maids at the door. ‘We don’t want talks of favouritism.’
‘Well, that wouldn’t be a lie, would it?’ Kamora chuckled and moved to the bed. Petal quickly helped her remove her outer coat and draped it over her arm as she led Kamora to the table.
‘Good day, Miss Petal,’ Jarosh greeted, coming over to her side.
‘Welcome home, young Lord,’ Petal said with an adoring smile. ‘Why don’t you come over here? We’ve prepared lunch for you and your mother.’
Jarosh looked toward Kamora with a sheepish grin. Kamora sighed.
‘You won’t be able to finish the food, will you?’ she asked dryly.
‘I ate a bit too much.’
Kamora sighed again and turned to Petal. ‘Perhaps I’ll eat this alone. Store the rest away for later—he’ll definitely eat it then.’
Watching Kamora’s interaction with her son filled Petal with warmth, but a sharp pang of envy pierced her heart. Who would have thought that, despite losing her memory, fate would still lead Kamora back to Maroke Manor? And yes, perhaps Petal had helped a bit, having recovered some memories earlier than Kamora. But Lord Maroke had fallen in love with her again—even without her remembering him. And her son, who hadn’t known her true identity, was obsessed with her.
‘Mother, when do you think Father will return?’
‘He’ll probably be back later today,’ Kamora replied, taking her first bite. ‘Why don’t you go change out of your outing clothes? You can come back afterward.’
‘Okay!’ Jarosh replied and ran out of the room, the two maids quickly following after him. Finally, it was just Kamora and Petal.
‘How are you feeling lately?’ Petal asked, stepping closer.
Ever since Kamora had been attacked by the man sent to kill her, her magic hadn’t been the same. She could still use it—but not like before. Something was missing.
‘I’m good,’ Kamora said after a bite. ‘I’ve told you to stop worrying, Petal. There had to be some kind of side effect from that spell I used. I should be thankful I didn’t lose all of my powers.’
Petal had always suspected that man—the one Kamora used as a conduit—had something to do with her weakened state. It was possible he still held onto a fragment of her magic. But what could Kamora do, even if it were true? She was the one who had a bone to pick with him. And by the heavens, she would have her revenge.
‘What does your husband think about this then?’
‘Oh, don’t get me started,’ Kamora groaned. ‘He treats me like fragile glass. I keep telling him I just lost some strength. I’m not dead.’
Petal wiggled her brows, her grin turning sly. ‘But he doesn’t treat you like glass during the night, does he?’
‘Hey!’ Kamora exclaimed, blushing furiously. ‘We haven’t even gone that far yet.’
Petal’s smile faded. ‘What do you mean? It’s been months since the attack. He hasn’t done anything?’
‘He’s afraid he might hurt me,’ Kamora sighed. ‘Really, he’s just content with kissing and holding me to sleep. I’m grateful, but…it can be a bit frustrating.’
‘How about you tell him you’ve learnt a new spell that can help restore your strength when you guys… you know, do the deed?’
‘Is there really a spell like that?’ Kamora asked, eyes wide.
There was, but Petal didn’t want to raise her hopes in case it didn’t work. ‘I’m not sure,’ she said instead. ‘But at least you’d get something out of it.’
‘Knowing my husband, he’d tire me out by morning,’ Kamora said sheepishly. ‘And then I’d still have to deal with Jarosh at dawn.’
‘Don’t worry about Jarosh—leave him to me,’ Petal said proudly. She reached out, and Kamora took her hand. ‘How about your magic?’
Petal, despite having taught Kamora how to use her powers, could barely use hers anymore. She could perform small suggestive spells, but they drained her energy and left her feeling hollow. Her mind flickered to painful memories, and she fought back the tightness in her chest.
‘I’ve given up,’ she said with a soft, sad smile. ‘I’m grateful you allowed me to teach you, though. It made me feel like I had my powers back again.’
‘I wish you’d told me earlier. I would’ve tried to help.’
Kamora had only discovered Petal’s condition a few weeks after the incident, during a heart-to-heart. She’d been shocked—and guilty—that she hadn’t noticed it sooner.
‘It’s okay. There’s nothing you could’ve done. Do you know how many powerful witches I’ve gone to?’ Petal gave a tired smile.
‘But I’m not just a witch, Petal. I’m also Fae—a plant Fae.’
‘I know. That part of you is what makes your concoctions so powerful. But I doubt what’s happening to me can be solved by that alone. I’ve lived with this for years, and I still don’t know how to help myself.’
‘Two heads are better than one. I’ll try my hardest to regain my strength—so I can help you, even if just a little.’
‘Thank you, Kamora,’ Petal said, squeezing her hand.
They heard Jarosh’s feet pounding toward the door, and both women smiled.
‘You better do what I said,’ Petal added with a wink, ‘and give your son a sibling to play with.’
‘Petal!’ Kamora exclaimed, blushing all over again.
