Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) by Stormy Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

before she’d laugh with me the way she was laughing with him.
    I sighed as the first woman approached me and Baleon handed me a notepad and pen. Her blonde hair was long and loose, and it looked too much like another blonde I didn’t want to think about. I could tell she was nervous by the way she twisted her hands together repeatedly.
    “Hello, I’m…Micah. It’s nice to meet you.” I did not want to be Prince Mikail to these people. I wanted to be one of them, to belong somewhere. I lifted my eyes to meet hers and brought forth a smile.
    “Hello. I’m Willow. I’m a Mage and a healer.” Her voice was so low, I thought I might be the only one to hear her. A healer? My face must have given away my question because she laughed, a soft melody that brought a smile to my face before I could stop it.
    “Yes, I’m here. The only one here, actually,” she said as she looked around at the empty deck. “Not because I wanted you to write down my name, but because I could see you needed me. I was there. I saw what you did for us with my own eyes. I’m one of the few who were not pregnant at the time and I fought as well as I could. I only wish I’d seen Amelia’s father go down. I might have been able to help him. As it is, I consider it my duty to help you, if you’ll let me.” Willow spoke quickly, the words coming out in a rush as she continued to fidget.
    I was silent a moment. She stood there simply because she wanted to heal me. There were few times in my life where someone had done something for me out of personal choice.
    “I don’t know exactly what my mother did to me. All I know is I was hit multiple times and the pain is merciless. Each time Baleon finds a way to stop the pain in one place, it materializes in another. If you can stop it, please do.” Part of me wanted to move inside, but staying out here was a political move. It showed the others I was willing to be real in front of them. No one but Willow had approached me to follow Aidan’s order of logging their abilities. I needed help in more ways than one.
    Bale tried to object, but I quickly silenced him and motioned for Willow to proceed.
    She squatted down in front of me and took my hands. It was a closeness I hadn’t had since Bethany and I wasn’t prepared for the feeling of soft, warm skin touching my own. I saw Willow’s healing energy. It was the same green as Cole’s power, but a grassier shade. I watched the smoke gather around our joined hands and it reminded me of the leaves in the maze behind the library — the deepest, brightest green, promising life.
    “I feel what she’s done and it’s going to take more than I expected, but I think I can rid you of the spell. Brace yourself. This won’t be pleasant.” Even while her words should have concerned me, the melodic tone of her voice had lulled me into complacency, making me wonder if this was part of the healing process. Then, pain ripped through me.
    I cried out as I heard her yell, “Hold him!” and felt large hands on my shoulders. As the next jolt of pain flared through my core, my eyes popped open and I watched as tears streamed down Willow’s face. She held onto me with one hand while a steady flow of red power came from the other. The fire that flared throughout my body, singeing my blood and scalding me from the inside out, was now bursting from her palm.
    Seeing her in action forced me to hold myself together and stop fighting the process. Bale’s grip released marginally and eventually, Willow let go of my hand. She dropped to her knees in front of me, her breaths shallow as she folded forward, her palms flat against the deck.
    I gestured for Baleon to help her. He crouched down and spoke in low tones to verify she was okay. He helped her stand as another woman mounted the stairs, coming toward us.
    “I’m sorry, Prince Mikail, this is what happens when she goes through an intense healing. She will be fine. She just needs rest.” The young woman tried to