Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley

jealous. And I want nothing more than to help you through this trial.”
    Jenevier kissed her friend on the forehead and embraced her. “I know, Jezreel, I know. Well… we better get started now. The Shadow Wraiths may soon be upon our doorstep.”
    “I love you, Jenevier,” she whispered.
    “I love you, too, Jezreel. I always will.”
    Jezreel began heating the water while Jenevier collected the needed ingredients.
    “Very well, then. I’m on my own this time, ‘tis true. Hmm… now let me see.” Jenevier tapped her finger against her cheek. “I wonder why it is most potions call for powdered dragon’s blood or dried dragon’s blood or crushed dragon’s blood?” she mused. “I mean, pretty soon all the Dragons will be dead and gone from all this bleeding. And then what shall we do?”
    A muffled laugh came from the far side of the kitchen. “You tease, do you not?” Alastyn said with a huge smile.
    Jenevier’s attention was on the prophetic recipe. “Hmm? Tease about what?”
    “About the dragon’s blood. You don’t truly believe it comes from real Dragons, do you?”
    He stepped further into the kitchen, leaning back against the wall as he watched her work.
    “Well, where else would it come from?” she asked, innocently.
    He smiled. “It is a beautiful red flower with talon-like thorns. It grows only in the deepest parts of an Elven forest in the outer lands. The plant is called Dragon’s Blood.”
    “How do you know this?” Jezreel snapped.
    He didn’t even glance toward the other girl. “I have seen it.”
    “You have been to the outer lands?” Jenevier looked up at him then, suddenly curious.
    “Many times.” He smiled again. “I used to go with my father and mother. She loved to travel and explore new places. But that was a long time ago now.”
    “Why are you here, really?” Jezreel spat. “Everything we find strange or unusual, you seem to know all about it. Why is that? Huh? Truth be told, I’ve never even seen you in Tamar Broden before today. How is it you just appeared out of nowhere? Tell me.” She narrowed her hard glare. “I think it very strange indeed that the first time we ever saw you… was just as the Prince approached us. Perhaps you know him.” She continued to goad the young man. “Are you a friend of his? An ally? Perhaps a minion? Isn’t it true that you’ve actually come here to steal Jenevier away yourself—deliver her to your dark master?”
    “Hold your tongue, Witch. God forbid!” Alastyn yelled.
    “Stop it, now!” Jenevier slammed the wooden spoon down against the stove. “First of all, Jezreel is not a witch.” She pointed back and forth between herself and her friend. “ We are not witches.”
    Alastyn blanched at her unusually sharp words. “Apologies, Jenevier. But… what am I to think? She was about to cast a spell upon me but a moment ago. And then your aunt’s writings all talk about your family powers…” He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry.”
    Jenevier was losing patience and what precious little time she had left. Her frustration was growing, quickly pushing her to the breaking point.
    “I don’t know why Jezreel said what she did a moment ago. Or how she even knew it, for that matter.” She turned and eyed her friend reproachfully. “But as far as our family’s powers go, they are in healing and medicines. Not witchcraft.”
    “And just why is it you think we should answer you in our own home?” Jezreel hissed. “Perhaps it’s you who should answer a few of questions of mine, boy.”
    “This is a discussion for another day. Please, the night is wearing on.” Jenevier sighed and glanced out the window. “If the Shadow Witches (or whatever they’re called) are coming for me, it won’t be much longer now.”
    She wanted and needed her friends here, yes. But the distraction they were now becoming was maddening. She needed a clear head if she hoped to find a way out of this mess. Thankfully, silence now ruled the room