Muriel woke up with fortitude burning in her mind. She told a maid, "My throat is dry. Could you please put a spoonful or two of honey in a cup of boiled water? I don't want to alarm anyone, so try to keep it a secret for me."
Some minutes passed, and then the maid returned to her bedroom with a tray bearing a teapot full of hot honey water and a cup. Muriel thanked her and asked for her privacy.
Then, when Muriel was certain that she had her chance, she searched her sewing kit for a bone needle. She found one, and then she dipped it in the water.
She put the point to the mark on her toe.
It hurt, but not too badly. There was hardly any blood.
It took perhaps ten seconds.
The needle's point turned green.
***
"Is something wrong?" Vidar asked Muriel a bit after breakfast.
They were sharing a couch facing a window. It was raining outside. Cold water pelted the glass. Princess Arya was taking a short nap in her room.
"No, everything's been lovely, even magical." Her voice didn't have the liveliness associated with such a statement.
Vidar nodded, but he made a raspy hum in his throat.
More quiet.
Vidar asked, "Are you angry with someone?"
Muriel leaned against him, putting her shoulder and arm on his wrapped body. "Don't fret, Dearest. I'm only a bit uncomfortable."
"Why is that?"
She gave him the best lie she could think of. "An insect bit my toe. It even drew blood. Now I have a sore toe and and a bitter disposition."
One of the patchy arms went over her shoulders. It was warm and thick. The hand gripped her shoulder. "You're worried over something. That bothers me. My betrothed should live a peaceful life."
Muriel's hands were getting chilly. She thought to reach into a pocket and pull out a pair of gloves, but then she thought if Vidar felt her bare hand he would be comforted. So, she crossed an arm up to touch his hand. "I have more than a peaceful life. I have a leisurely life."
As Vidar's next words rolled out, there was the odd sound of limbs stretching. "You're not showing your honesty today."
"Excuse me?" Muriel turned to look at him, but her sight was mostly filled with hands.
So many hands!
She squealed.
Then, so much pressure, contact. She was highly restrained. All her limbs were held down as her body was being carried away. She squealed again. It was every bit as alarming as having a crowd of people grab her. The scenery rolled along as she panicked. The thought she heard men's voices, but she didn't focus on what they were saying.
Her breath shot in and out of her body. Her chest was aching as it moved quickly. Even though she was taking as much air as possible, it felt as if there was never enough.
Her backside was on a mattress.
"She might be hyperventilating! Release her!"
Doctor Bergson?
"Calm down." The doctor's voice was gentle and relaxing. "Everything's fine. Now calm down. Slowly breathe through your nose as deeply as you can."
Muriel complied, keeping her breath slow and easy. She soon realized she was inside her bedroom, sitting down on the bed with Vidar right beside her. Doctor Bergson was standing over her. Nobody was touching her.
Just then, Princess Arya entered the room, wearing a casual outfit with jumps. Her hair was mostly loose, only kept out of her face by a lone ribbon. "What's this madness? Is anyone injured?"
"I don't believe so, Your Highness," the doctor said as he continued to look at Muriel's face. "I was asked to treat an insect's bite on Miss Devin's toe, but she seems to have overreacted to something."
Princess Arya sat down on a recently purchased stool that Muriel happened to like. Her brow was wrinkled. "This isn't typical behavior. I demand you examine her bite immediately."
Shaking her head, her breath picking up again, Muriel cried out, "No! No, it's fine! I'm fine! There's no need for all this trouble over something so insignificant!"
"Breathe through your nose, remember?" the doctor reminded her. He was getting on his knees and reaching for one of her shoes. "If you don't relax you'll only damage yourself."
"If you're hiding something," the princess said in a tone that frightened Muriel, "you'd best let us see it now. If a secret of yours appeared after you married my son, then it would be quite troublesome."
Muriel's nose turned pink. She wiped at her eyes. Then she said to the doctor, "That's the wrong foot."
Doctor Bergson nodded and went to the other shoe.
When her foot was bare, the toes were examined.
He found it.
"This isn't a bite," the doctor said as he carefully held her foot in the air. "This is a small prick, and it's right on a strange mole with a blue tint in it."
Muriel put her hands over her face, but quietly gave her admission. "I don't know when it appeared, but I've been worried about it. I pricked the mark with the required tool, and I learned this was indeed a fairy's mark. I don't know what spell's been placed on me. I don't know who put the mark there. I don't know very much at all."
Doctor Bergson let her foot down. Then he took three steps backwards. "You have no idea what the spell is?"
Peeking through her fingers, Muriel folded her bare leg up onto the bed. "No, Sir."
"Has anything odd happened with you?" the doctor asked.
"No, Sir," Muriel repeated.
Vidar patted and rubbed her back. "I've heard rumors about inexperienced fairies having failed spells. It's possible that, aside from the mark, the spell on you doesn't have any effect."
Muriel squeaked and sniffled. "I ... I honestly haven't noticed anything. My body's the same. I behave the same. People react to me as if I'm the same. Is it truly possible that this spell failed?"
