“We’ll get you out of these clothes first,” Dominic said, his voice holding a rare note of gentleness. “Then we’ll see to this.”
“There’s blood,” Verice said sharply. “On her skirts.”
“Blood?” Dominic asked sharply. “Warna—”
“Lord and Lady, can this day possibly get worse?” Warna moaned. “It’s my monthlies, I think. On top of everything else.”
The knot in Verice’s chest released, and it felt a bit easier to breath. Not a wound then. Or something worse.
“We’ll check you out to be sure,” Dominic said, leaning forward to seemingly peer at the vomit. “What brought this on?” he asked. “Was there fever? Pain? Did you eat—”
“Queen Blesenthala said it was hibiscus tea,” Verice offered.
Warna muttered a few pithy phrases about the Queen. “It was gwenwyth,” she panted, after her strength ran down.
“Gwenwyth?” Dominic frowned. “That can cause illness in a human, yes, but not this violent a reaction. At least, not usually.”
“I drank the entire cup,” Warna admitted.
Verice jerked in shock. Dominic sputtered. “An entire cup?”
“Why?” Verice asked. “If you knew—”
“Because she knew,” Warna sagged against the wall. “Because she knew I knew she knew.” She sighed. “Maybe just to spite her.”
“Warna,” Verice whispered, half in admiration, half in dismay.
“We’re home, aren’t we?” Warna closed her eyes, looking sick and weary.
Verice reached out, and gently placed his hand on her head. “We are,” he admitted.
Warna swallowed, then grimaced. “But drinking the entire cup,” she sighed. “May have been a mistake.”
“How long ago?” Dominic asked.
“I don’t know,” Warna said wearily. “We sat there, staring at one another until...it seemed like forever.” She coughed, glaring at the jakes. “It was violent when it hit.”
“You vomited on the Queen’s slippers,” Verice said, thinking on the room.
“I was aiming for her lap.” Her disappointment was clear. “No more than an hour, I think.”
“Well, now I know what I’m dealing with,” Dominic said firmly. “We’ll need water,” he glanced at Verice. “Fresh clothes, and clean cloths. I’ll send one of my apprentices for medicines. There’s no sense in moving her—”
Warna heaved, bringing up little more than spit and bile.
“At least until that stops,” Dominic added. He raised an eyebrow at Verice. “My lord, give us some time to see to her.”
“I—” Verice hesitated. “Warna—”
She gave him a wan smile. “Go,” she said. “I’ll be fine.”
Verice stepped back, reluctantly, then returned to the main doors, to find Ricard waiting with Ersal and a half-dozen of the staff. “Dominic needs water, hot and cold,” Verice said.
One of the men in the back darted off.
“Some fresh clothes for Warna, and clean cloths and towels—”
Two more disappeared.
