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"My lady!" Lupa rushes to my side. "You're not to exert yourself at all today. King's orders."
I roll my eyes. "I'm not sure the king wants me to wet my bed."
She lets me go to the bathroom in peace, but she's waiting at the door when I come out.
"Breakfast will be up soon, Lady Helyn."
I sigh. "I'm fine. And I have to get back to Five."
Her mouth falls open. "Oh, but you're unwell."
"I've been worse, trust me." Returning to my bedside table, I finish the dregs of the witch's portion. Gosh, the mushroom-and-fart combination is disgusting. "See? I'm all better."
"But the king—"
"I'll see the king on my way out," I assure her.
I open my door, and come face-to-face with Zale, who glowers like the very sight of me offends his sensibilities.
"You should be in bed."
"You paid a witch to ensure I'd recover in record time. Thanks for that by the way," I think to add.
His hand moves to my forehead, palm down.
"I'm not a child," I grumble.
"Then don't act like one." His terse tone might have annoyed me less if yesterday's events hadn't proved him right.
I should have eaten, drunk more, and paid attention when my head began not feeling right, but his collection of books was engrossing. I figured I was just getting tired.
"You're much cooler," he allows. "If you want to return to the university, I'll take you, but you will return home if you're feeling unwell, yes?"
Home. What a strange word for a house I've slept in one feverish night—a house that belongs to him.
"Sadly, I don't think I have one of those."
Where is my home, exactly? The crowded dorm, the redbrick ducal house in the next avenue, this huge manor I've barely explored?
None of the above. But it makes sense to come back here, for now.
"I have a council meeting tonight. Don't forget to have dinner, yes?"
"In the Hall of Peace?" I ask. The international council is where all the decisions about the mortal realms of Xhera take place.
It makes sense that Zale has a seat on it. I'm yet again witnessing the difference of power between he and I.
"I'd love to see it."
He cocks a brow, surprised. "Truly? They're endless, boring, and often pointless."
I nod, ready to remind him that thanks to the title he bestowed upon me, I have the right to accompany him wherever I please.
I don't need to. "All right. Bring a pillow and attempt not to drool."
* * *
At this time, everyone's either in a late class or heading to dinner. I'm sprinting through the empty, familiar corridors, when I hit an unexpected obstacle around a corner. I fall back on my ass and my library books scatter all around me.
