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My heart pitches toward the floor.
“Enough antidote?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. The blood drains from my face when she nods. “Who didn’t make it?”
She sniffles and drops her voice to a whisper. “King Rukkus.”
The world tips upside down at the news. He might not have liked me, but the king spared Darsan and Sedric. He sent troops to Hyatt and offered my kingdom his protection. He loved his family fiercely.
And now he’s gone.
“No,” I breathe before I can stop myself. “How is everyone else?”
Liz is quiet for a moment as she tries to get her tears under control, but when she answers her eyes well up again. “Oryx isn’t doing well. I don’t know if he’s going to pull through.”
Her composure cracks completely and she dissolves into tears. In all the years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen Lizette so heartbroken. She’s normally comforting me when I’m breaking down, not the other way around. Even though I’m still weak, I force myself to my feet and throw my arms around her neck. She cries harder in my embrace and buries her face against me, sobbing uncontrollably.
“You did your best,” I say, rubbing a comforting hand on her back. “No one could have asked for more. We all owe you our lives.”
“You don’t understand,” she sniffles and pulls away to wipe her tears on the back of her hand. “I can’t lose him.”
I cock my head to the side in confusion before I understand. All the alone time they’ve spent together suddenly makes sense.
“You’re in love with Oryx,” I whisper.
She nods her head up and down slowly and wipes her tears again. “It’s stupid, I know.”
“Why would it be stupid?”
Tossing her hands in the air, she sighs exasperatedly. “Because I’m just a maid, Irissa.”
“And?” I say, my brows knitting together. “Why does that matter?”
“He’s a prince.” Her gaze falls to the floor between us. “According to Ulleh law, I’d have to be ranked higher than a commoner to marry him.”
My heart aches for her, knowing there is nothing I can do to alleviate her pain. I can’t imagine how badly it would hurt to be in love with someone that I’m forbidden to marry merely because of my social standing. It’s harsh and unfair.
“Does he love you?” I ask.
She nods, her gaze still downcast.
“There has to be something we can do,” I say optimistically. “Laws can be rewritten. Things can change.”
“It won’t matter if he dies,” she says, her voice quivering. “And it’ll be my fault—”
“He’s going to make it.” I grab her hand again and squeeze it. “He’s going to be okay. Why don’t you go sit with him? I’m fine here.”
“I promised Nor I’d come check on you.” She pulls her head up. “He’s eager to see you.”
“He’s awake?” I ask, wondering why he didn’t come to see me sooner if he was so concerned.
“Barely.” She stands and helps me to my feet. I’m still a little shaky, but the elixir has restored some of the strength in my limbs. “He’s weak and can’t walk yet. The antidote didn’t work as well for them as it did for you, but more ingredients should be delivered this evening and I can make another batch.”
The infirmary is a long hallway, lined on each side with ten doors that lead to individual sick rooms. Lizette leads me across the hall and taps her knuckles lightly on the door before pushing it open. The room is identical to mine with only a bed, a table, and a chair. My eyes fall immediately to the bed where Nor is sleeping with the covers drawn over him.
When the door shuts behind us, his eyes pop open and lock with mine.
“Irissa.” His voice is ragged when he speaks. “You’re okay.”
Flooded with relief, I hurry to the side of the bed and brush my hand against his face. I want to throw myself on top of him to erase the space between us, but I don’t want to hurt him. Instead, I lean down and press my lips to his forehead.
