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When our cousin died, Laurence had told me in confidence that he would only take the throne to hold off the inevitable chaos of a headless state. Then, a few weeks later, he had come up with the plan for an heir. Since I wanted children and a family, a hope I had given up years before, I had readily agreed to the scheme as long as I had a choice regarding my husband. Now I didn’t have as much choice as I thought.
Lord LaRue openly assessed my figure as he bowed over my hand. The glint in his eye had nothing to do with attraction or appreciation and everything to do with greed. My stomach turned.
“Excuse me, Laurence.” I curtseyed to my brother. “I feel slightly faint.”
Laurence’s glare reminded me I wasn’t to show public weakness. But it was too late, and far too true. Whatever had been in the elixir that Emrys had given me was wearing off.
“I didn’t sleep well last night. Pardon.”
Laurence waved me off. “Go rest so you will be fresh for the dancing this evening.”
I stifled a groan and rushed for the door as fast as propriety allowed. A week of nightly events still lay ahead to celebrate the new king’s ascension. I didn’t put it past Lord LaRue to attempt to claim a dance early, and I had no wish to dance with him or anyone else. I longed for the quiet of Emrys’ garden and our friendly conversation.
~~~~~
Emrys
Kate arrived late again. As the hours passed, I grew more fearful of what her condition would be when she appeared. I lingered in the shadow of the magnificent tree, watching and waiting. With three vials of elixir already stowed with my new book and swords, I felt as prepared as I could be under the circumstances. Too tense to read, I paced through the shadows, watching the spot where all the princesses usually appeared.
A soft movement of air signaled the arrival of another shadow elf. He handed me a piece of paper and then disappeared again. The message read:Party finished. Princess retiring soon.
Minutes later, she appeared. Curled up on her side, her already slight figure appeared tiny as Kate clasped her knees to her chest despite the excessively voluminous blue velvet skirt. I crossed to her side and knelt without touching her. I didn’t want to wake her if it was better to let her sleep.
Her pale, translucent skin practically glowed in the diffused light of the orbs in the trees. Midst the freckles, I could see tracks where her tears had dried. Part of me wanted to wake her and demand she tell me who had hurt her, but I couldn’t. Considering everything, she could be simply crying because she had been suffering from her illness.
I reached out and brushed the back of her hand. Her skin was ice-cold. I checked her forehead and found it the same. My uncanny awareness of her heartbeat, steady and strong, tempered my panic for the moment. Still, leaving her to sleep on the cool grass wasn’t an option. Even as we neared midsummer, the evenings remained cool in the highlands of the north.
“Kate.” I caressed her hand again, keeping a respectful distance so she wouldn’t startle when she woke. “You need to wake so I can get you somewhere warmer.”
“Emrys?” She stirred and blinked up at me. “You are so blurry.” She groaned. “Not again.” Lowering her chin to her chest, she slowly breathed deep and then released the air. “I hate nausea.”
“I am going to pick you up.”
“Only if you don’t mind me throwing up all over you.”
“I would prefer you don’t, but I will survive if you do,” I responded. Hefting her into my arms, I tucked her against my chest. “When did you last eat?” We moved into the familiar domain of wraithwalking, and within moments we were back under the willow where we had lingered the night before.
“At midday,” she replied, nuzzling deeper into my arms. A shiver gripped her. “You are so warm.”
Spotting another shadow elf, I signaled for him to fetch food. Holding her close, I lowered myself onto the couch. She smelled of wine, heavy perfumes, and smoke, but beneath the scents of the party, a subtle hint of something far more pleasant lingered.
“Are you willing to take the elixir again?” I asked. She was far worse off physically this time. I doubted the elixir would do as much as it had the night before, but I was willing to try anything.
She nodded against my shoulder. Her voice slurred slightly as she said, “Please.”
Freeing one of my hands, I flicked my spell. Three vials fell into my hand. I set them on the edge of the table set beside the couch in preparation for the coming meal. Selecting the correct one, I unstopped it one-handedly. “Considering the severity of your symptoms, perhaps taking it undiluted would be wise.”
She accepted the offered vial, almost dropping it in guiding it to her mouth. A quick swallow, a grimace, and she finished it.
“That tastes nasty.” She wiped away the last dribbles from her mouth with the back of her hand.
I smoothed her flyaway hair back from her face. “That was why I diluted it last night.”
She grimaced again. “It has a nasty aftertaste, too.”
“Food is coming.” I slid her onto the couch as the servants approached with our meals. Rising to greet my steward, who had come out to meet Kate, I pulled him to the side to request additional water brought.
“Is she well?” he signed with a careful frown. “Her coloring looks off for a human.”
