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“Give it to me.”
Harper turned like her head was on a swivel, cocking an eyebrow at the future queen.
“I’m sure of its contents, Lexi. I wouldn’t risk …”
“I need to know, Harper,” Lexi snapped, still holding her hands out. “I’m not a wolf like you, but I still need to know.”
Harper immediately knew where she had gone wrong. Her face softened in apology, and Lexi also felt sorry.
Harper lifted the mug and handed it to Lexi, holding it on the flat of her palms like an offering. Lexi went to gently take it, then their eyes connected. The black dissipated, replaced by honeyed reverence.
“You’re as much of a wolf as I am,” Harper exclaimed. “I apologize if I misspoke.”
Lexi straightened her shoulders, giving Harper a nod of acceptance. She was on edge, there was no doubt, but she needed to know that Harper was still one of the last people she knew for sure was on her side. She couldn’t let her anger get the best of her.
“I know. I’m sorry too,” Lexi said.
Harper gave her the most minuscule of smiles, then let the mug go, placing her hands behind her back, standing at attention.
Lexi lifted the mug to her nostrils, closing her eyes to limit her focus. The scent of lavender and orange peel were robust and obvious, even with the faintest whiff. But Lexi lingered, summoning the bit of wolf she had residing in her, knocking around inside her mind like a caged beast.
She blended the tapping of her witch ancestry, separating the tangles of smells like unfurling tangled thread. Once more, the lavender was obvious, along with the orange peel, but in the visual stage of Lexi’s mind, they were too thickly applied on top of something else that was whispering just below the surface.
Like someone was trying to hide something.
Lexi was soon able to uncover the secret that hid beneath the blossom of pleasantries. That bitter, almond-like fragrance that once permeated certain gas chambers in the 1940s. She had learned about it in school and had a family member perish amidst the shameful inferno of death.
Once she caught it, the smell intensified, and her nostrils began to feel insanely sensitive. It shot down her throat like a slithering snake, and she pushed the mug away.
“Fuck, arsenic,” she said sharply. Lexi recognized the smell as soon as it burst out from underneath the lavender and orange peels. It was the same smell and bitter taste that ran up her throat and out of her mouth like tar when she had been so sick the first time. Someone had done it then and was trying to do it again.
Harper hadn’t moved the entire time, standing there, always on watch. Lexi had appreciated it. Her presence had always been something she could count on, even if she was saying nothing at all.
Lexi roughly slammed the mug and saucer onto the bedside table near the window. It crashed, nearly teetering to the floor. Her heart galloped in her chest, and that unease and distinct discomfort returned to roam around her mind like a somber panther.
“What are we going to do now?” Lexi implored. “Someone kidnapped you, fucked with my dress, and now they are trying to directly poison me?”
Harper moved to her, touching her shoulder. She craned her neck slightly so she could be at her eye level.
“I don’t want you to drink or eat anything tonight without having Xander or me approve of it. Okay? I know that sounds ridiculous, but right now, we need to narrow down our suspects.”
Lexi clapped her hands over her face, starting to feel overwhelmed by confusion and anger. Harper stroked her shoulder, giving her some reassurance.
“I don’t want any of this, Harper,” Lexi said between her fingers. “Someone has a problem with me, and they are doing everything they can to be rid of me.”
Harper took Lexi by both shoulders and stood in front of her. Lexi’s fingers fell from her eyes, gazing into her friend’s, the one friend who had only ever wanted flowers and wine for her.
“Listen to me,” she said, looking solemn but confident. “I know that this is shitty right now. But you’re their future queen whether they like it or not. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. I know that you will be the most noble and powerful queen the Kingdom of Obsidianvale has ever seen.”
Lexi slowly began to smile. It wasn’t really in Harper’s nature to give pep talks. She had always been a defender, even when they were kids. So pulling out that part of her and risking it all for Lexi was truly endearing.
It began to massage away at the thick cables of muscle that had swollen at her neck.
“You think I’ll be a good queen?” Lexi whispered.
Harper grinned. When she really showed herself, Harper was legitimately beautiful.
“I know it. You’ve had the power since we were little pups. I will be honored to stand by your side through it all. For now, we just have to get through this one night.”
