Mystic's Touch (2 page)

It was midmorning when Danet made it to the palace. She
scurried past the main dining hall, but craned her neck to see who was taking
their breakfast. One of the prince’s sisters and her husband were just settling
in but the queen was not present.

She made her way to the servants’ area to find the one woman
who would know what had been going on around the palace the last few weeks.
Hesina was the most senior of the staff and had served since she was a young
girl. She was loyal and made it her business to know everything that affected
the royal family.

“Hesina. There you are.” Danet found the short, pudgy woman
in the kitchen, inspecting the day’s produce with one of the cooks.

Hesina waved for her to enter. The palace kitchens were
off-limits to anyone not assigned to work there. That rule was strictly
enforced by Hesina and her staff. Rumor had it the cooks had chased more than
one person out with large knives.

A couple of the kitchen staff murmured greetings as Danet
passed, which she returned in kind.

“I’ve been wondering when you’d make you way around here,”
Hesina said as Danet approached.

“I tried to find you last night, but your girls said you
were busy and I needed to see one more patient before going home.”

“You and that father of yours. Always running here and
there, taking care of others when you should be taking care of yourselves.” She
clucked her tongue.

“You’re one to talk.” Danet smiled warmly at Hesina. “So
tell me. How bad is it around here, really?”

The woman shook her head. “It’s a sad state of affairs,
child. Come.” She motioned for Danet to follow. “Let’s step out into the
gardens.”

The area Hesina spoke of was not the royal family’s lush,
cultured grounds but the functional space that grew herbs and a few fruit
trees. Despite its utilitarian purpose, it was a lovely space. Danet and Hesina
often sought refuge and quiet there.

“Has your father been summoned?” Hesina asked.

“Not that I know of.”

Hesina grunted as she sat on the edge of a raised flowerbed.
She had chosen a shaded spot far enough away from the doorway to allow privacy.
“Probably won’t be long before he is. Darius is frantic with worry that he
won’t be able to save the prince.” She paused. “So is the queen.”

“Understandable.”

“And so soon after the king’s death.” Hesina shook her head.
“I do not like the things that are happening here. Too much death. It should
not be so.”

“What do you mean?”

Hesina lowered her voice. “I mean something is not right
about all of this.” She tapped her chest with her fist. “Something tells me the
king’s death should not have happened.”

“It was an accident, wasn’t it?”

“That is what they say.”

“Who declared it to be so?”

“The council.” Hesina grunted. “Those weak-kneed old men who
wouldn’t raise a hand if the Zarenthia were beating down the palace doors.”

“Didn’t Darius have a say in it?”

“He did, but he had been to the southern border to check
into reports of some kind of outbreak. It was two days before he could be
reached and return to the palace.” Hesina looked Danet in the eye. “A lot can
be hidden in two days.”

“Strange that Darius was sent when Father was already there
and had sent word to all of his colleagues there was no outbreak. It was one
isolated case.”

“Strange indeed,” Hesina agreed.

“Do you believe the prince is in danger?”

Hesina glanced around the area. “I will say this. A council
meeting has been called in three days time. That meeting is to appoint an
interim ruler until it is determined if the prince will be capable of assuming
his rightful place.”

“Is the queen not the interim ruler?”

“She is, but only upon the prince’s authority. If he is no
longer capable of assuming his place, thus granting his authority, then it falls
to the council to appoint someone.”

“Oh Gods.”

“If my queen were of childbearing age, I would worry for
her. A posthumous heir might have put her life in danger as well. The council
has already asked her maids about her woman’s cycle.”

“Someone could be after the throne,” Danet whispered.

“I may be seeing things that are not there, but it worries
me greatly.”

Danet grasped Hesina’s hand. “Your worry may be
well-founded. I will talk with Father.”

Hesina nodded. “He will know where to look for answers.”

“In the meantime, how may I get in to the prince’s chambers
so I can examine him myself? I assume he is under guard.”

“Most definitely. The queen chose the men herself.” Hesina
stood. “But I believe we can get you in. Let’s find the girl who was assigned
to his room for today. I believe she may be feeling ill and should go home and
rest. That means someone else will need to take care of the prince’s linens.”

Danet smiled. “I seem to have a free moment to spare and
could help with that problem.”

“I thought you might.” Hesina winked at Danet.

In no time, Danet found herself on the way to the prince’s
chambers with a basket of fresh linens and a pitcher of water. As she drew
closer, she relaxed her mind to allow herself to pick up his thoughts. They
came through with alarming clarity.

Damn all the hydotcha in the kingdom. When I am on my
feet again, I’m having every one of those blasted flowers cut down. My nose
itches and I can’t scratch it! I don’t know who keeps bringing them in but I
may have them tossed out of the palace along with the flowers.

Are you always this cranky of an invalid or did you not
get enough sleep?

It’s about time. Where have you been?

If she hadn’t heard the relief in his tone, she would have
taken offense at his high-handedness.
Good morning to you, too.

The first sun has been up for hours. What took you so
long?

I warned you yesterday I wouldn’t come until the midday
meal, so actually I’m early. Even after checking on a few things.

Like what?
he demanded.

Like possible reasons for your condition and why we are
able to speak with just our minds.

And what did you learn?

Not much, I am afraid.
She sighed.
There are
several toxins that could cause this sort of thing, but nothing that matched
exactly. I was advised by someone close to me, who has knowledge of healing,
that I needed more information.

Such as?

Visual clues. Knowledge of anything you were exposed to
or consumed.

Did you tell this person you had spoken to me?

Of course not.

Didn’t think they would believe you?

Didn’t want to worry them.
She corrected him.
Oh
wait,
I need to get past the guards.

I guess telling them I said to do it won’t help.

Not a bit.
She smiled at the thought.

It didn’t take much convincing to gain access to the
prince’s rooms even though there were orders to not admit visitors. She was
well-known at the castle and being one of the queen’s own helped.

Yesterday there had only been one guard on duty. While he
was distracted by the maids cleaning the guest suite at the end of the hallway
she had been able to slip in, unannounced.

I’m here.

That was alarmingly easy. Either my security needs better
training or you know something I don’t.

Perhaps a bit of both.
She took a moment to look
around the room. She had never been in the prince’s chambers before yesterday
and even then she had been so focused on why she was able to hear his thoughts
she didn’t take in her surroundings. It was surprisingly sparsely furnished.

It’s a functional space,
he said, obviously picking
up on her thoughts.
I haven’t lived here for several years and my visits
were often short when I did return home.

But it is home.

Yes.
There was a pause.
Yes, it is.

Danet set the basket of linens on the floor not far from the
bed. The bed itself was oversized, obviously made to accommodate the prince’s
large frame. However it was a simple structure. A mattress set upon a platform,
neither far from the ground. The linens were plain but of the finest quality.

The prince had been placed in the center with a sheet
covering his lower half.

Before she looked at his face, she reminded herself she had
company in her head and shouldn’t comment on anything she saw. The last time
she had a glimpse of the prince she remembered thinking he was handsome enough
that he would never have to worry about finding his princess.

So, how are you today? s
he asked, struggling for
neutral conversation.

He growled. How he managed to project the sound in her head
was puzzling, yet it made Danet smile again.
I am alive.

Have the physicians checked on you yet?

Yes. I have endured poking and prodding again this
morning.

Did they say anything?

I heard two people whispering that, other than an
increased heartbeat, they didn’t detect any changes. They worried that Darius
would not be pleased.

I’m sure he isn’t.

I worry more about Mother and how she is handling this so
soon after Father.

Your mother is a very strong, capable woman. She will do
what she has to do to see you well and to cope with whatever comes her way.

The prince paused.
You are right.
Another pause.
Thank
you.

I speak only the truth.

She allowed him a moment to let the thought sink in. As she
waited, it occurred to Danet the connection had become stronger and she could hear
him much better. It was as if he were speaking from across the room instead of
down an empty hall.

I am going to change your bed linens to make myself busy
lest it appear I came in here just to admire your princely beauty.

You may admire my princely beauty as well.
His
appreciation of her sarcasm came through their connection.

She snorted.
I am sure you have an ample supply of ladies
to do that. I’ll stick with trying to heal you.

She pulled the sheets loose from the bed corners then
wondered how she would get them out from underneath the prince. It was
relatively easy to move a child or small-framed woman on a narrow cot with no
help. The prince was considerably larger and so was his bed.

The other maids rolled me onto my side, pushed the linens
around then rolled me onto the other side and onto the fresh one.

Ah. That makes sense.
She set to work then she said,
Tell
me how you’re feeling today. Everything you have an awareness of, no matter how
small.

Are you in a habit of telling your superiors what to do?
There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

There are very few who I would consider superior. I have
met many who, due to their birthright or good fortune, hold power in our part
of the world. However, in either case, when they expect assistance with an
issue they have brought to me, yes, I do tell them what to do. Like everyone
else, it is their choice to follow or not.

Well said.
He paused.
I heard one of the guards
call you Mistress, but I couldn’t hear your given name. What is it?

Danet stopped what she was doing. She originally thought she
could hide her identity, but that seemed a foolish notion now. If the prince
was in danger, she had no choice but to help however should could. Even if it
meant risking her freedom and possibly her life. If—
when
—he recovered,
he was bound to find out who she was anyway. It would be best if she didn’t lie
to the next king.

My name is Danet.

You are mated, Danet?

No. I was, but he passed several years ago.

Another pause.
Is Mistress a title then?
He sounded surprisingly
disappointed.

Yes, but not in the way you may be thinking. Because of
the station I hold within your mother’s staff, my degree of training and,
perhaps partially due to my family’s history, I am regarded as an elder.

How do I not know you then?

I serve your mother and on occasion your sisters. Before
you left the palace, I was unmated. I would never have been called upon to
serve you. We have passed a time or two, but there was never a need for
introduction. I’m sure there are many in the palace you do not know.

He grunted but didn’t deny it.

Starting at the top of your head, describe everything
you’re feeling. If it aches, tell me how or how much and, if possible, where.

All right.
He managed to grumble even without vocal
cords.
My head aches.

Where?

At the temples and the back of the top part.

Now that she had both sheets loose and pushed next to the
prince’s body, she knelt on the edge and considered how to proceed.

I won’t bite. Or, at least, not right now,
he teased.

I know. Just give me a moment to figure out the best way
to do this without moving you any more than necessary.
She looked at his
still form from head to toe. There was a lot of him. And what wasn’t covered by
the sheet was very nice to look at. But that was one of those thoughts that she
needed to keep to herself.

If it doesn’t offend your royal person,
she said with
a lift of her lips,
I shall attempt to accomplish two things at once. I need
to roll you over to remove the linens but I think I will also take the
opportunity to do a visual inspection.

Go right ahead. I couldn’t stop you even if it did offend
my royal person.