Authors: Dena Garson
After Gehiji’s late-night visit, Danet fell asleep without
tossing and turning.
Ceros sensed her tension and the jumble of thoughts
streaming through her mind. Thankfully that quieted after talking with Gehiji.
He hoped it was because they had the start of a plan and not because of Gehiji.
He knew the moment she woke. She stretched then the
seemingly nonstop parade of thoughts began again. How she sorted through
everything floating around her mind was amazing.
Good morning
, Ceros said. He heard her move around on
the lounge.
Good morning.
He sensed her worrying about her appearance. Some things
must be universal for all women.
I’m sure you look fine,
he said, trying
to reassure her.
Yes, well, you don’t have to face an endless stream of
royalty before luncheon.
He chuckled.
How are you feeling this morning?
she asked.
A little stiff in my back, but otherwise well.
Good. Let’s have a look then I’ll go freshen up.
Danet checked his temperature and heartbeat. He sensed she
was happy with what she found. Next she checked his neck where the thorn had
been.
The redness and swelling are almost gone,
she relayed
then moved to examine his hands and feet.
It may be me and wishful thinking
but it seems as if there is a little more response in your extremities. I’ll do
a more thorough check after breakfast, but that’s very good news. I hope it
means the thorn had something to do with your condition and that you’ll
continue to improve.
I’m not worried.
Danet laughed.
Liar.
She patted him on the chest then
stood.
I had better make myself presentable before anyone shows up. By the
way, what is your favorite song? s
he asked.
Why?
I was hoping you could hum it while I’m in the bathing
room. Since you’re in my head, it feels as if you’re standing right next to me.
I would feel better having a few minutes of privacy, if you don’t mind.
Ceros chuckled.
Very well.
Thank you.
He heard Danet telling the guards to keep anyone other than
the queen or Hesina from entering until she said otherwise.
Start humming,
she reminded him.
He hummed the first thing that popped into his mind. It was
a bawdy tavern song he learned while living in Shirghada. Hopefully she didn’t
know the words.
While Danet washed and dressed, Gehiji snuck in. Ceros
listened with half an ear as Gehiji reported what he learned about palace
security. Or lack thereof. He was distracted knowing Danet was very likely
naked in the next room. He didn’t know what she looked like, but had a very
active imagination.
He felt her sigh as she admired his oversized tub then held
his breath as she debated taking a long soak. Thankfully she decided she didn’t
have enough time. The thought of her soaking in his tub was far too appealing.
“How did you get in?” Danet asked Gehiji when she returned
to the sleeping area.
Gehiji didn’t say anything but Ceros guessed he had made
some gesture or facial expression that answered her question.
We are trained to get into more secure places than this,
Ceros
informed her.
She harrumphed. “Did you have breakfast yet?” she asked
Gehiji.
“No.”
“Would you like for me to have them bring you a tray when
they bring mine?”
“Thank you, but no. I will take breakfast in the hall.”
Gehiji added, “There’s a rather pretty girl I keep seeing at meals but I don’t
know who she is yet. I’m determined to find out before the setting of the suns
today.”
Remind him the councilmen are of more import than some
mysterious woman flitting about the palace.
Danet chuckled.
Somehow I doubt it will be an issue for
him to do both.
No, but the reminder won’t hurt him any.
“Ceros asked me to remind you about looking into the
councilmen.”
Gehiji flicked his hand as if to wave the thought away.
“Already working on it.”
“But how? We just discussed it last night.”
“That’s true.”
“When did you have time? Don’t you sleep?” she asked
incredulously.
“Of course I sleep. What of your father and the thorn? I’m
guessing you haven’t received word yet?” Gehiji asked, smoothly changing the subject.
“No. If I don’t hear anything by luncheon, I’ll go home to
check on his progress. Knowing my father, he stayed up half the night looking
for the answer only to fall asleep at his desk before he could pen a note.”
“I would be happy to escort you home if it comes to that.”
“Thank you. I might take you up on that offer. I’m sure
Father would love to have a chance to quiz you on Shirghada and triage
procedures you might have seen while out on patrols or missions.”
Ceros found himself jealous that Gehiji would be spending
time with Danet while he was stuck in a body that wouldn’t work.
Are you okay?
Danet asked.
Yes, why?
I’m not sure. I suddenly had a weird feeling and I
thought it was coming from you.
I’m fine.
A knock sounded on the door.
Gehiji whispered, “I’ll make myself scarce once I know if
it’s friend or foe. No need in creating alarm by my presence.”
Ceros heard faint footsteps and guessed it was Danet going
to see who had arrived. He heard Danet thank someone then the echo of the door
being shut.
“It’s a note from Father.” She hurried back to the sleeping
area. “He says the thorn is from the Aspenadder plant. A very rare and toxic
flower. Your symptoms have been seen in people who came in contact with it,
only most people die after prolonged exposure. He adds if it wasn’t for your
age and excellent physical condition, you might not have survived.”
“Remind me to thank Commander Panahasi for working our butts
off for the last year and a half,” Gehiji mumbled. “Guess it was worthwhile
after all.”
Does he have a solution for me or am I going to be stuck
this way?
“He sends a tonic to help clear the poison from your system.
He warns he made it into a condensed solution since he knew you were unable to
swallow so it may taste bad and hurt your stomach after a while.”
I’ll deal with it as long as it helps.
“I bet he wouldn’t care if it tasted like eligari excrement
if it makes him better.”
“That’s basically what he just said.”
Ceros felt the bed tip and sway as Danet climbed up next to
him.
“Do you want to wait until the breakfast tray comes so I can
wash it down with some broth? All I have right now is water.”
I don’t want to wait.
“He doesn’t want to wait,” she repeated for Gehiji.
“I didn’t figure he would. What do you need me to do?”
“Nothing really. It’s a slow process of putting small drops
in the back of his mouth then massaging his throat until the drops go down.”
Danet pulled his chin down and poured in a few drops. Then
Ceros felt her tiny hands working along the front of his neck.
Gods, that is foul.
Worse than the broth?
By far. At least I know this should help me. I’m not so
sure about the broth.
Danet chuckled.
“What?” Gehiji asked.
“He’s complaining about how bad it tastes.”
“Medicine never tastes good. Besides, it can’t be any worse
than some of that crap he cooked while we were on missions.”
Ceros laughed.
Tell him he shouldn’t criticize.
“He said you shouldn’t criticize,” Danet relayed to Gehiji.
“That’s probably true.” When his laughter died down he said,
“I had better go before anyone arrives.”
“I plan on telling the queen what we’ve discovered about the
thorn as soon as I can get her alone. I am also going to send a note back to
Father asking where that plant can be found. If it’s such a rare thing, it
might help us identify who is behind this.”
“I will check with you two this afternoon and if I can’t
catch you alone before then, I’ll come by again tonight.”
“How can I get word to you if I need to?” Danet asked.
Ceros was coming to appreciate how smart Danet was. She
grasped the deadly reality of the situation right away without getting upset or
having vapors or any of the other annoying things palace ladies often did. She
even understood the need for secrecy and stealth.
“For now, have a note delivered to my room letting me know
you need me to come by. I’ll work on a better way of sending messages today.”
“Be careful,” she reminded him.
“Ceros, be a good little patient and take all of your
medicine now.”
Tell him I’d give him a rude gesture but he might take it
as an offer.
Danet repeated what he had said, making Ceros realize how
crass it was. Gehiji’s laughter faded as he slipped out of the room.
My
apologies, Danet. I didn’t mean to embarrass you with our crude jokes. I forget
we’re no longer hiking through the wilds and need to turn our manners back on.
It’s okay. I know it’s a stressful time and both of you
need to blow off steam. I’m not running for the hills just because you were
joking with your friend.
It doesn’t excuse my poor manners. I really was raised
better than that.
Oh, I know that for a fact.
Please don’t tell Mother.
She chuckled.
Definitely not.
It was odd how comfortable he was with Danet. They had only
known each other a day but already he didn’t feel like he had to act like a
polished prince. But nor did he want to act like a total barbarian. It was a
strange mix and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
Even more strange was the fact that he didn’t even know what
she looked like. He’d only had a glimpse of her face. Her green eyes, high
cheekbones and dark hair. But what he’d seen of her personality was sparkling
and beautiful and most definitely intriguing.
And all of these feelings were for a woman with a lineage
that had been outlawed generations ago. Before either of them had been born.
Let’s try to get a little more of Father’s concoction
down,
she reminded him.
He groaned.
If taste is an inverse relationship to how
well medicine works, I should be sword fighting before dinner.
Danet laughed.
Suddenly the outer doors of his suite opened and the sound
of several pairs of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Ceros felt Danet gather
her things and scoot off the bed.
“My queen.” The rustling of fabric hinted at the curtsey
Danet made. “Did you sleep well?”
“Tolerably so. What about you?”
“Tolerably so,” she mimicked the queen’s choice of words.
“What is happening with Ceros? I assume since I didn’t
receive any messages that there was no change through the night.”
“I’m afraid not. His breathing was slow and steady, making
me think he slept. My cursory check this morning indicated a slight improvement
in his hands and feet.”
The queen came to the bed and, as was her habit, brushed his
hair off his forehead then slipped her hand into one of his. Ceros was certain
she was studying his face.
“My queen, if I might have a word with you in private?”
Danet whispered.
Not for the first time, Ceros wished he could turn his head
so he could see what was happening.
“Girls, I’ve changed my mind. I would like to take my
breakfast in here. Would one of you please go down to the kitchens and have a
tray brought up for Danet and me? Tea also. And I believe I would like my
sewing basket and journal from my rooms.”
“Certainly, my queen,” the girls replied. A flurry of skirts
and footsteps told Ceros they had left.
Once the door had closed the queen asked, “You have news?”
“I was not completely honest with you yesterday, my queen.”
“Oh?”
“I found a thorn in the prince’s hairline during one of my
examinations yesterday. I removed it and took it to Father to have it
identified so we could determine if it had anything to do with the prince’s
condition. I had a note from Father just moments ago. He identified the thorn
as being from the Aspenadder plant.”
“I’ve heard of this plant. It’s poisonous, isn’t it?”
“Very. Father sent some medicine that should help fight the
toxins. He said if the thorn had remained embedded or if the prince not been
healthy, his reaction could have been far worse.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday?”
Danet lifted her chin. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up only
to have to dash them again if the thorn had nothing to do with his condition. I
knew Father would have an answer for me quickly and that I was merely delaying
telling you.”
You should tell her everything.
Not yet,
she insisted.
“I’m not unaware of the power struggle that is going on, my
queen,” Danet continued. “Nor am I ignorant of the questionable death of King
Rashidi. It is entirely possible that someone planted that thorn in hopes of
getting Prince Ceros out of the way.”
The queen stroked his hand. “You are right as usual, Danet.
You always were a quick study.”
He felt Danet’s concern about the way the queen looked.
What’s
wrong with Mother?
She has dark circles under her eyes and looks more tired
than I’ve ever seen her.
Ceros wanted to roar in frustration.
“What do you recommend?” the queen asked.
“My first priority is still to get Prince Ceros well. I’ve
given him a dose of the medicine. I hope to see results before luncheon.
However, I think we should keep word of the thorn a secret. Whoever the
would-be killer is must not know we found it or that we’re treating the prince
for poisons.”