Authors: Dena Garson
“How do we explain his recovery?”
She shrugged. “The herbs Darius has ordered and the muscle
therapy coupled with Ceros’ good health.”
“Don’t you think Darius will question it?”
“Probably. But he isn’t so foolish as to raise an alarm over
the prince’s recovery. Unless someone starts taking credit for it, he’ll most
likely never say a word.”
“You’re probably right.” The queen sighed. “Now I just have
to figure out how to delay this high council meeting until Ceros is better.”
Danet sat on the bed next to his mother. “I wish I could
tell you the medicine will kick in and everything will be fine by then, but I
cannot.”
“I know. And I appreciate you not fabricating things just to
make me feel better. While I don’t like the fact you didn’t tell me about the
thorn, I understand why you did it.”
“Thank you, my queen.”
“You have always been a good girl, Danet. From the time you
first came into my service I have never doubted your loyalty to me or my
family. That is one of the reasons I trust you with Ceros’ care.” Ceros felt
her hand on his chest. “If someone does mean him harm, he is completely
vulnerable. Your suggestion to keep the thorn a secret is probably best.”
“I suspect that as he recovers and word gets out, you will
need to increase his security.”
“I agree.” The queen stood. Her footsteps sounded as if she
was moving away from the bed. “I believe I can call upon Gehiji to help with
that. He trained with Ceros and appears to be quite capable. He has also
offered to assist in any way.” She paused. “That may present an issue if you
continue to stay day and night. I cannot allow the two of you to sleep in the
same quarters.”
She’s right,
Ceros said.
What?
Even though I would know for sure nothing was going on
between the two of you, no one else would and your reputation would be
shredded.
“As soon as Ceros begins moving and regains control of his
faculties, we’ll need to put you in another room anyway. Probably with a guard
of your own,” the queen pointed out.
“My queen, may I suggest we take this one day at a time?
Let’s see how much he recovers through the day then worry about sleeping
arrangements this evening.”
“You always were sensible.” There was a smile in her voice.
“I will think about a solution today however.”
“If I might make one other suggestion?”
“Certainly.”
“If he isn’t already, Gehiji should be moved into the rooms
next door. The more guards near Ceros the better.”
“I’ll speak with Hesina after breakfast.”
The suite doors opened, heralding the return of the queen’s
attendants along with servants carrying breakfast trays. Ceros was pleased
Danet chose to feed him before herself. He listened quietly, surprisingly
content, when Danet finally went and sat with the queen to enjoy their
breakfast.
The remainder of the morning flew by.
By lunch, Danet was able to report to the queen that she was
pleased with Ceros’ progress. He was able to move all fingers and toes and to a
certain degree, his eyes. He had even managed to swallow a couple of times.
Danet worked his muscles throughout the day but the nonstop
stream of visitors forced her to stop frequently. He picked up on her
frustration and desire to have more than a few minutes of peace. Between
visitors, family and attending servants, neither of them had any rest and by
midafternoon Danet was becoming increasingly cranky.
Perhaps you should lie down for a bit,
the prince
suggested.
I’d love to but I’m sure that as soon as my head hits the
pillow someone else will come in.
Tell the guards to keep everyone out.
I thought about it.
Do it. Blame me if you need to. Tell them you think I
need to rest.
Danet chuckled as she curled up on the bed next to Ceros.
I
should. I just need a few minutes of peace and quiet.
Ceros felt her mind relaxing and slipping into slumber. He
strained his eyes and his neck, trying to turn so he could see Danet lying next
to him. It was a wonder how such a wisp of a thing carried so much strength.
Her willingness to defend him when he was unable was a
humbling thing. Every time he thought of her placing herself in harm’s way his
gut clenched.
Now that he had seen her physical beauty, he was even more
surprised she was unmated. Her long, brown hair would be glorious when it was
unbound and streaming down her naked back. Even more when it was spread across
his pillow and her eyes were glazed with passion.
He promised himself that he would see that before the next
new moon.
It was becoming more obvious to him how much he had come to
care for her. Despite their short time together. Rank and station be damned, he
would have her. He wondered, however, would she have him?
Living with the royal family was not easy. Danet would know
that firsthand. Would she want to be even more a part of it than she already
was?
His other worry was if the poison left some lingering damage
and whether she could live with it. He felt certain she could, if she cared for
him. He sensed she was concerned for his well-being and was even attracted to
him. What he wasn’t certain of was, did she care for him as a man or simply as
she would any other patient, or even as a servant would her master? He hoped
that more budded.
She stirred in her sleep. He stilled his mind in case his
thoughts disturbed her. He certainly didn’t want her picking up on those more
tender feelings just yet. No need in scaring her off.
No sooner had Danet settled back into sleep than Ceros heard
the suite door open and close. The swish of fabric alerted him that someone was
near.
“Oh. The poor dear,” the queen mumbled from the foot of the
bed.
Danet. We have company.
As much as he hated to wake
her, he knew she would be embarrassed being caught napping.
Just a few minutes more.
Mother is here.
What?
She sat up suddenly. “My queen. I am so sorry.
I didn’t mean to…”
The queen waved Danet’s concerns away. “Don’t fret yourself,
child. I’m sure you didn’t get much sleep last night. And I doubt you’ve had
more than five minutes to yourself today.”
“You would be correct,” she said as she smothered a yawn.
“It’s a few hours until I need to dress for dinner. I can
sit with Ceros. Why don’t you run home and get some rest? Or you’re welcome to
find a guestroom and lie down for a bit. I’m always more comfortable in my own
bed, however.”
Danet looked his way. “I could use another change of
clothes,” she hesitated.
Go
, Ceros encouraged her.
I’m sure you could use
the change of scenery anyway.
“Darius should be coming by any time now. I should stay and
give him my report,” Danet said.
“I can give it to him,” the queen suggested. “Is there
anything else you would tell him that you haven’t already told me?”
Danet shook her head. “Not that I can think of.”
“If he gets upset that you aren’t here to speak with him,
I’ll let him know he should send word next time of when he expects to arrive
instead of making you sit around all day waiting on him,” the queen said. “Go
on. I’m sure you want to check in with Sebak anyway.”
“Yes, actually I do.” Danet grabbed her bag from the floor
next to the desk. “I won’t be long.” She bowed her head to the queen. “Thank
you, my queen.”
“You’re welcome.”
I will return shortly,
Danet reassured Ceros.
You’d better,
he teased.
“Oh, and Danet,” the queen stopped her as she was leaving.
“Take an escort with you, please, and have them wait for you. There’s a reason
we have them, you know.”
“Yes, my queen.”
Would you have listened if I had suggested that?
Ceros
asked.
Hard to say.
We need to talk about your willfulness.
If I remember correctly that’s not the first thing you’ve
said we needed to talk about, and it most likely won’t be the last. How about
if I start a list for you?
He sighed.
What am I going to do with you?
Her laughter rang in his head even after the door to the
suite clicked shut.
As when she made her previous trip home, Danet was greeted
at the door by her father and Ryana.
“You two worry too much,” she said as she hugged Ryana.
“I think we worry the exact amount we should.” Ryana looked
her over from head to toe. “Well, you don’t look tortured or worked half to
death, so I suppose they’re treating you fairly at the palace.”
“I’m a little tired, but fine,” Danet assured them both.
“Are you here for the evening or just a short while?” Ryana
asked.
“Only a short time, I’m afraid.”
Ryana nodded. “I’ll pack a sack of goodies for you to take.”
“Any sweetbread?”
“I promised you I’d save some.”
“You’re wonderful.”
“Would you like tea brought into your study?” Ryana asked
Sebak.
“I believe so, thank you,” he replied.
“Speaking of tea, Ryana, would you mind packing some of
Mother’s tea with the sweetbread?”
Ryana seemed surprised by the request but didn’t question
it. “Certainly.”
Almost on cue, Danet and her father turned and entered his
study. “How is the prince?” Sebak asked.
“I have seen a marked improvement since he began taking your
tonic. He has movement in his hands and feet as well as his eyes. He was even
able to swallow a couple of times.”
“Good. Very good.”
“Where does the Aspenadder plant grow? Or where can it be
found?”
“The Aspenadder has almost died out. For such a poisonous
plant, it is surprisingly delicate. Too much water can kill it but so can too
little.” He pulled a book out of the stack on his side table and flipped
through a few marked pages. “The closest location the plant has been seen is
the Nightshade Oasis.”
“The one north of the city?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I thought I heard someone saying the prince had stopped at
an oasis to meet a welcoming party, but I’m not sure which one,” Danet mumbled.
“I could ask Gehiji.”
“Who is Gehiji?”
“One of Ceros’ friends. He accompanied Ceros to Licosia.”
“Ceros?” Her father’s eyebrow lifted in question. “You’ve
been given leave to address the heir apparent, the prince of Licosia, by his
given name?”
The blood drained from Danet’s face. “Did I just call him
that?”
“Yes, you did.”
Danet sat on the edge of a nearby chair. At what point did
she begin thinking of him so informally? Surely she didn’t refer to him that
way to the queen. She would have said something, just like Father had.
“It’s all right, Danet,” her father said gently. “I was
mostly teasing you.”
“But it’s not all right, Father. I was just trying to think
of when in the last day and a half that I stopped thinking of him as the
prince, the prince whom I serve, and starting thinking of him as a friend. I
need to correct that in my own mind before it slips out again with someone who
would not understand.”
“I agree only because it would be embarrassing for you.
However,” he said as he put the book he was reading aside, “because of the
connection the two of you share, you will never again be able to think of him
formally.”
“Gods. I’m going to have to leave Licosia, aren’t I?”
Her father chuckled. “I suggest you let this play out before
you start packing your bags.”
“But, Father, there is no way I could work in the palace and
be near him. That would be far too intrusive for both of us. Especially once he
takes a bride.” She shuddered. “That would be…”
“Unthinkable?”
Danet’s stomach hurt at the thought of Ceros with another
woman. “To say the least.”
“Actually, the thought of a destined mate with another
should make you either ill or jealous and angry enough to take on a wild boar.”
She put a hand over her stomach. “Lovely.”
“If you are truly destined, he will feel the same and want
no other.”
The question she dared not ask, not yet, was, what happened
if they really were destined? How would they make it work?
Afraid to dwell on the thought, Danet stood and took a deep
breath. “I need to get some clean clothes and I thought I would lie down for a
bit.” She smiled regretfully. “I haven’t been able to get much rest at the
palace and the queen suggested I might rest better at home.”
“You do look tired, Daughter.” He smiled. “I’ll tell Ryana
to save the tea for later. Do you want someone to wake you in an hour or two?”
“That would be perfect. And would you mind writing down
every place the Aspenadder may be found? I’d like to take that list to Gehiji.
He might be able to find out who had access to the plant and therefore who
tried to kill Ceros.”
“I will have it ready for you when you wake.”
Even though she knew her father wasn’t much for displays of
affection, she hugged him. “Thank you.”
He patted her shoulder awkwardly. “Go get some rest.”
Danet hurried up the steps to her room. She tossed her dirty
clothes on the floor beside her dresser and pulled a couple of clean outfits
out of the drawers. The thought of a long shower where she was guaranteed
privacy flitted through her mind, but the lure of an hour of sleep in her own
bed overrode it.
As expected, it only took a few minutes after she curled up
in her pillows to fall asleep.
The beast was waiting for her.
She found herself in a brightly lit room. The walls were
covered in gold, amplifying the natural light. Across from her was an oversized
bed covered in white sheets and draped with sheer white fabric. The drapes
fluttered in an imaginary breeze.
In the center of the bed lay her beast. She still marveled
at his golden body. It was soft as velvet yet powerful muscles rippled beneath
its smooth surface. The mane around his head was the same gold color but thick
and soft. Danet loved to sink her fingers into it.
As she approached, he lifted his head from his massive paws
and watched her.
“You are well then, I see,” she said to the beast. “I feared
whoever had been hunting you in my previous dream might have succeeded.”
She sank to the floor in front of the bed and studied his
eyes. It had been many years since she feared her beast, but she was still in
awe of his size and strength. She knew he could strike her down with one blow
of his mighty paw, but felt comfortable he wouldn’t.
Danet crawled up onto the bed so she could stroke his mane.
The beast turned and pushed his head into her hand, silently
asking for more.
She smiled and gladly complied. As she petted her beast, she
recalled her day for him.
“I have been asked to help our prince. He has been poisoned
and cannot move. Father found a medicine to help rid his body of the toxin, but
I worry for his safety.” She noticed an unusual fog had crept in and now
surrounded them. “He is vulnerable. If his enemy were to return to finish the
job the poison didn’t, he would not be able to defend himself.”
A rumble in the beast’s chest made her think he didn’t like
what she had said.
“I think I need to dig out Mother’s journals. I remember her
telling me stories as a child about some of the wondrous things her mother and
grandmother had done to heal people, but I know so little of our gifts I
wouldn’t know what to attempt.”
Her beast rolled onto his side and made a pulling motion
with one paw on her arm.
Danet lay on her side, facing her beast’s massive chest. She
ran her fingers over the velvety fur, letting her fingernails drag lightly as
she pulled them back and forth.
Her beast made a purring noise in his throat, letting her
know he was enjoying her affections.
“I wish to help our prince but I am afraid once he sees what
I am and what I can do, he will fear me. Maybe even force me to leave Licosia.
That would embarrass Father and maybe even endanger his work. I can’t be the
cause of that.”
Her beast looked at her solemnly then his giant tongue
darted out to lick her hand.
“Are you saying I worry too much? Father tells me that all
the time.” She sighed. “Perhaps I do.”
She put one arm around her beast and lay her head against
his ribs. His heart beat steadily inside and the sound comforted her.
“How I wish you could talk. I feel you have many of the
answers I seek.” She stroked her hand down his back. “In all the years you’ve
been in my dreams, you’ve never said a word. But then, you don’t really need
to. I usually know what you are saying.”
She turned her head and rested her chin on his side. “Isn’t
that odd?”
Her beast made a grunt then took a deep breath and exhaled
as he lay his head back down.
They lay there, soaking up the peace and quiet until he sat
up suddenly, forcing her to do the same. He looked at a particularly gray
tendril of the fog as if he heard something.
Danet’s eyes darted between the creeping mist and her beast
and she tried to determine what he had seen or heard. Her heart had not yet
slowed but she knew her beast would protect her against anything that might
step out of the mist.
Suddenly he roared loudly and rolled away from her. She
scurried off the edge of the bed, watching him. He seemed to be favoring one
paw, but she didn’t know why. She eased closer so she could take a look and try
to figure out what had happened or what had caused him pain.
His chest was heaving as if he had run around the city
twice. Every time she stepped closer, her beast took a step back. He kept
shaking his head as if he needed to clear it.
Before she could reach him, he ran around her and charged
into the fog. As she debated whether to follow, she heard Ceros call to her.
Someone
here… Come back…
His voice was too faint for her to understand what he was
saying.
Her anxiety spiked and she willed herself to wake up.
Danet!