Page 35 of The Rebel's Prize

Silya muttered something in Andalyssian that Chloe couldn't quite catch but didn't sound complimentary. "Foolish man. He has worn himself out."

Chloe blinked.Worn himself out?It was true that Lucien's talent for truth seeking was so powerful that he was often not good at basic magics, particularly those that belonged to the other Arts. But the facial illusions fell firmly within the Arts of Air. Those came as naturally to him as breathing, even if his truth seeking meant he'd been encouraged into the judiciary as soon as he was old enough instead of being allowed to explore the more creative aspects of his powers. But he'd had no trouble using the magic Violette had taught them at any other time, and he'd worked the wards in the tent each night with no ill effects.

"What do you mean? We were only gone for two hours. That shouldn't bother him. He had no trouble with those illusions in Lumia."

Silya shot her a stern glance, placing Lucien's hand back on his chest. "Foolish child. When he used the magic in Lumia, you still shared your bond."

Chloe's heart skipped. She only just managed to avoid sitting down hard on the bed, her desire not to disturb Lucien keeping her upright somehow. "What?"

"There was a reason the healers didn't want you to dissolve that bond," Silya said. "From what I understand, there were...consequences after you broke it. Your husband...well, Domina Francis did not actually call it a relapse from the poison, but he was weakened. A 'setback in his healing' is the term the healers used. If he had not been so insistent in following you and the emperor had not agreed, I doubt Domina Francis would have been happy to let him leave the city."

"It hit him that hard?" Chloe's mouth dropped open, and she took a half step forward, halting when her knees hit the mattress. He was sick again? He'd shown no signs of being unwell in the last few days. Tired, yes, like the rest of them at the end of each day, but nothing like this. Then again, he hadn't been using his magic much. And clearly hadn't wanted to tell her what had happened back in Lumia.

Idiot man. She scowled down at him. He still had his eyes closed and, so far, hadn't reacted to Silya giving away his secret. Had he actually passed out, or was he merely pretending?

Idiot or not, if he was passed out, she wasn't going to shake him awake just yet. Better to leave him alone and focus on getting the truth out of Silya.

She turned back to the seer. "How sick was he?"

Silya shrugged. "I do not know the exact details. Your domina only asked me to keep an eye on him if he used his magic. Told me what to look for." She frowned. "If the two of you had told me he was planning to use the illusion magic, then I would have advised against it."

Chloe grimaced. That was probably exactly why Lucien hadn't told said anything. To either of them.

On the bed, Lucien muttered something under his breath.

"Do you have something to add, husband?" Chloe asked, frustration spiking the words.

"I'm fine," he said more audibly.

"That is obviously not true," she snapped back.

For a brief moment, his eyes opened, anger flashing before he closed them again.

"Perhaps you can argue later," Silya said. "For now, let us make sure he has not done any more damage."

Damage? What kind of damage?"From holding two illusions for a few hours? Is that possible?"

Silya just shrugged.

Chloe bit her lip. "All right. What do you need?"

"To start with, some time alone with him," Silya said. "And I think it would be a good idea if you sent for the healer. Perhaps you can go downstairs and ask the corporal to do so."

"If you think that's best."

"No," Lucien said in a far louder voice.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Chloe asked. "You are unwell. You need the attention of a healer."

"If you send the corporal, then he'll inform the lieutenant, who will inform his commanding officer in his reports."

"Oh," she said, understanding. He didn't want this news getting back to the emperor. "You think Aristides would recall you?"

"Maybe." He blew out a breath as though speaking was an effort.

"Maybe heshouldrecall you. If you're unwell, then this mission is madness."

"No." He shook his head. "I said I would find you, and now I'm going with you."

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