Page 93 of The Rebel's Prize

She cracked one eye open with an effort, squinting against the light. Henri's face swam into view, leaning over the bed, somewhat fuzzy. She forced the other eye open, trying to focus.

"There you are," Henri said, straightening. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been run over by a charguerre. And thirsty."

"That part we can address," Imogene said, stepping into view. She held out a glass of water. "Valentin said you would most likely be thirsty when you woke."

"What happened?" Her memory was blurry. "Did someone use the memory charm on me again?" Goddess, she hoped not. She sipped water, telling herself not to overreact. The water soothed her throat and seemed to clear her mind.

"Not you—Lucien. Do you remember?" Imogene asked.

Now it was coming back to her. The moment when she'd thought she'd lost the bond again. The confusion of panic of trying to pull Lucien free of Deandra's magic and the storm of magic she still didn't understand. And then how frail the bond had been.

"Is Lucien all right?" Heart thumping, she focused on the bond. It took a moment. Still weak. Still strange. But there.

"Yes. He's sleeping now, too. He wouldn't calm down when you fainted. Valentin decided it would be best to let the two of you sleep, see if that lets things stabilize," Henri said.

Chloe glanced around the room. Not the infirmary where Lucien had been. Or the temple. The room was too finely furnished for that. Obviously a bedroom. "Where are we?"

"One of my guest rooms in our suite at the palace," Imogene said. "Valentin wanted the two of you apart, in case it was some sort of complication of your bond that made you faint."

Chloe sat up at that. "I should go to Lucien. He'll need me."

Henri put a hand on her arm. "He's under Valentin's supervision. Even Domina Francis has seen him. He will sleep for some time."

"All the more reason for me to be there when he wakes up." She would wait for as long as needed. She had kept vigil at his bedside before, lending him her strength. She would do it again.

"Perhaps," Imogene agreed. "But it might be a better use of your time to find a way to help him."

"How?" Chloe asked.

"By talking to Sophie and Elarus," Imogene said with a grin.

"They're here?" Chloe pushed the covers away and then froze. "How long was I asleep?"

"Most of the day. Queen Sophia arrived this morning. The winds were favorable, and the navire made good time," Henri said.

"Does she think she can help? Has she seen Deandra?"

"Given what happened, we thought it would be better if Elarus spoke with you first," Imogene said. "But now that you're awake, I can send a message to let them know and ask if they're free in an hour or so."

"Why not now?" If Elarus had a way to heal Lucien, they needed to know.

"Well, for one thing, you need to eat and bathe. And for another, the queen and her retinue have only been in the palace a few hours. They will still be settling in and, I would imagine, speaking with Lady Margaretta and whoever the emperor had assigned from the diplomatic corps. I believe they are to dine with the emperor later this evening."

"They?"

Imogene grinned again. "The King Consort came with her."

"Cameron's here? Is that wise?" Given how recently Sophie had come to the throne in Anglion, both of them leaving the country seemed foolhardy. Though she doubted anyone would have been able to persuade him to let Sophie travel back to Illvya without him, Elarus or no Elarus.

"I think that is something for them to decide," Henri said. "And you have more pressing issues to concern yourself with. So, if you're feeling well enough, I suggest you do as Imogene said and eat something and bathe. Then we can have a healer examine you." He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "And now that you're awake, I shall go home and let your mother know."

Her mother. Who didn't deserve the anxiety having a daughter like Chloe brought.

"Tell Mama I will see her soon," she said apologetically. "And that I'm sorry."

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