Page 39 of Ties of Dust

“I…uh…” The prince’s expression suggested he was holding in laughter, but that didn’t seem right. She hadn’t said anything funny. She caught the physician sending the prince a warning look, which didn’t make sense either.

Something swirled in her mind, some awareness of something she should have said already but hadn’t. She grasped at it, her mind retreating further from the pain that sometimes breached her pleasant fuzziness of thought.

“I’m sorry,” she said suddenly. “That’s what I needed to say.”

“What?” The prince looked startled. “What could you have to be sorry for?”

She gestured toward his fresh bandage. “I let you get shot with an arrow. I’m supposed to be your bodyguard, and I didn’t protect you.”

“Flora.” His voice was gentler. “It’s not your job to—”

“Yes it is.” She shook her head in contradiction. “And I could have done more. But I was cowardly. I kept remembering about the other man falling from the tree. I didn’t want to get involved. I let the other guards do it all, and you got shot because of it.” She nodded to where the physician was still working. “I deserve this.”

The prince’s face was suddenly right in front of hers. He must have knelt down, but she hadn’t seen him do it. She blinked a few times, struggling to focus properly.

“Flora.” His voice was firm. “You do not deserve any of this. You’ve been treated abominably, and you’ve taken it with incredible grace. My injury isn’t your fault. None of this mess is.”

“Hm.” She flicked her fingers through the hair that sat almost on his shoulders. “I know it’s a mess, but I’m notentirely sorry. I should regret the delay to the betrothal, but I’m not sure I do.”

“I think you shouldn’t talk, miss,” the physician cut in suddenly. For some reason his tone was laced with discomfort and sympathy. “Just rest while I finish up. I’m almost done.”

“All right,” Flora said compliantly. She certainly felt weary.

“There we go,” the man said shortly afterward, leaning back and smiling at her. “You need to rest it, but you’ll be just fine.”

“Thank you,” she said, moving the shoulder gingerly. The numbness of her mind was starting to recede, much to her regret.

“My pleasure, child,” the physician said. He seemed to take in her grimace, because he added, “And yes, I’m afraid it’s going to hurt. I’ve let the pain-softening magic die away. I could set it up to last longer, but I’m expected elsewhere.” He cleared his throat. “And it would be irresponsible to leave you under its effects if I can’t stay to monitor you.”

“It’s no problem,” Flora said quickly. Her mind was becoming clearer by the second. The pain was uncomfortable, but much better than it had been before the physician’s attentions. Her words were sharper now as well. She felt like she was emerging from underwater. “Truly, thank you. It feels much better.”

“Yes, thank you,” the prince said, smiling at the physician.

Bizarrely, the older man responded by considering Prince Cassius with an expression of caution. “I thought you said you weren’t in any trouble, Your Highness.” The murmur was low enough that Flora barely caught it.

The prince sent the physician a sharp look, but made no reply. A moment later, the physician had left, leaving Flora trying to put the pieces together.

Her mind went back over the last half an hour, unease seeping in.

“I felt very strange with his magic in my mind,” she said slowly. “Did I…did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

Prince Cassius shook his head, his expression unconvincing. “Of course not.” He ran a hand over the sleeve of his jacket, his voice becoming brisk. “It’s past time for you to be shown to your suite. It’s a mirror image of this one, but smaller. It should be almost entirely within twenty feet. Perhaps if we’re each at the far end of our suites—the respective bedchambers—we might push it. But the set up should allow us some measure of privacy.”

“That would be welcome,” Flora said faintly. “I assume you’ll be attending dinner soon, and of course I’ll need to accompany you. Do you think I can rest until then?”

“Of course,” he said quickly. “I’ll show you where to go.”

She waved her good hand. “No need, Your Highness. I remember.”

She’d almost reached the doorway to the corridor when the door flew open, and a silk-clad figure sailed dramatically into the room.

“Cassius! My only child! What’s this I hear about an attack on your life?”

The prince’s sigh was so soft, Flora almost missed it.

“I’m fine, Mother. No harm done.”

“No harm done?” the queen protested. “With that ghastly bandage on your arm?”

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