Page 18 of A Touch of Royalty

“Well, that would get the council off my head.” Cas said, trying to lighten the mood. “In all seriousness, Emryn, if it is the only way we both live-”

“It costs me my vow,” Emryn sounded broken. “But that means that I have kept it to the last, and perhaps, with what I am, that is all I can hope for.”

“What do you mean, Emryn?” Cas asked, wanting nothing more than to hold her until she looked less broken.

“It will not matter for too much longer.”

“Enough of that,” Asan shook his head. “This is not doom to either of you. We will announce it to the Council and see it done before the day is over.

“They are going to have an apoplexy.” Cas said, almost relishing the idea. “It will be good for them. Give them something to argue about other than my marriage.”

“We will see Her Majesty to begin with,” Asan said. “That will clear the way to the Council.”

“Yes, mother would not like that surprise.” Cas nodded, reaching to take Emryn by the hand and help her from the chair. “I know this is moving fast, Emryn, but-”

“It doesn’t matter, Highness.” Emryn’s voice was tiny, shattered. “If you live, that is my duty.”

“I hope, if we are to be married, you might come to think of me as something other than a duty at some point.”

“I will remain apart,” Emryn said quietly. “You will continue to live as you like, and I will do my duty.”

He would discuss that with her later. For now, he needed to figure out how to explain this to his mother. And then to the council, and then he needed to figure out how to soothe Emryn.

As Asan had said, this was not doom to either of them. It would garner him a lot of support among the common people as well. Even though the Head Healer was likely to be on the side of the Council in having an apoplexy.

“We should see my mother,” Cas said, tucking Emryn’s shaking, cold hand into the crook of his elbow. “It’s going to be alright, Emryn.”

“It will be what it is, Highness.” Emryn straightened her shoulders. “I will do my duty.”

Cas sighed inwardly and guided Emryn out of her rooms and down the hall. His mother kept morning court and should still be in the small audience hall.

Which she was, and she raised a curious eyebrow at them as they walked in. Looking over Cas’ head where Asan was walking in their wake. “Yes, Highness?”

“Majesty, I come on a matter of great importance.” Cas looked around at the nobility. “I would ask for a private audience.”

“I grant your request.” The queen raised her hands and clapped. “You may go, my nobles. I will see you in Council.”

They all bowed and filed out, each of them casting confused looks at Emryn, who was shaking, but still managing to keep to her feet.

“Now,” the Queen said as the door shut. “What’s all this about? Why do the pair of you look like doom?”

Asan stepped to the fore and bowed. “It has been a rough morning for them, Majesty.”

“My First Wizard, what brings you down from your mountain?”

“A call from your heir, Majesty.” Asan related the call he’d received from Cas and everything that had come after.

With some rather glaring exceptions.

“Wait,” His mother pinched the bridge of her nose. “Are you telling me that my son is still ill?”

“Practically yes, in reality, he is being bolstered by Emryn, which is why he exhibits no symptoms.”

“Alright?”

“If it continues, Majesty, Healer Emryn will die.” Asan said carefully. “Once her bolster is gone, the illness will return and there is no other that will be able to forestall it.”

“And the solution?” The queen flicked her eyes to Emryn.

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