Page 20 of A Touch of Royalty

Emryn rose, trying to be steady on shaking legs, and fastened each one of the council with eyes that were leaking anguish.

The entire room shut up at once, the silence deafening in contrast to the noise that it replaced.

“If it meant that he would live, I would die for that.” Emryn pitched her voice to be heard throughout the room. “That is my vow as a healer, to give everything I am to ensure that others might live.”

The room remained silent as Emryn continued to meet the eyes of each noble there.

“However, as you have been told, if I die it puts him at risk.” Emryn gripped the sides of her skirts in her hands. “I would not risk the lowest laborer in that way, and so I will not risk your prince. He will be free to do as he wishes, I promise you that.”

Emryn, bowed to the nobility. “I am a city healer, and the Mother has decreed this to be the way I spend myself. So I will spend myself this way.”

She straightened, stepping down the dais and leaving the room. To collapse against the opposing wall and feel all the strength that she’d pretended to leave her. All she could ask for was that she could get back up by the time the council made a decision.

She tilted her head back against the coolness of the wall and tried to breathe.

And then there was a soft hand on her head. Emryn looked up, right into the ice-blue eyes of the First Wizard.

“Well done,” he smiled down at her. “You made them stop their useless yelling and actually begin to plan.”

Emryn struggled up, gripping the wall like a lifeline. “I can only do one thing, First Wizard.”

“And we will ensure that you are able to continue.” He shook his head. “And I recall very clearly asking that you not continue to stand on ceremony where my name is concerned.”

“His Highness said the same.” Emryn closed her eyes and wobbled severely.

“He meant it as well.” Asan reached out and steadied her. “They will be talking for quite some time, so you will rest until they are ready to admit that this is the only way they don’t have blood on their hands.”

Emryn nodded, feeling the darkness beginning to gather behind her eyes. “I don’t know that I can make it back to my room.”

“I will help you.”

Emryn expected the First Wizard of Rodilla to offer her an arm. She didn’t expect her feet to leave the floor, or for him to cradle her in his arms.

“You really are far too thin.” He said, starting off through the hallways. “I’m afraid we’ve left it rather late.”

“No one knew,” Emryn said quietly. “No one saw, and I wanted to keep it that way.”

“Why?”

Emryn dragged her eyes open and looked up at Asan. “The Mother knows.”

“Her Wings?”

Emryn nodded, closing her eyes and willing the tears back. “I only wanted to do good.”

“And so you have.” Asan pushed the door to her room open and set her on the edge of the bed. “How many lives owe themselves to you, Emryn?”

She shook her head. “One less than the Mother demands.”

“The Mother is not that capricious.” Asan smiled as Shana bustled into the room. “Now, you should rest.”

He left the room, left her with Shana who helped her out of the gown and back into the nightdress.

Emryn didn’t remember her head hitting the pillow.

14

VERDICT

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