Page 33 of A Touch of Royalty

She didn’t want to see him, but she needed answers. As soon as she managed to win free from her appointment, she drafted a letter to the city temple, to the man she’d once thought of as a father, and signed it with her new title.

She didn’t think to see him until the next day. So when the page announced the man’s arrival in the middle of dinner, Emryn nearly fell out of her chair.

But she recovered and followed the page to the anteroom, where the head healer was pacing back and forth.

“Head,” Emryn bowed her head as the man’s footsteps dragged to a halt. “I didn’t think to see you until tomorrow.”

The head healer waved her letter. “What do you want?”

“I detailed it quite clearly.” Emryn nodded to the letter. “You have taken my vow away, so I cannot do it for myself and there are no healers in the palace that are familiar enough with my magic to be able to give me the answers I need.”

There was an instant’s spike of guilt on the healer’s face. “If you would sit, I will do the assessment.”

Emryn nodded, sitting down in the chair at the side of the room.

The head healer walked over and laid a hand in the center of her chest, and the other over her belly. Emryn closed her eyes. Her flame did not like other healing intruding on her body, so she had to will it as far down as she could.

The Head healer’s magic filled her, running around on her nerves like a thousand spiders until he withdrew his hands and looked down at her.

Emryn let the fire fill her again, erasing the feeling and waiting.

“You are far too thin,” he said. “At this point, in light of your recent illness and the way your magic is, along with the state of your body, I cannot recommend pregnancy.”

“But could I carry a babe, for his Highness.”

“Conceptually, yes.” The head said hesitantly. “It would be difficult and you would likely need assistance to keep the babe healthy.”

“What must I do to lower the risk?”

The head healer pointed a stern finger at her. “Gain weight,” he said firmly. “Put your health first, even if you are only doing it for the children you want to bear.”

“Thank you,” Emryn stood up and nodded to the healer. “I will not prevail upon your time any further.”

She went to leave, but his voice stopped her. “Was it truly the only way that he lived?”

Emryn nodded. “I would not have given up my vow for power, Head. I thought you knew me better than that.” She left the room, chest swimming in pain and walked right into Cas.

22

SOOTHE

“Cas?” She looked up at him, eyes full of tears.

“Emryn.” He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. “What happened? Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know if I can give you an heir, Cas.” She looked up at him again, blinking and making the tears run over her cheeks. “I’m too thin, and I don’t know if a baby would survive the fire in me.”

He smiled, laying his head on top of hers. “I have cousins, Emryn. If need be, one of their children can take the throne when we are gone. But you are too thin, and I think we should remedy that.”

“But-”

“We aren’t going to worry about that right now, Emryn.” He kissed her forehead. “We are going to take Brutus and go for a walk in the gardens. I’ll show you the fireflies, and then we can have a snack and cuddle in bed.”

“Alright.” He could feel the guilt and relief leaking off her in waves. “How is Brutus?”

“He took a nap and now he’s energetic again.” Cas took her hand and led her back down the hall. “I got him a beef bone fromthe kitchen and let him into the garden. He’s quite pleased with his lot in life.”

Cas took her out into the garden, over to Shana, who had volunteered to watch over Brutus while he fetched Emryn. He needed to give Shana another rise in pay. She truly had been a blessing these last days.

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