Page 7 of Happily Ever After
“How is she?” he asked, his usual stoic demeanor softened with genuine concern.
If someone had told me a few weeks ago that my stoic Captain of the guards who hated Ilyana’s guts would actually look at her withconcern, I would have been concerned for their mental health. But then again I didn’t see myself getting a soft spot for this woman on my bed.
“Physician Thaddeus says she’s out of danger now,” I replied, clearing my throat. “She woke up briefly yesterday, but…”
I trailed off, remembering her hysterical pleas. All she kept saying was that she didn’t poison anyone, begging us not to suspect her. The memory of her wild-eyed panic came to mind and my heart did that thing it had been doing for some time.
“We know she wasn’t involved,” Lennox said softly, knowing well what I was about to say. “The poison was meant for the Queen.”
I nodded grimly, raking a hand through my disheveled curls. “I don’t blame her for being defensive.”
Lennox studied me for a long moment. “You look like shit, Your Highness.”
I snorted. “Thank you for your astute observation, Captain.”
“I misjudged her,” Lennox admitted, his gaze returning to Ilyana. “Taking that poison herself, saving the Queen… she’s earned my respect.”
“But how did she know?” I mused aloud. “How did she realize the wine was poisoned?”
Lennox shrugged. “Whatever the reason, I agree she wasn’t involved.” We both did.
A heavy silence fell between us. I could feel Lennox’s eyes on me, assessing.
“You should move her to her own room,” he said carefully. “Not that I doubt your capabilities, but I don’t think she’d appreciate waking up in your bed.”
I gritted my teeth, choosing not to respond. I’d think about that… later.
“What of the maid? Has she opened her mouth?” I asked instead. “Said anything useful?”
Lennox shook his head. “Not yet,” his voice laced with frustration.
I clenched my jaw, feeling the stubble rasp against my palm as I rubbed my chin. Lennox’s words echoed in my mind, the maid’s silence was infuriating, but not as maddening as the web of intrigue surrounding this assassination attempt.
“But evidence so far points to Elenthar’s involvement.”
I looked up at him. That was big claim. “Are you sure? What would they gain from poisoning the Queen? It’ll only start another war. So soon after the last one… They still haven’t even financially recovered from the last one.”
My eyes drifted to Ilyana’s prone form on my bed. Even unconscious, she exuded an air of mystery that both intrigued and frustrated me. I forced my gaze away, focusing on the ornate tapestries adorning the walls. They depicted great battles of the past, coincidently the last one fought against Elenthar. I chuckled.
“King Maldover is also very old,” I continued, my voice a low growl. “I don’t think they would be so reckless.”
Lennox shifted his weight, the leather of his uniform creaking softly. “I think there might be a reason. There’s currently a succession war going on,” he reminded me. “All five of Maldover’s grandsons are vying for the throne.”
I paused, my hand resting on the hilt of the dagger. The cool metal was a comfort, a promise of retribution against those who had harmed what’s mine. “You think one of them is behind this?”
“It’s possible,” Lennox admitted. “A war with Aetheria could be the catalyst to unite Elenthar under a strong leader.”
I turned to face him, my hands clenched into fists at my sides, itching to wrap around some Elentharian necks. “Or tear it apart completely.”
The room fell silent save for Ilyana’s soft breathing. I found myself drawn to her again, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She held secrets, I was sure of it.
“We need to consider all possibilities,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Even the unthinkable.”
Lennox raised an eyebrow. “You mean…”
I nodded, a grim smile playing on my lips. “We can’t rule out internal treachery. Someone in our own court could be working with Elenthar.”
To think someone powerful enough to pull this off with ties to Elenthar was worrisome. Then the illegal mines and the Bellrose case…
