Page 200 of The Call of Crimson
An idea forms. “I can’t change your fate, but I might be able to buy you more time.”
Confusion scrunches his brow. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” I say, urging him toward the castle. “I won’t say anything. But if Breyla hates me for this, I will find a way to resurrect you, just to kill you myself.”
“She hasn’t truly hated you for longer than you realize,” Elijah reassures me.
“I’d like to keep it that way.” I hold the door open for him, watching him disappear inside.
Rowina is turning the corner, and I gesture for him to follow her. “Go bathe and settle in. I’ll find you in an hour.”
I knock on Ayden’s door ten minutes later, my eyes scanning for a flash of red hair as he opens. My voice is low as I ask, “Is Breyla inside?”
“No, she’s helping Rowina get our guests settled in.”
“Good, let me in. We need to talk.”
Ayden’s brow furrows in confusion, but he steps aside, letting me into his chambers. I lock the door, throwing up a silencing shield as I pace.
“What’s wrong?” Ayden asks when I fail to find the words after several moments.
“Elijah is dying.”
His entire posture stills. “Pardon?”
“He was poisoned on their way here. He hasn’t told anyone.”
“And your Gift detected the poison in his blood,” Ayden surmises, and I nod.
He curses. “How long?”
“It’s not behaving like previous cases. He should already be dead, but my best estimate is twelve hours.”
“How is it different?”
“He was poisoned three days ago.”
Ayden rubs his jaw. “That’s… interesting.”
“It’s not enough time,” I say tightly. “That’s why I’m here.”
“You’ve come to ask for the tonic.” It’s not a question; he’s already put together why I came to him.
I nod, tacking on a “Please.” Asking him for anything feels like swallowing glass, but if it means delaying Breyla’s heartache, then I would get on my knees if that’s what he asked of me.
He crosses the sitting room to a desk stacked high with orderly papers. “I have to stress, we don’t know how long this will give him, and there could be side effects.”
“I understand.”
He nods, opening the bottom drawer. “For whatever it’s worth, brother, my heart breaks for you.” Sympathy flits through his golden eyes, the corners of his lips turning down.
The glass vial feels small and precious in the palm of my hand. The liquid represents everything and not nearly enough in this moment. Gently, I squeeze the vial before slipping it into my pocket. “I’m not the one you should concern yourself over. I don’t think you grasp what this will do to her.”
Ayden’s lips turn slightly in a bittersweet smile. “Actually… I know exactly what this will do to her.”
Elijah’s time is limited, and I have none to spare for examining that answer.
I find the room he’s been assigned with Ophelia and knock on the door. Thankfully, it’s Elijah who answers, sparing me from having to make a reason to speak with him if Ophelia had answered. I peek over his shoulder, looking to see if she’s close by.
