Page 71 of A Queen's Game
Sylas swore under his breath, drawing Elyse’s gaze. He tucked strands of his hair behind an ear, the metal piercing his flesh catching the light as displeasure spread across his face. Did he ever smile?
Brynden squeezed her hand. “Mage’s Eye is nothing like it. Choke is a serious drug meant to incapacitate and make you under someone’s influence. Gyrsh told me about how severe your head pains get, but Choke?” He shook his head. “Mage’s Eye will calm you. You will remain aware of yourself and your surroundings.”
Her entire life was within the walls of the palace, sheltered from such experiences. She felt stunted, cheated out of her life. Everything was predetermined, and she didn’t have freedom of choice. But Brynden gazed down at her, giving her one. “If you can promise that, then yes, I’d like to try it,” Elyse said with a hammering heart. It would be the first of many new experiences if she and Brynden married.
“I promise, with my whole heart and my whole being.” Brynden kissed her before adding, “And now to flush the alcohol from your body.” He stood, offering his hand to Elyse.
“I still think this is a terrible idea,” Sylas said, picking something off his black shirt.
“You think all my ideas are terrible ideas,” Bryden responded, leading Elyse back inside. The three males chuckled as the door closed behind Elyse.
“How are you going to flush the alcohol?” Elyse asked, following Brynden down a hallway off the sitting room.
“Magic-infused medicine. It flushes toxins out in an instant. I keep some of this stuff on hand for nights I’ve drunk too much,” he said, turning to Elyse. “Makes you sober in a snap. Also, it’s good to have on hand when doing drugs.”
“And you do drugs often?” she asked with a speculative brow.
“Occasionally. When the moment is appropriate, like today,” he said, winking.
“You live quite the life.” Elyse bit her lip, a tinge of jealousy in her words.
“And you will too, if I get any say in it.” Brynden gave a broad smile as he stopped in front of a door, leaning against it. “But first, I’d like you to tell me why you’re limping.”
Despite the alcohol, her breathing picked up and her limbs went numb. “It’s nothing. I’m just clumsy and hurt my knee.”
“There’s no need to lie. I can tell it’s not your knee, nor your ankle. What did you do to your hip? Are you alright?” His brows furrowed with concern.
A practiced sweet smile curled on her lips as she placed her hand on his arm. “I’m alright. No need to worry about it. We should be quick, though. I don’t want them taking any more bets on whether we’ll come back or be upstairs.”
Brynden laughed, pausing as if he had more to say, but pushed open the door. “One of the side effects of flushing your system requires a toilet.” He gestured past the door as the room lit, revealing a restroom. “So I’m going to give you the vial and let you take care of it. All you need to do is drink and give it a minute. I have to run upstairs, but I’ll be back to grab you, alright? Just wait for me here.”
Before she could answer, he gave her a quick kiss and headed down the hallway. Elyse stepped into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. The liquid in the vial looked like water, nothing similar toChoke. Without another thought, she downed the vial and waited until her bladder suddenly felt as if it would burst.
Once she finished, she waited in the hallway for Brynden, her head clear from the alcohol’s effects.
“My lady.” She turned to find Daryn staring at her with his weird, wide eyes again. “It’s good to see you again.”
Did Daryn follow them? “Have we met before?” Unease settled into her chest.
“Once, about a decade ago. Your father hosted a handful of us from Chorys Dasi. You were acting so obedient that night, Gyrsh having us believe it was his raising. Now I know it was Choke.”
Of course he did. She glared at Daryn for bringing up the memories of those nights, ones that often happened before Keyain. If the ball wasn’t so public, Elyse assumed her father would have drugged her then to be Brynden’s date.
“I have a favor to ask, and it’s going to sound odd. Can you keep it between just you and I?” Daryn took a step closer, causing Elyse to step back.
“That depends.”
“Can I smell you?” he asked, taking another step.
“Excuse me?” Of all the favors she expected,smelling herwas not one of them.
“I… uh. Brynden said you have a specific scent, and I was curious.”
“No, you cannot smell me,” she snapped, brows furrowed, her glare deepening. “What kind of favor is that?”
“I know it’s odd,” Daryn said, taking two steps, cornering Elyse. “But please, it could even be your arm.”
“This is highly inappropriate,” she said, pressing herself against the wall. “What would my father say if he knew you were asking me this alone in the hallway?”
