Page 121 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘She won’t be happy,’ he said, reaching for Sana's hand. ‘But I’ll prepare the house so that you can bring her back when she’s ready.’ I stood like a statue, observing as she opened her eyes, a faint smile ghosting her lips when he pressed her palm to his cheek. ‘Do you want to go with him, drah’sa?’
I held my breath, relaxing slightly when she nodded. I understood Tova’s concerns, and when he stepped away, I was grateful to the dwarf who had more strength than I did.
‘I’ll look after her, I give you my word.’ I didn’t need to give him that reassurance, but the loyalty of this man commanded respect. And to my surprise, I’d discovered I actually liked him a bit—either that, or I’d just gotten used to his antics.
‘I’ll come by tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Don’t let him order you around, drah’sa.’
‘It is customary to ask if you want to see it, Your Majesty,’ Ciesko said after the mute custodian handed him the sealed envelope that held the key to my Viper’s soul.
I pulled away as if it would bite. ‘No, take it to the geas vault and put it in the deepest, darkest hole you can find. Nobody must see it . . . ever.’
My brother had used his wife’s geas, and even if ithadsaved the kingdom, it'd almost broke them apart. I would not repeat his mistake.
‘Very well, sire,’ he responded. ‘We have a room upstairs set aside for those who have undergone the geas trial. Lady Roksana will be comfortable there. Please, follow me.’
Ciesko led us through the meandering corridors until we arrived at the rear of the building. The room was small but spotlessly clean. A large bay window overlooked a garden that, even in early winter, surprised me with its vibrant Acer trees, pines, and winter berries. Soft throws and coverings in natural colours added to the feeling of tranquillity. Refreshments were already on the table, and I wondered how many mages had been carried here, broken by the harshness of the ritual.
‘She can rest as long as she requires,’ Ciesko said. ‘Some mages recover quickly—a few hours or a day, maybe two—but for others, it may take a while. Don’t rush it, sire, but if you need to leave, I’ll personally look after her.’
I sneered. ‘Forgive me, Arch Healer, but my trust in your words—not to mention yourjudgement—is severely damaged. I’ll stay with Sana until she is strong enough to make her own decision.’ The old healer flinched, but I had no mercy. ‘How could you let them pin her to that rock? How could you let her suffer?’
‘That’s the price of her power, as it was mine, Your Majesty. I did all I could to ensure she would survive. Even if some of those measures were drastic.’
‘So the ends justify the means?’ I couldn’t hide the disdain from my voice, but there was no point in arguing with him. ‘Does she need more healing?’
‘I should ask the same, seeing the soldiers posted around this building,’ he said. ‘But no . . . Her body is fine. She didn’t sustain any lasting damage, and she will quickly replenish the blood she lost.’
I looked down at the pale woman in my arms.
‘I’ll stand my men down the moment we leave this place.’ I sighed. ‘Thank you, Arch Healer. I’ll send for you if you’re needed.’
I saw the hesitation in his gaze, but I waved him away, leaving him no choice.
I was finally alone with my woman, and I had no idea what to do.
Chapter 43
Reynard
Icarefully lowered Roksana onto the bed and sat beside her, unsure, hesitant. She looked so fragile, curled in the foetal position, conscious but quiet and withdrawn as her tears silently fell.
‘Sanika, tell me what to do. How can I make it better?’
She didn’t respond at first, not until I moved to get her some water. Her hand darted out towards mine, grasping it with a strength that contradicted her defeated appearance.
‘Stay . . . I need you here.’ Her voice, hoarse from screaming, tore something inside me. I’d never wanted anything so much as I wanted to raze the entire court to the ground.
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ I said softly, stroking her hair. ‘But let me bring you some honey water. You’ll feel better if you drink something.’
Sana nodded, releasing me, but when I returned to her side, she was half asleep. Still, she needed to drink, and muttering encouragement, I urged her to take a sip.
‘The memory of you was the only one that didn’t hurt.’ The words were wisps on the wind, yet they hit me like an avalanche. The clink of the glass sounded like a bell tolling when I placed the cup on the bedside table. I turned towards her, swallowing hard when my gaze met the green inferno of her power blazing within her eyes.
‘We’ll make more memories, so they can protect you when I’m not by your side.’ I reached out to smooth the frown between her drawn brows. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know they’d make you go through this without me . . .’ I said, wondering if I’d ever forgive myself. ‘I should have been there.’ Sana didn’t answer, but her hand gently squeezed mine, and I lifted it to my lips. ‘Sleep, my light. You need it. I’ll be here when you wake.’
I meant every word. Hammering against those bloody doors while listening to her screams made me realise I couldn’t be without her. That if she’d died, Dagome would have lost another king to madness. Roksana had given her geas to me and the kingdom, and I’d given her my heart in exchange. I just hoped she was ready and willing to accept it.
Roksana’s breathing evened out, but I still stroked her back. The slow, languid movement relaxed her tense muscles until her mouth opened slightly, and she fell into a deep, healing sleep. Only then did I move and ask a servant to bring the captain of the guards to me. After a few curt commands, I had soldiers guarding the door and someone retrieving the documents I’d left on my desk.
