Page 122 of Poisoned Kingdom
I persuaded Riordan to placate the mages who were less than pleased by the military within their walls. I didn’t know how long her recovery would take, but I was prepared to stay by her side as long as it took, even if that meant governing the country from Sana’s bedside.
Roksana didn’t move or say a word for an entire day. I continued working on my daily tasks, taking breaks to relay commands to awaiting soldiers before sitting beside her, ensuring she was warm and coaxing her to drink small sips of water each time she woke.
As the sun set, I stopped writing to sit beside her again. Maybe it was the gentle glow of the fading light, but the dark shadows under her eyes seemed less visible. I trailed my finger over her cheek, and she sighed, her eyes opening ever so slightly, her gaze more focused than before.
‘Welcome back, little Viper,’ I said, smiling when her eyebrow arched. Sana seemed to be more aware, and that little change made me sigh in relief. The only thing that didn’t match her recovery was the bloodstained chemise.
I opened the door and asked the soldier to fetch some female maidservants, requesting fresh clothing for Sana. The man saluted, rushing to fulfil my order, and half an hour later, two female healers stood in the door looking like they wanted to be anywhere else but here.
‘Good evening, sire. The arch healer sent us to help with your . . . I mean, Lady Roksana,’ the taller one said.
I gestured them in. ‘Thank you. I’ll leave you to help her wash and . . . go to the privy,’ I said, raising my eyebrow when the younger girl giggled. ‘Is there a problem?’
‘No, it’s just that men rarely think of such things,’ she said.
I smiled. ‘I’m used to seeing issues from every angle.’ I stood up and took a few letters from the desk. ‘I’ll go to the garden. Just open the window and call for me once you’re done.’
The garden welcomed me with the rustling of leaves and an evening frost that painted the tree trunks in every shade of grey. The slight chill in the air sent a shiver down my spine, but I welcomed the refreshing breeze. The bench directly beneath Sana’s window was perfect for keeping an eye on the room, even if all I could see were shadows moving behind the curtains.
With a deep sigh, I delved into the letters. Most required only brief answers or decisions that didn’t weigh on my conscience or cause a strain on the kingdom. Later, putting the letters down, I sat on the bench for a moment longer, watching as my breath misted the air while I thought about how to handle the discontent when I announced my choice of bride. I knew the nobles would oppose it as soon as they realised their daughters wouldn’t be sitting on the throne, and my thoughts briefly drifted to Inga Tivala, my almost betrothed.
What am I going to do about the Winter Solstice Ball?
I’d briefly considered calling it off, but it was the perfect opportunity to gather all the old families under one roof and determine who truly supported me as king. Introducing Roksana as my chosen could be the catalyst to gauging the reactions of those who’d only used me as a tool to win the war.
‘If she agrees,’ I muttered to myself. As much as this strategy would benefit me, I wouldn’t use her, not without her knowledge. ‘Well, the only way to find out is to ask.’
The shadows in the window disappeared, and a short while later, a mage gestured for me to return. With the night drawing in, I gathered the rest of my paperwork and headed inside.
Sana looked so much better. Her remaining cuts were healed, and with the blood scrubbed away, her skin glowed. I sat on the bed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
‘I thought you’d left,’ she said, and I huffed in denial.
‘As if I could leave. I need to stay by your side or who knows what might happen next time,’ I quipped. She frowned, and a hint of anger flashed in her gaze, but it quickly dispersed when I grinned. ‘Didn’t you hear? There’s a madman trying to knock down the walls.’
‘You’re impossible,’ she said, and I loved the eye roll and the blush that tinted her pale cheeks.
‘And you are the most treasured woman in this kingdom. Tell me what you need, and I’ll see it done. Should I call for Liliana? Tova?’ I asked. As much as I wanted to be the person by her side, what she wanted mattered most.
Her eyes narrowed on me. It was a strangely vulnerable look, one that made me feel unsettled. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, tell her that the fear of losing her had driven me insane. That she had taken my heart with her to that damned chamber and that I was lost without her smile.
‘May I hold your hand?’ Her quiet voice broke through my stream of thought.
‘You already hold my heart, Viper. My hand is all yours.’
A soft chuckle escaped her lips, and I congratulated myself on the little victory, even more when her dainty fingers entwined with mine.
‘Did Tova give you lessons in smooth talk?’ she said. ‘You’re too suave for your own good.’
‘Tova? Oh no, Lady Roksana. It is pure admiration and natural talent. Besides, as king, it is my duty to welcome you to the ranks of Crown mages and provide for your every need,’ I responded, placing a hand on my chest and bowing gallantly. Her lipstwitched, and warmth spread in my chest when she turned away to hide her smile.
‘If that’s how this works, then you’ll be very busy during the Winter Solstice when the other mages go through their geas trials,’ she said, and I realised my blunder.
I was out of my depth. My experience with women was limited to lust or politics. In my time as lord marshal of a disgraced military, they came to my bed expecting to be fucked by a brutal, cunning beast, not for banter or charming words. When I became king, it was even worse. But in a way, I was happy that they’d come and gone, never occupying my mind for longer than it took to remember their names.
Sana had turned my world on its axis, making me regret never learning how to care for a woman. Orm, despite the wild magic roaring in his blood, was so much better at showing affection. Still, thinking of my brother and the surprising way he’d gained his mates gave me an idea.
‘May I lie beside you?’ I asked hesitantly, and her eyes brightened, the corner of her lips lifting a little.
