Page 87 of Poisoned Kingdom
Irsha had enough decency to look embarrassed before he coughed to get my attention.
‘Cold water won’t stop the bleeding. You’d better look at it, Sana,’ he said, and I realised the blood from Rey’s wound was still flowing.
It wasn’t much, and certainly not anything the massive warrior would notice for several hours, but eventually, with continuous bleeding, even such a small nick could cause problems.
‘Alright, let me see it,’ I said, touching the edge of the wound, smearing a little blood on my fingertips. A slight opalescent sheen caught my eye, and I turned to look at Irsha with a raised eyebrow.
‘Yes, yes, I know. It’s just a little herb of grace,’ the assassin said, answering my question. ‘He’ll live.’
‘Was it one of mine?’ I asked, touching the slightly swollen flesh.
‘No, it’s a cheap one from Jagon’s apprentice. I use it for marks who escape. It’s easier to track them if they’re bleeding.’
‘I don’t think I’d survive more of your venom, Viper,’ Reynard said, touching the wound. ‘It’s a small mercy the Blade has a tight purse. Will it stop soon?’
‘No, but I can fix it, so shift your rear. We’re going to my workshop.’ I pointed to the door, grabbing the king’s arm. Noticing his frown, I scowled. ‘Reynard, it’s just on the other side of the corridor. I have the antidote there.’
Once inside my apothecary, he looked around, eyes wide with a curiosity he didn’t try to hide.
‘Sit and keep your hands to yourself,’ I commanded, pretending not to notice his satisfied smirk after I returned with a small bowl of cold water and a set of rags.
‘Fighting with Irsha is asking for death. He’s a trained killer who isn’t trying to win a duel but to kill as quickly as possible. I know he mistook you for Jagon’s goon, but you? Why did you fight?’ I asked, dipping a rag in the water and bending over to clean the cut of any residual poison. ‘Tell me if it becomes too painful. I’ll try to be gentle, but herb of grace can make the skin oversensitive.’
Rey closed his eyes and tilted his head backwards, giving me full access to his wound.
‘You should trust my abilities, little Viper,’ he said, voice low. ‘Now, stop worrying about being gentle. You can’t hurt me.’
He didn’t flinch when I moved between his legs for a better angle.
‘Don’t tempt me, Kingling,’ I muttered. ‘I’m still mad at you.’
He chuckled. ‘If this is how you express your anger, I have nothing to complain about.’
But the humour faded. His smirk slipped into something quieter, heavier.
‘Never, under any circumstances, jump in front of a blade to protect me,’ he said, eyes still closed. ‘I can’t feel afraid whenI’m dancing with death—and seeing you in the path of a blade terrified me.’
‘What . . .?’
The word caught in my throat as Rey slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. He looked up at me, gaze burning. Then, without warning, he pressed his face against my midriff and inhaled deeply, as if the scent of me could anchor him.
‘I can’t stand to see you hurt,’ he murmured. ‘And I can’t seem to stay away from you. Gods know I’ve tried. What spell have you cast on me, Viper, that I can’t stop thinking about you?’
His forehead rested against my stomach for a long moment before he lifted his gaze again.
‘Why didn’t you come to me after the Brotherhood feast?’ he asked.
His words had left me speechless, so I used the moment to dab the antidote powder on a sponge and press it gently to his wound.
‘I was busy,’ I said quietly. ‘But I sent a message.’
It was a weak excuse, and we both knew it. Still, I focused on my task, tilting his chin to the side so I could finish tending the wound. Once the bleeding stopped, however, there was no longer a reason for us to be so close.
‘Rey, you have to let me go,’ I said softly, waiting for him to move while enjoying the warmth of his large hands touching my body.
He didn’t listen.
The soft fae light bathed his dark hair in silver-blue, and in a moment of reckless indulgence, I gave in to temptation, brushing my hand through the silky strands. They slipped through my fingers like water, impossibly soft.
