Page 20 of Haunted

I almost laugh out loud at the absurdity.

“Dear Caedryn, this is most distressing. Siarl is one of my favorite lords.”

My eyes round, and I have to blink my astonishment away.

“It’s the truth. Don’t look at me that way.” Her fingers curl around my wrist. I believe she means to express caring, but her touch is cold. “Come, Caedryn, what ails him?”

“A sickness of the lungs. His breath comes in rasping wheezes.”

The empress flicks her finger into the air. A guard approaches and addresses her. “Tell Nesta to prepare to leave for Elidyr. I have need of her skill.”

The empress’s hand is still resting on my arm. I glance at it and crush the impulse to place my other hand on top of hers. “I thank you, Your Highness.”

“I’d like you to show me your homeland. We, too, shall go to Siarl and wish him well.”

A warning grips my chest. The empress is much too willing to bestow help when I haven’t even asked for it.

Siarl will be safe, Neifion says. Let her come. She’s more vulnerable away from Caer.

You’re right. We shall be vigilant in Siarl’s protection.

17

“It’s an infection of the lungs,” Nesta says.

The empress and I wait in Lord Siarl’s darkened bedchamber while Nesta lays her hands on his chest. I trust Nesta more than I do the empress, but regardless, my torso clenches against the urge to fling both of them from his presence. The empress can work her voodoo without touch.

Beside me, she stands calmly. No animosity on her face. She’s relaxed even. My mind flicks to our flight across the country. The empress carried a rare lightness as she flew on Aerona. Her carefree attitude directly in opposition to my growing anxiety and suspicion.

I flew with Nesta on a borrowed dragon since Neifion was already in Elidyr. Nesta doesn’t have her own dragon stone but often borrows a dragon from other riders when she’s requested for healings.

I wish I understood the art of healing. Having grown up in Siarl’s realm, away from other half-emrys, I’ve had no proper training as have those who wield the light. The times I attempted to heal resulted in frustration. My eye can’t look within at physical components as well as it can assess spiritual ones.

I vow to remedy that. I’ll ask Nesta to teach me. The lessons will pass the dreaded hours in Caer.

After some time of Nesta’s ministrations, Siarl’s wheezing stops. His chest moves with even breaths. My shoulders slump with relief.

“You had no need to fear, ambassador.” The empress speaks near my ear. “Nesta is quite skilled. We acted in time. But in the future, I shall post a healer in each region for emergencies. Nesta can’t be called upon at every hour for these humans.”

My mouth parts, but I cannot form words as I stare at my liege.

“Does this please you, Caedryn?” the empress asks.

“Your Highness, it does greatly.”

“Is this whom you picture a ruler to be? Generous?”

I don’t answer the empress because Siarl’s eyes blink open. “Caedryn, my boy.” He waves me over.

Siarl’s eyes widen with surprise when he sees the empress. She tilts her head to acknowledge her thoughtfulness in seeing to his recovery. “I shall leave you in peace,” she says to me. To Siarl she says, “My lord, welcome back.”

She and Nesta leave the room with an air of grace. I rush to Siarl’s side and kneel beside his bed. “My lord.” I struggle to contain my emotions as my throat burns.

“Caedryn, I’m glad you’ve come.” He pats my hand.

“You thought you were dying.”

“If you were as old as I am, with a sickness that sucks the last of your breath and drains your energy, you would fear the same.”

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