Page 44 of Feathers and Thorns

Jai sighed loudly. “I guess so. I mean, unless you feel like leading Patrivah into a war that cannot be escaped where everyone is likely to die.”

She shook her head violently at the thought. “Absolutely not,” she said with finality. “You are the blooded son of the king—it has to be you.” Adaryn was usually one to balk at tradition, but when it came to responsibilities to the crown, she had always done what was necessary for the benefit of her country.

This is why you would have made the perfect queen, Jai thought.

Adaryn took his hand, momentarily forgetting herself, and then released it, smoothing her skirts to cover the action. She looked around, hoping no one had noticed the affectionate exchange. “I should warn you,” she said in a hushed tone. “Father has not been well.”

“What do you mean?”

“He has been losing weight for weeks now. He can’t seem to keep anything down. He grows weaker by the day.”

“Where is he?” Jai asked, concern etched between his brows.

“In his rooms. We have a healer on site who checks in twice a day, but he has yet to discover what is wrong.”

Jai stood, his face a mask of newfound resolve for his mission.

“Take me to him.”

* * *

Adaryn had been generous with her description of the state of the king’s withering body. The healer had just been leaving as they arrived and gave Adaryn a small, sad nod, no doubt a silent confirmation that his status had not improved.

They entered the chambers, and Adaryn dismissed the guards stationed at the doors. “Jai and I wish to speak to my father alone,” she told them. It was not a request.

When she heard the door click behind them, she rushed to the bedside and took the king’s hand. “Papa,” she said quietly, tears blurring the edges of her vision.

When there was no response, Jai stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her back.

“He is in and out of consciousness most days.” She sniffed. “Today must be a silent day.”

“We will figure it out together,” he said, unsure of how else to provide her comfort.

“Papa,” she said, trying again. “Papa, I have brought someone to see you.” Her voice was like a child’s. “Jai has returned to us.”

The words seemed to pull the man from the precipice of death, and his once bright eyes flitted open to reveal murky brown irises. He opened his mouth to speak then waved a hand toward his night table. Adaryn rushed to poor some water into his parched mouth, and he began to speak through cracked lips.

“My son,” he said, his eyes landing on Jai, “you have come back.”

“Yes,” Jai said, needing to get to the point quickly in case the king’s consciousness slipped again. “I have come to take my rightful place as heir to the throne. I will ensure Adaryn’s safety and well-being, but there is a war coming, and we need an army.” It was a lot to drop on a dying man, but he wanted the king to know he would keep his promise to protect Adaryn at all costs.

“Slow down, son,” the king wheezed out, waving a hand for more water.

King Otis had always been on the heavier side, having had access to the finer things in life, so seeing him in such a state made Jai’s chest ache. He had to have lost nearly eighty pounds, and his once overstretched skin seemed to lay limp on his bones. His eyes were sunken, and his hair seemed to be falling out. It looked as though he had aged thirty years in a matter of months.

The king flicked his tongue out of his mouth to wet his lips then spoke again. “I am sorry I was not the father you needed, but I am thankful you became the son I always wanted,” he started. “I have no doubt you will take care of Adaryn. I only ask that you treat her better than I treated her mother and the late queen. If the last few months have taught me anything, it is that life is short. The riches I have spent my lifetime accumulating mean so little now. A stack of gold isn’t going to come to my bedside, saying how much it’s going to miss me.” He was overtaken by a coughing fit, and when he placed the cream-colored handkerchief back on the bed in front of him, Adaryn and Jai noticed it was speckled in blood.

Adaryn’s lip quivered, and she bit it to keep from wailing. Jai grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly while they listened. He had never felt particularly close to the man who lay before him, but in that moment, he couldn’t help but have sympathy for him.

“Did you ever find my great-great-grandfather’s lost treasure?” King Otis asked wistfully.

“Sorry to disappoint,” Jai replied, “but no, I did not.”

“I think you did,” the king responded, smiling fondly at Adaryn. “Looking back, I think he created those tunnels to protect his most valued treasures—his family.”

Adaryn was openly sobbing now, tears flowing in solemn rivers down her face. “You’ll get better,” she choked out. “Once the healer figures out what is ailing you, we will fashion a cure.”

The king reached up a shaky hand and wiped a tear from her face. “My dear girl, I have accepted this is my time. You must do so, also. Jai will need a partner as fierce as you if he is to win this war that is about to come.”

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