Page 29 of Chosen By the Fae King

A ripple of unease passed through the group. I gritted my teeth, refusing to be cowed.

Lorne knocked on the door and a muffled voice called for us to enter. We filed into what appeared to be an outer chamber filled with potions lining the many shelves.

Plush velvet chairs were placed in an orderly fashion, offering a momentary rest. The air was infused with a faint scent of herbs, mingling with the soft tinkling of wind chimes that hung from the high ceiling.

My breath caught at the sight of Nox lounging against a wall, arms crossed. That wild feeling in my chest expanded, threatening to steal my air.

His midnight eyes gleamed with amusement as they raked over each one of us. “Welcome, ladies. I do hope you'll all prove to be healthy as well as entertaining today.”

Heat flooded my cheeks at his suggestive tone. Damn him. I tipped my chin up, meeting his stare.

Zoriyah curtsied gracefully. “I'm sure you will be pleased with what you get from me, Your Majesty.”

Eww.

The corner of his mouth quirked. “I'll hold you to that, krásna.”

The endearment didn't bother me as much as his knowing eyes raking up and down her body did. She was, indeed, very beautiful. But why would he want someone so ugly on the inside?

Stop it, Aeryn, I scolded myself.

Before I could think more on it, Lorne herded us toward several stern-faced healers who each called out a name to join them in one of the exam rooms.

I could feel Nox's eyes on my skin, but I ignored him as I moved to sit in one of the available seats along the back wall. He didn't linger, thankfully.

One by one, the healers summoned the contestants until only Sofiya and I remained. I took some deep breaths, trying to settle my nerves.

My friend played with the ends of her belt, glancing at me periodically. I squeezed her shoulder in reassurance, though my own anxiety grew with each passing minute.

At last, a rather tall female with messy dark hair and sharp eyes, darker than I'd ever seen, peered at us over her notebook. “Lady Aeryn, it's your turn.”

I nodded and followed her into the room.

The healer closed the door and offered me a smile. It transformed her face into something lovely and familiar. “I'm Sage. Please have a seat so we can begin.”

I perched on the edge of the chair. “How is Astrid? I know Nox–the king, I mean, summoned a healer when we arrived. I was hoping to see her.”

Sage's brows rose, as if surprised by my concern for an alleged rival. “I'm afraid I cannot discuss any patient's condition, but I can say she's alive if that's your concern.”

“Oh, well, thank you. I was hoping she was faring better than just alive but I suppose it's better than not alive.”

The healer smiled. “Well, that's one way to look at it. Now, just hold still for a second.”

She waved a hand, and a magical pulse swept over me from head to toe. The healer wrote as the pulse moved through my body until it dissipated completely.

“Good,” she commented more to herself than to me, turning the page to look at whatever was next.

My knee bounced as I waited for whatever came next.

“Are you alright?” Sage asked, eying my leg.

“I ... do I need to take off my robe for any reason?”

“Not if you don't want to.”

“Okay.” I clasped my hands tightly, willing my lower limb to hold still.

Steadying her notebook on her lap, she said, “Aeryn, I have some questions for you. Please answer as thoroughly as you can. We'll start easy. How old are you?”

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