Page 85 of Dueling the Suitors

Her smile bloomed.

When the guard and the healer returned, they got into the carriage and rode back to the castle.

Astoria ushered the older woman to their chambers, telling her that Cyrus had barely sipped his medicine today and they could test the herbs in it. But when they reached the room, Clara informed them that Cyrus had woken up after Astoria had left and that she cajoled him into drinking the full medicine.

“I will go and ask for another cup to be made,” Rowan declared and left the room.

“Your Majesty,” the healer whispered to Astoria, staring wide-eyed at Cyrus. “This is poison, I tell you. I can see it’s draining His Majesty’s life slowly. Look at him.”

Astoria’s heart clenched. “I will believe it when you prove it to me.”

Rowan returned with the medicine half an hour later and handed it over to the healer. She set it on the table and pulled out a small drawstring bag from her pocket.

They gathered around the table, watching the healer sprinkle the green herbs into the medicine. She grabbed a spoon, stirred the contents, and explained, “We stir for a full minute to ensure the herbs blend thoroughly with the medicine, as required for liquid. For solid foods, like rolls or meat, we simply sprinkle the herbs over them. If the food retains its color, it’s safe. But if it turns black…”

They waited, but the colour of the medicine remained the same.

Astoria burst out, tears springing into her eyes. “I told you, it couldn’t be possible! Healer, my husband isdying! Please, if there’s anything in your herb garden that could save him, I beg you to give him the treatment!”

The woman met her eyes seriously before turning to the others. “Can I have a word alone with Her Majesty?”

“Of course not!” Rowan thundered, his facial expression fiercely protective. “Bringing you into the royal chambers was risky enough. I mean no offence, but I’m not leaving Her Majesty unprotected with a stranger.”

But the healer was only looking at Astoria. Astoria understood her silent message. It was urgent. She looked at Rowan and softened her gaze.

“You forget I was the Unyielding Princess of Daliston, my friend.” She forced him an assuring smile. “I will be fine, Rowan. I can protect myself if I find myself in a dangerous situation.”

Rowan hesitated.

“Rowan, trust me.”

He sighed in defeat and moved towards the door with Clara, looking over his shoulder at Astoria one last time before closing the door behind him.

“Are these two trustworthy?” the healer asked, gesturing to Skylar and Spyrah. They both glared at her.

“Loyal to the core,” Astoria said. “What is it, healer?”

“We are being played for fools, Your Majesty,” she began gravely. “I know when I see poison, and I know when I see someone who has been poisoned. And like I said, this is not some mysterious sickness that has claimed His Imperial Majesty. Heisbeing poisoned.”

“But the herbs—”

“The herbs reveal the poison. And this medicine is not poisoned.”

“I don’t understand.” Astoria frowned.

“Your Majesty, whoever has been poisoning His Majesty’s medicine heard of my visit and has refrained from adding it this time. But after I’m gone, they will do it again.” She pressed the small drawstring bag with the herbs into Astoria’s hand. “I want Your Majesty to test the medicine that will arrive after I’m gone—when is it, tomorrow morning?”

Astoria could only nod. The woman seemed certain Cyrus was poisoned.

“Good.” She patted Astoria’s hand. “Tell no one I gave you this. Tell them nothing until the herbs reveal the poison tomorrow. When it does, please send the word to me. Now, I’m going back to prepare the cure for His Majesty. It will take a full day, but when it’s ready, I will bring it to the gates. Please inform the guards to expect me.”

“T-thank you, healer,” Astoria stuttered and slipped the bag into her pocket.

The woman nodded at her, took one last look at Cyrus’ pale, swollen face, and moved to the door. Astoria sank into the bed by his side. She placed a hand on his chest and felt his weak heartbeat.

“What did she say?” Rowan’s voice asked her softly from behind.

Astoria almost told him the truth but stopped as she remembered the graveness on the healer’s face. “We are running out of time.” She hated that she had to lie to him.

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