Page 86 of Once the Skies Fade

“Your healer, Ami, told me to check in with you. I was actually on my way to find you when you accosted me.”

“I didn’t…” Her protest faded into a long exhale, and she reluctantly turned and came back down, stopping a step or two higher than the landing so that her eyes easily met mine. “What’s her message?”

“Oh”—I frowned—“no message from her really. Just wanted me to inform you that I was awake, well, and planning to stay in my own room rather than in the infirmary.”

Isa’s features pinched as she studied my face. “You’re well, are you?”

“Well enough,” I said. “It’s nothing really.”

“You were poisoned though. That’s not nothing,” she said.

Shrugging, I smirked. “I’ve had worse.”

“I’m sure you have. I don’t recall you having these injuries when you exited the forest though. Did our healers rough you up a bit?”

I watched her for a moment. Something in her tone and the little curve at the corner of her mouth indicated she knew more than she was letting on. Of course she knew. No doubt the queen had gone to her at once. Isa was testing me, baiting me to divulge what I knew or suspected.

I could have played dumb, but Isa’s previous words to Beck during our registration echoed in my mind. Lying would not go over well with this general. Better to use this moment to my advantage.

Pointing to my face, I chuckled lightly. “Oh, this was a get well present from Korben. Along with this,” I said, pulling the male’s blade from my boot.

She feigned surprise, almost too convincingly. Perhaps she was more shocked that I’d actually told the truth.

Taking the blade from me, she slipped it carefully into her belt and said, “Well, I assure you, General Orelian, we will see that he is rightly punished for attacking you outside of the trials. But, I am curious. How did you get away? Ami said your injury along with the poison would weaken you quite a bit even after you awoke.”

I rubbed my still-sore fingers along my stubbled jaw and looked to the ceiling as if contemplating my next words. “I think you know, general.”

Isa’s expression remained still, but she shifted her weight slightly—enough of a confirmation for me.

I leaned in slightly and lowered my voice to a whisper. “No need to fret, though. I deposited him back at the infirmary and informed the healers of what happened.”

“Which was?”

“He attacked me, and I subdued him.”

“You? In your condition? And our healers believed you?”

I flashed a wink that was probably more grotesque than charming given the state of my face. “I can be quite convincing, I promise.”

“We’ll see. I plan to go speak with them later this morning. Will you be visiting Oryn? I know you two had a bit of a connection.”

“Actually, I intended to after I found you, but I’m a little worse for wear than I anticipated. I may need to rest first.”

“Very well. I’m also more than willing to postpone your time with the queen for tomorrow if you prefer.”

I recoiled slightly but hopefully recovered quickly enough with a half-smile. “What time with the queen? Is this the second trial?”

Isa waved a hand between us. “No, not a trial. Just a casual meeting with Her Majesty.”

My huffed laugh brought her brow low over her eyes. “Sorry, sounds rather funny to use the wordscasualandmajestyin the same sentence.”

The general mulled that over for a bit. “I suppose you’re right. Still, this is more a chance for Calla to get to know each of you a little better.”

I frowned. “That doesn’t sound like it was her idea.”

Shaking her head, Isa blew out a tired breath. “No, it wasn’t, but it’s necessary all the same. Would you like to postpone?—”

“No,” I said, a little too quickly. “I’m happy to see her this evening. Just let me know when and where.”

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