Page 109 of The Storm of the Empire

“They can resume once things settle down, but we need you elsewhere right now. For now, the palace is on a state of alert, and everyone is in rotation, securing the kingdoms. Just get Luka up to scratch quickly and help Jaxus. That’s all I ask of you right now.”

So we were thrust into a world of bureaucratic nonsense neither of us was ready for with only Jaxus as a shield. Nyx, understandably, was preoccupied and sleep-deprived, wrecked with guilt and grief. None of us were operating on all gears. Then, on top of everything, Luka was going through trying to figure out magic and shielding as well as our mating, and he seemed to be getting sicker by the day. Not bodily sick, but in his mind. Of course, like a typical male he wouldn’t go to the healers, stating it was a waste of time.

We barely kept ourselves from drowning, and there were days I didn’t know how we kept our heads above water. But the one thing I noticed as the days progressed was that Luka was worse when he was away from me.

“Could my magic be making him sick?” I asked Kiera one lunch time when we took a break together. We sat in her office while Luka was off with Jaxus.

“Wouldn’t it be the opposite then?” Kiera mused. “Wouldn’t he better when he’s away from you, not worse?”

“You’re right. I can’t figure out what it is then.”

“Do you want me to take a look at him?”

“I told you, he won’t come down here.” I tossed what was left of my sandwich on the paper before sitting back.

“No, I mean on the sly. Like, we could go for a drink. Jaxus could really use a chance to get out of our rooms, and I can conveniently sit next to Luka and stealthily check him over.”

I stared at her. “Won’t he notice?”

“No, males never notice those kinds of things.” She smirked over at me. “I’ll give it a shot if you want.”

“I need to do something. He’s not going to admit he can’t handle the work unless he figures out what this is if I don’t force it.” I hated worrying about him. I just wanted to know he was okay. I’d spent too long looking for him to lose him now.

We sat at the tavern,and Kiera did as she suggested and sat down next to Luka. It was so subtle and smooth, I thought it would work…until he turned to her.

“Don’t even try it. I don’t know what Hazel has been feeding you, but I’m fine.”

She blinked and glanced over at me. “How did you know?”

He shrugged, picking up his mug of ale. “I could feel it in your intentions. You seemed pretty obvious.”

“I told you he’d know,” Jaxus muttered.

Kiera shot him a glare. “Don’t you start with me. You never notice anything.”

“But I’m not the spy. Duh,” Jaxus returned with good humor.

“Please, let me just have a look. I promise I’ll be quick and not invasive.” Kiera pleaded with her eyes.

Luka exhaled, exasperated. “I feel fine except when I don’t, but if it will get all of you off my back, go ahead.”

Kiera got up and dug some little instruments and crystals out of her bag. “Turn around and sit on the bench facing me,” she said as she came up behind me.

“So you’re making a whole scene then?” Luka flipped himself around. “Well, get on with it.”

Kiera was as thorough as I’d ever seen her be with anyone, and after about ten minutes, she stepped back and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t see anything wrong with him.”

Luka threw his hands up. “I told you so!”

“I’d need a more comprehensive list of symptoms to really dig deep into this.” She kept staring at him like he was going to grow a third head.

“I’m fine. You didn’t find anything. Can we drop it?”

“Fine,” Kiera huffed and sat down heavily in defeat, but I was banking on her to keep looking for an answer. She picked up her drink but then paused. “Wait, what is your magic, Luka?”

Luka lifted his hands palms up. “No idea.”

“But you’re melded?” Kiera scrunched up her face in confusion. “How do you not feel it?”

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