Page 55 of Ties of Death

Master Healer Tyr continues, his voice slowing as he chooses his words. “Has the king ever touched you? Directly, skin to skin, I mean.”

I know that answer immediately. No. Daenn was always very careful to avoid that. I shake my head, unwilling to risk any hurt leaking into my voice if I dare speak.

Master Healer Tyr nods, as if that explains it. He glances back at Daenn. “On the one hand, if he had, if the bond was complete, it might have been enough to stop the bracers from killing him. But they are an unknown. We can’t say for sure if that’s the case. He might have been saved by it, or perhaps you both would have died. It’s a relief from that angle, really. At least we’ll have you, should the worst come to pass.”

I feel dizzy as his words wash over me.

“There’s nothing you can do, then?” Eskil asks, speaking for the first time since entering the room.

Master Healer Tyr sighs. “I can induce a healing sleep with one of my lowland enchanted talismans. I’ve done it before on patients. It’s much like the sleep Her Majesty’s magic put you into, except mine encourages regeneration and he won’t worsen from lack of food or water. We tried administering that over the comatose patients, but it wore off quickly, like the body couldn’t hold both enchantments simultaneously. That shouldn’t happen here, however, and we can hope it will slow down the bracers.”

“Do it, then.”

He wastes no time in pulling out a small stone from his supplies. It reminds me of the ones the monks gave me to ward the camp while Daenn and I traveled through the jungle.

Master Healer Tyr hovers his hands over Daenn’s head, then his heart. Daenn’s breathing evens out and deepens slightly, but he’s still pale. Master Healer Tyr straightens oncehe finishes. “There. I’ve done what I can.” He shakes his head and starts to move toward the door. “I’m afraid it is only a faint hope. Call me if anything else changes, Eman—forgive me, dear girl. Your Majesty.” He chuckles, the sound too light for the heavy worry trying to drown me. “That title will take getting used to.”

The door thuds. Sigrid and Eskil speak in low voices behind me, but I don’t care enough to decipher what they’re saying.

I stare at Daenn. My chest is no more than a gaping, hollow gash where my heart used to be.

32

Fate Conspired

Four Years Prior

“Emana? Emana.”

I blinked and looked up at Tolomon. “Yes?”

His mouth pinched. “Are you feeling all right? That’s the fifth time I had to say your name.”

“Of course,” I said. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Truth be told, I wasn’t feeling all right. I’d had hot and cold flashes since waking, and my mind felt agitated and fuzzy, struggling to focus on any one thing. “I just didn’t sleep well. I’m excited about my journey.” This would be the first time I would be going home—back to the clan, that is, since marrying Tolomon.

Other visits had been planned, of course, but something always came up. Not this time. This time, I had planned meticulously to ensure success. I dearly missed home—the clan, that is. It had been years since I had seen my mother or Daenn, or even Eskil and Sigrid and dear, sweet Zephyr.

“Are you ready to depart, then?”

“Almost.” I forced myself to take one more bite of fruit, and then I stood. “I’m going to go pack.”

“Already? You’ve barely eaten.”

I smiled and shrugged, and I moved to kiss my husband on the cheek; little gestures like that kept him happy, and Ineeded him in a good mood so he wouldn’t call off the whole trip.

As I straightened, a wave of dizziness washed over me. On instinct, I gripped Tolomon’s chair for support.

“Emana?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “It was only a dizzy spell.” I gave him an indulgent look. “You worry too much.” My attempt to lighten the mood had no effect on his frown.

“Are you sure you’re up for the journey? You seem piqued. Heaven forbid you fall ill while traveling and have to stay there any longer than necessary.”

“I’m fine, truly.”

He sighed and shook his head. “You would say that even if you weren’t.”

“Possibly. But Iamfine.” I gave him one more reassuring smile. “I’ll be in my room.”

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