Page 28 of The Curse Between Us

Elsie sighed. "Then I am mistaken. But the symptoms are undeniable. His body is fighting against something foreign."

Zephyr and Edric exchanged a look before Zephyr pushed himself up slightly. "You know why you wear gloves," he began.

Elsie raised a brow. "Yes."

"Is it possible that the very air, water, and earth of Rafria is poison to me?"

Elsie considered it carefully. "It is possible," she admitted. "We have never had Eskarvens here outside of battle. If they suffered, it could be dismissed as exhaustion. Butcombined with what you have told me about your reaction to touch, I would say yes. It is a definite possibility."

Edric turned anguished eyes on Zephyr. "He cannot remain here if it causes him this much pain."

As much as he hated to admit it, Edric was right. The reality that Zephyr had tried so desperately to ignore was undeniable: his condition would only worsen. His heart clenched at the thought. He had no desire to die, certainly not like this, not when he was still so full of dreams and plans. The notion of his life slipping away in such a miserable manner, with his body betraying him more and more each day, was almost too much to bear. But there it was, looming before him, a truth that could no longer be avoided. His survival had never seemed so uncertain.

“I can give you a tonic that will help ease the symptoms.” Elsie’s voice broke through the fog of his thoughts, steady and calming. She stood with quiet grace, smoothing the apron over the soft folds of her gown, her posture a mix of professionalism and warmth. “An herbal blend of my own devising. It will cool you internally, and I will add some ingredients to combat the aches in your head.”

Zephyr could feel the weight of exhaustion settling deeper into his bones, the oppressive grip of his illness dragging him down with each passing second. Her offer, while a small relief, was a temporary balm at best. But he nodded anyway. He wasn’t in a position to turn down help, especially not help from someone so capable. “That would be much appreciated,” he said softly, his voice strained but sincere.

“If you take it as instructed, and do not exert yourself, you may be able to resume public appearances and duties in small doses,” Elsie continued, her voice gentle but firm, as if shehad already seen this scenario play out too many times before. “But I do not think it will cure you.”

Zephyr swallowed hard, feeling the sting of her words. He hadn’t expected a cure—he knew that much. But hearing it spoken aloud, hearing the inevitable truth that no matter what they did, the end was inescapable, felt like another weight pressing on his chest. “A temporary solution is better than none at all,” Edric interjected, his voice low, reassuring. He had a way of making even the bleakest situations seem manageable. His hand, warm and steady, had somehow come to rest on Zephyr’s knee, and as he moved it up and down in a soft, unconscious caress, it was as if he were offering more than just comfort. He was offering a sense of normalcy in a world that had ceased to feel that way.

“It will suffice, until we know more,” Edric added, his tone resolute, though Zephyr could detect the strain in his words. Edric was a man of action, of solutions, and seeing him face a problem with no immediate fix seemed to unsettle him more than he let on. Yet, he remained composed, for Zephyr’s sake, even if only outwardly.

Zephyr closed his eyes briefly, taking in a shallow breath. “Thank you,” he said, his voice hoarse. He reached for Elsie’s hand, squeezing it as best as he could manage, the effort leaving his arm feeling heavy. “For your assistance, and for your discretion.”

Elsie’s smile was gentle, filled with the quiet confidence of someone who had long since accepted the weight of their role. “I know where my loyalties lie,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his with unspoken understanding. “And you are in my care now, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to see you restored to health.”

Turning to Edric, she removed her gloves with practiced ease, her fingers swift as she pressed a fond hand to his shoulder.It was a gesture of camaraderie, but something about it—perhaps the way it lingered, or the tender look in her eyes—made Zephyr’s chest tighten. “I will go prepare the tonic and have it sent up immediately. You did the right thing, summoning me here,” she added, her voice warm with appreciation.

Edric caught her hand in his, pressing a courteous kiss to it, his eyes briefly meeting hers with a look that held something deeper than mere politeness. “Thank you, my lady,” he said, his voice rich with gratitude.

Zephyr watched them, a knot of conflicted emotions rising in his throat. What might it be like, to be the recipient of such a gesture? To be the one on the other side of Edric’s warmth and respect, to feel his hand on his own without the cold, impassable barrier of gloves between them? The thought lingered, unbidden, as he watched Edric’s gaze soften, and Elsie’s smile deepen. He wasn’t jealous—he knew there was nothing between them other than mutual respect. But he couldn’t help the pang of longing that stirred deep within him. He wished, just for a moment, that he could be in her place. Wishing he and Edric could touch, truly touch, without the silent distance they had created between them.

The door closed softly behind Elsie, and Zephyr felt the room shift, as if her presence had been the only thing holding the fragile balance of their conversation together. Edric let out a long, shuddering breath, his shoulders dropping slightly in a way that Zephyr had never seen before. There was exhaustion there, deep in his bones, even if he refused to show it.

“So,” Edric began quietly, his voice rougher than usual.

“So,” Zephyr echoed, his words a weak attempt at levity. He raised his shoulders in a small, half-hearted shrug. The effort left him feeling drained. “It will be enough, for a time.”

They met each other’s eyes, and in that shared look, something unspoken passed between them. The questionneither of them dared to voice hung heavily in the air: For how long?

Chapter Eight

Edric was in the audience hall when the messenger arrived, her presence causing a ripple of surprise as she burst dramatically through the large double doors, interrupting the speaker mid-sentence. The air in the hall seemed to still for a moment as all eyes turned toward her. With no hesitation, she dropped a quick, graceful bow and extended a note toward Edric, her movements precise, like someone accustomed to making a swift, attention-grabbing entrance.

The crowd, though startled, fell silent, sensing the weight of the message that had arrived so abruptly. Edric reached for the note with a nod of acknowledgment, his eyes flicking briefly to the messenger before he unfolded the parchment and scanned the contents. His posture was relaxed, but there was a sharpness to his gaze as he read. The news was one he had been waiting for, though he had hoped it would arrive with more fanfare. The delegation from Eskarven had completed their preparations and would begin their journey across the mountains the following day. The prospect of this visit was monumental for both their lands, marking the beginning of a new chapter, a new alliance forged in the heart of these high-reaching mountains.

Edric sighed, sitting back in his throne as the weight of the news settled within him. He didn't allow himself much time to think about it. There was no room for hesitation or distraction today. He glanced back at the crowd, meeting their expectant gazes. “Thank you,” he said to the messenger, his voice calmbut carrying across the hall. “You are dismissed.” His words were concise, professional, as though the excitement of the news didn't show in his tone.

The messenger turned sharply on her heel and left just as swiftly as she had arrived. The sound of her departure left an eerie silence in her wake, and it wasn’t long before whispers started to swirl among the gathered nobles. Edric held up one hand, a silent command for them to quiet down, and the hall stilled. His voice cut through the murmur of excitement as he spoke, his words measured but firm.

“We have just received word that the representatives from Eskarven will arrive before the sun sets tomorrow. I ask all of you to pass the remainder of this day in contemplation of the significance of this event, and to rise tomorrow with welcome in your hearts.” His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone shifting just slightly to convey the gravity of what was about to unfold. “It is a new era for our two lands, and we must be ready to greet it with open arms.”

His words hung in the air, the weight of them not lost on anyone in the room. The Eskarvens had long been a people shrouded in mystery and distance, and this diplomatic visit could alter the course of history for both their kingdom and their allies. Edric paused, catching Herbert’s eyes across the room. He gave him a small nod, signaling that the preparations were in capable hands. Most of the logistical work had been left to Herbert, who was far more suited to handling the nuances of such formalities than Edric himself, whose thoughts were often occupied elsewhere these days—on matters of the kingdom, yes, but also on ailing matters closer to home.

He cleared his throat, turning his attention back to the assembly. “If there are no further matters to be discussed,” he said, his voice ringing clearly in the hall, “I suggest we return to our own pursuits.” He waited for any objections, but none came.After a brief moment of silence, he waved his hand in dismissal. “Until tomorrow.”

As the nobles began to filter out, Alec was already at his side, hovering expectantly as he often did. Edric hadn’t even finished speaking when Alec had approached, eager to share his report. “The guest chambers are all prepared,” he said quickly, his tone businesslike. “The kitchens are busy ensuring everything will be ready for the welcome feast.”

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