Page 39 of Dark Prince's Captive

My sister bobs her head.Taking Elsie’s hand, she leads her to the stairs.

Kian tips his head toward the doors.

I go ahead.

When I re-enter the hall, the guests are huddled in groups in the four corners.My father could’ve easily ordered the guards to let the royal family out.They answer to both him and me, but as the king, he holds the highest power.Yet my immediate family, including my two close cousins, are still gathered around the king and queen’s table.My mother doesn’t sit up straight in her chair.She’s stretched out in it, her arms hanging limply at her sides.My father kneels in front of her, clutching one of her hands in both of his.

Kian, who follows behind me, says in a voice that doesn’t carry farther than my ears, “You’d better clear the hall.Father isn’t in a state of rational thinking, and the guests shouldn’t see this.”

One look at my mother is enough to tell me he’s right.As far as the people and even the nobles are concerned, the royals are powerful and invincible.Showing weakness wouldn’t only hurt the pride of the person in question.It would undermine our authority.

A nod at a guard communicates my instruction.Quickly, he organizes a team to line the people up before escorting them out.The waterfall that gives access to the palace will remain in place.For now, I’m not allowing anyone to leave.

The hall starts emptying while I walk to the main table.

Vitai studies my mother with a concerned look.

“Aruan,” my mother exclaims when I stop next to her chair.“You’re alive.”She sags in her seat.“Thank the dragons.”

My tone is chilly.“What did you do, Mother?”

“I don’t know what happened.”She coughs.“I swear it on your life, my son.”

I raise a brow.“Is that why I’m alive but Elsie was almost killed?”

“Mind your tongue, Aruan,” my father says with all the venomousness of a red jungle toad.“You will not disrespect your mother.”Turning back to his wife, he says in a gentler manner, “Rest now, my love.You mustn’t exert yourself.Let Vitai finish his evaluation.”

Suno and Tarix stand at the edge of the table, looking on with big eyes.The only reason my father isn’t sending them away is because, as the son of a favorite sister, Tarix is my mother’s private secretary and protégé.Suno acts as my father’s advisor.He’s learned in every scroll and law that hold legal power in Zerra.

Vitai takes a terracotta bowl from the table and holds it to my mother’s lips.Under my father’s wakeful watch, she manages to take a few sips of water.

“What happened?”I ask.

“She’s showing mild signs of poisoning,” Kian replies.

I barely manage to hide my shock.“What are the symptoms?”

Vitai glances at me.“She’s having trouble breathing.”

It could be acting.I wouldn’t put it past her.

Kian, always quick to read my thoughts, says, “Look at her tongue.It’s purple.”

I go cold.That can’t be faked.Unless she used the petals of cardon flowers.They’re dried and crushed to die fabrics.But if she didn’t…

“Can you fix it, Vitai?”I ask as evenly as I can.

“Fortunately, this case is mild enough, so I’ll do my best,” he says.“She shouldn’t have more than a fever and chills for a few days.Judging by her symptoms, she must’ve had light topical contact only.She’s lucky she didn’t ingest any.”

“How could this have happened?”Tarix asks, his voice close to breaking.

“That’s what I’d like to know.”My father’s expression darkens.“And I will find out.”

So will I.

I turn to Kian.“Read the mind of every person who entered the palace today.”

He nods grimly.“I was planning on it.It’ll take time, though.There must’ve been over five moon cycles of people at the banquet alone.”

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