Page 45 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Time ticks by. Nothing happens. Panic is swelling inside me like a hurricane when he finally goes rigid.
The silence that follows is deafening.
I search his face for any sign of the man I love. For a heartbeat, I allow myself to hope that the corruption has receded, that my Sterling is fighting his way back to me. But the blackness in his veins and the darkness clouding his eyes remain as he strains against the unforgiving metal.
I run a thumb along his fisted hand. “Please, return to me.”
Is he too far gone? Is the corruption rooted too deep?
This is only my second time attempting to heal corruption. Leesa was my first, and I feared I’d killed her.
Sterling remains still, a statue of hatred and darkness, eyes unfocused. With a heart heavier than the stones of the palace walls, I climb off the bed.
My tears failed. I failed.
Utter defeat slams into me, and I sag against the wall. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why it didn’t work.”
“Hey, Duchess. I missed you.”
That voice. Rough around the edges but unmistakably his. I freeze before slowly turning back, barely daring to breathe.
Dark sludge oozes from his cut cheek before dissipating into the air.
My heart stutters. Skips.
Warm, gold-flecked eyes greet me.
His lips tilt up in a tired but genuine grin.
That’shissmile. The one only for me.
Blood thunders in my ears as I rush to his bed.
The guards stand at ease, stepping back to give us space.
Flinging myself beside him on the narrow cot, I cradle his face, mindful of the cuts and scrapes.
“Queen, actually, if you want to get technical.” I lower my mouth to his, and he rises up as far as the chains allow.
When our lips meet, I forget to be gentle. The kiss is raw and desperate, full of urgency and desire. I tunnel my fingers through his dark hair and trail my other hand over a bicep.
“Queen, huh? I’m going to bow before you and worship every inch of you.” There’s a feral gleam in his eyes as he speaks low in my ear. “As much as I want to explore this restraint thing someday, I don’t think we need an audience when I fuck you.”
I half laugh, half sob with relief. The man I love is home.
The sterile scent of the infirmary claws at my senses as I lean against the far wall.
Sterling’s perched on the edge of his bed like a caged bird, fighting a silent war against a stillness I know all too well.
“Perfectly healthy.” Healer Luci Yarrow brushes off hands stained by a kaleidoscope of healing potions and herbs.
Considering she’s the one who first figured out what was happening with the corruption, I should trust her words.
But doubt has been my constant companion, and I give in to my worries. “Are you sure he’s not still?—”
“Corrupted? No, Your Highness.” Her blue eyes meet mine, steady and true. “He’s clear. As if it never happened.” She straightens her short-sleeved, navy blue robe, tucking her supplies back into the row of tiny pouches hanging from her thick belt.
My heart skips, but I can’t let it gallop just yet. “How long does he need to recover? I’m worried?—”
