Page 90 of Glass and Bone
“I mean I know there is poppy in the nectar Master Pakin gave me.”
“So you know that poppy helps speed up healing and provides pain relief?” I nod. “Well in its purest form, it can speed up healing incredibly fast. In large doses, you would just get tired, but within hours any pain or injuries would be long gone, as long as they didn’t break the skin. Scabs take longer to heal, but bruises can dissipate within hours. But hemlock, hemlock causes extreme memory loss for periods in which the herb is the most potent.”
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head. There is absolutely no way Tobias had been drugging me. Hurting me without me knowing it. But the notebook, he was using something and testing it.
“When you fall asleep, have you been having nightmares?”
“No, I haven’t.” I shake my head.
“But you used to. Every night?” I nod. “And when did they stop?” I pause and think back.
“I can’t remember, but it’s been awhile.”
“Has any part of your routine changed?” I go to shake my head, but that isn’t true. I’ve been having coffee with sweetened cream and a nightly glass of wine. Sugar. Enzo said sugar could be used to hide even the most lethal of drugs.
“Coffee. I’ve been drinking a few mugs of coffee with sweetened cream every morning. It tastes like ice cream, super rich. And wine. I have a sweet pink wine every night. Tobias found it and said it used to be your mother’s favorite. So he ordered a bunch of it for me.”
“I would guess that is where he’s been putting it.” He mutters.
“No, Theo. You are wrong.” I shake my head again. There is no way he’s been drugging me. I walk away from him, but he pulls me back. His skin touching mine sends electricity through my veins. I look down expecting to see sparks, but they don’t appear.
“Is there anything that has been happening you can’t explain?”
“I mean I wake up sometimes not remembering going to bed, but it's the alcohol.” I explain. It has to be.
“I am scared for you, Elaenor. I am terrified he is going to go too far.” His voice is soft, panicked.
“I don’t remember any of it. Any of the supposed abuse you think he’s doling out.” He’s wrong. He has to be. Things with Tobias have been good, really good. He would have no need to drug me.
“I can’t explain it, I just have a feeling.” He reaches up and lightly brushes the hair from my face. “We can still run.”
“Theo, you need to stop with this. You need to stop trying to get me to run from him. I am married. He owns me. I can’t do anything about it. What I can do is stop drinking the coffee and wine and speak to Viktor who may have information about my heritage that I don’t. So please,” I pull on my arm. “Let me go. You can either come with me or not, but I am going into that palace.” He slowly releases my arm and I push past him, crossing the town square.
My senses are assaulted with the thick humidity and lush smell of foliage. It’s not as cold as I expected it’d be in the autumn, but I am happy about it. I didn’t plan ahead and bring anything other than the fur lined leather jacket I currently have on. The town seems nearly empty, with everyone inside for lunch. It’s small, so it doesn’t take me long to reach the palace gates and walk through them. The courtyard is filled with the usual servants and guards, and I pass by all of them without a smile.
I climb the few steps to the entryway and nod at all of the guards stationed around. I quickly make my way to the council chamber, hoping he’s there, which he thankfully is. He’s speaking with his Hand, Lord Danieas, and a few other council members. I step into the room and all eyes turn towards me. My father’s eyes widen as he stands.
“Elaenor?” He looks clean, in shape. His hair isn’t as messy, his face is shaved, and for once he’s wearing clothes that aren’t wrinkled from the night before.
“Father.” I respond, nodding my greeting to the others.
“Leave us.” He says as everyone quickly rises and pushes out of the room. Lord Danieas offers me a soft smile and a pat on the shoulder as he walks by. “You too.” My father snaps at Theo.
“No, he stays.” I respond. He grits his teeth, but eventually nods.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of having Noterra’s queen grace our small country?” He sneers with disgust. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes.
“Who told you I wasn’t your daughter?” I blurt out. He doesn’t even flinch.
“Did you know?” He asks as he lifts a glass of clear liquid to his mouth. Based on his history, I am almost certain it is not water.
“I had my suspicion after I learned my mother and I were frequent visitors of Noterra when I was a child.” He smiles and leans back.
“Do you remember?” I shake my head. “Anything from before that night?” I stay quiet and he snorts. “Figures she’d do something to prevent that.”
“Prevent what?” I snap.
“Prevent you from remembering.”
