Page 93 of Cages and Crowns
Chapter Forty-Nine
The Caged
Master Lenus’s infirmary reminds me of Pakin’s on a much smaller scale. Bottles line a wooden bookshelf set against one wall. Beds line the opposite wall with goldish-yellow curtains separating them. A single, metallic table lies in the middle of the room, probably the worktable, with a desk up against it on the left side. I walk up to it, my fingers brushing the cold metal.
I hear his cane before I hear him. He limps in, his face set in a grimace as he watches his feet. His eyes find mine and widen, the wrinkled skin around his mouth tightening.
“Your Majesty, my gods, what happened?” YourMajesty?
“She walked into my elbow.” Nithe says from where he leans against the bookshelf, reusing his joke. I roll my eyes at him, and Master Lenus sends him a scathing look as he walks up to me.
“Sit, sit.” He motions towards the table, and I climb onto it, letting my legs hang off the side.
“I am sure it’s fine, just a little bloody.” I say softly as he opens drawers and pulls out supplies.
“Hush now.” He says as he fills a bowl with water. The scent of lemon and mint hits me along with something floral and sweet. My pulse skips as he walks over, vials in hand.
“Please,” his eyes flash to mine in concern. “No poppy root.” I whisper, my voice cracking. He nods slowly and pulls a vial out of his pile, setting it back on the shelf. I can tell he wants to ask, but I just don’t have it in me to explain.
He dips a cloth in the water and raises it, asking permission. I nod and he starts to wipe at my face. The lemony scent is strong, and it burns, but I keep my wincing internal. I shut my eyes, tears pricking the back of them at the pain.
“Your nose is not broken, Your Majesty, but it will be bruised.” I nod as he sets the cloth down. A tear escapes my eye and I quickly wipe it away. He opens a small pot, the minty scent hitting me. It’s some greenish cream. He dips his finger in it before lifting it and rubbing it against my nose. “This will help with the bruising and the healing. There is no poppy root, just mint and white willow bark.
“Alright.” I say softly. My eyes fix on his face, at the shape of his eyes and the subtle dip in his chin. His age, his height, everything about him reminds me of— “You’re his brother?” He twitches and pulls his hand away from my face.
“I’m sorry?” His eyes flit back and forth between mine as he figures out what I am asking.
“Master Pakin.” I say again, my stomach tightening. He sighs and closes the pot. The glass clinks as he sets it down on the metal table, his hand shaking.
“Yes, Apollo is my older brother.” He responds softly, his voice sounds sad—resigned.
“Lenus Pakin.” I whisper. He nods again. Nausea hits my stomach and I jump off the table, putting distance between us. Nithe is quiet as he watches, his eyes emotionless.
“I assure you, anything he did—”
“He drugged me. He made the concoction that Tobias used to make me forget. He sewed a crown to my head. He patched me up time and time again just to let—” My hand flies to my mouth as I gag.
“Your Majesty?” He steps forward and I shake my head. I take a slow deep breath and swallow back the bile building in my throat.Hold it together. “My brother and I were never close; I can promise you that. He took after our mother, cunning and devious. I favored our quiet and careful father. Whatever he did, I apologize for what you endured.” My hand slides to my chest.
“Excuse me.” I whisper as I push my way out the door. My feet are quick as I make turn after turn until I reach the front door. I don’t spare either of the guards a glance before I run to the wall and straight through the open gate.
Endless grass and hills surround me, and I double over. Bile creeps up my throat and I let it out. My plait falls in front of my face, and I quickly flick it over my shoulder to keep it clean. My breathing comes in shallow pants, and then it calms.
Instantly.
My neck prickles and I feel this pressure on my head, on my eyes. I slowly rise and scan the area around me.
Darkness edges my vision and then I can smell him.
Feelhim.
His arms go around my waist, his nose nuzzling my neck. I inhale the scent of cedar and smoke, the scent of him.
“Come home to me.” He whispers, his breath tickling my skin. My hands rise, wrapping around his wrists as I lay my head back on his shoulder. “I miss you, Ela.” He says softly. Tears prick my eyes as I close them, relishing in the feel of him. I could just run, I could—
No.
I rip his arms off of me and spin around. His face has darkened, his eyes nearly black as the blue is absorbed by the shadows. Black veins spread below his eyes to his cheeks, spreading down his jaw and neck.
