Page 14 of The Alien Noble's Little Human

“Prince Taurek, I think it’s skipping-stone sickness. If not that, something very much like it. Her bodily systems are not working as they’re supposed to be. They’re acting as if they’re unaware the other parts of the body exist.”

“What does that mean for her?”

I think of saying,Maybe if you think more quickly, you can figure it out yourself, but it’s such a distressing situation, I know that it would just make the bad news worse. And it would make things harder for me going forward.

“The only treatment that’s been known to work is a very rare element called roxolite. It’s only found in one place.”

“Where?”

“The Ice-Charred Peaks.”

7

TAUREK

Just when I’m ready to place slightly more faith in this Zaya, she undoes the goodwill she’s accumulated. She must be mistaken. There must be some other cure that doesn’t require a suicide mission to the most inhospitable place in the Mountain Kingdom if not all of Kiphia.

“You’re trying to tell me that the only place that holds a treatment that can work is in a frozen hellscape? You’re mad.”

“Ask the physicians. Ask your royal geologists. Ask your chemists and engineers. But if you do ask, I suggest you leave before waiting for an answer. You’ll need to act without delay.”

“And what happens if we waste weeks in the Ice-Charred Peaks and it does nothing?”

“Then you’ll be in the same place you are now.”

“I don’t trust your assessment. I’ll ask the staff nurse her thoughts about your ‘cure.’”

I go at a fast clip, and I see Zaya coming behind.

“Why are you following me?”

“Sorry, I just thought you wanted…”

“What I want is for you to know your place. Stay!” I point to a chair in the hall. I don’t need this woman making it impossible to think, distracting me with her pheromonal cocktail.

“Nurse Hadack.” The older Kiphian nurse leaves her room in the hallway that leads to Hanai’s room.

“Hello, Your Highness. You’re well?”

“I’m fine. What do you know about…ugh, what did she call it? A mineral from the Ice-Charred Peaks.”

“A mineral?”

“Yes. Curative properties. Rolomine?”

“Roxolite. Yes. I’ve heard of this.” Her voice has shades of awe.

“What do you know about it, Nurse?”

“It’s remote. It’s hard to get. There’s lore surrounding it. The professionals I’ve heard from speak about it with reverence. It’s considered difficult to get but prized.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

“Can I help with –”

“Do you know anyone who would happen to have this?”

“No. I’ve never actually seen it.”

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