Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Vad
S ilus folded his arms and waited for me to speak.
I paused, not wanting to torch the centuries-long friendship the two of us had shared.
Even now, he wasn’t trying to be difficult.
He saw himself as protecting not only Elara but me as well.
The problem was, he was misguided and not treating me like the king’s heir.
"Why did you wake Elara when we both know she needs her rest? Was it to spite me because I left to locate Briar?”
His head jerked back. “I didn’t wake her.
I was in her chambers when she woke of her own accord and came out.
Some of the servants were here, speaking of the king’s death.
I wanted you to be the one to tell her, but I definitely didn’t want her to learn about it by overhearing someone who wasn't close to her. I informed her because of the circumstances.”
A bit of tension eased. I had thought the worst, assuming he’d purposely tried to undermine me.
“No.” Thalen tilted his hands, creating his circle of silence to dampen our voices. “Don’t let him off that easy. He could’ve kept the servants away. He chose to tell her, despite knowing how hard it would be on her without her brother there.”
“I suppose you're living your best life right now.” Silus sneered. “You must always be the center of attention, and right now, you’re the golden friend.”
“Did you even try to find me, Silus, before you told her?” I tilted my head and watched his facial expressions.
He shook his head, his jaw set. “There was no time. I’d stayed in her gathering room in case she needed help.
You didn’t see her last night. She was so…
exhausted and fragile, and I didn’t want to leave her alone.
She felt sick when she woke and came out here, asking what was wrong, and it wouldn’t have been right to just let her overhear the servants. I didn’t know where you were.”
So Father’s death hadn’t impacted only me. She’d suffered as well. “What did you tell her?”
“You mean about Briar? Or everything?” He laughed humorlessly.
“Everything,” I said sternly. I didn’t have time for snide comments. I had a lot to do, but this had to be addressed.
He shifted his weight and nodded as he drew a hand over his mouth.
“I told her that someone murdered your father in your mother’s garden.
That whoever it was had been clever. That Briar was involved but most likely as a pawn or a weakness they’d identified to keep you distracted.
And that there was an investigation underway.
I didn’t say it was Briar’s fault or that Elara should hate her. I told her how I saw it.”
If only I had Briar’s ability to smell lies. In all the time I had known him, Silus had never been prone to lying, but lately I wasn’t sure how well I knew him—or anyone really.
My limbs weighed me down like lead, and my shadows pulsed, confirming the depths of my weariness.
“I want to be clear. You are not to discuss Briar with my sister any further. I don’t trust your judgment, the same as you don't trust mine. If you breach my trust in any way, I will prevent you from seeing my sister in any capacity. Do you understand?”
“I think your ban should include more than Briar. It should include the king’s death, too, and the circumstances around it.” Thalen huffed. “He wants to poison her mind.”
“If you—” Silus started.
I lifted a hand and cut him off. “Elara may need someone to talk to, and both Thalen and I will be busy. I don’t want her to feel alone or abandoned.
But, Silus, I will find out if you so much as hint to my sister that Briar is the problem or was part of the assassination plan.
You focus on being there for her in dealing with our father’s death.
One misstep, and you won’t have another chance. ”
“Understood.” Silus pressed his lips together. “I can’t risk losing her. And I’m not being spiteful. I’m just as concerned for you as I am for her, but you won’t listen to me.”
I exhaled. He might care, but he wasn’t handling this disagreement well.
“She cares for you, and I’d hate to be forced to be the villain.
Even though we clearly aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, I don’t want to hurt her in any additional ways.
” Now that this was settled, I looked to Thalen and nodded toward the door that led out of her chambers. “Let’s go. We have much to do.”
Thalen headed out the door without acknowledging Silus again.
It felt wrong not to tell Silus everything, but I had revealed more than I’d intended. He could still damage our plans if he wanted to, but I did trust that he genuinely cared for us, even though his attitude was misguided.
We left Elara’s chambers and had barely made it to the conjunction of the halls when Thalen cut in front of me.
“You need to rest. If you don’t go to bed, I may commit treason by assaulting the heir of the Shadow King with the Club of Swift Slumber to ensure he sleeps.
” Thalen jabbed his finger against my chest, then gestured toward the hall to my own room with a jerk of his thumb.
“Your chambers are that way. In case you need reminding, considering it’s been so long since you’ve slept. ”
I hesitated. Nausea was still roiling within my stomach, and my fingertips pricked with uncomfortable energy. “There are still tasks?—”
“If it can’t wait, tell me, and I’ll see to it. Otherwise, let it wait.” Thalen stayed directly in front of me.
More arguments rose to my lips, but another rolling wave of nausea cut through me, and my eyes nearly shuttered.
“Very well. I’ll rest. Inform the warden and chief interrogator about Colm’s arrival and the arrangement.
Make sure there are no wounded feelings, but don’t reveal too much.
Come wake me once the High Aureline Council has arrived or if Rhielle awakens. We need to know what she knows.”
“Would you like me to see if Kaylen is available to chat? I’m certain she’d be more than happy to soothe your weary brow.
” He flashed a grin before swooping away with his wings spread as one of my shadows swatted at him.
The shadow flickered and faded, but Thalen had his back to me at least, so he didn’t see.
I’d pushed myself too far. My stomach cramped with even more nausea, and my head thundered as I made my way into my chambers. The carafe of water by my bedside was mercifully full. I drained it in a single breath, removed my boots, and dropped into bed.
My body shook, rousing me from slumber. I opened my eyes to find Thalen leaning over me.
“Rhielle’s out of her coma. I can talk with her if you need more rest. It’s only been four hours.” Thalen took a step back.
“Four hours?” I grunted, my mouth tasting like salt and bile. I pushed my hair out of my face. “You’re lying. It’s been…ten minutes at most.”
“Sorry. Four hours. Maybe a little more.” Thalen drew back and crossed his arms. “Looks like you could use another ten.”
I jolted upright, realizing I was still wearing my formal black silks from the ball.
My entire being wanted to fall back into bed, but that wasn’t an option.
Not until Briar was back at my side. “Why don’t you speak with Captain Finbar and follow up on the investigation, and then speak with the officiants about sending Elara information about the decisions needed for the funeral arrangements?
While you handle that, I’ll speak to Rhielle. ”
Thalen fought a yawn and rolled his shoulders, hinting at his own exhaustion. “That’s fine. I’ll find you when I’m finished.”
I waited for him to leave, but he stayed in place.
I arched a brow. “Are you going to insist on accompanying me while I change?”
“Do you even have to ask?” He grinned and spread his arms. “You’ll never be rid of me. At least, not until you get Copper Chaos back. At which time, I will discreetly excuse myself and leave you and your shadows to her and her shadow beast.”
I dragged my hand over my eyes again, barely registering the joke beyond his tone. “I need to dress. I was waiting for you to leave, but it seems you’d like to stay.”
Thalen turned and rushed to the door. “I need a show from someone soon, but it’s not going to be you .” He slammed it behind him.
I rolled my eyes and went to my mirror. I dropped my glamour for a moment, needing to see how run down I truly was.
I stumbled back a step. I’d known it’d be bad, but I hadn’t been prepared for how bad.
Dark circles lay beneath my bloodshot eyes, and my skin seemed to sag. I was more than exhausted, and my appearance matched how I felt. I slid the glamour snugly back in place. I had no more time to rest and didn’t need to dawdle over my true appearance.
I bathed swiftly and scrubbed my face before putting on a black tunic, a black surcoat with muted gold embellishments, onyx iron bracers, a leather belt, a dagger, and black trousers and boots.
When I entered the healing chambers, the physicians and attendants stood to attention, and one of the gray and green-clad attendants hurried forward and gestured for me to follow her.
She guided me to a smaller chamber door inset between two pillars.
As we passed beneath the delicate carved stone archway, I noted its protective sigils had been marked with oils, and the air smelled more of peppermint and sage than the usual medicinal herbs.
These were the recovery rooms, which meant Rhielle had already been moved from treatment.
The attendant gestured toward the wooden door carved with the healing emblem of a sheaf of varied herbs encircled by a broad gold line.
The attendant rapped his knuckles on the door but pressed in at once. “The prince wishes an audience.”
I grimaced inwardly, wishing he had waited a moment to ensure she was ready for guests.