Chapter 15 #2
My attention went to the plush bed in the center of the tiny room.
Small bruises spattered Rhielle’s face, and a deep, thick bruise with a stitched-up horizontal gash in the center marred her throat.
Her long pink hair fanned over her white pillow, and her normally fair skin held a tint of sickly yellow that contrasted with the moss-green blanket.
Her hands lay laced over her abdomen, and her breaths were controlled.
Her body was near motionless on the bed, and a pale green aura intended to restore and reverse life-draining attacks shimmered all around her.
The attendant bowed and stayed close to the door. “If you require anything, simply ring the bell.” He gestured to a small inset in the wall with a matching gold bell.
“Very well,” I replied, my leathery wings swaying as I moved to Rhielle’s side.
My breath caught as I noted open scrapes and cuts as well as bruises on her hands and wrists.
The marks were in line with someone using death magic to reverse the healing of the past several days and weaken her.
It wasn’t the same as draining her lifeblood but related to a similar tradition and skillset.
It was a coincidence I disliked intensely.
If not for Rhielle’s defensive shadow magic, she would have died.
Had someone been trying to harvest her magic?
Her magenta eyes met mine, and her pupils seemed to fade marginally at the edges until they nearly blended with her irises. “Your Highness, I didn’t expect a personal visit.” Her brow furrowed, and she bowed her head in respect. Faint vestiges of dark purple shadows wisped around her body.
I’d never noticed them before, but they were clearly manifestations of her magic. Had the vesting of the Shadow magic granted me the ability to see them, or had her magic changed in some way? Or were they evidence of the magic working to mend her body?
My head throbbed, reminding me of my own limitations. I cleared my throat. “I am pleased to see you conscious again. Your experience must have been quite harrowing.”
Needing a moment to collect my thoughts, I stared at the flames of the pillar candles burning on the table across from me and took a deep breath. The room smelled of plums and red tea, though I didn’t see a telltale mug, so she’d likely been given nourishment earlier.
“It was.” She clenched her jaw and glared at me. Though she’d been near death’s door, it seemed she had scorned it. “Lately, almost dying has become something of a pastime."
“What can you tell me of your attacker?” I folded my arms.
“He was a cowardly asshole in a dark cloak with stronger magic than spine. Could have been a dark gray cloak; could have been black. I couldn’t tell.
” She twitched her shoulders, then winced.
“I checked my room before I went to sleep, since I’d been attacked in the night before.
I thought everything was secure, and I went to sleep.
Then I woke up, and before I even opened my eyes, I sensed a presence stirring by my bed.
My shadow shield erupted on instinct, but something cold spread over me—something in the air.
The wound in my throat opened, and it felt like every cut, scrape, and bruise I’d gotten in the past six months came back.
It was…almost too fast. It choked me. I couldn’t breathe.
Could hardly see anything because my eyelids froze shut.
My shield only worked because I’ve practiced it so much it’s like muscle memory. ”
I focused on the wound at her throat. “Was this attacker the same one who went after you before?” Captain Finbar had been investigating that as well, and to my knowledge, he had not uncovered the intruder.
“Possibly. His hands were younger than I expected. I couldn’t make out much else because he attacked me with a type of paralysis.
I briefly smelled something like anise. Then it faded.
The magic could have been air, shadow, or neutral.
” Her brow twitched. "It didn't feel like the same poison from the first attack. "
“And the wound at your throat… it opened first?” If it was the same type of magic or the same practitioner, then it would respond the fastest to this sort of attack.
“I think so. Everything hurt though. My whole body was on fire, and I couldn’t move.
My shield saved me. That, and Briar walking in.
I was barely conscious, but she was trying to help.
And whoever it was grabbed her and drugged her.
He was taller than her by only a few inches, but if he hadn’t had whatever was on that cloth, I think she could have taken him in a fight.
” Her lips pressed tight, and her purple-pink eyes flared with vengeful light.
“On paper, she and I are rivals, but I don’t give a feck about winning this competition. I know Briar didn’t do anything wrong.”
I gave a curt nod. She was one of Briar’s friends, but there was still a possibility she had been involved.
What better alibi than to be attacked? Though…
that wound at her throat was critical. Perhaps this Elias person Briar had mentioned had been used to keep Rhielle alive?
Draining him could have been a treatment to save her from the blade at her throat and its poison, but then it wouldn't have left such a grievous scar. No…that didn’t seem right.
Could I trust Rhielle? Something was holding me back. I didn’t want to take the risk for now.
I bowed my head and folded my dark wings tight against my back. “Thank you for your testimony. I will inform the doctors that they are to give you the best treatment. If you are not comfortable continuing in the bridal competition, I will pass on my permission for you to withdraw.”
“You can do that? I thought the joint councils overseeing the bridal competition got final say.” She quirked one eyebrow dramatically. The doubt on her face could not have been more apparent.
“I can make my recommendation. Whether the councils accept it remains to be seen.”
Her expression flattened. “Then why don't you just claim Briar as your queen and save some innocent lives while you’re at it, instead of acting like we’re all expendable?
” She lifted her chin. “But that isn't an option now, since you allowed the Aurelines to take her before you even began an investigation.
And you're here with me instead of doing something to protect her or clear her name.
“If you think she actually killed your father, you're just as corrupt as Kaylen, and you aren’t good enough for her even if you are a fecking royal. This was sabotage, pure and simple. Whoever tried to kill me made sure to remove her, and which contestant would be evil enough to do that?” Her mouth pinched as if she had tasted a lemon, and she set her jaw.
“That said, I am deeply sorry for your loss, Your Highness. But your complacency is almost worse than if you were involved in Briar’s arrest. My Veralt would have set that whole garden on fire rather than let them take me, unless I told him to stand down. ”
My head jerked back. No one knew me well enough to speak so bluntly and assume it would not result in painful consequences.
The mention of Veralt made me curious as well, though I wouldn't inquire further.
Most likely a past lover, or perhaps even a current one.
It wasn't uncommon for bridal candidates to have relationships before being brought here.
“What exactly have you heard?” I steeled my voice in neutrality.
“As soon as I gained consciousness, I asked about Briar.” Her pupils faded at the edges again, a sign that her strength was waning despite her best efforts.
“They said she killed your father in the garden. Now, I don’t know what happened, but I know Briar.
I thought you knew her too, but witnessing her actions in the trials seems to have given you no clarity. ”
She met my gaze unflinchingly, her magic shimmering around her in faint purple wisps. The look on her face demanded answers.
The way she spoke with such conviction made me want to believe her, but it was still possible that she was lying. My fingers tapped on my belt as I contemplated this. Perhaps I could give her some small comfort and see what she did with the information.
I glanced back at the heavy wooden door behind me, then stepped closer.
“You must not speak of this to anyone,” I said in a firm but quiet voice.
“It will put Briar in danger if you do. But I am aware she did not kill my father, and I am doing all in my power to save her. For the time being and because of what is at stake, I cannot admit this elsewhere. For all intents and purposes, it must look as if I will choose another bride. But my heart is with Briar, and I will see to it that she is freed and cleared of all charges of wrongdoing.”
Her eyes widened slightly before she schooled her expression into a cold mask. “Well, you better succeed. Briar doesn’t deserve a weak male who can’t defend his family. And I have even less tolerance for failure.”
“No. She doesn’t.” And she wouldn’t have one.
Part of me wanted to tell Rhielle the rest and seek her counsel, but that wouldn’t be wise.
I turned to go, then paused and glanced back at her. “Have you noticed anything else unusual in this competition, aside from what you have said? Any signs of death magic or life draining or interference?”
“Kaylen is involved. I can’t prove it. But I know it.” Her gaze hardened. “I imagine you’re going to have to play nice with her.” She stared at me, unflinching. “We both know you’re going to have to do something that’ll piss me off and hurt Briar, don’t we?”