Page 19

“You placed it? Why?” His face twisted into a scowl.

“Where is she?” I repeated.

Klaus stared at me uneasily. Then he returned to my bedside and sat once more on the chair. “I put her in the cells. She woke up several hours ago. Hasn’t said a word other than to ask for water.”

“Did you give it to her?”

“Yes, enough to keep her alive for now,” Klaus said, a little grumpily, I thought. “You, of all people, know I’m not a cruel man.”

“Not everyone would count refusing to give a prisoner water cruel.”

Klaus shifted in the chair. “Are you going to tell me why you bound yourself to the likes of her?”

No, I didn’t think I would. Perhaps later when I had more information. Right now, I didn’t want to be distracted by the argument Klaus no doubt would wish to engage in. If he didn’t like the idea of me hosting a ball to lure in the Nightshade, he certainly wouldn’t approve of me keeping one of their assassins close by my side.

“What have you told the council about my absence?” I inquired.

“That you had a cold and didn’t wish to see anyone or attend any meetings so as not to spread it to others.”

My jaw dropped. “You said what?”

Klaus stared back at me, impassive. “Would you rather I have told them the truth, that the King was nowhere to be found and was last seen in the company of an assassin? I didn’t think you would want me to give such ammunition to your rivals.”

I attempted to throw the quilt off, only to groan when my arm didn’t move high enough. I swung my legs off the bed as Klaus stalked to my side as though ready to push me back down.

“Do not touch me,” I ordered sharply.

He dropped his hand and stepped back. I rarely took that tone with him, especially when he worried for me. But I couldn’t help it. Worried or not, he should have known better than to say such a thing. I shook my head, grinding my teeth.

“If you were worried about my rivals,” I said bitingly, “you should have made up a more believable lie. Only an idiot is going to think that’s true. It’s so transparent! Those who do believe it will think I’m weak, letting such a small illness make me neglect my duties. What were you thinking, Klaus? A simple cold?”

“I don’t appreciate that tone,” Klaus said, though the anger in his eyes seemed to have lightened. “Perhaps you would allow me to explain before you give me a verbal lashing?”

His voice was even, but his words were sharp. I ground my teeth as my body seemed to lose all its strength. It took everything I had just to sit upright. Standing, at this point, was out of the question. I hated being so helpless, which probably made me snap at Klaus so easily.

“Explain, then,” I ordered.

“Nobody believes you were laid up with a simple cold, Araki.” Klaus straightened. His expression told me he was still unhappy about how I was acting, but he was too loyal a friend and general to complain.

“That’s what—” I bit my tongue as Klaus held up a hand.

“The last time anyone saw you, you went into the gardens. This was after you were spotted close to a beautiful young woman wearing, quite frankly, a scandalous dress. Said woman disappeared shortly after you did. No doubt, in the minds of most, for a tryst with the king.”

I scowled. He had a point there. Reilyn certainly had caught a few eyes. They would have noticed her leaving right after I did. Klaus folded his arms, giving me a piercing look. “The point being a lie about neglecting your duties for a cold is exactly the stupid, transparent lie I needed. Everyone assumes you’ve been holed up in your chambers with the little—”

“Do not use that word,” I cut him off before he could finish.

“I’m using the terms that the council has been gossiping with, Araki.”

He stepped forward again, gesturing toward the bed. Reluctantly, I allowed him to help me situate myself among the pillows, leaning against the headrest. My abdomen shook with the effort to keep myself upright. “That, combined with your ruthless reputation, has stopped anyone from questioning your absence.” Klaus pulled the blankets back up over my legs. “Not just anyone is willing to oppose King Araki Darinell.”

He was right about that. I leaned back warily, exhaustion weighing on my mind. My body was fighting, and it needed to heal. But Reilyn was in a cell. I needed answers from her.

“I want a strength potion,” I said.

“Araki—” Klaus started, sounding exasperated.

“Now,” I ordered.