Page 60 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

The voice was soft and whispered but didn’t sound much like Gran.

I tried to open my eyes, but it was hard. Then my bed hugged me tighter and kissed my temple.

I didn’t think beds could do that.

There was a soft chuckle and the bed kind of shook.

“Kiera?” the bed asked. What magic was Gran messing with?

“Gran?” I croaked.

“No.”

I frowned. If not Gran, then—“Bed?”

The bed laughed again, brushing my cheek with its fingers.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked.

“Because you’re adorable. But Kiera, I need you to open your eyes for me. I need to know you’re okay.”

This bed was too demanding. I just wanted to sleep.

The laughter was louder this time. “Why are you laughing at me? You’re a bed.” I grumbled. I was going to have words with Gran about this.

“Kiera, It’s me, Jaxus, not your bed,” the amused voice replied.

I pried one eye open, scowling. Sure enough, Jaxus was wrapped around me, holding me to him. He was the source of the warmth. But why? I inhaled deeply, trying to get some oxygen to wake up my brain and make sense of this. Jaxus’ scent filled my nose and instead of clear thoughts, I made a sound of pure need. What in the?

Jaxus was trembling, and I turned my face slightly and found him fighting a laugh. “What in all the kingdoms is so funny?” My voice still croaked from sleep.

“I’m sorry, but your walls are down for the first time, probably because you were actually relaxed for once. I can hear everything that’s going through that brilliant mind of yours.”

I took a minute to fully process what he was saying. My thoughts? How was he hearing them?

“You aren’t shielding them because you’re weakened.”

“Weakened?” I asked, finally blinking away the sleep enough to take in my surroundings.

I was in the healer’s wing. In a bed! Had I fallen asleepworking? I tried to sit up with a start, but my body was slow to respond, and I barely got my head off the pillow.

“Shhh, it’s alright. You’re going to be okay.” Jaxus soothed, wrapping himself further around me as if to hold me in place.

I weakly pushed at his chest. “What’s going on?”

“You came into contact with Dragon’s Bane at the festival and had a pretty severe case of poisoning,” he said softly.

I started again.

“Kiera, stop trying to get up, you’ve been very sick and you’ll be in bed for a few days.”

“I don’t understand.”

“We think you touched it while you were shopping for ingredients.”

“But I don’t have a reaction to Dragon’s Bane. I’ve healed dozens of dragons poisoned with it over the years.”

“Yes, but you are a ryder now. You are bonded to me. Ryders are as vulnerable to Dragon’s Bane as their flyers.”