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A pparently, Hellebore’s husband wasn’t content to let her remain beyond his comprehension.

At least, Hellebore could think of no other reason as to why the next day Phoebe delivered a note to her from Taiyo, asking if she would join him for dinner.

Hellebore supposed a change of scenery might do her good, and it could be entertaining. Hopefully she’d escape this encounter without being cornered up against something.

She arrived in a small private dining room, not having bothered to change out of her Chymesian clothes. They’d fared well enough that day in the lab, and whatever Taiyo was hoping to get out of this, she would not let him forget what she was.

Taiyo sat at the head of the table as she walked in, rising from his seat to greet her with a respectful nod. She took the only other seat with a table setting, the one directly beside him, and asked, “What is this about?”

“Even alchemists eat, don’t you?” Taiyo took his seat again and the servants began filling their glasses.

Hellebore stamped down the instinct to smile at his quip. “Not with elves.”

“Then why did you accept?” Taiyo took a sip from his glass, but she could see the faint curve to his lips.

“If I answer that, I spoil your fun.” Hellebore picked up her utensils and began cutting the venison on her plate.

Taiyo shifted back in his seat, moving for his own dinner, but keeping one eye on Hellebore. “How was your work today? Any progress worth noting?”

Hellebore easily fell into her role as the King’s Alchemist, updating him on the project. She had to slow down more than usual, but thankfully her Iubian had improved substantially since her arrival. The daily practice and full immersion were smoothing out the rough edges and had made it easy to recall her old studies in the subject. She still wasn’t as natural at it as a native speaker. That combined with the fact that she had to explain to Taiyo her reasoning behind why she was pursuing certain lines of examination and what exactly the techniques were since he had no background in the fundamentals of alchemy like a Chymesian king would made the debriefing slower than usual.

Taiyo asked a lot of questions. Not in any hostile or demeaning way, but there was a hesitancy in them. She didn’t hold it against him. It was natural that even if he needed alchemy, he wasn’t very comfortable with it. Still, he was making an effort. She hadn’t expected that.

As dinner came to a close, he asked, “How is the iris?”

She set her empty glass back down after finishing it off. “Watered, enjoying the sunlight, and perfectly healthy. I haven’t poisoned it… yet.”

She braced herself for an outburst, but it never came. Taiyo just shook his head, leaning his chin into his palm, letting it cover his mouth, but there was a light in his eyes that reassured Hellebore she hadn’t overstepped with her joke.

After that first dinner, every few days she would receive an invitation from Taiyo to join him again. When she asked what his reasoning for continuing to invite her again and again, he replied, “Honestly, while I know it’s necessary for me to engage with my court and be seen, it’s exhausting.”

“If you wanted a companion for dinner who isn’t exhausting, you shouldn’t have chosen me. All I do is bring you more work to discuss.”

“You’re not exhausting. Not to me.” Taiyo smiled. “Besides, it’s important work. Your dedication is commendable and your passion enviable. I don’t know if I’ve ever cared about anything the way you care about alchemy.”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Wait, let me guess—care is too emotional a word for you, sunshine?”

Hellebore choked on the sip she’d been taking. She lurched forward to set the glass down as she coughed. A chair screeched and a warm hand was on her back as she pressed her napkin to her mouth while her body convulsed with a few more coughs. She looked over her shoulder to see Taiyo crouching beside her, having abandoned his chair.

“Are you alright?”

“Sunshine?”

Taiyo grinned, hand still on her back, only now it moved up and down, and Hellebore’s heart kept racing. “What? You don’t think it fits?”

Hellebore shoved at his shoulder, knocking him off balance, and he fell back against his chair with a laugh. “I see why you keep doing this. It’s not your court that’s insufferable. It’s you.”

The servants attending them exchanged a few glances, but none of them stepped in.

“Oh, you wound me so.” Taiyo clasped a hand to his heart. His fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as he grabbed the chair with his other hand and stumbled back to his feet. Hellebore glanced at his glass. He’d only had one, so he couldn’t be drunk.

“Just sit back down and tell me what exactly this thing is so I can be certain you’re not secretly trying to poison me.” Hellebore pointed to the foreign vegetable on her plate she had not yet touched.

Taiyo sank into his chair before pulling it back up, closer to her side than before. “Don’t worry, I ensured everything you’re fed is safe for you to consume. Unlike some, I’m not in the business of accidentally poisoning people.”

“If you don’t let it go, the next one won’t be an accident.”

“Believe me, sunshine, you’re not going to be the thing that kills me.”

She stabbed at her food. Obviously. Elves and their ridiculous lifespans.

A month and a half into her research, Hellebore came back to her room, having long since dismissed Phoebe and Elaine for the evening. Taiyo hadn’t extended her an invitation to eat with him, so she decided to press on with her work. She'd been deep in her experiment that involved the rotting irises and samples of the other plants being affected by the rot as well and needed to get her observations recorded, specifically for the request she was about to make.

But when she entered her room, she spotted a little bit of light underneath the door connecting her room to Taiyo's. So he was still awake. She started for the door, but the sound of voices on the other side stopped her from opening it.

“—nity! Don't be foolish.”

Princess Haruko.

“She's been here over a month now and has done nothing but what she said she would. She's different, granted it may not be by much, but enough.”

“You've thought that before.”

Were they talking about the last time Taiyo had had any significant interactions with an alchemist?

“Yes, and I learned my lesson, but this time I have nothing left to lose.”

Was it more than just a poor first impression with Aunt Palladia?

What more weren't they telling her? Did it have anything to do with her solving the rot? How could they expect her to solve the problem if they didn't give her all the information?

Their voices lowered and Hellebore had to strain to hear anything, and even then she couldn’t make anything more out.

Then, Haruko said, “Please, don’t look for something that’s not there. She’s a tool to be used. Nothing more.”

Taiyo said nothing in response. Another door opened and shut. Hellebore waited approximately five seconds before she flung the door connecting their rooms open.

Taiyo jumped from his spot on his bed, catching himself on one of the four posts, eyes widening, skin paling, and face falling as he looked at her.

“Hellebore—”

But she was looking at the bottles on his nightstand beside the bed, stepping into his room for the first time. Interesting. What were they for? She waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. I’m not about to start screaming and throwing things at you.”

“How long were you there?” Taiyo asked, still gripping the post so tightly his knuckles looked ready to fracture.

She breezed right past him, picking up the first bottle and looking over her shoulder. “Not long. I learned nothing new other than the fact that there’s something you’re not telling me. I already know you’re desperate and that you arranged this marriage for the sole purpose of using me as a tool.”

“My sister—”

“Doesn’t like me. I know.” Hellebore looked down at the bottle and peered at the liquid, identifying the substance within a second. “Painkiller?”

“Supposedly,” Taiyo scoffed.

“Not doing much for you? Is this related to the thing your sister doesn’t want you to tell me?”

He stared at her for a moment. “No. I get migraines. Always have. It’s supposed to help so I can sleep. It doesn’t always.”

Hellebore turned it over and examined it more closely, then let out a little hum before tossing it to him and he scrambled to catch it. “Well, since you refuse to believe me when I’ve repeatedly told you I was trying to sedate you, not poison you, there’s your proof. That tincture when combined with the sedative I used is lethal.”

He stared down at it for a moment. He gritted his teeth and shook his head before staring at her. “Why are you like this?”

Hellebore raised an eyebrow. “If someone thought you purposefully poisoned them, wouldn’t you point out it had been unintentional once you had more proof?”

“Not this.” He took a step toward her, holding up the bottle. He gestured at her, frustration seeping into his voice. “ This. ”

He came to a stop directly in front of her, cornering her against the bed and the nightstand. Here they went again. But all she did was stare at him with a cold, unbothered expression. She said, “Alchemy doesn’t extend to reading minds. As brilliant as I am, not even I can do that. I’ll need you to be more specific.”

He reached around her, bracing his hand against the post, his arm hovering by her head as he leaned down. “Why are you so unfazed? Why does nothing bother you?”

“Can I have a few examples?”

“After thinking you were being kidnapped, only to discover it was actually because we were betrothed, you immediately acquiesced.”

“You made it clear my refusal didn’t matter, and given the circumstances, I see why.”

“That’s not the point. You just overheard my sister and me discuss something we haven’t told you, but instead of being angry your husband is still keeping secrets from you, you’re more concerned with my medicine?”

“Why would I be angry? It’s not like our marriage is anything more than an arrangement. Why would I have any expectation of you divulging all your secrets? Besides, if it’s relevant to my work in helping you and your people, the only people you hurt by keeping it a secret are you and your people. If you keep something from me that will help save your people, that’s on your head, not mine. I have no stake in this. And if it’s not relevant to my work, you have no obligation to tell me.”

“If the Moon Elves attack during the eclipse, you’ll need to care.”

“I promise you that you don’t have to worry your pretty little head about me. I’ll be able to protect myself and escape just fine.”

“Really? Then how did I manage to abduct you and carry you off?” Taiyo smirked.

Hellebore narrowed her eyes. “Because I stopped to save you instead of letting you die in order to escape.”

Taiyo shifted closer, chest brushing against hers. “And why would you have any desire to save my life?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I was just trying to avoid starting a war when I escaped. It had nothing to do with you.”

“So pragmatic.”

“Thank you.”

He tilted his head. “My sister just called you a tool to be used. Aren’t you offended? Why aren’t you angry?”

“What use is there in being offended by such a fact? It does not make it any less correct. Emotions cannot prevail against truth.” She lifted her chin, the action causing a few strands to come loose from her braid. “And why should it concern you, my lack of concern? I am your tool to be used. That’s what a King’s Alchemist is. And that is what I am to you. That is all I am to you.”

“How did you open yourself up and piece by piece remove all your emotions one by one until there was nothing left but this cold shell?” His other hand came up to her cheek, brushing a loose strand back behind her ear. He whispered, “Where have you hidden your heart, sunshine?”

Her own voice came out as a whisper. “The heart is just an organ.”

“And you’re everything I feared you would be.”

“Now if that were true, would I be so willing to help you save your people?”

He pulled his hand away and stepped back, shaking his head. “Was there a reason you were at my door?”

Right.

“I need to send for a few things from the Royal Alchemists’ Academy. I have research there that I believe will help me identify the rot. It’s familiar to me, but I haven’t been able to place it. It’s imperative.”

He frowned. “And the one who would be overseeing that would be Palladia?”

“Yes, this would mean sending a letter addressing her.” Hellebore also wanted an excuse to write her aunt since she’d never actually gotten to say goodbye, and maybe when her things were sent, she’d receive a response explaining a few things. “I have no intention of saying what I want my research for. I have been studying rot and decay for a long time. There should be nothing suspicious about it.”

Taiyo scoffed and started pacing, but the color still hadn’t returned to his face. He didn’t look perfectly steady on his feet. Since the medicine had been out, he probably still had that migraine.

He seemed to be weighing it though, instead of dismissing it out of hand. Maybe he was semi-intelligent. He went to all the trouble of getting her to do this, so he’d better listen to her when she told him what she needed.

“It would be only your research, correct? Nothing of your aunt’s? No other books?”

Paranoia was not a good look for him. If the secret didn’t have to do with the painkiller, then it was obviously about whatever had happened that had caused him and her aunt to hate each other.

“That was my intention. I can make it clear that’s all I expect.”

Taiyo nodded. “Alright. Send for it.”

Hellebore said, “I’ll have my letter first thing in the morning for you to approve.”

She then started to turn for the door when a hand caught hers. She looked back at Taiyo.

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

Taiyo dropped her hand, pulling his back to rest at his side. “That you can’t write without my approval. It’s a horrifically invasive thing.”

“It is, but you’re not the one who would destroy any letter I might send without your seal. Was it your idea or my father’s?”

Taiyo immediately lowered his gaze.

Oh. She took a deep breath. “Well… What’s done is done. Logically, I understand the reasoning. You’d never even laid eyes on me. You didn’t know if you could trust me. Frankly, given what I heard, you still don’t. Having you read my letters is a measure of trust, that you know I’m not trying to run off.”

Taiyo’s head snapped up. “That doesn’t make it right.”

“So? You’ve proven you have no qualms doing whatever it takes to save your kingdom. Now you’re worried about being righteous?”

“I…” Taiyo took a step toward her. “I’ve had a lot of qualms about this whole affair.”

“And it’s far too late for them now. You’ve made your decisions. Now we all live with them.”

“I—” Taiyo cut himself off. His voice came out softer. “Do you want to write to someone else? Your brother, perhaps?”

Hellebore had been doing an excellent job not missing Callahan or wallowing in the truth of what her brother really thought of her as an alchemist. Focusing on her work and dealing with her strange elf husband were perfect distractions. If only one of those distractions wasn’t trying to now push her toward the very subject she wanted nothing to do with anymore.

At her stony silence, Taiyo stepped forward, voice picking up speed. “I won’t read it, if that’s what you’re afraid of. I’ll sign the page before you write and give you my seal.”

“It’s just my communication with my aunt you want to monitor, then.” She gave him a split second to object, and he stayed silent. “Well, your offer is appreciated, but unnecessary. I have nothing to say to my brother.”

“And what if he had something to say to you?”

“Considering how long I’ve been here and haven’t seen a single letter from him apologizing or attempting to explain himself, I doubt that.”

Taiyo reached for her hand again. “Hellebore—”

She ripped it back. “I don’t need your pity. My brother signed off on our marriage, and you should be grateful he did. If my brother’s actions did not speak loud enough for him then his silence now has. He believes I’m not good enough to be his alchemist. Congratulations, that means I’m yours. I’m not going to waste my time on someone who doesn’t have faith in my skills. I’m going to focus on the ones who do believe in me. You.”

Taiyo’s hand hovered in the space between them. His eyes were locked onto hers. The same question burned in his eyes and so much more. The sort of things Hellebore had no experience with and had no intention of dealing with.

So, she brushed off her skirt and started for the door. “And on that note, that means I should go to bed so I can resume my work in the morning and have that letter for you to approve of.”

As she went back to her room, Taiyo’s eyes burned a hole in her back. She paused in the doorway and looked back, nodding at the bottle. “By the way, if that’s not working for you, and you actually want to sleep, let me know.”

Taiyo whispered, his voice coming out rougher and more raw than before, “And why would you care about me sleeping?”

“Maybe I’m just trying to keep you guessing.”

“Hellebore.”

She sighed like he was physically dragging it out of her. “I’m your alchemist. That’s what we do. Serve and take care of our kings. It’s got nothing to do with you or me. I’m just doing what I’ve been raised to do.”

“I’m your husband.”

“Not in any way that matters. Goodnight.”

The reason she’d taken no offense to his continued distrust in her and any message she might send to her aunt? Well…

Hellebore only had one night to figure out how she was going to encrypt her real message to Aunt Palladia right under Taiyo’s nose.

Whatever had happened between them twenty-five years ago, Hellebore was going to find out.