“If you’re ready,” Navi says, eyes twinkling.
“Go ahead,” I groan, resting a hand on my full gut.
“Desmarais is doing well. Almost all businesses and trades have reopened. Trade has begun again with our neighbors to the North,” Navi says, listing off the good news. “It’s more challenging in rural areas. The villages will be hit hard this winter. Their food stores have been depleted, and many of their homes and farms were destroyed by Sadal's army."
I rub my temples. This is what I wanted, I remind myself. I want to be the King who cares. I want to protect my people and provide for them. “What else?”
“Those who couldn’t reclaim their farms or homes are taking refuge in Desmarais and Anholla,” Navi continues. “We expect more when winter really strikes.”
“And that will put a strain on the city.” I nod. “How much is left in the treasury?”
“Enough to rebuild your castle three times over.”
I sigh. “Finally, good news. Send trade ambassadors to our Neighbors in the North. As unhelpful as they were in this conflict, I’m sure they have an excess of food stores. Offer what we need to for food to feed the people. But be frugal. I don’t want to give them a penny more than they deserve.”
“I already did,” Navi says with a smug smile.
My brows raise in surprise. “Well, look at you.”
“I spent enough time with you to know what you would do,” Navi says.
I grin wryly. “I’m not sure about that. But, tell me, have we made a deal, yet?”
“We have.” Navi straightens. “Shipments of food are already on their way.”
“Good. Make sure soldiers are present at the docks when it arrives. I don’t want anything to happen to that food.” I stretch, exhaustion hitting me like a boulder. Thal’s eyes are slipping closed while he sits upright on his stool. We both need some sleep. “If that’s all, Thal and I need to rest.”
“I think I’ll sleep right here,” Thal mumbles. “Don’t make me move.”
I chuckle. “Alright, but don’t blame me if the cooks hit you with a broom.”
Thal grunts in response. I slip off of my stool and stagger up the stairs to the main level. I keep my eyes trained on the worn carpet as I mount the stairs to the second floor. I stop outside the salon-now-infirmary and stare intensely at the door. I can hear bustling within, glasses clinking, and soft footsteps. Suddenly, the door flings open, and the healer who kicked me out stares at me. His eyes are filled with sympathy and my heart stops.
“Come in,” he says. “She’s awake.”
A chill in my veins, I follow him inside. My eyes find Verity immediately. She’s resting on the cot where I left her. Some color has returned to her cheeks but they’re still sunken. There are dark bruises under her eyes. Her lips are dry and cracked. She smiles at me and lifts a thin hand in greeting. Relief floods through me, weakening my knees. I rush to her side, dropping to my knees and taking her hand in mine. Her skin is still hot, too warm for a mortal, but it’s cooler than before. She still wears the ring I gifted her months ago on her little finger. I press it to my lips, locking my eyes on hers.
“Verity, how do you feel?” I ask quietly.
“They tell me I’m not doing so well,” she says. “But I’m not sure if I believe them.”
“What’s wrong with her?” I ask, glowering at the healer.
“It’s a sickness of her magic,” the healer says. “We don’t know much about this type of illness. It may pass, it may not. Only time will tell. In the meantime, her body will reject her magic. She used too much of it in too short a time without enough strength.”
“Is she going to die?” My voice is guttural, pained. I hate to even ask the question.
“No,” the healer says and my shoulders sag. Verity squeezes my fingers tightly. “But she will need a lot of rest.”
“When can she be released?” I ask, brushing my lips over her fingers.
“Tomorrow perhaps.” The healer turns away to rummage through one of the cupboards, leaving us a few feet of privacy.
“I have some good news,” I whisper.
Her pale blue eyes drift over me and she cocks a brow. “Spill it.”
I grin at her, happy to see she has some life to her. “I spoke to Erzur before she returned to Santaya.” I pause, letting the moment build. I don’t know if I can tell her. I’m not sure how she will react to the news. “Erzur has agreed to release me from my bargain.”
She’s quiet, eyes wide. “You mean?”
I run my tongue over my lips nervously. “Is that something you would like?” My words are hesitant, faltering.
Verity doesn’t speak. She tugs her hand from my grasp and my heart sinks. I drop my gaze to my knees on the cobblestone floor. Verity’s blankets rustle and from the corner of my eye I see her wringing her fingers. Suddenly, Verity stills. She waggles her fingers in front of my face and I catch a glint of metal from her ring finger.
“What?” I trail off, lifting my head, heart fluttering.
“Look.” She frowns, showing me the ring on her finger. It sits above her second knuckle, stuck. “This one doesn’t fit.”
“Shall I get you another?” I cock a brow as Verity studies the ring.
She smiles mischievously. “Is this a second proposal?”
“It is,” I confirm with a smile.
“Then I’ll have to think about it,” she sighs theatrically.
I muse, playing along. “Is there anything I can do to persuade you?”
Verity turns on her side, wincing. My thoughts flash back to the battle we fought. It feels like it was only hours ago
