Once he’s gone, I lean down to feel Quinn’s forehead. Still hot and damp.
“My plans are ruined.” She pouts, pulling the covers up to her chin as she gets more comfortable.
“What plans, love?”
“I’m ready.” She doesn’t have to elaborate for me to know what she means. “But sex is so not happening tonight.”
“We have the rest of our lives for that.”
Yawning, she nods. “I’m so tired.”
“I need to check on Torius. He might be decorating the hallways right now.”
“Are you okay?” Quinn grabs my hand before I can move away.
Am I? No, not really.
I’m striking pissed. Someone poisoned an entire restaurant in order to hurt Quinn. She could’ve died. And for the first time in my life, I’m sick. It’s absolutely awful. How do humans tolerate this?
I don’t want to lie to Quinn, so I don’t answer her question. “I’ll be right back. I’ll leave the door open, so if you need me, just yell.”
I’m doubled over as I stagger to the door. The stardust is wreaking havoc on my system, but I need to be strong for a few more minutes. It’s not good for my men to see me like this. I refuse to appear weak.
Standing as straight as I can, I go out into the hallway. Torius is there, guarding my room like he said he would, despite the fact that he’s probably in a world of pain. Duty comes first, and I’m proud of him.
I lean against the wall for support. “We need to narrow down a list of suspects. Interview the staff to see who was in the kitchen earlier.”
“I already did.” Kai walks over to us. “But the cooks and servants are all down for the count.”
“The innkeeper?”
“Incapacitated.”
“Did you see anyone suspicious? Anyone who hung around in the dining room but didn’t eat?”
“No,” Kai answers.
“How are you both feeling?”
There’s a heavy pause, before Torius replies, “Fine.”
I cock my head to the side. “You’re not sick?”
Another pause. “No.”
“And you, Kai?”
“Feeling fine.”
Confusion and paranoia swirl with the nausea. “You mean to tell me you both ate the soup and you’re not sick.”
Torius clears his throat. “That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
“You,” I whisper, unable to believe my men would betray me. But the witch did tell Damon it would be someone I trust, and for the past several days, these men have been the only people I’d bet my life on. Quinn’s life. Seems I was wrong to do that. “You two conspire against me.”
“No, my king,” Torius rushes out.
Both men kneel, and a thud resounds on the wooden floorboards.
Stepping back, I sneer. Their fake show of loyalty is pointless.
“It was you in Quinn’s room that first night,” I say to Kai, before pivoting toward Torius. “And you’re the one who secured the carriage.”
Torius thumps his chest. “I would never—”
I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “And stardust was perfect, wasn’t it, Kai? You knew you couldn’t help with poison. Are you disappointed Quinn didn’t drink the distilled Day water?”
“Distilled what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Kai must’ve practiced his denial. Or maybe he’s just always been good at lying, because he sounds utterly clueless.
“Why?” I rasp. “You didn’t want a human to rule over you? Quinn has been nothing but kind to you both.”
Kai sighs, defeat heavy in the sound. “I suppose it won’t do any good to try to convince you we had nothing to do with it?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
What does a king do when he can’t trust his own soldiers?
Eliminate them.
But I don’t have proof, and sentimentality with a niggling of doubt is getting in the way. I keep remembering all the times we’ve covered each other’s asses. Saved each other’s lives.
My mind is too foggy to think clearly right now.
“You won’t be with us on the rest of the journey,” I decide. “Go to the citadel on the west side of the Aelustria. Tell them your king has sent you to do an inspection of the fortress. Stay there until I send for you. Swear it.”
“I swear,” they both say the oath at the same time, and a flutter in my chest solidifies the promise.
“If you disobey me and we cross paths before then… may the stars be merciful on your souls.” I don’t wait for them to respond before slamming the door in their faces.
I run a hand over my jaw, and my palm comes away slick with perspiration.
“Kirian.” Quinn’s tone is sympathetic. “I heard, um, everything.” The sheets rustle as she struggles to sit up. “Do you really think it was them?”
I want to answer her, but I can’t put my emotions into words.
Torius and Kai were my closest friends. I’m sad. I feel betrayed. I feel vulnerable and weak, and I’m questioning my judgment. My pride is wounded, and my heart is broken.
But before I can say any of that, my stomach revolts, and I’m bolting to the bathroom.
Quinn
Kirian’s eyes are closed, but I know he’s awake. Dawn glows on the horizon over the expanse of rooftops outside our third-story window. The soft light throws shadows on Kirian’s troubled face.
“Do you realize you’re frowning right now?” I ask, snuggling closer.
The corners of his lips dip even more. “No. Are you still feeling okay?”
I nod, my cheek rubbing against the hair on his bare chest.
The stardust poisoning set us back a whole day. We’d planned to leave yesterday morning, but we weren’t in any shape to travel. The doctor was right, though. By the time lunch rolled around, our appetites were back. Sort of. We were able to nibble on some bread, and the Grevillea nectar helped to curb the dehydration headache.
But although we’re physically better, Kirian’s mood has never been worse.
My poor king is depressed.
I’ve seen him come through the portal injured. I’ve listened to him talk about hard times in his kingdom. Poverty,
