She snorted and shoved his hands down, taking a step back. “Just because I think Wilf is trying to kill me doesn’t mean I’m poisoned.”
His shoulders visibly tensed. “No, but you’re flushed and your speech is slurring. Your pulse is racing and your eyes are unfocused.” He looked beyond her. “Dirk, get a physician to Serene’s room. We’ll meet you there.”
Footsteps pounded away and Clare winced, pressing a shaking hand to her brow. Her vision fuzzed. Narrowed. “Bennick?”
He stood before her, hands outstretched. “You’re going to be fine.”
His face blurred and she stumbled back. Breathing was difficult. Fates, how long since she’d been able to take a full breath? The wall spun to meet her and Clare lurched away.
Bennick shouted. Clare felt his fingers grasp for her arm, but she was already falling.
The side of her face smacked against stone and everything went dark.
When Clare opened her eyes she was in the princess’s bedroom. A lamp glowed, throwing light into the shadows.
Princess Serene sat in a chair beside the bed, one sculpted eyebrow arched. “How are you feeling?”
Clare swallowed drily. “What happened?”
“You were poisoned.”
She ground her teeth at the princess’s grating tone, but immediately regretted it—the whole right side of her face throbbed. She remembered hitting the stone wall when she fell in the corridor.
“It was the necklace,” Serene said, leaning back in her chair. “The diamonds were covered in Vaerue, a poison extracted from snake venom—snakes found in Mortise, as the trend seems to be going. The poison was sealed with a coating that kept it undetected, until sweat wore it away. That’s why it took a while foryou to feel the effects. Quite ingenious.” Her head listed to the side. “My father questioned the Havims personally but they denied all knowledge. They insist anyone could have poisoned the necklace, since it passed through so many hands.”
Clare’s hands fisted under the blankets. “I heard them talking at the ball. Ser Havim doesn’t want a Devendran queen.”
Serene grunted. “Bennick told us what you overheard. My father still doesn’t see Bahri Havim as a threat; prejudiced, sure, but not about to ruin the peace.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, their reasoning is legitimate—the necklace passed through many hands. It could have been compromised anywhere. Although it’s a little insulting that they blamed the palace guards who searched the necklace when it arrived.”
Clare pushed into a sitting position, holding her aching head as she frowned at the princess. “Why are you here?”
“It is my room.”
“I didn’t expect you to be here.” Checking on her. Because that’s what Serene was doing, Clare realized.
A furrow grew between the princess’s eyebrows and something almost sheepish ghosted in her eyes. “I recently learned the truth of how you came to be here.” She pursed her lips. “You saved my life, and in return you were arrested and forced into becoming my decoy. It wasn’t a choice you made for riches or prestige. I misjudged you.”
Clare stared. “Is this an apology?”
“No.” Serene sniffed, somehow managing to look regal as she did it. “Merely a statement.”
A small smile tugged into place. “Thank you,” Clare whispered.
A pause. “You’re welcome.”
Clare startled awake, blinking at the dim glow in the room. After Serene had left—informing her Venn and Dirk stood guard outside—Clare had fallen back asleep, the lamp still glowing faintly. She was still tired, but something had woken her.
Twisting her head on the pillow, she froze at the sight ofBennick seated on the chair beside her. His head was bowed, fingers lost in his hair, his broad shoulders sagged with impossible weight. His elbows were balanced on his knees and he breathed slowly. He still wore his dress uniform, though it was wrinkled now. It was probably the middle of the night.
She thought he was asleep, but his head lifted and bloodshot eyes caught hers. He straightened. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I thought I could slip in without waking you.”
“What are you doing here?”
He avoided her question, dropping his focus to her abused cheek. His jaw flexed, guilt flashing in his eyes. “How are you feeling?”
She set a hand on his knee and he stilled. Warmth flooded her cheeks at her boldness, but she wanted his attention.
She had it. His blue eyes clung to her.
“It’s not your fault I was poisoned, Bennick. You saved my life by recognizing it.”
He studied her, saying nothing. She could feel the sting and throb of the bruise forming on her face, but that became muted as she watched him. There was a war in his eyes; Clare didn’t know what he fought, but a thrill shot through her when the battle abruptly ended.
His fingers lifted, warm and gentle as he traced the edge of her bruise. Then he bent, the pulse in his neck visibly jumping. His stubbled jaw grazed her smooth skin and his warm lips brushed her cheekbone, where the bruising began. Clare held her breath the entire time he kissed her cheek, and when he eased back, his throat bobbed and her pulse tripped.
Their eyes locked and Bennick swallowed—hard. “I should let you sleep.”
As if her pounding heart would let her sleep now. But she didn’t protest when he left, even though her throat tightened with words to call him back.
After the door closed gently behind him, Clare fingered her cheek, a slow smile curving her lips.
Chapter 26
Grayson
Grayson received his mother’s summons an hour after breakfast. Unfortunately, the invitation to tea wasn’t something he could ignore.
Queen Iris’s garden was deceptively beautiful. The green hedges were meticulously trimmed and there were flowers in every vibrant color imaginable. The pebbled paths almost looked inviting, but everything in this garden killed, including the woman who tended it. The garden was stocked with all manner of poisonous plants, herbs, trees, and berries. The queen even had deadly mushrooms, slugs, frogs, and fish. Every corner of the
