“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?”
