Taiyo made a strangled noise in his throat. “Tell them I’m sick.”
“And feed into the other rumors that you are deathly ill?”
“Well, are they really rumors if it’s true?”
“Taiyo. Please, they will not stop hounding me about you and your alchemist and what you’re doing hiding her away all hours of the day. Just for a few minutes. Act like everything is fine. Then you can go.”
“I’ll go, but I’m not subjecting Hellebore to their rumors and gossip.”
“That’s exactly what you’ll be doing if she’s not there.”
Hellebore called out, “I’ll go.”
Taiyo whipped around and Haruko raised an eyebrow, like she hadn’t even noticed Hellebore in the shadows, trying to determine if the tincture she’d given the potted iris was actually curing the rot or if she was seeing what she so desperately wanted to.
Taiyo stared at her in stunned silence. Haruko recovered first, clearing her throat and nodding. “Excellent. Then I’ll see both of you tonight. I’ll have your maids prepare you accordingly, alchemist. I’d suggest getting started on that soon.”
“Haruko—” Taiyo started, but she was already gone.
“Don’t worry, Taiyo, it’s just for a night.” Hellebore pulled the glass away from the plant. “Besides, you’re the one who is always getting onto me about not working too much.”
“Technically, it is work, for both of us. And it’s the last thing I would have expected you to volunteer for.”
Hellebore took her gloves off and started for the door, grinning as she ducked under his arm and into the hallway. She tucked her gloves into one of her pouches. “I live to surprise.”
Taiyo followed her out into the hallway, but she was already turning down the hallway, throwing behind her, “See you tonight!”
The second Hellebore arrived back at her room, Phoebe and Elaine were already there, practically bursting with excitement at the chance to do more than just braid her hair or help her into a complicated nightgown.
As Hellebore closed her eyes, letting Phoebe pour water over her head as she washed her hair, she could hear the unspoken question in the air.
Why?
An excellent one. Up until this point, Hellebore had shown no interest in any of the Sun Elves or being part of the court. Why now?
While Phoebe and Elaine were exemplary servants enough to never voice their question, Hellebore knew it was only a matter of hours until she would have to answer it when it came from her husband’s lips.
Her husband…
She blinked past the water still running down her face and looked over at the iris. It sat in its place, soaking up the sunlight. Hellebore had been caring for it as was expected of her, even when no one was watching and when she’d never be allowed to use it.
The only iris she’d ever seen that hadn’t caught the rot.
Even if she failed to cure the rot, would that one iris be enough for her to save Taiyo?
If she did kill the sacred plant to save his life, would he forgive her?
Why did it matter so much to her? When had he started mattering so much to her?
Hellebore focused on the one question she knew she would be asked and could at least answer later.
Phoebe and Elaine fussed over her for hours until everything about her was perfect. As perfect as she could be for a human amongst elves.
Hellebore brushed her hands over the top tier of the full, silk skirt. The peachy-orange sleeves were practically molded to her arms, complementing the gold detailing on the bodice.
She looked over at the Sunrise Iris sitting off by the window.
They were an almost identical match.
