Fisher remained forward.
“I really don’t need someone to watch over me, I can take care of myself. I’ve done well so far,” I protested, but he didn’t acknowledge me.
Alright, apparently we were back to the moody facade most of the guards wore. I pushed forward and looked down the corridor. Two additional guards stood posted at Maris’s door and what I assumed was Allura’s. They must’ve returned from the healer.
“Since we have no other plans for today and I’m stuck with you, I’d like to walk around the grounds.” I looked at Fisher, who remained still. “So, I guess you’ll follow me?”
If he was going to trail me, I might as well explore. Leanna had already shown us around, but I wanted to visit severalplaces she missed. I closed my door and moved down the corridor with Fisher stalking behind.
“Good afternoon, Roark.” I waved as we moved past.
“Prince Sutton has requested you respond to the healer’s area when available.” Roark looked to Fisher. “He requires you to take her to the royal healer.”
Fisher stepped in front of me, boredom clear on his face, though I supposed all the guards were disenchanted. Roark was the only exception to the rule.
We weaved down multiple corridors, and I quickly recognized the route. I’d taken the same turns each day in an attempt to gain access to the royal quarters. I palmed the dagger hidden below my beige skirts just to be sure I was ready if given the opportunity.
The familiar guard scanned Fisher and me. He stepped back and allowed us to pass. I dropped my eyes and tucked my mouth, attempting to hide my excitement that I’d finally been granted access.
“I hear there’s a library here,” I said, hoping Fisher might provide more information, but he only let out a grunt. “Do you know where it is?” I pressed.
“Yes,” the burly man responded curtly, not looking back.
We turned to a hall filled with tapestries hung on the wall. One after another, they were primarily aquamarine, with a Rivale sigil crafted of gold thread. Long tassels dangled from the bottom of each. Four large paintings hung in the center of the corridor. King and Queen Sutton were at the center, with paintings of Ryder and Leanna flanking their sides.
I had never seen the king before, but I recognized the same hue of his skin and bright blue eyes Ryder bore. His mother had passed on her full lips and prominent cheekbones to her son.
“Through this door.” Fisher gestured. “I’ll wait here.”
“Okay.” I pushed the door open hesitantly. There was noneed for a healer. I’d always been healthy and healed quickly from minor injuries I sustained while working.
Walking into the room, the pungent smell of herbs nearly overwhelmed me; the faint smell of alcohol was only a distant note in the background. Dozens of glass jars, flasks, and containers lined the shelf on one side of the room, filled with liquids of varying colors. Scientific sketches of the body hung on the other wall.
Sitting at a wide wooden desk was a robed woman. She stood and pasted a smile on her face. “Thank you for coming. I assume you are Audryn?”
“Yes, but there’s a mistake. I’m not ill.”
She gestured to the lightly cushioned table that stood on tall wooden legs, but I didn’t move. If she’d thought I’d just hop up without an explanation, she was wrong.
“My name is Mirael, and I’m the healer assigned to the royals. I work with an assistant occasionally, so let me summon her.” The silver-haired woman walked to the door and whispered her request. She returned to my side a moment later.
I looked at her suspiciously. “Why was I called here? I wasn’t given any information.”
Mirael smiled sweetly. “The prince has taken quite an interest in you and requested an examination to ensure your health. A woman must be fit to be a princessorqueen.”
“Right,” I said with a smirk, “because that’s going to happen.”
Kissing Ryder was amazing, and I felt a genuine connection. But the reality was, I didn’t come from a noble family, nor did I have the affluence of Maris’s family. There was no need to even flirt with the idea that I’d be chosen. My mission to kill his father certainly didn’t help either, though I wondered if he’d die before I even got the chance.
“It’s noninvasive, a few tests and a quick run of my magic to make sure you’re healthy enough to bear an heir,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I don’t need it,” I spouted. “I menstruate regularly, and I’m healthy.” There was no way I’d let her magic roam around inside of me. I moved to the door to leave, but to my surprise, it pushed open.
A woman with long black hair stood in the doorway, her kohl eyes peering at me. Her scarlet lips parted, and she tilted her head at me curiously. “Leaving already?” the woman asked, and remained standing in the open doorway, blocking my exit.
“Please take a seat,” Mirael called behind me. “There’s no reason for concern. We need only five minutes of your time.”
I turned to face her. “I’m not comfortable and would like to leave.”
