Mirael shook her head and straightened her face. “This is a required examination. If you choose to walk away, you are choosing to return home.”
Going home didn’t sound like a bad idea; I missed my father and Benton. It’d been weeks, and I had yet to see them. As tempting as it was to refuse and head home, the executioner’s name was too close to give up.
“Tell me again what you need.” My eyes bounced between Mirael and the other woman.
“My magic will inspect you.” She adjusted an apron around her robed body. “Just to make sure everything on the inside is in working order. Not only for an heir, but for your own health too.” She gestured to the black-haired woman. “She will examine your mind. It’s important to possess a clear head when the kingdom depends on its royals and the decisions they make.”
“Will it be painful?” I asked.
Mirael chuckled. “No dear, we don’t harm—we heal. If I suspect there’s something requiring attention, I’ll ask your permission before taking any action. Does that sound acceptable to you?”
I nodded and tentatively sat on the table.
“Please lie back and relax,” Mirael requested.
She moved to my side while the other woman stood near the top of my head. Mirael moved her hands to my stomach, and I felt the warmth of her magic hum through me and mingle with my own. It rolled and moved from the bottoms of my feet to the top of my head. The sensation was oddly comforting, and not at all as I expected.
“Close your eyes and open your mind, Audryn,” the woman at my head requested. She placed her palms on each of my temples.
The thrum of darkness passed through my mind, uneasy and out of place, nothing like the glittering pass of Mirael’s magic. It wasn’t painful, but it was foreign and unnatural, like a square peg attempting to fit into a round hole. It didn’t glide easily, but felt forced—pushed.
Minutes or hours passed; I couldn’t tell. I’d been transported somewhere I hadn’t recognized. Maybe I’d fallen asleep or had gone into a daydream. When I opened my eyes, I was back in the healer's room. Only Mirael stood; the other woman had disappeared into the void.
“You’re very healthy.” Mirael assisted me into a seated position. “Your willingness to accept the examination is appreciated.”
My head was dizzy, and a wave of nausea passed through my throat, threatening to empty the contents of my stomach onto the floor in front of me. I teetered on the table, stabilizing myself with a hand.
“Here’s something for the nausea.” Mirael pulled a dropper from a small tincture. “It’s not uncommon to feel a bit off after such a thorough examination.” She brought the dropper to my mouth. “Under the tongue if you’d like relief—if not, that’s fine. It’s always your choice.”
I opened my mouth and accepted the offering, though I would have begged for the sweet relief from the waves roaringthrough me. The unease was almost debilitating. The bitter liquid dissolved on the bottom of my mouth, and every symptom instantly abated.
“Thank you,” I replied, meaning it with every ounce of myself. “Is there anything else you need?”
“That’s it. I’ll advise the prince of your healthy nature and the ability to carry a child.” The woman grinned. “He’ll be pleased, I’m sure.”
My feet hit the ground, and I walked out the door to find an empty corridor waiting for me; Fisher had left. Before I could second-guess my choice, I pushed down the hall, past more tapestries, and found the walk lined with doors, each looking identical to the next.
I’d be a fool not to take the opportunity to find the king’s study. Fuck trying to find the king himself; I wanted the book more. I moved quickly, opening and closing doors as fast as I could. Several bedrooms, a small bathroom, and a sitting room later, I’d found the study.
A massive mahogany desk sat in the center of the room, with a large window centered behind it. Bookshelves lined the wall on either side of the window, holding leather books that were worn and had fraying spines. I quietly closed the door behind me, only after checking to make sure nobody had seen me enter.
My hand passed over the book that lay open on the desk with yellowing pages. A diagram of the castle was sprawled open on a scroll below; red X’s marked dozens of locations on the sketch.
Hand gliding over the shelved books, I removed each to review the titles. History and battle tactics were the majority mixed with thin scraps of paper with unintelligible writing. It would be impossible to get through the mass, even if I had the entire day.
My eyes popped at a book titled, Rivale Records of Execution. I selected the text and placed it on the desk. The brownleather looked too old, but it was my best chance. I thumbed through it quickly. The dates were in order and went back fifty years.
Listed were names, offenses, and the dates of executions. The right column listed the name of the executioner. My eyes sank in, reading the name—Mornak. I flitted through to the last page. The most recent execution listed was dated thirty years ago, and the name of the executioner had since changed. I needed to find the most up-to-date book.
I re-shelved the book, and my hands searched for a more current text. The door clicked open behind me, and I froze. Maybe if I stood there long enough, I’d melt into the bookcase itself. Lifting my chin, I turned to face who would likely report my offense.
Fisher’s eyes narrowed on me. “You shouldn’t be in here.”
I put on the most innocent face I could muster. “I was looking for a bathing room, but stumbled in here and I couldn’t help myself. I love to read and there are just so many books.” I batted my lashes, hoping he’d believe my innocence and overlook the blatant lies we both knew I was spewing.
“Get out before someone sees you,” Fisher growled. “I won’t be blamed for your insolence.”
“Yes, of course.” I hurriedly crossed the room and stood in the corridor. “My sincerest apologies. Though if you’d been at your post, I wouldn’t have gotten lost to begin with.” If Ryder was worried about my safety, Fisher would be in just as much trouble if he reported me.
