I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t know what he was talking about. “It’s been a long night,” I finally said.
“The ball was better than I imagined.” His mouth trailed up to my ear and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from crying.
Why was he here? What was he doing? What did he mean by . . . the ball?
It suddenly clicked. He was recalling the first ball we had when Laoise had come of courting age. We had brought in all the nobles and spent the entire night, and almost morning, dancing and drinking. I’d worn a thin, ruby silk gown that hugged my torso and twirled with every twist of my hips.
Was Kyros sleep walking? If he was, this was unlike the other episodes. Sometimes he was disorientated, recalling past events, but nothing where he seemed this alert and awake.
“My love,” he whispered in my hair. “You’re shivering.”
“I’m cold. Let us return to your room. I didn’t light the fire in here and I know yours is always going.”
“Very well.” He slipped out of bed and lifted me into his arms. “I will carry you to my chambers anddevouryou.”
I gave him a smile, hoping he didn’t notice the fear in my eyes.
The ball was before the witches arrived. I didn’t know what he was thinking or what was happening to him. Was he asleep? No, he couldn’t be asleep, for he walked sure and spoke coherently, but his eyes were as black as obsidian.
He lifted me into his arms, cradling me like he once used to, and climbed off the bed. Something crushed under his boot and I glanced down to see shards of glass near the foot of my bed.
We left my quarters and he walked toward his own chambers. I kept my arms looped around his neck, watching behind us, desperate for someone to know that something wasn’t right.
What happened after I fainted?
When I had woken, the pixies filled me in about the defense system, made me eat then Anna used her pixie dust to put me to sleep—and for once I agreed, desperately needing to forget the events of the day.
Where were the witches now?
What if they were in his chamber and he was bringing me in there?
Going to his room was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have said anything, but I panicked and didn’t want him in my bed. We turned the corner, his door only a few feet away. To my surprise, Tallis walked out of the king’s chambers.
“Your highness,” he said, his brow narrowed.
I shook my head, trying to warn Tallis that Kyros was not in his right mind. He saw my face but didn’t react.
“Tallis!” The king placed me on my feet and slapped a hand on Tallis’ shoulder. “Are you snooping in my room? You won’t find any of those woodland fae we invited in there. Though I know you have a fondness for their tawny features.”
Tallis eyed me, and the king laughed.
“I’m sorry, your highness. I was looking for you. Someone said you had called out for aid.”
Kyros tilted his head to the side. “Aid? No, I’m fine.” Kyros looked at me and rubbed his head, digging his palm into his temple.
“Highness, are you alright?” Tallis asked. “Should I send for the priest?”
“I am sorry, my love,” Kyros said, glancing at me with a pained expression. “I’ll have to break my promise to you. I find myself with a headache. Tallis,take her back to her quarters.”
He patted Tallis on the shoulder before shuffling into his room.
Eyes wide, Tallis quickly walked forward, taking my elbow and ushering me down the hall as swiftly as possible.
“What is wrong with him?” I whispered. “Did you see his eyes?”
Once we were safely in my chambers, Tallis closed the door and locked it behind us.
I grabbed his hand and dragged him over to the window, far away enough where we could not be heard from the hall.
