“They won’t let me see him,” she whispered. “Father is so angry…he’s shut himself up in his study and will barely look at anyone. There’s no way he’ll intervene for me. And Bertrand…” She shook her head.
She had no need to finish the sentence. Elowen knew how unlikely Bertrand would be to help either his sister or his servant. Especially after what Sophia had said the night before, about him holding Sophia’s forbidden affection over her to get his way.
“Why would Simeon confess to something he didn’t do?” Elowen asked.
Sophia looked troubled, but gave no answer, leaving Elowen to her thoughts.
The only reason she could think of was to cover for someone, but it was extreme lengths to go to. Maybe he would do it to protect Sophia, she reflected uncomfortably. But Sophia was certainly not behind any of the disasters. Bertrand flew to mind, but she knew her resentment toward the viscount was coloringher thoughts. Bertrand had no great skill in magic to allow him to pull off these attacks. He also had no incentive to harm his own kingdom and flood his own family’s lands. And loyal as Simeon was to the family, she didn’t think he’d be willing to cover something this serious for Bertrand. If anything, she was convinced Simeon was becoming less and less willing to pander to Bertrand at all.
“I want to help Simeon,” she told Sophia. “I really do. But I’m afraid I have another crisis on my hands as well.”
“What do you mean?” Sophia demanded.
“It’s Theo.”
The clenched feeling was back in Elowen’s chest, but before she could elaborate, there was another rap at the door. Elowen flew from her seat, her heart in her throat as she recognized an assistant from the infirmary.
“Do you have an update?” she asked breathlessly.
He nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. I was asked to give you this.” He handed her a folded parchment and retreated, apparently not expecting her to send a response.
Elowen unfolded it quickly, scanning the short message in handwriting she’d never seen before.
Princess Elowen
Theo regained consciousness, but he’s still very feverish. He comes and goes. The physician has completed an assessment and says it’s an infectious fever and will pass with rest and the right medicine, but I’m not satisfied. I’m unwilling to leave Theo, so would be grateful if you would come to the infirmary to discuss. The king has left now.
X
Elowen crumpledthe note in her hand, anxiety coursing through her. She should probably disapprove of the Siqualian prince encouraging her to go behind her father’s back in returning to the infirmary, but she didn’t care about that. If Xavier didn’t want to leave Theo’s side, he must be seriously afraid for his safety. She turned to Sophia, her mouth dry with her reluctance to say out loud just how ill Theo was.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go. Theo is—”
“Go,” said Sophia, saving her from having to find the words. Determination hardened the noblewoman’s soft features. “This is my fight. I’ll find a way.”
Had there been time, Elowen would have asked what exactly she was going to find a way to do, but her mind was too full of Theo to delay. She reached the infirmary in minutes, glad to see Theo’s own guard stationed at the doorway, his expression grim. He was joined by another man in the same uniform, likely one of the guards Prince Xavier had brought with him. At least someone was taking Theo’s situation seriously, much as she wished it had been her own people showing appropriate care.
She swept straight into the room where Theo had been laid, her eyes flying at once to his still form on the bed. Not entirely still, actually. He seemed to be in a light sleep, grunting from time to time, and turning his head unseeingly.
“Is he worse?” Elowen asked anxiously, stopping at Prince Xavier’s side.
The older Siqualian prince had taken a seat beside the bed. His straight jaw—a feature he shared with his brother—was clenched in a way that made him look very different from the dashing flirt who’d paid her extravagant compliments earlier.
“Yes, in my opinion, he is,” he said. “According to the physician, no. His fever is apparently no higher, and the physician assures me I’m merely suffering from the natural anxiety of a fond brother.” He met Elowen’s gaze unflinchingly.“Apparently he doesn’t know that I’m not exactly famous for family loyalty or affection, and I’ve never yet been accused of courting anxiety.”
Elowen sank into a chair on the far side of the bed, taking Theo’s over-warm hand in hers. His fingers twitched, their usual strength nowhere to be found.
“Yes,” she said frankly. “Your reputation for being heedless to the point that you’re unable to take anything seriously is pretty well established. If you’re worried, I have no doubt there’s good reason for it.”
Prince Xavier blinked, unsure how to take her blunt words. Then a slow smile spread over his face, banishing the shadows for a moment.
“I can see why my brother is so smitten with you. You’re very engaging, Your Highness. If circumstances were different, I might try to cut him out. Since you know my reputation so well, you may also have heard how much I favor golden-haired beauties such as yourself.”
“I have heard it,” Elowen said shortly. Her cheeks were pink, but not from the flirtatious words. Prince Xavier thought Theo was smitten with her? Lest the outrageous prince think she was discomposed by his banter, she made her voice extra flat. “And don’t try to dupe me, please, I’m not in the mood. Whatever impression you might wish to give, your affection for your brother is extremely clear to me, so I don’t for a moment believe you would try to sabotage his betrothal.”
“You and Theo are apparently perfectly matched,” Prince Xavier said dryly. “And you’re perfectly right, I would never truly try to do my brother an injury.”
His eyes were troubled as they rested on Theo’s face, some deeper, unexpressed thought behind the words. Then his tone became businesslike, and he lifted his gaze to Elowen again.
