Kairen's expression was one of grief as he too gazed upon the man. “My brother.” His response was soft, too quiet in this room of sickness and sorrow.
"The Crown Prince?" I was in disbelief, suddenly understanding why Rena had been so skittish about my question earlier.
He nodded, a curt thing, his throat bobbing as he moved to a chair beside the bed, motioning for me to sit beside him.
"Yes, Kaemon is to rule after my father," he said as he took his brother's hand in his own, careful to keep it within the bounds of the golden light. “It is his birthright."
"He is not Goddess-blessed," I stated thoughtfully as I took in the information, trying to process.
His golden eyes narrowed. "That will not make him any less of a great king."
Startled by the unusual display of displeasure, I quickly shook my head. "Of course not, that is not what I meant."
His expression softened, his full lips pulling into a frown. “He has many dreams for this kingdom, many wrongs he wishes to right in his rule."
The admission had my head tilting in question—many wrongs he wishes to make right?
"We switch the Healers out every two hours." Prince Kairen continued on, head nodding in the direction of the man sitting across from us, who hadn't broken his concentration to so much as glance at us. All of his attention was solely fixed upon the dying heir. "They cannot heal him, but they can stall the progression of The Fever, slow it until we can find something that will eradicate it completely."
I sat back, my mind whirling. The Fever could be slowed with healing magic?
"How do they manage it?" To keep a constant stream of magic like that, even for two hours, was a feat that must have been exhausting. To expend that much was a dangerous thing. If one reached too far into their blessed magic, usedtoo much, they risked death.
There was give and take to everything in life. Even the blessed magic had its limits.
"The guards check in every ten minutes," he answered, "to make sure they are not growing close to their limits. Another Healer is always on standby in case of emergency; we have sworn many to secrecy under threat of execution to accomplish this and keep it hidden from public scrutiny."
Silence surrounded us before he spoke again, his gaze searching for something that must have shown in my expression. "You do not agree."
"I think it selfish to put the lives of so many at risk."
He dropped his brother's hand then, turning to face me, to study my reaction. Shifting beneath that golden gaze, I watched as his lips pursed. "You met my brother Kassius tonight, yes?"
He continued before I could answer. "If Kaemon succumbs to this illness, Kassius will be next in line to claim the throne," his eyes hardened as he spoke. "There is no life I would not risk to ensure that never happens, Potion Maker." My breath hitched at the thought of that brute of a man reigning over us all. "Kaemon has never wanted to be King. He is kind, but fierce to protect what he believes in. He is honorable, and I would serve a thousand lifetimes under a rule like what he could offer. I would rather brave the demons of the Nine Hells than serve beneath Kassius, let alone allow the people of the kingdom to suffer the terrors he would reign upon us all."
I let out a breath, gaze shifting between the Crown Prince and the Healer as I slowly nodded.
I had met Kassius, had seen how he disrespected Roan so openly. I heard the fearful warning in Rena's voice when she spoke of him.
No, Prince Kassius could never take the throne.
"I understand."
And I truly did.
I understood the desperation that clung to Prince Kairen, the need that leached from his pores. He needed this quest to be successful, for this cure to be found. Not merely to save his brother, but for the fate of Tavari.
For if the kingdom fell into the hands of the second born Solerian Prince, everyone would suffer the consequences.
Chapter Eighteen
The morning dew in the air clung to my sweat slicked body as I flipped the dagger in my hand, a little smile playing on my lips as Roan eyed the thin trail of blood on his arm from the knick I had given him.
"This is the fourth time you've drawn blood, little menace." His deep voice sent a thrill racing down my spine, my eyes locking in on the smirk that formed upon his lips. “Anymore and you'll surely bleed me dry."
It had been a few days since we had met for training, as Roan had been busy with delegating his duties as Captain of the KingsGuard to those he trusted within his men while he'd be on the quest.
My body hummed with the pent up energy of those days he had been away, craving the release our sparring matches had begun to provide. It was as if something settled within me, calming the beast that always seemed to rage just beneath my skin.
