And why was it bundled like a gift, tied in lace?
Seven
Sabina
Two men are being dragged toward Caiden. Each of them is babbling and sputtering, speaking over each other in words so hurried, I can’t make out what they’re saying.
“These are the only two?” Caiden asks.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” one of the guards holding the men says.
Caiden strolls over to them, a sneer on his face. “On your knees.”
“Who put poison in my bed?” Caiden demands.
Both men are silent now and look up at Caiden. The lower lip trembles on one of the men and the other keeps looking to his left, as if expecting to see someone. I glance that direction and only see other guards watching. None of them are looking at him. If any of them are in on it, they’re not showing any signs.
I approach Caiden and tug his sleeve to pull him down while rising on my toes. He understands that I want to whisper and he tilts his head. “Anyone who touched the plant would have a rash on their hands.”
The stems of elm’s breath were irritating. Causing an itchy rash like many other plants. But the white flowers could kill you. Once you came in contact with them, it would start a rash that would spread, leaving angry pustules along your skin. Victims would have difficulty breathing when it reached their throat and without an antidote, they’d die.
Turns out, the books I read in my old rooms were extremely helpful.
Caiden takes my chin in his hands, then kisses me full on the lips. My eyes widen, and I stagger back when he releases me. With a grin, he takes a few steps toward the men. “Show me your hands.”
A pair of guards lunge forward and grab the hands of the two men, turning them so they’re palm up.
I cover my mouth in disbelief.
They’re both covered in angry red blisters.
Shadows build around Caiden, brushing against me before moving tighter around him. They extend toward the cowering men like tentacles reaching for their pray.
He charges forward, the shadows exploding from him with such force that the guards nearby are knocked to the ground. They scramble away and I shield my eyes from the dust and snow that whips around us.
Caiden is like a dark god, surrounded by swirling tendrils. For a moment, he’s still, then his arms stretch wide and I scream, “wait!”
But the shadows are already slicing through the captives as if they’re nothing more than slabs of butter being cut by hot knives. A head flies, followed by pieces of arms, legs, and other body parts. Another head rolls toward me, but it stops quickly as it’s no longer round. Half of it is missing.
A sickening splattering sound is followed by severalthudsas the pieces of the bodies hit the ground around us. I can’t look away but I do cover my head, horrified by the possibility of someone’s decapitated piece landing on me.
The darkness still swirls around the Emperor as he strides toward me. Jaw tight, eyes hard, he’s rage personified. It’s the first time I’m truly afraid of him. I step back, then notice there’s blood splattered on my arms and dotted on my clothes. There’s blood everywhere.
When Caiden reaches me, he captures my arm, then pulls me to him. I stumble right into his chest but don’t retreat for fear those shadows might come for me. I’m trembling. His expression is only slightly less murderous than it was seconds ago. He glares at me as he cups my face in his hands. “You told me to wait. What was that? An act of compassion for men who tried to kill you?”
“Of course not. I wanted you to ask them who ordered them to kill me. Where they got the plant. Why there was a lace ribbon tied around it. We have no answers now.”
His expression relaxes and he strokes my cheek with his thumb. “And here I was worried you were being soft.” He turns his attention to something behind me. “Search their quarters. And bring me anyone they spoke with today. And Brevan. He’s their commanding officer. I want to know why two men under his command attempted to assassinate the empress.”
Caiden turns me abruptly so I can watch as Brevan approaches. His gaze drops to the arms wrapped possessively around me, but he doesn’t linger. Instead, he glances to the dead guards, then back at Caiden. “What happened?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know how the men under your command found poisonous plants and left them as a gift for my wife, would you?”
“What?” Brevan takes a step closer, then stops himself. “Are you alright, Your Majesty?”
“I’m fine. I didn’t touch anything.”
He nods. “Good. We must search their quarters. Find out who they spoke to. Check their saddle bags. Their pockets. Everything. But be careful. Gloves at all times,” Brevan yells.
