Julian and Xavier both looked at me. I wasn’t sure what I had intended to do, so I slowly sat back down in the chair.
“Is it supposed to be green?” I asked, looking anxiously in their direction.
“No,” Julian said sharply. “It’s poisoned.” He stared at Xavier, his eyes filled with frustration and concern.
“Poisoned?!” I shrieked, my voice rising in panic.
“Worried for me, stalker?” Xavier purred, his tone teasing.
I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping to disguise my growing concern. “No.”
“He’ll be fine,” Julian interjected quickly, materializing a large leathery bag. “We have an antidote, but it’ll take longer toheal than usual since your magic is… well, anyway, ah, here it is.” Julian pulled out an inky black vial from the bag. It was thick and unsettling, making my stomach churn just looking at it.
Xavier’s scowl matched mine, but he took the vial from Julian’s hand, unstopped it, and downed the contents in one swift motion.
I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from Xavier’s exposed chest as Julian worked on the wound. I hadn’t realized how long I’d been staring until I looked up and caught Xavier’s eyes fixed on me.
“See something you like?” His lips curved into a cocky grin, and I twisted away, trying to hide my flushed face.
There was a knock at the door, and Gunnar stepped into the room. His eyes settled on me, and I offered him a lopsided smile. “Zara,” Gunnar said, his lips twitching. “I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to speak with you earlier. Have you been enjoying yourself tonight?”
A soft smile graced my lips as I replied, “I have, thank you,” before shooting a scowl in Xavier’s direction, whose smirk remained stubbornly in place.
Gunnar turned his attention to Xavier, his expression shifting to one of concern. “I wanted to make sure you were alright after everything that happened,” he said, his gaze drifting to Julian. “But it appears you’re in good hands.”
“Learned from the best,” Julian said, pride evident in his tone.
“I heard you are also a healer, is that right?” I asked Gunnar, shifting in my seat. A sharp, sudden heat radiated down my arm, making me wince, and I set my glass on the desk to try to hide my discomfort. That damn charm must have pinched me again.
“I am,” Gunnar confirmed, his modesty evident in his tone.
“Don’t be modest,” Julian chimed in with a grin. “Gunnar is the highest-skilled weaver in our realm.”
Another sharp pinch shot through my arm, and I tried to ignore it as I grinned at Gunnar, who was blushing slightly at Julian's praise.
“You are getting close to mastery yourself, Julian,” Gunnar said, returning the compliment.
The searing pain in my arm intensified, ripping a sharp cry from my throat. My hand shot to the charm, and all eyes locked on me instantly. Xavier shot off the bed and started to walk toward me. The pain was still increasing, and I stood from my chair, another whimper of pain escaping my lips.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded, his voice laced with concern.
“It’s the charm… it’s starting to burn,” I managed to reply, shaking my arm in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort.
Gunnar furrowed his brow as he eyed my arm, seeming to notice the charm for the first time. Xavier moved closer, and I screamed as another wave of pain shot down my arm, stumbling backward. Before I could crash to the floor, Xavier’s arms were around me, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
“The charm, Xavier; take it off. Now!” Gunnar's voice cut through the haze of agony like a blade, and the sharp clink of metal hitting the floor followed. The searing heat that had consumed my arm lessened, but the pain lingered.
I whimpered, my eyes flickering down to my arm. Angry, blood-red burns marred my skin, and blood was pooling on the stone floor beneath me. I glimpsed bone, and my stomach churned at the sight.
“Julian!” Xavier shouted, but his tone softened when he met my gaze. His rough, callused hand cupped my face, and he brushed away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. The unexpected tenderness confused me. “Julian is going to heal them,” he murmured, the worry clear in his gaze.
Julian knelt beside me, already uncorking a vial of purple liquid. His brow furrowed in concentration. “I need to sedateher,” he said, his words clipped. Gunnar now also stood over me, a hand hovering above my chest as he closed his eyes in concentration.
Xavier took the vial from Julian, guiding the liquid into my mouth. The bitter taste barely registered as the world around me started to blur. I met Xavier's golden-flecked emerald eyes, and his thumb brushed softly against my cheek before unconsciousness claimed me.
Chapter 19
Xavier
