They saw me coming and raised their sabers. I stopped with one hand on the Brillian sword and my other hand directed at them. “Let me pass and you will survive.”
“You’ll have to get through us,” one guard said, a challenge I was more than happy to meet.
But Gerald and Loelle must have followed. Gerald said to the guards, “Let her pass.”
They lowered their weapons, and without another word, I entered Simon’s mostly darkened room. It was larger than I’d expected, divided into areas for living space, grooming, resting, and study.
Yet Simon was all that mattered. He was in the bed, but restless, throwing off his bedcovers then shivering and clutching at them again. I started forward, but Harlyn Mindall, the girl who had been attached to his side before he was crowned, was apparently also attached to him here. She entered the room from a side door, seemingly unware of my presence.
She carried a bowl of water and a rag, then sat on a stool beside his bed. She dipped the rag in the water and began gently washing his face. Her fingers traced over his cheeks as she did, and he briefly stirred beneath her touch, then went still again. She slowly leaned forward as if to kiss him.
Anger boiled inside me, erupting in a voice loud enough to ensure she heard my every word. “His arm is injured. You will not cure him that way.”
Harlyn jumped, nearly dropping the bowl of water. But she stood and placed it on the stool behind her. Barely looking at me, she said, “I only meant to comfort him.” Then she lifted her gaze until our eyes locked. “Why are you here?”
“I want to see the infection.” And heal it, if I could.
After a brief hesitation, Harlyn pulled at the bandage on Simon’s right arm. The flesh was burned and bright red, except for a cauterized wound running up his vein. On either side of that line, the flesh was raised and lighter in color. That must be the infection. I didn’t know what it would cost me to heal it, but I had to try.
I moved to lay my hand on his arm, when Loelle said, “Not this, my lady. We don’t know what that infection is. It’s different than anything I’ve seen before.”
And Loelle had surely seen everything. She pulled me back, then Harlyn returned to the chair beside Simon, protectively placing an arm on his shoulder.
“There must be something you can do for him,” I said to Loelle.
“I’ve offered them medications.” Loelle frowned at me. “But he is the Halderian king. They insist on administering the treatment.”
I grabbed Gerald’s arm. “Then do it!” But he only stared back at me, which was infuriating.
“Let me talk to her alone.” Harlyn stood and nodded for Loelle and Gerald to leave.
My temper warmed while I waited for them to go. Then she stepped closer to me, and this time I noticed tears were in her eyes.
“I care for Simon,” she began. “Sincerely care for him, and I beg you not to let him die.”
“Then tell your people to give him those medicines.”
The expression in her eyes shifted to something between sadness and suspicion, enough that when she spoke, I’d already known what was coming. “You kissed Simon earlier tonight, in that little garden.”
“He kissed me.”
Her eyes flashed. “Word of it spread to the heads of houses. They don’t like the idea of an Endrean being so … close to the king. They set conditions that must be met before he can receive Loelle’s treatments.”
“How dare they? He’s their king!”
She sniffed. “By morning, he might not be.”
I looked from Simon back to Harlyn. The depth of her emotion carried through the air, piercing me and answering my unspoken question. “I’m the condition.”
“Loelle claims to have a place where you can go and be safe … far from here.”
I closed my eyes, trying to keep my composure. “And when Simon is healed, you two will marry.”
“As soon as it can be arranged. Whatever feelings he has for you will fade in time.”
And grow for her. I knew how this game worked.
Simon rolled in his bed again. I started forward but Harlyn blocked my path, saying, “If you have feelings for him too, then pl