“That’s what I thought.” It seemed no one here had figured out that combining marsh flower with stinging nettle compounded its effects. “And did he drink the stillstem?”
Arabis nodded. “Yes, we gave it to him in tea form.”
“I think there’s something I can try, but I need a few things. Is there an apothecary we can go to or a place like Yalgrun’s Wares in Pharowyn?”
“Imbermore has it all.” Cylea jumped to her feet. “I can take you.”
“This is not a dress shopping trip, Cylea.” Kryn gave her a pointed look.
She rolled her eyes. “I know that.”
“Do you?” Arabis stood, a hand on her middle as she winced.
Kryn made as if to also stand, looking at Arabis in concern for an instant. Then, as if remembering he wasn’t supposed to care, he leaned back, crossed his legs, and examined his fingernails.
Arabis started toward the door. “I’ll go.”
“No, you won’t. Doctor’s orders,” I said emphatically. “Cylea and I can take care of it.”
“I’ll come with you,” Silver offered.
I glanced up at Kalyll.
“I would like to accompany you, but I have matters to discuss with King Elladan,” he said, and I felt a twinge of regret at not having him show me around the beautiful city I’d only glimpsed last night.
“And Kryn and I need to do the same,” Jeondar said.
Cylea practically skipped toward the door, the blue tunic she wore fluttering behind her. Its fabric was see-through, revealing the exact shape of her breasts and almost giving a preview of her nipples. She looked beautiful and lighthearted, ready to conquer the world with a radiant smile.
Arabis hobbled forward. Kryn offered her his arm, but she dismissed him.
“I’m not that crippledordesperate,” she said, standing straighter and leaving the room.
Kalyll hung back, and as I followed after the others, he caught my gaze.
“May I have a word, Daniella?” he said.
Kryn closed the door to the study on his way out, leaving Kalyll and me alone in the room.
“I… want to thank you,” he said, closing the distance between us and standing only a couple of feet away. “I know you don’t have much of a choice, but your willingness means a lot to me.”
“It’s what I do,” I said. “Concocting a remedy for you suits me.”
“Don’t disparage it. It means a lot to me.”
That stubborn lock of hair slid out of place again, and I swatted it away with irritation.
Kalyll reached a hand behind his head and unbound his hair in one quick motion.
“May I?” He held up a strip of leather, then walked behind me.
Light fingers gathered my hair, sending shivers as they brushed the tender skin of my neck. I bit my lower lip to stop my body from trembling. I heard him inhale as if he were taking in my scent.Oh, God!
“There.” He came back around. “Better?”
All I could do was give him a weak nod.
He held my gaze. Reluctantly, as if he were fighting the urge, his eyes slid down to my lips.