“I have to. I need to keep an eye on you.”
“He’s right,” Kryn said. “He’s too unpredictable. He could kill you before you have time to even blink. He’s lethal all on his own, but with the beast in control…”
I decided not to argue. Instead, I walked back to the table and prepared the water to make another dose of the elixir. Though I would have to see how the new dose affected Kalyll before I could measure the marsh flower. I checked the pocket watch. It was two—about five hours left before Kalyll’s shift.
“Are you hurt?” Arabis appeared at my side.
“No, I’m fine.”
“He… he listened to you,” she said.
I shook my head. “The elixir kicked in. It seems to take a few seconds to take effect.”
Turning away from the table, I approached the prince. His head was thrown back against the wall, and he was taking deep breaths that made his wide chest expand until his tunic looked as if it might rip open.
My journal and flask were laying close to him on the ground. I needed to reach them, but I waited until his breathing slowed. Then his head slumped to one side, and he looked at me from under heavy lids.
“I’m sorry. I tried to stop…” He trailed off.
Carefully, very slowly, I reached for the journal and flask and pulled them back quickly. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he blew air through his nose, looking angry at himself. As we watched him in silence, his eyes drooped close and, after a long moment, his breathing became steady.
“Is he… asleep?” Jeondar asked.
Arabis frowned. “It appears so.”
“I gave him a heavier dose and laced it with more of my power.” After setting my things on the table, I tiptoed closer to Kalyll, then kneeled and took his vitals. For the first time, everything was normal, no accelerated pulse, no slight fever. “The last dose lasted approximately four hours. My guess is this one will last until seven. Before it’s time for the shift, I’d like to administer the stillstem.”
“How long will he be asleep?” Kryn asked.
“I don’t know. I only have preliminary data. I can’t go by that.”
“This is good though,” Arabis said. “Very good.”
I held my judgment. I liked to see consistent results before becoming too optimistic.
CHAPTER 23
Wesatquietlyoncemore. Arabis had a book that she’d found amongst the furniture outside the door, which she was reading under one of the sconces. Kryn had taken to pacing in front of the water, seeming lost in thought, while Jeondar reclined against the wall with unsettling stillness.
Almost an hour into Kalyll’s snap, Jeondar made his way to the door. “I’ll get Silver and Cylea. It’s time we show our faces upstairs. I’m sure my father is wondering where I am. We’ll have to take turns appearing at the ball tonight, even you.” He glanced at me.
“Me? No, I can’t leave. I have to watch him.”
“My father will want to see you, make sure you’re enjoying yourself. You can make a quick appearance and then come back. Like Kalyll said, it would seem suspicious if you’re not there.”
I nodded, but I wasn’t happy about it. I didn’t like abandoning my patients.
Silver and Cylea returned sometime later, and Kryn and Arabis left, though they looked as unwilling as I felt.
“Incredible,” Silver shook his head. “Never thought that beast could be subdued.”
Cylea approached me. “Are you all right? Jeondar told me what happened.”
“I’m fine. Just a bit of pain, nothing I couldn’t heal myself.” I flexed my wrist to show her she had no reason to worry about me. I wasn’t the patient. Kalyll was.
Twenty minutes in, Silver’s constant sighs of boredom turned out to be more annoying than Kryn’s pacing. Honestly, it wasn’t as if they were doing anything worthwhile.
“Here, read this.” Cylea chucked Arabis’s book at Silver. The book flew past him, defying his Fae reflexes, and splashed into the water.