Chapter 13

Panic swept through the hall.

The queen rose from her seat, her face pale with fear. "Your Majesty!" she cried, rushing to his side.

The princess stood frozen, her expression a mix of shock and something darker—almost satisfaction.

Rhaine's heart raced, but her instincts as a healer took over. She sprang from her seat, moving swiftly to the king's side. "Clear the table!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos. Servants scrambled to obey.

The general was already there, his expression grim but focused. "What's happening?" he demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as if ready to fight an unseen enemy.

"He's been poisoned," Rhaine said sharply, pressing her fingers to the king's neck to check his pulse. It was weak and erratic.

Selara appeared at her side, her face pale but determined. "What do you need?"

"My satchel—bring it here," Rhaine instructed. Selara darted off, returning moments later with the worn leather bag.

Rhaine worked quickly, her hands steady despite the tension thrumming through her veins. She pulled out a vial of dark liquid and uncorked it. "This should stabilize him," she said, tilting the king's head back to pour the solution down his throat.

He convulsed briefly, then his breathing began to steady, though he remained unconscious.

The queen's voice trembled. "Will he live?"

"He will," Rhaine assured her, "but he needs rest and continued treatment."

The general's gaze never left her. "How did you know what to do so quickly?"

Rhaine met Kaelion's gaze with unwavering resolve, even as the charged tension in the room thickened like storm clouds. "I've seen this poison before," she declared, her voice steady though her heart pounded. She turned her sharp gaze toward the queen. "The solution I administered will only delay the inevitable. The king still needs the antidote."

The queen's face twisted with anger, grief sharp in her voice. "Then what are you waiting for? Give it to him now!" she shouted, fury lacing each word.

Rhaine's calm demeanor didn't waver. "This antidote isn't something I carry with me. It requires a rare herb—one that's difficult to find and even harder to find."

The queen's breath caught as realization struck. Her voice trembled with accusation. "What are you saying? You served him that soup! This is your doing!"

Before Rhaine could respond, the princess rose abruptly, venom in her tone. "That's right! Father was perfectly fine until you fed him your concoction! How convenient. Poisoning him under the guise of helping!" Her accusations sliced through the air, sharp and reckless.

The queen's eyes blazed with fury as she pointed a trembling finger toward Rhaine. "Guards! Arrest her at once!"

The clatter of boots echoed as soldiers surged forward.

But before they could lay a hand on Rhaine, Kaelion's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "Stand down!"

The guards hesitated, their steps faltering as Kaelion's icy glare swept over them. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his stance daring anyone to challenge him.

The queen's voice wavered between anger and disbelief. "General, what is the meaning of this?"

The princess seethed, her eyes narrowing. "This woman tried to kill my father! She should be executed!"

Kaelion's voice was low but steely. "Anyone who wishes harm upon her will have to go through me first." His words were a warning, a declaration of unwavering allegiance. His jaw clenched as he added, "There is no evidence that she did this."

The queen's lips parted in shock, but before she could speak, Kaelion's gaze swept across the room. "Someone here is responsible for this treachery. We will find the culprit."

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, chilling everyone to silence.

He turned toward Rhaine. "How long does he have?"

Rhaine's voice softened, but urgency underscored every syllable. "If he makes it through the night, he'll have a chance. Four days at most."

Kaelion's eyes hardened. "Then we have no time to waste."

Rhaine stepped toward the queen, her tone imploring. "Trust me. I will do everything in my power to save the king's life. I need to leave now to give him a fighting chance."

Without waiting for permission, she turned toward the door.

Kaelion's hand shot out, grasping her arm briefly before letting go. His touch was firm but reassuring. "I'm coming with you."

His words left no room for argument.

"Me too," Selara chimed in, stepping forward.

The princess's voice dripped with suspicion. "Why? So you can all flee the kingdom together and escape justice?"

Rhaine's voice was sharp and commanding. "Stay here and take care of the king"

"If you care for his life, do not waste time pointing fingers." Rhaine says looking straight in the princess' eyes

The princess flinched but said nothing.

Kaelion nodded firmly. "Prepare what you need. We ride within the hour."

The princess's lips curled into a faint smile before she masked it with a look of concern. "How fortunate we have the Saintess," she said sweetly, though her eyes gleamed with something sinister.