Sitting beside her mother once more, Evanna held Loraven’s hand. With only those she trusted by her side, the princess focused on healing what was left within her mother’s system. She could feel sothing disrupting her blood. It was a slow, draining process, but Evanna still heard Arawn and Killian’s arrival by the balcony.
Ger stood guard, watching Evanna and Loraven, and if not for his super hearing now, he would have unsheathed his hidden dagger to those entering the balcony.
"Where did you go?" Evanna asked, her gaze still focused on Loraven as Killian and Arawn stopped by the end of the bed.
"Killian needed to show evidence to prove who is at fault."
"Is the physician in on it?" Evanna questioned next, releasing her hand as the power zapped out of her. Arawn’s hands went to her shoulders, stopping her from swaying and falling forward.
The n watched, waiting as the dizziness that fell over Evanna dissolved. She slowly leaned back into Arawn’s torso, finding comfort in him. Arawn nodded at Killian once they were sure Evanna would not pass out on them. The elven prince even lifted Evanna up and sat in her spot, cradling her to him.
Evanna’s cheeks heated at first, but she was too tired to act proper. It was only them. Guards were outside Loraven’s doors, and King Osian wouldn’t be able to get to her mother’s side until everything was resolved within the castle.
"The physician has shared his limited knowledge," Killian began, which caused Evanna’s gaze to sharpen on the vampire. "He may be the royal physician, but working within human realms provides restrictions..."
Evanna searched the vampire’s features. She understood what he ant, especially now since she’d ventured into unknown territories, facing creatures and seeing plants that she’d never seen before. So, did the physician truly believe Loraven was unwell from her previous illness?
Nobody paid him to say such things? Her father really needed to invest in the education of their physicians if this really was the case.
"My blood cured Lady Loraven for days before she beca unwell again. Similar to what has happened this ti-"
"Which is impossible with the use of the gem," Evanna added.
"Precisely." Killian pointed in her direction before leaning against the side of the bedpost, arms crossing as he held Evanna’s gaze. "I suspected poisoning... Sothing odourless, colourless... There is one poison that cos to mind... Extrely rare... from the northern lands."
Evanna inhaled sharply. "Are you telling King Horick or those in Hatherland has been poisoning my mother? Soone insignificant in court? To them and the throne?" Evanna questioned, dubious of her own words and the direction of this conversation.
"No." Killian’s eyes glittered montarily before he beca serious once more. "Whoever wants Lady Loraven dead has it set up as a precaution. It is easy to suspect the ever-so-growing and threatening north than those within these walls..."
Ger smacked his fist into the wall suddenly, startling Evanna as dust crumbled down the side of his jacket. "Stop speaking in riddles. Speak what you an!"
Evanna tried not to smirk at her friend’s usual aggressive manner. He wanted answers, as did she. She already had her suspicions aid at soone, but this was more than about tonight’s attack.
"I confird my suspicions with Killian," Arawn began, his voice calming Evanna’s racing heart.
"You too?" Evanna whispered and sighed to the slight squeeze of his protective arms around her and nodded, leaving a soft kiss on the side of her head.
Killian cleared his throat and rolled his eyes. "Lady Loraven has been poisoned for years. Tonight, her wine had separate components that were not poisonous, so it would not raise suspicion. But if mixed with another flower that has been digested, it can be toxic. Together, it is poison. I didn’t sll it, but the sudden disruption of your mother’s heart alerted to the situation..."
Different components... So it was set up again from afar...
"The easiest way to get it into her system is through food or drink... And I’m not talking about just the banquet tonight."
Evanna’s thoughts turned to Loraven’s chambermaid. Where was she?
"Did you not wonder where your dear Maggie has been?" Killian tilted his head to the side as he observed the princess.
"M-Maggie?" Evanna stamred, unable to hide her shock. She felt physically sick. Her stomach twisted, and her face paled. "No..."
Evanna shook her head. Maggie was good. She’d always looked out for her, treated her like her own. It wasn’t right. How could it be? No. Not Maggie. Evanna was adamant she knew her chambermaid well.
"Show her," Evanna demanded, finding energy from this new revelation. She knew Killian must have her hidden sowhere. Oh gosh... Had he tortured her?
Arawn rose from the chair, unwilling to release Evanna even though she felt her muscles tying in knots, her body too tense and frustrated from what Killian and Arawn were telling her.
"If Maggie did do this..." Evanna’s voice trembled, and she swallowed down the thickness in her voice. "She wasn’t acting alone-"
"We know. Maggie confessed to everything," Arawn murmured before jumping off the balcony and following Killian through the palace grounds, hidden under the cover of night. Ger was quick on their heels and now just as light-footed as the rest of them.
Evanna wanted them to tell her whose orders Maggie was following. She wanted her suspicions confird.
Arawn allowed Evanna to drop from his arms once they were in the corridors in front of a guest room. A guest room that Loraven usually provided for so of her guests. She didn’t have many, and they always used this one. Killian opened the door, allowing Evanna to walk through first.
There on the floor, leaning against the wall beside the bed, Maggie sat, her clothing bloodied, face bruised. Beside her was Loraven’s chambermaid, who was in worse shape. Evanna grimaced at the sight of missing fingernails.
Upon hearing footsteps, Maggie flinched, her weathered, ageing hands clasping together before her chest. The chambermaid sniffled as she saw Evanna, her eyes watering and casting down to her lap. "Evanna..." Her voice was croaky.
Her heart clenched at seeing Maggie in such a state.
Evanna breathed slowly, her face impassive as she stared at the woman who was more like a grandparent to her than those wretched ones in Lyvaria. "Tell . Is it true? Tell everything," her voice was devoid of emotion. She couldn’t allow herself to be swayed and was done being betrayed. Within her heart, though, Evanna knew Maggie would never willingly betray her.
"I’m sorry... I had no choice. It was either Lady Loraven or ... or my family..." Maggie began, her lips trembling as she looked down ashad and continued to spill everything.
Evanna’s heart shattered as she heard her chambermaid confess. Her gaze moved across her bloodied dress, aware that, unlike the other chambermaid who was passed out, bloodied, and almost unrecognisable, Maggie was barely touched.
"Will you repeat this in court?" Evanna asked when Maggie finished her story.
"Of course I will. I will repent for my cris... Just please, my family had nothing to do with it-"
"You should have co to ." Evanna held her hand up when Maggie was about to argue. "You know I was mature from a young age. I would have helped. I might not be powerful within these walls, but the King is. And I hold his ear."
Maggie’s lips opened, but no words ca out. Evanna turned from the forr chambermaid, her mind already turning about their next course of action. Queen Eleanor would pay for everything she’d done.
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