Phoebe’s POV
The news about Helen hit like a punch to the gut. I’d seen the healer several tis for my injuries, and she’d grown on .
But what really threw was how she died. Poison. How could that be a coincidence? There was no way this was random, right?
Relief flooded through when Perry announced we were heading back to the palace. I needed to find Mason and get answers.
This couldn’t be coincidence. It just couldn’t.
"You doing okay?" Perry asked once we were in the car, palace-bound.
"Yeah." I glanced at the empty passenger seat. "Where’s Timothy?"
"Handling sothing. He’ll catch up with us at the palace."
"Right." I let the silence stretch after that.
The quiet seed to weigh on , but Perry didn’t push. He probably figured I was drained from the bad news and last night’s ss.
Sleep claid most of the drive back.
I didn’t have the strength to stay alert, and when consciousness did creep in, I faked being out cold. My brain kept spinning through every possible scenario involving Helen.
Had the Movent kicked their plan into gear? But Perry looked fine—no signs the poison had touched him.
The palace ca into view as the sun dipped low, painting the sky blood-red. My stomach twisted at the sight. Bad ons written all over it.
"Head to your room. Stay put."
Perry brushed his lips against mine before walking off with Flynn, who’d been waiting. The royal beta ntioned sothing about elders expecting him.
I made my way to the bedroom, hoping Mason would show up. She’d have to bring dinner at so point.
Sure enough, when Mason appeared, I pounced on her with questions.
"What’s happening? What went down with Helen? She was poisoned... were you involved in this?"
That last question shattered her. The tray nearly slipped from her hands as she dropped to her knees, sobs wracking her body.
My heart clenched at her reaction.
I quickly grabbed the tray before it could crash—this was going to be a long talk.
"Tell what happened. I thought you only wanted the king dead?" I set the tray aside, keeping my voice barely above a whisper. The warrior outside my door couldn’t hear this.
If he caught even a word, we were finished.
"I... I never wanted that... I told him not to hurt her... I’m so sorry..." Mason’s words ca out broken between sobs, and I knew better than to rush her.
I’d been in her shoes before—when words wouldn’t co right. Patience was all I could offer.
"It’s fine. Just tell what happened. I’m listening."
We both sank to the floor, ignoring the cold stone. The weight of everything crushed down on us.
Through her tears, Mason spilled it all. How Helen had almost discovered the poison. How panic had sent her running to Reginald for help when the healer got too close to the truth.
"I begged him not to hurt her. I begged him, but he said not to worry..."
I didn’t need the rest. Helen’s death told the whole story.
Reginald had killed her—or had soone else do it. Either way, things were about to spiral completely out of control.
"Here..." Mason pulled sothing from her pocket. Two bottles of poison. "Take these... they’re new. Stronger."
She pressed the bottles into my hands before I could react. They felt like ice against my skin—the sa sensation as the first ti, only worse.
I wanted to tell Mason about my other plan to stop the king’s war, but with everything falling apart, this wasn’t the ti.
Besides, Mason was still reeling from Helen’s death.
She wasn’t thinking straight, too emotional to hear any suggestions about the king.
So I pocketed the bottles. I’d hide them and never use them.
"I didn’t an to kill her. I swear..."
I pulled Mason into a tight hug, rubbing soothing circles on her back. The oga was too shaken to worry about protocol, and I didn’t care anyway.
Mason was my only friend here. I’d treat her like one.
"Everything’s going to be okay. It’s not your fault. You didn’t do this."
"But I caused it..."
"No. There were other options, but they chose the worst one. This isn’t on you."
I held her tighter.
The door opened while we were lost in the mont. Perry stood in the doorway, eyes sharp as they fixed on Mason sobbing in my arms.
Thank god Mason sensed him imdiately. His presence was impossible to ignore in any room.
The only reason she’d missed him before was pure distraction.
Mason jerked out of my arms and dropped to her knees before him, still trembling—whether from fear of the king or grief for the healer, I couldn’t tell.
"I’m sorry for the disruption, my king. I ant no disrespect to Lady Phoebe." She kept her head down, avoiding his gaze.
I stepped between them, blocking his view of Mason.
"She’s mourning Helen," I said, letting the plea creep into my voice. "They were close. I’m the one who hugged her. She didn’t disrespect —we’re both grieving."
I wasn’t sure if it was enough, but relief washed over when Perry touched my cheek gently. His words were for Mason, though.
"You can go."
"Yes, my king. Thank you." Mason scrambled out.
I relaxed visibly, but then Perry said sothing I never saw coming.
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