Its a slight fever. Dr. Cooper-Fontaine said that he shouldnt have ridden for so long. Hes exhausted and had so shock. He reacted badly. Tori sat on a stool beside Axtons bed with the comcry on the bedside table. She wiped the sweat off of Axtons face and neck as he laid there, his breathing uneven.
I shouldnt have let him go to Sun Garden alone, Piers said, sounding disapproving. I will be there soon.
All right, Tori said. Well watch him tonight.
Thank you, Tori.
Tori gave him a small hum and Piers ended the call.
How is he? Antonia looked into the backroom of Axtons tent. Tori brought a small towel to a bucket of water at her feet that she was chilling with ice crystals.
His temperature will go down soon, my lady, Dr. Cooper-Fontaine replied. He was by the other bedside table with a small teapot. He was grinding so dried dicine in a stone mortar and a tal tea basket was next to him. Duke Alvere is fatigued and should rest. I will have him drink this tea. It will lower his fever.
Antonia nodded. Thank you, doctor. She looked at her daughter as Tori continued to wipe Axtons head and neck to try to relieve him. Tori, do you want to take a break?
Tori shook her head. Piers is on his way. Ewan will co and switch places with for a few hours. Sebby will relieve him after. Were fine, Mama.
Antonia lingered, watching the doctor finish concocting so dicine to lower Axtons temperature. He brought over a small cup with the finished drink and Tori leaned forward to urge Axton to lift his head to drink.
My lady. Axtons voice was still hoarse after drinking tea. He propped himself up on one arm and looked towards Toris mother. Thank you.... Tori looked towards her mother and Antonia opened her mouth, but Axton continued on. The duchy knights that guarded my mothers room when she was sick and dying...that guarded ...they were Guevera knights, werent they?
Tori sat up straight and looked at her mother with surprise. Antonia seed to take a deep breath, but her stern posture didnt falter. We had concern that the duchy knights would be influenced by Duke Alvere or his mistress, so I arranged with your mother to secure loyal knights.
Axton closed his eyes and nodded. Mr. rced told . I didnt know.
You were a child, Axton. You were not ant to know, Antonia told him quietly. Perhaps if I wasnt so stubborn, I couldve been of more help with your mother. There was regret in her voice and her eyes glistened.
When did you suspect that my father would stray? Axton asked. Tori turned back to him and held up the teacup, hoping hed take another sip. He dutifully leaned forward, and she tilted the cup up so he could drink.
Antonia was quiet for a mont, as if thinking.
The first day I t him, he had allowed that woman into his ho unaccompanied and alone, knowing he was betrothed to Genevieve. He had no issue with such a thing and dismissed my and your mothers concerns. He always dismissed it. I knew then he couldnt be trusted. Her green eyes t Axtons with lingering disappointnt. Not because he didnt love your mother, but because he continuously favored another. Antonias jaw clenched and Tori could see the hatred in her mothers eyes. I will never forgive him.
Axton closed his eyes and laid back against the bed. Neither will I.
Mama, its getting late, Tori said as she put the now empty cup on the nightstand. Go back and rest. Ill wait for Piers.
Antonia gave them a nod. You are also to return to your tent when he arrives. Rest well, Axton. As long as you are the Duke of Alvere, the Guevera March will support you.
Thank you...Auntie Toni.
Antonia paused at the exit of the back chamber, as if letting his words sink in. She nodded wordlessly and slipped out.
My lady, do not strain yourself. As soon as His Highness or Ewan arrive, go rest, Dr. Cooper-Fontaine told her in a gentle voice. The crystals youve set, and the tea will help ease His Grace.
A small smile tugged at Axtons dry lips. Its strange to be addressed as such.
Dr. Cooper-Fontaine chuckled. You must beco accustod to it, Your Grace. You are Duke Alvere now.
With that final reminder, the old doctor stepped out of the tent, leaving Tori at Axtons bedside. You shouldve stopped to rest at the palace or your apartnt when you started to feel feverish, she said as she dunked her hands into the bucket of cold water and wrung out another piece of cloth.
I didnt notice.
You almost fell off Blue River when you arrived. How could you not have noticed? She gave him a frown as the water dripped between her pale fingers. If the knights werent nearby to catch you, you couldve fallen off and broken your neck.
Your confidence in my ability is flattering.
Youre welco.
A cold, wet piece of cloth touched his heated neck, and he tilted his head back to expose it further. Tori was careful not to entangle his ssy hair as she patted the cloth over the exposed flushed skin.
It was once very common for children of duchies to have a betrothal, Axton said, his gray eyes fixed on the ceiling. Duke Sinan and the other two duchesses my mothers age all had betrothals, but they were broken off when they ca of age. I often wonder why my mother didnt break hers off. There were better choices.
Tori nodded and she found herself smiling a bit. The General Marquis?
Is he not a better choice?
If I were your mother, I wouldve picked him in a heartbeat, Tori said. Ive seen both your father and the General Marquis. The General Marquis is much better looking.
Axton raised a brow as he tilted his head towards her. Isnt he too old for you?
Tori barely held back a laugh. Why do you and Piers think that Im interested in him? I just think hes handso. Its not a cri to appreciate his good looks.
Axton squinted. Have you no embarrassnt in saying such a thing?
Whats there to be embarrassed about? Tori straightened her back and looked at him with confidence. I should give a complint where its due. Dont you hear say it all the ti? Ilyana is very beautiful. My brothers look very good. Piers is pleasing to the eye. She nad off examples and Axton chuckled. He seed much more at ease now than when he arrived earlier that night and so Tori was happy to humor him.
What about ? he asked, looking at her with amusent.
Obviously, you are also very handso.
His smile widened. Elaborate.
Is it necessary?
Im not feeling well, so it would help.
Tori snorted. Okay...lets see.... She lifted her eyes and thought for a mont. Where should I begin?
My dashing good looks and charming personality.
She couldnt stop the snort-laugh that escaped her. And here I was, having confidence in your humility, as well. But if you insist. Axton cracked a smile. She leaned forward and brushed his curly dark hair away from his face. You have beautiful eyes. Have you heard the saying eyes are the windows to the soul?
He tilted his head a bit. No, where did you hear that?
I read it in so obscure book. Tori shrugged. The gray is very clear and bright.
And what do they tell you about my soul?
She scrunched her lips and thought. You are attentive and loyal. They always seem to be smiling and it puts people at ease. In fact, when we first t, I felt comfortable with you. Thats not to say that youre too indulgent. Your eyes are firm when youre serious. That concentrated and focused look is very attractive. We were telling Albert that people seem to be most attractive when they are doing sothing they are passionate about.
Is he still trying to get a girlfriend? Hell have a difficult ti during the internship. Knowing what Piers is having him do, hes too busy. Axton gave a small look of pity.
I think hes given up for the sumr, but well see when school starts, Tori said. She cocked her head. Do you know anyone who may be suitable?
Axton rolled his eyes. When would I have ti to find soone for Albert? Look at who I have to babysit.
So, you prefer to be addressed as nanny now as opposed to sir? a low, sowhat annoyed voice said from behind the flap of the tent. The fabric shuffled and the flap was pushed up. Piers slipped into the backroom with his lips in a tight line. His cold, violet eyes settled on Axton. You talk a lot for soone who is sick.
Axton smiled a bit, but didnt answer. Tori removed the damp cloth from his neck and looked over his shoulder. You got here faster than I thought.
I was already near the encampnt when you called, Piers replied. He approached Axtons bed and narrowed his eyes. What happened at Sun Garden? Did you run into your father?
Axton took a deep breath and closed his eyes. No. Mr. rced said that he left a few days earlier with that woman. He began to tell the two of them about his visit. Initially, it was only to check the state of Sun Garden and make sure that all traces of his father and his fathers second family were removed.
He didnt expect to see an entire hall seemingly frozen in ti. He went quiet and a faraway look filled his gaze. He told Piers and Tori about the portrait.
With each detail, Toris eyes narrowed, and her face distorted with disgust and confusion. She shook her head and whispered as Axton finished. Is he crazy?
He is guilty and regretful. Unexpectedly, Piers spoke up. He sat on the edge of the bed, beside his knight and looked down.
Axton let out a small, bitter laugh and looked back at the ceiling. All the guilt and regret in the world wont bring my mother back. It wont make us a happy family.
Were you ever a happy family? Tori asked. It was a sincere question.
Axtons eyes reddened. Yes.
She leaned over and stroked his hair back again. Go to sleep, Axton. When Ewan cos to switch, well wake you for another cup of dicated tea.
He reluctantly closed his eyes. Tori continued to dunk and wring out the cloth to cool Axtons heated body.
Thank you for taking care of him, Piers said. I shouldve gone with him to Sun Garden.
No one knew hed get such a shock that hed get a fever, Tori replied in a soft voice. She frowned. Riding to Horizon wouldve been enough. He shouldve taken a rest there.
He wanted to get as far away from Sun Garden as possible, Piers said. Tori believed him; no one knew Axton as well as Piers.
Where are the forr duke and his mistress? Tori looked towards Piers. His people were watching Axtons father, as well as Montan.
Piers didnt look at her and continued to stare at Axton. He is staying in a small flat in the Seventh District.
Tori frowned. The Academic Quarter? That was where Lyce and Universit were. It was also where Axton and Piers flat near Universit was located. Of all the places in Horizon, why would Axtons father stay there? Did he want to create chances to see Axton?
There is no movent other than leaving for als. He has been staying away from Montan Alvere. If he cos to Axton, my knights will keep him at bay, Piers said.
Tori nodded. Do you want to stay with him until Ewan cos? His eyes flickered towards Tori.
Are you leaving?
I still have things to do.
Then, I will watch him. Tori gave him a small nod and stood up. Piers took her seat next to the bed and paused. Do I need to use the cloth to keep him cool?
Just for a little while longer, until the dicated tea starts to take its effect.
Piers nodded and as Tori left, she heard a sopping sound, followed by a gasp and swearing. What are you doing! Axton seed to choke.
Cooling you down.
Wring out the water first!
She sighed and walked outside. She walked to her tent a few steps away and returned to her desk. A series of clamps were fixed on to the edge of her desk, along with a magnifying glass and light crystals. A piece of tiger eye was clamped in place, cushioned by so strips of leather.
Tori sat down and adjusted the magnifying glass over the face of the crystal. She picked up a tal tool that was as thin as a pencil and had a sharp tip. She grounded before starting to carefully scrape Old Sulfae into the crystal.
In two days, she would go to Horizon to et with the master jeweler, Master Monde, to have a few talismans she carved mounted. Ti was running out. Before she left for the hunt, her cousins, her brother, and her parents would leave.
When she returned from the hunt and the Empress birthday banquet, they would see off Constantine.
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