Chapter 43

I worried about Elva all day, about her abilities and the dangers that those might bring. I was so distracted with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Elva was beginning to not feel well until she took my hand and I felt how clammy her palms were.

“Are you not feeling well, Elva?” I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. She was burning up. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You get sad,” Elva said.

She was such a considerate child, trying to protect me. But my whole heart broke, knowing she didn’t feel like she could depend on me.

“I love you, honey, but you have to tell me right away when you don’t feel good, okay?” I scooped her into my arms.

The day’s events had ended. We were on our way back to our room anyway. Now, carrying Elva, I rushed there as fast as I could.

Mark caught sight of me right away. “What’s wrong?”

“Send for the doctor, please. Elva has a fever.” I tried to keep the fear from cracking my voice but it still made it wobble uncertainly.

Mark glanced at Elva and his face went rigid. “Right away.” He waved for one of the two guards at my door.

Trusting him to take care of it, I entered the room and lowered Elva down onto the bed. With the quiet maid’s help, we changed her into her pajamas and got her comfortable under the covers.

I didn’t know what to do, other than what I always did: stay by her side, wait for the doctor, and pray.

The hunting event was supposed to last for two more days. Tomorrow was the most vital – the hunt itself. If I missed it, I would lose what little ranking I had. I had almost no hope I would be able to stay in the competition anyway, but now, with Elva sick again…

She needed diligent care. The kind we’d never have back in our small apartment with Anna.

I had to put in more effort. I had to try to survive the elimination. What if she didn’t recover this time? What if she needed twenty-four hour care?

I couldn’t lose. I couldn’t.

Nor could I leave her side, however, especially long enough to disappear on a hunt. What if she needed me?

There was only one thing I could do. It was desperate and reckless, but for Elva’s sake, I would try anything.

Mark returned with Asher’s personal physician. As she began to inspect Elva, I pulled Mark aside.

“Please tell me where I can find the royal family.”

His brows were lowered in concern, but he still lifted one at my question. “What do you intend to do?”

“Beg,” I said.

Mark explained to me that on non-banquet days, the royal family took their meals in the dining room early, so as to be alone before the girls were to dine.

The guards outside the door of the dining room did not look at all pleased to see me, but I held my ground.

“I humbly request to speak with the royal family.”

Their eyes narrowed.

“It’s important,” I insisted.

“Is that Piper I hear?” Julian called from within the room. “Let her pass.”

The guards seemed unhappy with the demand but still stepped to the side, allowing me through.

Inside the dining room, Julian lifted his wine glass in greeting, a big smile on his face. I knew he’d likely only let me inside for the spectacle of it.

No one else at the table looked at all so eager to see me. The Luna, especially, glowered. The King seemed mostly bored. Nicholas’s expression was impassive. Joyce was reading a book on the table. He didn’t once lift his gaze.

“I…” Now that I was here, with most of them looking at me, my nerves heightened and I lost my voice a moment.

The King cleared his throat. “What was so urgent, Piper?”

“My apologies… so many apologies for interrupting you. But, I…”

I had prepared for this, but the lie I had planned still felt so ridiculous, I struggled to say it. Surely they would see straight through me. Then what would I do?

“I… can tell that there is a sudden storm coming in,” I forced out. “Tomorrow. It will ruin the hunt. I humbly ask, for the sake of the event, that you postpone for a day.”

The King had no reaction.

Julian spoke up instead. “There wasn’t anything about foul weather on the news, Piper. Are you sure your… intuition is correct?”

“I’m positive.” It was a desperate gamble. Sudden storms could happen, but I was more likely to be right back here begging forgiveness tomorrow night.

It’d be worth it, to make sure Elva was okay.

I couldn’t keep the worry from my face, but fortunately no one seemed to notice. Or maybe they thought it was concern for the event.

Nicholas, though, watched me a little closer. I avoided his gaze, but I could feel the weight of it on me.

He knew me best. If anyone could see through me, he would be the one. After all, he knew I’d never had premonitions about the weather before.

“Father,” Nicholas said, addressing the king even while his gaze stayed on me.

I braced myself, ready for him to call me out.

“We should postpone the event a day.”

I blinked, surprised.

The King looked at his son. “Oh?”

“I propose a deal.” Nicholas stood. “Piper, if it does indeed rain, then I will allow your daughter to ride on Night, the wolf. She had seemed quite interested in that earlier today. If it doesn’t, then you will lose ranking and be responsible for the barbecuing for the 3(rd) day’s event.”

“Interesting,” Julian said. “Don’t you think so, father?”

The King considered it. “Such a thing certainly might entertain the viewers.”

“It’s a win-win, as far as I can see,” Julian continued. “If we don’t postpone, and it does indeed rain, than the festivities would be ruined. But to wait, and add an extra twist? Delightful.”

“Yes.” The King nodded. To Nicholas, he said, “Good job, Nicholas.”

“Thank you, father,” Nicholas said. He did not sit down.

“Thank you, everyone,” I said with a small bow. “Your kindness knows no bounds.”

“We’ll see,” said the Queen, colder than the rest.

I turned toward the door, ready to exit.

“Please excuse me,” said Nicholas behind me.

As I left the dining room, he was suddenly at my side. I didn’t say anything, thinking he just needed to go the same way as me for a time.

When we reached the stairs, he said, “Stop ignoring me, Piper.”

Startled, I stopped and turned to him.

“I know something is wrong. You never would have concocted such a wild story otherwise.” His face was stern but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “Tell me. Why did you really need to postpone the event?”

I could cry with worry but I held it back, needing to be strong. “Elva has a fever.”

With Nicholas beside me, we rushed back to my room, where the doctor was speaking softly with Mark. When we entered, she turned to me.

“Your daughter’s illness is severe. I treated it as best I could, but I can do no more until her fever breaks. She’s in too fragile a state.”

Fear coiled around my heart. “I don’t understand. She’s been doing so well.”

“Has she been recently exposed to anything? Anyone with a sickness, perhaps? Such as a cold.”

All warmth left my body. I’d had a cold. I only just reunited with Elva.

Could I have done this to her? Did I give her this cold?

My knees went weak. Nicholas gripped my arm, helping me stay upright.

But the weight of the guilt was too much. I had done this to my daughter.

I would never forgive myself.

“This is my fault.”