The Goddess's Curse (Heartmates Book 1) by Cara Bristol

Author:Cara Bristol [Bristol, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cara Bristol
Published: 2015-03-13T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Oh, thank Goddess, you’re here!” The attendant outside Ellynna’s chamber wrung her hands.

Honna hid her satisfaction under an expression of concern. “Why? What happened? Has she gotten worse?”

“She’s not sleeping, not eating. I fear she may have contracted the terrible malady that afflicted Princess Reena.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “The queen cannot hold down what little she does eat.”

“In her weakened, grieving state, it is possible she has fallen to the sickness.” She patted the attendant’s arm. “Don’t worry. We are fortunate to have caught it early. I will do everything in my power to save her,” she said, while mentally rebuking the attendant for her haggard appearance and slovenly grooming.

The woman’s eyes were reddened and swollen from weeping, her face creased by lack of sleep, and her shoulders drooped. When she was crowned Shara, Honna’s subjects would maintain proper decorum. “While I visit with the queen, why don’t you take a break? Get yourself something to eat. Take a nap.” Fix your disgraceful appearance.

“Oh, I couldn’t leave—”

“Nonsense. You’re entitled to a respite to tend to your needs.” Honna nudged her down the corridor. “I’ll be right here. I’ll stay with her while you’re gone.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’ll be better able to assist the queen if you’re not so exhausted.”

“Oh, that’s true, isn’t it?” The attendant brightened. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Honna entered a room draped by heavy curtains, sadness, and despair. Outside the palace, the autumn sun shone, and the air was sharp and crisp. Locked in mourning, Ellynna had the windows shuttered and the curtains drawn.

After her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she spied the queen in a chair in the corner.

“Aunt Ellynna? How are you doing this morning?” She moved to a candelabrum on the bedside table, lit it, and peered into a goblet. Empty, except for a few leafy dregs clinging to the crystal. Excellent.

“Honna?”

She wiped the smile from her face and went to kneel at the queen’s feet. “Yes, Aunt?”

Fresh tears filled Ellynna swollen eyes. “I thought I had prepared myself—that when…it happened—I would be able to accept it.” She rubbed her mouth as if to wipe away the horror then let her hand fall limp in her lap.

“I know.” She clasped her aunt’s hand. Her skin felt dry and chilled like Reena’s used to. Compared to her daughter, the queen would be an easy kill. The herbs were working much faster. It was as if her cousin had possessed a resistance, like a charm that had enabled her to survive as long as she had. Whatever had protected Reena, it hadn’t shielded her from an EID blast.

Honna bowed her head. “I hold myself responsible—I should have been able to save her.”

“Don’t say that. No one blames you. You did everything you could.”

“Did I, Aunt? Did I? I keep remembering the ambush. If I’d heard the Lahon approach. If I’d drawn my weapon sooner. If—”

“You’re a healer.” Ellynna shook her head. “Violence is not in your nature.”

“If only I hadn’t requested her company on the manhunt.

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