The Queen: A Wicked Novella

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  Unease blossomed, but I tried to shut that down. Luce was giving me good news. Just because this was nothing short of a miracle didn’t mean I’d lose the child.

  “Luckily, we were able to get it out of your system as soon as possible. A few more minutes, I don’t think even the Summer Kiss would’ve changed the outcome,” she said, and that was hard to process. “I’m optimistic, but a lot is going to depend on what happens in the next couple of days to weeks.”

  “What can I do to make sure the baby is okay?”

  Luce took a moment and then softened her voice. “In most of these circumstances, there is nothing you can do to change the outcome. It’s often out of your hands. If you were to lose this child, it would not be your fault.”

  “I know, but there’s got to be something I can do, right?”

  “There are things that can help. One of them is to remain as stress-free as possible, and I know that is going to be hard, but keeping stress levels low is what you need to do,” she advised, and I almost laughed, because I had no idea how I would do that. “I do suggest bed rest for the next week just to be safe.”

  Bed rest? “What about our appointment?”

  “I think we can delay it a week since I’ve done a lot of the tests that I would’ve been doing, but I will be checking in on you—tracking your hormone levels.” She folded her arms. “I would refrain from any physical activity until you feel completely one hundred percent—no longer sore or tired. That could be a week or slightly longer. No physical activities also includes sex.”

  I didn’t think that would be an issue.

  “You’re going to need to keep your hands and body parts to yourself,” Tink advised.

  “Thanks for the clarification,” I said. “I can do that. Bed rest and no physical activity. I’ll do whatever I can to keep the baby healthy.”

  “That’s good to hear,” she said. “It’s good that you’ll be staying with Caden in a secure location.”

  “Because once the fae who tried to kill me realizes they failed, they’ll come at me again?” Anger flashed through me, so potent and hot that Luce frowned at the color that highlighted my cheeks. “I can’t believe someone tried that. I mean, I can, but what in the hell did they think they’d gain from killing me? That Caden would somehow revert back to his evil self and open the doorway? That’s not how that works.”

  A huge part of me couldn’t believe how easy I’d made it for them. I almost always drank soda when I was here. Any number of fae could’ve paid attention to that. I really needed to change up my routine.

  “Perhaps they thought that by killing you, it would simply distract and weaken him. Which it would,” Luce advised. “It could have nothing to do with their attempts to free their Queen, but more so to level a blow that our King would find difficult to recover from. Choosing a poison that affects pregnancy so adversely was extremely lucky for them—and most unfortunate for you.”

  I tried not to be offended by her word choice. “Do we have any idea who could’ve done it? Were the other bottles contaminated? Any other drinks?”

  “So far, only about a dozen tested positive,” she said.

  “Are any of the fae here at risk?”

  “We’ve notified those who are pregnant, and it doesn’t appear that any have been put at risk,” she answered.

  “That’s good news,” I whispered, hands curling into the thin blanket.

  “Caden has been holding an inquisition, questioning all the fae who had access to the drinks that were in the cooler,” Tink said. “Which is pretty much every fae here.”

  It almost seemed like an impossible task, but Caden could compel the truth. Something that I doubted he wanted to do to every member of his Court without due cause. He was smart enough to know that he’d create more enemies using glamour to find the one who was responsible, but now he had a reason.

  I just hoped it didn’t hurt his relationship with his Court.

  But I wanted whoever was responsible dead. Actually, I wanted to be the one to kill them myself. That would probably violate the whole bed rest thing, but I also thought it could be fairly therapeutic.

  “You know, I’ve been thinking,” Tink said. “And I know that usually means I’m about to say something completely irrelevant, but I promise that’s not the case right now.”

  My brows rose. “What have you been thinking about?”

  “Why do we think it’s someone who didn’t know you were pregnant?” Tink asked as he glanced between the two of us. “Because there are a lot of ways they could have tried to kill you—well, poison is definitely a quieter way, but there are other poisons they could have used. Right, Luce?”

  “Right,” she replied, drawing out the word.

  “All I’m saying is that it seems way too coincidental that the poison that was chosen, was the one that has that kind of effect on a pregnancy.”

  A trickle of unease skirted through me. “But there are only a handful of people who know I’m pregnant. None of them would’ve done something like this.”

  “I don’t think they would’ve, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t say something,” Tink reasoned. “That everyone kept their mouth shut.”

  “You’re suggesting that one of us jeopardized her safety?” Luce demanded. “I can tell you that those who know never would’ve done that.”

  “I’m not suggesting that anyone did it thinking it would jeopardize her safety,” Tink responded. “Look, everyone talks. Even the fae. You may be special, Luce, and you’re a fortress of secrets, but there ain’t a single race of beings out there that isn’t infected with the need to gossip.”

  “I get what you’re saying, but those who know would never be so careless with such information.”

  “Maybe not.” Tink sat back. “Perhaps they weren’t so careless at all.”

  My gaze sharpened on him, but I didn’t say anything until Luce finished up and left the room. “What are you really thinking? And don’t say nothing. You were being purposely vague. Maybe Luce didn’t see that, but I did.”

  Tink glanced at the door. “Okay. I was being a little vague, but Lite Bright, something doesn’t seem right about this.”

  “A lot of things don’t seem right at the moment.”

  “Yeah, but I just think it’s strange that out of all the poisons—and there are many that have been brought over from the Otherworld—that would’ve killed you with just one taste, that one was used.” His gaze slid back to me. “Sure, you were given a large dose that would’ve taken you out if you were completely human, but why take that risk when there are far more effective ones? Think Game of Thrones level of quick and messy death. It’s almost like killing you wasn’t the priority.”

  “If I wasn’t the priority, then—” That was something I didn’t want to even think. Because it would mean that the baby was the target, and that meant Tink was right. “Who would you think would’ve talked?”

  “I don’t know. I want to say none of them, but…”

  “But you just said everyone gossips.” There was a great sense of dread. “And you said maybe they didn’t speak carelessly. I’m thinking you meant someone shared the news with intent.”

  “But I do agree that none of those who knew would’ve done anything to harm you. Kalen stopped you from drinking. Tanner wouldn’t do something like that. He’s too dignified. And what reason would Faye have?”

  “And Luce?”

  “She’s had plenty of opportunities to end you or the baby.”

  True. She could’ve poisoned the prenatal pills, and no one would have known. “Then who could it have been?”

  “Do we know that no one else was in the courtyard? No. We don’t. Someone else could’ve been out there,” he said. “Whatever fae is working with the Winter Court could’ve followed you, or it could be someone else.”

  “Then that would mean we have not one but two fae we need to locate.”

  Tink nodded. “And that Caden is definitely going to kill.”

&n
bsp; “Caden?” I coughed out a humorless laugh. “I’m going to kill the sons of bitches.”

  Chapter 16

  After Luce had returned later with a light dinner, she wanted me to get up and move around a little, which consisted of me walking around the small room.

  Then came the part I usually dreaded whenever I went to the doctor. She weighed me, and for once, seeing that I’d gained a few pounds even though I’d been a volcano of vomit the night before made me breathe a sigh of relief. She took some more blood, and after my twentieth or so lap around the room, I returned to the bed, surprised by how much that had worn me out.

  “Like I said, you’re going to be weaker than usual,” she told me, slipping the vial of blood into a small bag. “But I have a feeling you’ll regain your strength quicker than even I expect.”

  “The Summer Kiss, huh?” I leaned back against the mountain of pillows.

  “It’s a kiss of life.” Luce placed the bag on the counter and then crossed her arms. Her gaze fell to the small table. I’d engaged the blade earlier, just in case. It was only a few inches in length, but it was long and sharp enough to do its job. “I wish you would’ve told me about that, and yes, I know I already said that, but I feel the need to restate it. I could’ve told you then that you had nothing to worry about when it came to our King choosing you—that I had nothing to worry about.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that changed things. Caden never told me,” I explained. “And I get why he didn’t. He was trying not to overwhelm me after everything, but I wish he’d told me.”

  “And I’m sure he wished you’d told him about the child,” she replied, and I flinched. “I meant no offense by that. What I mean is that it seems like you and Caden could’ve benefited from a very in-depth conversation.”

  I laughed dryly. “No doubt.”

  “But you have both been processing a lot,” she said, picking up the bag.

  “Have you seen Caden?” He hadn’t been back.

  “I believe he’s still carrying out the questioning,” she answered.

  I wondered who was standing guard outside because I doubted Caden was relying on a locked door. But who had Caden deemed trustworthy enough? I picked at the blanket. “Who’s playing babysitter?”

  She arched a brow. “Kalen.”

  A slight smile tugged at my lips. “I owe him a lot. If he hadn’t…”

  Luce inclined her chin. “He would make a fine Knight for our King.”

  As far as I knew, Caden hadn’t chosen any of his Knights yet. I had a feeling Aric’s betrayal all those years ago played a role in that. “He would. I’m glad to see that Caden trusts him.” I watched Luce slip the vial into her pocket, thinking about what Tink had said. I actually hadn’t really stopped thinking about it. “Can I ask you something?”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  “Do you really think the choice of poison had nothing to do with my pregnancy? That it’s possible that no one who knows spoke?”

  “I’ve thought about this. It’s an herb that’s widely available—actually grown in our greenhouse as it has amazing healing properties. Some of the other poisons that Tink mentioned are simply not easily accessible. That could be the reason.” She smoothed the lapel of her coat. “But if Tink is right, that one of those who knows did speak, who would they have told that would’ve done something like this? Would it then be a coincidence that the person unknowingly told the fae who has been working with the Winter Court, and if not, then are we dealing with two fae who have done the unforgivable?”

  I nibbled on my lower lip, mulling it over. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something. “Maybe this has nothing to do with the other fae. I mean, I’m sure there are tons of fae who would probably act upon the knowledge that I was pregnant.”

  “You don’t seem to have a high opinion of the fae,” she replied, “if you think there are so many who would wish to harm an unborn child. If you’re to be our Queen, I hope that changes.”

  Chastised, I realized that what I’d said hadn’t come out right. “I didn’t mean that I think there’s a ton of fae who would gladly harm a child, but I bet there are many who would do anything to protect their Court, right? Isn’t that what Kalen said about Benji’s family? That they wouldn’t even keep their own child alive if it was a risk to the Court?”

  Luce’s brows puckered. “Yes. Many fae are willing to protect their Court,” she said slowly.

  “And how many fae would see me as a risk to the Court? Even before the pregnancy. After all, Tatiana came to me before I knew I was pregnant,” I reasoned. “Without them knowing I’d been given the Summer Kiss, wouldn’t they see this child as a threat to their future? It’s why I hadn’t told Caden that I was pregnant. It’s why you agreed to remain silent, as did the others.”

  “I see what you’re saying.” She sighed wearily. “It’s just that I have a hard time believing that those who knew would’ve said anything. That knowledge in the wrong hands doesn’t only mean someone viewing you as a threat, but it could also cause panic.”

  “Then…then that person may have told someone they trusted. Someone who may have…” Someone who may not have been sent into a panic. Who would’ve already known that Caden was in love with me. Suspicion dawned, and I was grateful that I wasn’t hooked up to the heart monitor.

  “What?” Luce asked.

  I didn’t want to say anything in case I was wrong. “Can you do me a favor? Can you get Tanner for me?”

  “Why do you want to see him?”

  “I just thought of something he said to me, and I’m not sure if I heard him right,” I lied. “Please? Tanner cannot possibly be banned from seeing me.”

  “The King decreed that no one without his express approval—”

  “Or I can just go find Tanner myself. I doubt you’re going to chain me to my bed. So, do you think Caden would be more upset with me roaming around, or you getting Tanner for me?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “That sounds like blackmail.”

  “More like presenting you with options,” I suggested.

  One side of her lips curved up. “Uh-huh. I doubt you’ll have any problems assuming the role of our Queen.” She turned away. “I’ll go find Tanner now.”

  “Thank you,” I said, unsure if her comment about the whole Queen thing was a compliment or not.

  But I didn’t have the brain space to really deal with that. If my suspicions were on point, then I might know who poisoned the drinks.

  When a soft knock came about fifteen minutes later, I knew Luce had done what I asked. Tanner stepped in, quietly closing the door behind him.

  “Luce said you needed to speak with me?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Thank you for coming, even though I have a feeling that Caden has told everyone to stay away from me.”

  A faint smile appeared. “He has, but Luce said that she sensed it was important.” Walking forward, he sat in the chair. He looked rough, as if he hadn’t slept well. Whether or not my suspicion was correct, he had to have a lot on his mind. “Luce told us that the child is well, which I’m grateful to hear. But how are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay. Just a little tired. Thank you for asking.”

  The shadows under his eyes looked like bruises as he nodded. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m confident that Kalen didn’t even want to allow me into the room. I imagine the only reason I was allowed is because the King is with Faye and her family.”

  Benji.

  Jesus, I’d practically forgotten about him. “He hasn’t gotten better, has he?”

  Tanner shook his head sadly. “He is…he is lost to us.”

  Sadness found its way into my already crowded heart. “They’ll…” What had Caden said? Peace. “They’ll give him peace now?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Our King is there in case they have need of him.”

  I glanced at the door, wanting to go and find where they were. I wanted to be there for Caden, even if he didn’t have
to be the one to end Benji’s young life. That suddenly seemed as important as why I’d asked for Tanner.

  “I wouldn’t want to further displease the King,” Tanner said. “What did you want to see me about?”

  “Understood.” I drew in a shallow breath, fighting the urge to run off and find Caden. While I’d threatened to do that earlier, even I wasn’t that stupid when there was someone out there actively trying to harm the baby and me. “I want to ask you something, and I hope you’ll be honest. It’s an uncomfortable question.”

  Tanner nodded for me to continue.

  “Did you tell anyone that I was pregnant?” I asked, watching him closely. A muscle twitched near his right eye. “And I’m not suggesting that I think you told someone thinking they’d do what they did, but I know I told you to do whatever was necessary to make sure Caden chose a fae as his Queen, and I don’t think you would’ve told just anyone because of the panic or risk it could cause. I know you would do anything to protect your Court, and maybe that included telling someone that I was pregnant. Maybe so they’d pursue Caden, knowing that Caden would eventually find out that I was pregnant.”

  Tanner stared at me in silence for several heartbeats. “You think I spoke to Tatiana?”

  I nodded. That’s exactly what I suspected—that he’d told Tatiana, maybe even her brother. “It would make sense. Tatiana and Sterling already knew what was happening in terms of the engagement. They would have a reason to view the child as a real threat. I don’t want to believe it,” I quickly added as Tanner’s eyes widened. “I honestly think that Tatiana came to me in the beginning out of concern and not to get me to leave Caden. So, I’m not saying this out of jealousy or anything like that. Caden loves me.” Even if he wasn’t quite sure about that now. That thought hurt, but my suspicion wasn’t coming from making the other woman who wasn’t even really the other woman the villain. “It just makes sense.”

  Tanner leaned forward. “Tatiana would never do such a thing. Neither would her brother. I know you don’t know them well, and I can even understand why you’d think it was them, but those misdeeds cannot be placed on them.”