Swallowing, he said, “I don’t think I can go back down tonight.”
“You must. Everyone will be expecting you.”
“Just tell them I’m too ill.” That wasn’t stretching the truth too far. Though the tea and food helped, an underlying nausea still occupied his stomach.
His mother shook her head. “I think you’re overreacting. You’ve been to these sorts of games before.”
“And I’ve always hated them,” he snapped. He cringed and softened his voice. “But it’s not the games that did this. I had to sit there and listen to the dying screams of people mauled to death by wild animals or used as unarmed targets just for believing in the same God I do. How am I supposed to handle that? I mean, you can’t enjoy watching such barbarity.”
His mother straightened. “I don’t, but I will support your father, and tonight, you need to as well.”
Daniel groaned, wanting to fight this with everything inside of him. He couldn’t support his father.
“I’ll go for you,” he said finally.
A smile ghosted across her face. “Thank you.” She stood. “I’ll let you change. Please be down as soon as you can. You may not wish to eat it, but dinner will begin shortly.”
She left him alone again. After swallowing down another scone, Daniel pushed to his feet and entered his bedroom. Walter had another pressed outfit hanging on the door of the wardrobe. He changed into it, thankful to find it slightly more comfortable than the attire he’d worn all day. He stepped to the mirror and saw for himself how pasty his skin was.
With no power to do anything about it, he left his room and headed slowly back downstairs. The buzz of conversation hummed down the hall as he neared the gathering room. When he entered, he found the most guests Auréa had hosted in quite some time. He paused just inside the doorway to collect himself. He had to be careful tonight, especially if anyone noticed his lack of enthusiasm. His father had warned him that if anyone at the party found out about his faith, there would be consequences—deadly consequences. Perhaps not for him but certainly for whoever learned his secret.
He’d barely taken two steps into the room when a shrill female voice sent a zing straight through his still throbbing head. His attention snapped to the source—a slender young woman with jewel-like green eyes and luscious blonde hair cascading past her hips. He suppressed a wince at an uncomfortable barrage of memories. She was one he’d spent far too much time with a few years ago.
She latched onto his arm. “It’s been absolutely ages.”
She stared up at him expectantly, and he stared back, racking his brains. Her father was an earl, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember her name. Especially not with this headache.
“Angela,” she supplied finally, quirking her brow.
“Angela, yes, I’m sorry.” He tried to formulate a better apology, but she just laughed giddily.
“Had a bit much to drink at the games, did we?”
Daniel opened his mouth but then snapped it shut again. Letting everyone believe he’d overindulged would probably be safer for them than knowing he condemned everything about today.
Finding his manners, he asked, “How are you? I hope your family is in good health.”
“Oh yes, Father has been much improved.”
“Good,” Daniel replied, though he hadn’t the slightest idea what ailed the earl.
“This rain, however, is quite vexing. How fortunate it held today, thank the gods.”
Daniel nearly snorted. While he didn’t know why Elôm had allowed a break in the rain today of all days, it certainly had nothing to do with fake idols whose only real use was firewood.
A playful smile lifted Angela’s full lips, and she leaned inappropriately close, batting her eyelashes. “Perhaps we can take another moonlit walk around the garden.”
Daniel cleared his prickly throat. There would be no sneaking off with her tonight, or any girl in this room for that matter. He struggled to form a suitable reply. Thankfully, his father invited everyone to the dining room, providing the perfect escape. He gently extricated himself from Angela’s possessive clutches.
“Excuse me. I must join my family.”
He strode away before she had a chance to speak again and crossed the room. However, he didn’t fail to notice the adoring eyes of several other young women, all of whom he’d spent time with at one point or another. All his idiotic and immature choices were coming back to bite him. He knew full well these women were only after him because he was royalty. It hadn’t really mattered to him when he was young as long as he was having a good time, but it mattered now. Lord, help me deal with the consequences of my life before I knew You, and help me make much better decisions in the future.
He met his parents at the door of the dining room and fought to retain his composure and a cool head as they took their places at the main table. Two more tables had been prepared to accommodate everyone. When the servants set a heaping plate of braised lamb, roasted garlic mushrooms, and stewed onions before Daniel, he was glad to find he still had a bit of an appetite. It was hard to pass up such a feast. Though he didn’t come close to cleaning his plate, he did manage to enjoy much of it in spite of all the talk of the games that surrounded him. Thank Elôm he wasn’t required to participate in these conversations.
After the meal, everyone filled the ballroom. Daniel positioned himself to the far side in hopes of remaining inconspicuous for the final couple of hours of the evening. He caught sight of Aric stationed at the perimeter of the room and contemplated joining him, but his father wasn’t stupid. If he caught Daniel spending too much time with the head of security it might just cast suspicion on Aric’s beliefs and loyalties. So he remained where he was.
A few of the young lords eventually found him. The games were a popular topic until they must have sensed he had no desire to speak of them. They moved on to hunting and other sports Daniel had no notion of when he’d ever get to partake in again. Then the women sidled up to him, sometimes two or three at a time. His old self would have eagerly engaged in their flirtation, but he remained distantly polite until they gave up. Though a tedious cycle, he was willing to endure it if it meant staying out of trouble until he could go to his bed for the night.
When the dancing started, it only grew worse. Even more women hovered around with expectant gazes, but he offered no invitations. He would honor his parents with his presence, but it did not mean he had to participate in all the activities. He was in no mood to dance.
An hour later, Daniel caught sight of a familiar face among the crowd. Excusing himself from his latest gathering of flirting females, he worked his way around the dancers.
“Alex?”
A man with short black hair turned to him. Something unhappy flashed in his eyes, but a smile quickly hid it. “Daniel.”
Daniel offered his hand to his friend, and they clasped each other’s arm. He hadn’t seen him since before the fatal “accident” that had befallen Alex’s father two years ago. Of course, Daniel knew better. He’d suspected his own father had something to do with Baron Arther’s demise, and now he had no doubt.
“I didn’t know you were here. It’s good to see you.”
Alex gave a brief nod. “I couldn’t really pass up the invitation, now could I?”
“You should have let me know you were coming.”
“Well, it was a rather last minute decision.”
“So how are things in Keaton?” Daniel asked, realizing how much they had to catch up on.
Alex’s smile disappeared entirely and that cool look returned to his eyes. “My esteemed uncle has deemed me unfit for the task of ruling Keaton due to the indiscretions of my wayward youth. Everything is under his power now.”
“But that was years ago. We may have been a bit wild, but we didn’t do any true harm.”
“Yes, well, try telling him that.”
Daniel shook his head. “I’ll talk to my father about it.”
Alex cast him a doubtf
ul look. “You do that.”
He then walked away without another word. Daniel called to him and stood stunned when he did not turn back. The two of them had been such good friends growing up—Daniel’s only true friend, really. How had that changed so much in just a couple of years? And yet, how could it not have if Alex suspected how his father truly died? If Daniel knew it, chances were Alex did too.
Daniel let his shoulders slump as the heaviness of the whole day descended once more. He backed away to the perimeter of the room again, contemplating what seemed to be the loss of a longtime friend. He sighed. Maybe he could talk to Alex again before he left and assure him that he did not condone his father’s actions. Maybe it would even lead to deeper topics . . . if he was very careful about it.
Sometime later, a servant offered him a glass of wine, but he declined. He was in the middle of a benign conversation with two older barons when Alex’s voice came from across the room. The musicians were resting between dances so it carried easily and drew everyone’s attention to where Alex stood.
“A toast to our illustrious emperor. May he enjoy many more such birthdays as he so rightly deserves.” He lifted his wine glass toward Daniel’s father and then drank. Everyone else with drinks followed suit while the others applauded.
Daniel frowned deeply. Why would Alex honor his father with a toast if he were so upset? He set off across the room. As he neared, he found Alex talking to his parents.
“Thank you for that,” Daniel’s father said.
Alex smiled. “I wanted to make sure there would be no mistaking my loyalties.” He glanced at Daniel and then said, “Excuse me. I have a young lady awaiting a dance.”
He walked away before Daniel could get a word in. Daniel stared after him, and his mother touched his arm consolingly at Alex’s painfully obvious avoidance of him. It just made no sense. What had Daniel done to deserve such treatment? Alex couldn’t possibly think he had anything to do with his father’s death, could he? That would be ridiculous.
He reluctantly turned his attention to his father, who was just finishing a sip of his wine. At least he could try to fix things between him and Alex.
“I need to talk to you about a situation in Keaton.”
His father raised a brow. “And what situation is that?”
“Alex should rightfully be baron, but his uncle has taken over the province.” Daniel drew a breath to ease the discomfort of speaking with his father and to make sure his tone remained respectful. “I would appreciate it if you would restore power back to Alex. I know the two of us pulled some crazy stunts in our youth, but he has every right to govern Keaton. I have no doubt he can manage it.”
His father stared at him for a long moment before he finally nodded. “I’ll look into it.”
A pleasant thankfulness settled inside Daniel, and he actually smiled. “Thank you.”
The moment the current dance finished, Daniel looked around for Alex. He couldn’t rest until he made things right between them. Peering through the mingling guests, he spotted Alex at the far door. His friend glanced around the room and then slipped out. No doubt a young woman had exited just ahead of him. Maybe his friend hadn’t matured as much as he thought.
Daniel worked his way to the door and stepped out. Looking up and down the hall, he found it empty. Of course, Alex knew every secret corridor and private nook inside this palace. Unless Daniel wanted to spend the rest of the evening searching him out, he would have to wait for him to return or catch him at breakfast in the morning.
Resigned to waiting, Daniel reentered the ballroom, though he remained near the door in case Alex did return before the evening was over. He chatted with an elderly noble couple and firmly resisted an obnoxious mother’s attempts to nudge him toward her daughter, who happened to be ten years his senior. Avoiding that catastrophe, he turned to the nearest server, ready for something to wet his throat.
Shattering glass echoed across the room. Someone must have had their wine glass refilled too many times. He turned, but it was not a tipsy party guest amongst the glittering shards of glass. Daniel’s father stood there, his hand splayed across his stomach. His face clenched in a tight grimace, and his pale skin was more than a match for Daniel’s earlier. Then, before any solid thought could form, Daniel watched his father collapse.
Gasps and murmurs filled the room. Daniel blinked, but his father was still on the floor, his mother kneeling over him. Breaking from the shock, Daniel rushed through the guests and reached his parents the same time as Davira did.
“Father!” his sister cried.
Daniel knelt next to his mother, who grasped his father’s hand and touched his cheek.
“Daican, what is it? What’s wrong?”
He only groaned, his eyes squeezed shut as his grimace deepened. Something was very wrong. Daniel touched his mother’s shoulder. “We have to get him up.”
She nodded, and Daniel looked around. Aric stood at his side.
“Help me get him upstairs,” Daniel said.
They each took one of his father’s arms. Draping them over their shoulders, they lifted him up and held him securely between them. To one of the other security guards, Daniel instructed, “Bring a physician to my parents’ quarters immediately.”
The man hurried away, and Daniel and Aric carried Daniel’s father upstairs. Daniel’s mother rushed ahead of them to open the door. Daniel and Aric eased Daniel’s father down on the bed, and Aric took a step back as Daniel’s mother and Davira crowded around.
“What happened?” Daniel asked his mother.
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “I don’t know. Everything was fine until I noticed him pressing his stomach. He said it was nothing, but then he dropped his wine and collapsed.” She leaned over his father and rested her hand against his cheek again. “Daican, can you hear me?”
He moved fitfully and his eyes fluttered, but he didn’t appear to be conscious.
Davira leaned closer. “Come on, Father, wake up.” Daniel had never seen her so worried. She shook her head and cast a desperate look at their mother. “What could be wrong with him?”
“I don’t know,” their mother murmured.
A minute later, the physician arrived. Daniel moved aside to let the wiry, balding man have room.
“What happened?”
Daniel repeated what his mother told him so she wouldn’t have to.
The physician’s lips pursed. “His pulse is elevated. What did he eat?”
Daniel’s mother named off some of the main courses served at dinner and shook her head in bewilderment. “Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing we didn’t all have.”
“How quickly did he fall ill?”
“I don’t know . . . from when I first noticed his discomfort to when he collapsed was about five minutes.”
The physician’s expression turned grim.
“What is it?” Daniel’s mother asked. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Considering the speed of the onset . . . I believe it may be poison.”
“Poison!” Davira shrieked. “How could he be poisoned?”
Out of nowhere, realization struck Daniel like a violent blow. He gasped.
All eyes swiveled to him.
“What?” Davira demanded.
He swallowed convulsively. Surely it couldn’t be, yet it was too coincidental. He shook his head. If he was wrong . . .
“Tell me!” Davira screamed at him.
Daniel winced. He couldn’t withhold information that could be useful. “I don’t know anything for certain, but Alex seemed upset about the situation in Keaton. He wouldn’t talk to me, and I thought his toast to Father was strange. Then I saw him leave the room shortly before Father took ill.”
Davira’s eyes flared and flashed to Aric. “Find him and arrest him!”
Aric glanced at Daniel before he left the room.
Once he was gone, Davira turned her attention back to the physician, all the fury melting into worry. “What can you d
o for him? Can you stop the poison?”
“Without knowing the poison used, I can only guess what might neutralize it.” The physician hesitated. “I can make no promises.”
“You have to save him!”
“I will try, my lady.” He opened his medical kit and rummaged through the many vials stored there before choosing.
Daniel stood at the foot of the bed, his eyes hardly leaving his father’s unconscious but taut face. His father had always been such a strong man. He didn’t remember ever seeing him ill. To see him so stricken like this turned everything upside down. What really gripped him was his mother’s distress. Though she remained calm, talking soothingly to his father and stroking his face and hair, every worry line in her face deepened. Even Davira lost all her cold, hard edges. The fear widening her emerald eyes gave her a much younger, almost childlike appearance. Though they’d never gotten along, he was still her big brother and his instinct was to protect her.
Overcome with these emotions, Daniel did something he would never have imagined needing to do. He bowed his head, closed his eyes, and prayed that Elôm would spare his father’s life—that He would guide the physician and would halt the poison’s effect. I know what he’s done and what he plans to do, but maybe he will change. Maybe this will give me the opportunity to help him understand.
The physician continued to administer different remedies and then wait to see if they had any effect. Daniel watched hopefully for an improvement. At least his father didn’t appear to be getting worse. Maybe he would fight through it. He was an incredibly—infuriatingly—stubborn and determined man. Yet, it was ultimately in Elôm’s hands, so Daniel did not cease his prayers.
When Aric returned to the room, Daniel turned with an ache in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t condone what Alex had done, but the punishment would be a death sentence for his friend.
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