Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden

by Shiriluna Nott

  King Rishi groaned, put the remedy to his lips, and tipped his head back. One swallow had him coughing and sputtering. “What the hell is in this? It tastes awful!”

  Koal threw his hands in the air while Marc folded his arms over his chest, a grin stretching his face wide. “Do you need me to hold your skirt for you, m’lady?”

  Gib coughed to cover a laugh.

  A sneer pulled at King Rishi’s mouth as he tried his best to finish the medicine. The second attempt was only slightly better than the first. His face screwed into a grimace as he swallowed and stoppered the bottle. “No. That’ll have to do. I can’t drink any more of it.”

  “If you don’t take it all, it won’t be as effective—”

  “I wanted something to settle my stomach, not make me vomit!” When Marc attempted to protest further, King Rishi simply tucked the vial into a pocket and nodded toward the council room door. “Shall we?”

  Neetra made some snide remark about how he’d better not get sick and that the King was inconsiderate for bringing the illness into the council room. Gib wished he could block out the High Councilor’s sniveling.

  As they filed in, Liro stopped so suddenly Gib almost collided with him. Licking his lips, Liro turned to face King Rishi, regarding him with shrewd eyes. “Fresh air is often the best medicine. If his Highness does not feel well, perhaps it would be best for him to simply take a walk in the garden.” Liro smiled, bowed low, and then turned and trotted toward his seat.

  Gib squinted even as he watched the King frown. Take a walk in the garden? What in hell was that supposed to mean?

  Koal skewered Marc with a heavy look. “What did you treat him for at the Healer’s Pavilion?”

  “The usual,” Marc replied, still watching Liro’s back as he climbed the balcony stairs and finally disappeared from view. “He had a headache and came for relief—though I had trouble locating the source of his ailment today. I do hope he feels better. There wasn’t much I could do.”

  No more words were shared as Gib headed for his own chair. In the balcony, Liro was already seated and silent, little more than a dark smudge in the corner. Diddy and Hasain were also present, the former giving Gib a bright smile.

  He grinned back at Diddy. “Are you two pretending to be twins today?”

  Diddy chuckled and gestured down at his and Hasain’s matching outfits. “We’re going riding as soon as the council meeting is over.”

  “Kinda wet for that, don’t you think? Might muck up your pretty riding gear.”

  “I know, but it’ll be so nice to get out of the palace, and Joel needs the reprieve—” Diddy’s eyes went wide as he seemed to realize what he’d said a moment too late. “I, uh, that is—”

  And just like that, Gib’s whole day went downhill. Was it insane that his heart was still such a treacherous thing? How could the mention of a simple name still cause so much hurt? Hot shame welled under his cheeks every time his heart pined for Joel, especially now. Despite taking things slow, his new relationship with Zandi was progressing, and it surely wasn’t fair to be hung up on Joel while pursuing the young Malin-Rai lord.

  Gib couldn’t force himself to smile, but he shrugged off the concern to the best of his ability. “No, no. It’s fine. I’m sure he could use the break.”

  Diddy’s dark eyes glimmered with sorrow. An apology died on his lips when Neetra lifted his voice to call the meeting to order. Truthfully, Gib had never been happier to hear the High Councilor speak. Gib didn’t want to think about his past anymore. He wanted to listen to the boring council meeting and pretend like his life wasn’t in shambles. He wanted to forget about Joel Adelwijn.

  The meeting dragged on much like any other. Gib listened and took notes of the various points of interest he had questions on. He felt a little bad when King Rishi’s condition only worsened, forcing the ruler to leave early. Hasain and Diddy shared a quiet chuckle at their father’s expense but settled back into silence when Liro hissed a warning to be quiet. And so it went until they were released well after midday meal had been served and cleaned up.

  “I wonder if the kitchen will have anything to give me,” Gib mused out loud.

  “Surely the palace kitchen will have something,” Diddy replied. He tapped Hasain’s shoulder. “You could ask Rya.”

  Hasain stuck his nose into the air. “If I go in the kitchen, she’ll put me to work. Besides, we have to collect Joel and get the horses if we’re going to get any riding done before nightfall.”

  Gib waved them both off. “Eh, it’s not any real trouble anyway. Go, both of you. Try to stay out of the mud.” They each gave him an incredulous look before departing.

  He watched them until they disappeared from view and then slumped against the wall, waiting for Koal. Looking down at his boots, Gib tried desperately not to think of Joel. Three moonturns with Zandi was still not enough to erase the memory of his first love. Falling for Joel had been so easy. Coaxing the same feelings for someone new was proving to be more difficult than Gib would have ever imagined. Zandi was gracious, even forgiving, but Gib had a hard time excusing his own behavior. It wasn’t fair to lead Zandi on if love was never going to blossom on its own. He sighed. Where is Koal?

  As always, his mentor was one of the last to leave the chamber. Today was worse, of course, because King Rishi wasn’t there to answer any questions, leaving the seneschal to handle the entire work load. Koal finally emerged from the crowd after what felt like entire marks later. Marc was at the seneschal’s heels. Both men looked as tired as Gib felt.

  Rubbing his face, Marc gave Koal a thump on the shoulder. “I’m gonna take off. I’ve got paperwork at the office I’m behind on. See you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. I’ll see you then.” Koal turned to Gib. “What about you? You have classes to study for or anything?”

  Truthfully, there was always something Gib could be studying for. Tarquin had been taking notes for both of them for so long it had become their “normal.” There must be exams coming up but, in the moment, all Gib could really think about was his growling stomach and not letting his mind idle for too long. “I’ve got to find food.”

  Koal chuckled. “Tell me about it. Come with me to drop off these notes to the King, and I’ll help you scrounge up something.”

  That sounded like a good plan. It had been a while since he and his mentor shared a quiet moment together. Since the brush with the Northern Empire, Koal had been busy with his duties, and since Gib didn’t spend much time at the Adelwijn estate anymore, the two of them only ever saw one another for business matters.

  They strolled toward the royal suite side by side and, once again, Koal apparently read Gib’s mind. “It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you outside of council. You should come over for dinner some night.”

  Gib sucked in a sharp breath. How much did Koal know? Surely Joel had informed his family that he and Gib were no longer companions, hadn’t he? It would just be too awkward to sit at the same table and try to pretend like nothing had changed. His tongue felt like a stone inside his mouth. “I’ve been busy.”

  Their footsteps echoed down the empty corridor as Koal took his time responding. “We all have been busy, but—we’re quite fond of you, Gib. You’ve been missed. Mrifa and the girls talk about you. And Otos and Tabitha. Even Nawaz.”

  Gib rubbed his arms and stared at the floor as he walked upon one marble tile after the next. “I’m not sure everyone’s as fond of me as you think.” They entered the hall of royal portraits, and Gib couldn’t help but feel scrutinized with so many unblinking, motionless eyes fixed upon him as he passed through.

  “Joel’s had a rough time,” Koal finally replied. Gib glanced up in time to see the seneschal’s face flush cherry red. “It nearly knocked me on my arse to find he’d pulled away from you, of all people. I wouldn’t tell you to wait for him, by any means, but you don’t have to disappear either.”

  Gib’s heart squeezed painfully. He’d been refusing to think about Lady
Mrifa and the girls, or even about Tabitha and Otos. If he didn’t think about them then he didn’t have to admit how much he missed them. But now, in the face of the truth, he realized how foolish he’d been. Selfish too. It was plain bad form to punish them for what he and Joel were going through.

  “Dinner would be nice sometime.”

  Koal didn’t look at him but replied with a nod. “Good. I’ll tell Mrifa. I’m sure she’ll go out and buy the whole market in preparation.”

  Gib laughed and they fell into companionable silence.

  As they closed in on the royal suite, another set of footfalls echoed through the hall, moving toward them from the opposite direction. Gib raised his head to see who it was just as Koal called out a greeting.

  “Aodan! What are you doing out here? Getting away from his whining?”

  The bodyguard stopped long enough to reply, and Gib noted his lack of smile. “Naw. I’m goin’ ta get Marc. His fever’s only gettin’ worse.”

  Koal shook his head. “Marc told him to drink the whole remedy.”

  “Stubborn as a mule.” Aodan did grin at that, but only for a moment. “Did the meetin’ just get over then?”

  “Aye. If you hurry you might even catch Marc before he gets past the gates.”

  Aodan nodded and took off at a double pace.

  Gib watched him disappear around the bend in the corridor. “It’s a shame the King grew ill this late in the season. Now he seems to be getting the worst of it.”

  Koal chuckled. “He was too stubborn to get sick when everyone else was. This is his punishment. C’mon. Let’s get this over with.”

  They were summoned into the royal suite by the Queen herself. Gib had already changed into a pair of slippers before he realized King Rishi was nowhere to be seen.

  Koal also seemed to take note. Standing up, he glanced around the room. “Where is he?”

  Dahlia gestured with a delicate hand toward a door Gib could only guess led farther into the family’s private quarters. “He’s inside. Was Marc close by? He needs to come quickly.” The pained restraint in her voice set Gib’s nerves on edge.

  Any good humor Koal had displayed before then seeped away. The seneschal took his sister’s elbow. “Take me to him. Let’s see how bad this is.”

  Gib was nervous to follow at first, having never been past the front room, but he did without hesitation when Koal gestured for him. They walked through to a second, larger room Gib could only think of as a private living area. By the bay windows there was a table and chairs large enough for a family to sit and eat. Another Senet game table, less ornate than the one in the receiving room, was positioned on the far wall, along with various knick-knacks and items Gib couldn’t name. Still, the King was missing.

  “This way.” The Queen didn’t hesitate in the slightest to take them through yet another door and into a bed chamber. Gib hung back awkwardly by the threshold. This felt too personal. He wasn’t sure the King would appreciate his being there.

  As soon as he caught a glimpse of King Rishi’s haggard form, however, Gib doubted very much that anyone was going to be concerned about whether or not Gib was there. Koal seemed likewise anxious and went straight for the ruler. “Chhaya’s bane. What the hell happened to you?”

  The King sat in a plush chair near the rear of the room and had his head resting against its tall back. His eyes slid open only when Koal called to him. “What are you doing here? Aodan sent for Marc.”

  “Well, you got me.” Koal knelt before the ailing king. “And Marc will be here soon. You look awful.”

  “Really? I feel great.” King Rishi winced and dropped his head back once more.

  Gib swallowed. Even from his place in the doorway, he could see the sweat gathered along King Rishi’s temples and forehead. His skin was even more flushed than earlier, and his entire body appeared limp and frail.

  “Have you had any water lately?” Koal asked.

  “I can’t keep it down.”

  Dahlia hovered by her husband’s shoulder, stroking his hair. “Do you know of anyone else being hit this hard by the influenza?” Her bottom lip trembled.

  “Not that I know of,” Koal replied. “My house was fortunate enough to be passed over. Roland had it a while back and was off his feet for two days, but I don’t know that it was this bad.”

  Gib’s ears detected noise. Behind him, he could hear the outer suite door open and close and muted voices conversing. Aodan had returned. It seemed an eternity before Marc and the bodyguard made their way down the hall.

  “It can’t be as bad as all of that,” Marc was saying. “The influenza this year was fairly mild compared to past bouts.” His voice dwindled when he stood directly behind Gib.

  “Aye, ya say that now, but look at ’im,” Aodan replied as he came into view. “He wouldn’t let me come get ya at first, but when he nearly passed out, we threw ’im in the chair and didn’t give ’im a choice.”

  “Yeah, I see.” Marc slipped past Gib without a word of acknowledgement. He went to stand beside Koal and dropped his voice to a more passive tone. “Rishi? How’re you doing?”

  Gib’s chest heaved while he waited for a response. It took entirely too long for the King to open his eyes. “How do I look like I’m doing?”

  Marc smiled but it was entirely devoid of humor. “Yeah, I’m gonna take a look at you. We might need to take some stronger action than just simple remedies. This doesn’t look so good.”

  “Shut up and do what you’re going to do.”

  “All right. I’ll try not to jostle you around too much.” Marc rolled back his sleeves and put a hand across King Rishi’s forehead. The frown that came to rest on his mouth was most unsettling. “Strange. You’re not very hot considering how much you’re sweating. Do you feel warm?”

  The King winced and tried to pull away from Marc’s hand. “My stomach is on fire. And my mouth. Like I ate a hot pepper.”

  Marc refused to relent in his examination, plucking open the buttons on the King’s high collar. His fingers touched the ruler’s throat, pausing there for several moments before moving his hand up toward King Rishi’s jawline. “Huh. When did that start?”

  Gib shuddered as he listened to the King take sharp, ragged breaths. Was he in pain? Would Marc be able to help him?

  Aodan passed by in such haste that he knocked his arm on Gib’s shoulder. The rise in the bodyguard’s voice indicated his distress. “He mentioned it when we left the council room. What the hell’s goin’ on?”

  “I don’t know yet. That’s not a typical symptom of the flu though.”

  Aodan crouched beside the King, and from the opposite side of the chair, Dahlia continued to rake her fingers through her husband’s greying hair. Her dark eyes welled up with tears, but she fought valiantly to keep her voice calm. “You’ll figure out what illness it is though, won’t you?”

  “I’m working on it, Dahlia, I promise.” Marc didn’t sound very confident, and Gib had to grab onto the door frame to keep his feet under him. He watched as Marc pressed both palms flat over the sides of the King’s neck and closed his eyes in concentration, searching for the source of King Rishi’s pain with Healing magic.

  Time stood still while Gib held his breath, waiting alongside the others for Marc to come to some kind of conclusion. Silence cloaked the room, insufferable and indomitable. And then at once, a sharp gasp pushed its way through Marc’s open mouth. The sound was as painful as an arrow to Gib’s chest. The dean retracted his hands from King Rishi’s neck like he’d been scalded and fell back.

  “What? What is it?” Aodan demanded.

  Marc fumbled for words. “I, uh, I can’t—Rishi, what have you eaten today?”

  The King drew a few shallow breaths before responding. “Breakfast. But it didn’t stay down.”

  “Why? What’s going on?” Koal asked, worry lining his pale face.

  Marc shook his head, eyes wide and mouth trembling. “This isn’t—it’s not influenza. It’s wolfsbane. He’s
been poisoned.”

  It felt as though the floor opened beneath Gib and he’d been swallowed whole. He couldn’t catch his balance and couldn’t hear for the rushing of blood in his temples. Poison? What was wolfsbane? Was it serious?

  The reactions around him led Gib only to the worst conclusions. King Rishi stiffened and knit his brows, Dahlia burst into tears, and Aodan dropped onto his backside, hands shooting up to cradle his head. Koal reeled as if he’d been physically attacked while Marc floundered for more to say. When he couldn’t sputter out even a single word, the dean went back to silently evaluating the King’s condition.

  “What else have you eaten or drunk?” Koal asked as he began to pace around the tight quarters of the bedchamber. “Rishi, we have to find out where this came from or someone else could ingest it. Did you have a cup at all today?”

  The King looked around, but his eyes remained unfocused. “Not my own. Gudrin drank from my cup, and she was fine when last I saw her.”

  Koal froze. “When was that?”

  “Not two marks ago,” Dahlia replied, retching on a sob. “He was already falling ill when that happened. Gudrin is fine. She’s with Bailey.”

  Aodan lifted his crimson face. “An’ we all ate and drank from the same plates an’ pitchers this mornin’. What the hell else was there?”

  Marc desperately pawed at the King’s neck and shoulders, perhaps trying to find the source of the poison. The entire room seemed to be spiraling into a panic, so it was odd when King Rishi’s voice was the only one to hold any reason. He turned a bleary gaze on Marc. “How far along is it? Can you fix this?”

  The frenzy from a moment before died on the spot. Gib felt as though he were gripped in a vice as he waited. No one moved or dared speak. Only Marc made any sound at all. Taking his friend by the hand, he began to weep. “N–no. Your organs are already shutting down. I can’t fix this.”

  The King’s eyes went wide, and for just a moment, Gib could see terror plainly written across the ruler’s face. He masked it an instant later, withdrawing into himself as he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. Dahlia’s pitiful crying made Gib wish he could cover his ears and not listen. Even Aodan, typically so stoic, gave up. He lay on the floor next to his king’s chair and sobbed.