Mystic's Touch Read Free Page B

nose
itches and I can’t scratch it! I don’t know who keeps bringing them in but I
may have them tossed out of the palace along with the flowers.
    Are you always this cranky of an invalid or did you not
get enough sleep?
    It’s about time. Where have you been?
    If she hadn’t heard the relief in his tone, she would have
taken offense at his high-handedness. Good morning to you, too.
    The first sun has been up for hours. What took you so
long?
    I warned you yesterday I wouldn’t come until the midday
meal, so actually I’m early. Even after checking on a few things.
    Like what? he demanded.
    Like possible reasons for your condition and why we are
able to speak with just our minds.
    And what did you learn?
    Not much, I am afraid. She sighed. There are
several toxins that could cause this sort of thing, but nothing that matched
exactly. I was advised by someone close to me, who has knowledge of healing,
that I needed more information.
    Such as?
    Visual clues. Knowledge of anything you were exposed to
or consumed.
    Did you tell this person you had spoken to me?
    Of course not.
    Didn’t think they would believe you?
    Didn’t want to worry them. She corrected him. Oh
wait, I need to get past the guards.
    I guess telling them I said to do it won’t help.
    Not a bit. She smiled at the thought.
    It didn’t take much convincing to gain access to the
prince’s rooms even though there were orders to not admit visitors. She was
well-known at the castle and being one of the queen’s own helped.
    Yesterday there had only been one guard on duty. While he
was distracted by the maids cleaning the guest suite at the end of the hallway
she had been able to slip in, unannounced.
    I’m here.
    That was alarmingly easy. Either my security needs better
training or you know something I don’t.
    Perhaps a bit of both. She took a moment to look
around the room. She had never been in the prince’s chambers before yesterday
and even then she had been so focused on why she was able to hear his thoughts
she didn’t take in her surroundings. It was surprisingly sparsely furnished.
    It’s a functional space, he said, obviously picking
up on her thoughts. I haven’t lived here for several years and my visits
were often short when I did return home.
    But it is home.
    Yes. There was a pause. Yes, it is.
    Danet set the basket of linens on the floor not far from the
bed. The bed itself was oversized, obviously made to accommodate the prince’s
large frame. However it was a simple structure. A mattress set upon a platform,
neither far from the ground. The linens were plain but of the finest quality.
    The prince had been placed in the center with a sheet
covering his lower half.
    Before she looked at his face, she reminded herself she had
company in her head and shouldn’t comment on anything she saw. The last time
she had a glimpse of the prince she remembered thinking he was handsome enough
that he would never have to worry about finding his princess.
    So, how are you today? s he asked, struggling for
neutral conversation.
    He growled. How he managed to project the sound in her head
was puzzling, yet it made Danet smile again. I am alive.
    Have the physicians checked on you yet?
    Yes. I have endured poking and prodding again this
morning.
    Did they say anything?
    I heard two people whispering that, other than an
increased heartbeat, they didn’t detect any changes. They worried that Darius
would not be pleased.
    I’m sure he isn’t.
    I worry more about Mother and how she is handling this so
soon after Father.
    Your mother is a very strong, capable woman. She will do
what she has to do to see you well and to cope with whatever comes her way.
    The prince paused. You are right. Another pause. Thank
you.
    I speak only the truth.
    She allowed him a moment to let the thought sink in. As she
waited, it occurred to Danet the connection had become stronger and she could hear
him much better. It was as if he were speaking from across the room instead