Chapter Fourteen

L éhiona surveyed the garden, her exhaustion a palpable thing pulling her down. She had been overseeing the preparations for the garden party all afternoon, and now she wasn’t sure she would even feel well enough to attend.

She went over to the table where a massive glass bowl of lemonade now sat and used the ladle to fill a cup for herself. Tiny violets and other edible flowers floated on the surface, and she stared and stared at the way they moved around the bowl as she took a sip from her cup. The sour tang of the lemons and the sweet kiss of sugar had her closing her eyes in pleasure.

“Léhiona, I thought I might find you here,” Sylvain’s voice cut through her fog of exhaustion and she started.

“Sylvain, you startled me!” She said, setting her glass down next to her on the table.

He smiled at her and ladled himself a cup of lemonade, sidling up to her where she still rested a hip against the table.

“Have you been to see the healers yet?” He asked, cutting straight to his point—in a kind way. Léhiona looked at him sidelong.

“No, I’ve been busy! And I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Well, better to be sure sure. Can I escort you there now?” He asked, offering an arm.

“Don’t be silly, I can’t go now! The garden party will be starting soon, and what kind of hostess would I be if I’m not here?” She said, a bit indignant. Though, her head did feel rather light.

He gave her a skeptical look, as if he could hear her thoughts.

“Please, sister, just humor me. We’ll be back before anyone notices you’re gone,” he offered his arm again.

Léhiona sighed her resignation and took the arm he offered. They made their way through the gardens toward the steps that led up to the palace. As they approached the steps, she noticed black edging her vision. “Sylvain, I…” she began, pausing their progress.

Then everything went dark.