Chapter 32

THIRTY-TWO

T he grand banquet hall blazed with light, crystal chandeliers casting prismatic patterns across the polished ice walls. Kai sat at the head of the long table, every muscle in his body coiled with tension. His dragon stirred beneath his skin, restless and protective. Having Quinn so close, yet unable to claim her openly as his mate, tested the limits of his control.

She sat beside him, dressed simply in a deep blue tunic over fitted black pants, her dark hair pulled back in its usual practical style. To the court, she might have appeared out of place among their ornate finery, but to Kai, she outshined them all. His fated mate. His perfect match. If only she could see it too.

The subtle vanilla-and-sunshine scent that was uniquely hers wrapped around him, making his dragon purr. He watched as she studied the array of exotic dishes before her with scientific curiosity, asking questions about their origins and composition. Even at dinner, that brilliant mind never rested.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward as she poked at a fluorescent purple fruit with her fork, her nose scrunching in that way that made his heart clench.

“It won’t bite,” he murmured, leaning closer than strictly necessary. The urge to nuzzle her neck, to mark her with his scent, nearly overwhelmed him.

“No, but it might make me glow in the dark,” she whispered back, completely oblivious to the effect she had on him.

He suppressed a chuckle, but his dragon preened at her quick wit. She brought life to these stuffy formal occasions, her sharp observations cutting through centuries of rigid tradition. The warmth of her presence beside him provided a welcome distraction from the weight of his crown, from the constant whispers and political maneuverings of his court.

Every protective instinct he possessed screamed at him to whisk her away somewhere safe, somewhere he could cherish and protect her without the complications of court politics. But he knew better. Samara Quinn wasn’t a woman to be sheltered. She was a force of nature—his equal in every way that mattered.

Quinn forked a piece of roasted meat into her mouth and instantly knew something wasn’t right. Her face drained of color, the fork clattering against her plate with a sound that pierced his heart. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white against the dark wood.

“Quinn?” His hand shot out to steady her shoulder, dragon instincts roaring to life. Every fiber of his being focused on her distress. “What’s wrong?”

She tried to speak, but no words came. Her eyes lost focus, pupils dilating as she swayed in her chair. The room fell silent as heads turned toward them, conversations dying mid-sentence. His enhanced senses picked up the slight falter in her heartbeat, the way her breathing turned shallow and labored.

“I...” Her voice emerged as barely more than a whisper. “Something’s wrong...”

Her body went limp. Kai caught her before she fell, sweeping her into his arms as blind panic clawed at his chest. Her skin burned against his, her breathing shallow and rapid. His dragon howled in fury and fear.

“Get the healer!” His roar shook the foundations of the palace, making the chandeliers tremble. The temperature in the room plummeted as his control slipped, ice crackling along the walls. “Now! Someone has poisoned her!”

The banquet hall erupted into chaos. Chairs scraped against the floor as people rose, voices raised in alarm. But Kai heard none of it. His world had narrowed to the woman in his arms, to the terrifying stillness of her body against his chest. His mate. Someone had dared to harm his mate.

Dragon rage coursed through his veins, ancient and terrible. The urge to shift, to tear apart everyone in the room until he found the culprit, nearly overwhelmed him. But Quinn needed him more.

He burst through hallway doors, crossing the distance to her chambers in long strides, his dragon nature lending him inhuman speed. Guards scrambled to clear his path, but he barely registered their presence. Ice formed in his wake, spreading across the floors and walls like frozen lightning.

“Hold on,” he murmured against her hair, his voice rough with suppressed fury and fear. “Hold on, my love. Don’t you dare leave me now.”

The royal healer, Reina, arrived moments after Kai laid Quinn on her bed. Her eyes widened at the sight, but she maintained her professional composure as she began her examination.

“When did the symptoms begin?” Reina’s hands moved with practiced efficiency, checking Quinn’s pulse, her temperature.

“Minutes ago. She took one bite of the roasted venison and...” Kai’s fists clenched at his sides, frost spreading from his feet across the floor. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “This is no accident.”

Reina’s expression grew grave as she worked, her magic flowing in silvery streams between her fingers. “This is a potent poison—someone clearly intended to harm her deeply. It’s attacking her nervous system. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.”

The temperature in the room dropped further as Kai’s control slipped. Ice crackled along the walls, responding to his fury. His eyes glowed molten gold, dragon nature rising closer to the surface.

“Can you heal her?” The words came out more snarl than speech.

“Yes, but it will take time.” Reina pulled various vials from her healing bag, seemingly unaffected by the dangerous aura radiating from her king. “The poison is complex, designed to cause maximum suffering before death. It’s not just meant to kill—it’s meant to send a message.”

“Then here’s my response.” Kai turned to the guards hovering in the doorway, his voice carrying the full weight of royal command. “I want a full investigation. No one leaves this palace until I know who is responsible. Question everyone involved in preparing tonight’s meal. And bring me Darian—immediately.”

The guards bowed and departed with unprecedented speed, leaving Kai alone with Reina and her unconscious patient. He watched the healer work, mixing potions and murmuring incantations. Each of Quinn’s labored breaths tore at something deep inside him, feeding the rage building in his chest.

Darian arrived within minutes, his usual easy manner replaced by sharp focus. One look at the ice coating the walls and his king’s glowing eyes told him everything he needed to know about the severity of the situation.

“What do you need?” Darian’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for action.

“Double the guard rotation. Triple it.” Kai’s voice carried the edge of his dragon’s growl. “Screen everyone who enters this wing of the palace. I want their entire life history, their connections, their loyalties. Find out who had access to the kitchens today.” His eyes flashed dangerously. “Someone in this court wants her dead. They’ll learn what it means to threaten a dragon’s mate.”

Darian’s eyebrows shot up at the word ‘mate,’ but he wisely kept his surprise in check. “It’ll be done. I’ll personally oversee the investigation.”

“And Darian?” Kai’s tone made the temperature drop another few degrees. “If anyone resists questioning, bring them directly to me. I’ll extract the truth myself.”

“You know that might create diplomatic?—”