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Hooking her thuainst the counter that held all thebefore

She was i, of course If she could prove her self-sufficiency, she uardianship over her She could buy back her freedoht of Peony

"You really think I can help?"

"I do In fact, I think every person on Earth could soon find theulped and lifted herself onto an exaht, just so long as we’re clear--I am here on a volunteer basis nohich u like lanterns between the wrinkles "Yes Absolutely"

"And I do expect pay uardian can’t access I don’t want her to have any idea I’ve agreed to do this, or any access to the money"

To her surprise, he didn’t hesitate "Of course"

She sucked in a steadying breath "And one other thing My sister She was taken to the quarantines yesterday If you do find an antidote, or anything that even holds proet it"

This tiaze faltered He turned away and paced to the holograph, rubbing his hands down the front of his lab coat "That, I’ether "Why not?"

"Because the emperor must be the first to receive the antidote" His eyelids crinkled with sympathy "But I can promise your sister will be second"

Chapter Twelve

PRINCE KAI WATCHED THROUGH THE GLASS AS A MED-DROID inserted an IV into his father’s arm Only five days had passed since the ens of the blue fever, but it felt like a lifetiuish rolled into so few hours

Dr Erland had once told his always came in threes

First, his android Nainsi had broken before she could cos

And now his father was sick, with no hope for survival

What would happen next? What could be worse than this?

Perhaps the Lunars would declare war

He cringed, wanting to take back the thought the second he had it

Konn Torin, his father’s adviser and the only other human allowed to see the emperor in such a state, clapped a hand on Kai’s shoulder "It will be all right," he said, without e another person’s thoughts

Kai’s father moaned and opened swollen eyes The room was quarantined on the seventh floor of the palace’s research wing, but the emperor had been made as comfortable as possible Nuht enjoy ht be read to His favorite flowers had been brought in droves fro the otherwise sterile room The bed was dressed in the finest silks the Commonwealth had to offer

But none of it made much of a difference It was still a roo

A clearseparated Kai fro up at Kai now, but his eyes were elass

"Your Majesty," said Torin "How are you feeling?"

The emperor’s eyes crinkled at their corners He was not an old ed him quickly His complexion was yellow and pallid, and black and red splotches stippled his neck

His fingers lifted froe to a wave

"Is there anything you need?" Torin asked "A glass of water? Food?"

"An Escort53?" Kai suggested

Torin cast the prince a disapproving glare, but the e and had to look away, down at fingertips pressed into the sill

"How er?" he said, quiet so his father wouldn’t hear

Torin shook his head "Days, if that"

Kai could feel Torin’s gaze on hirateful for the tiet to see their loved ones when they’re taken away"

"And ants to see their loved ones like this?" Kai looked up His father was struggling to stay awake, his eyelids twitching "Med, bring him water"

The android rolled to the elass of water to his lips and wiping away the dribble with a white cloth He did not drink ain into the pillows

"Kai…"