Page 4 (1/2)

"But it was h a mouthful "You’re too honourable to have taken as hed at thethis froand I was truly thankful she had finished eating the cake

"Valena!"

We all spun around at the sound of Raj’s frantic voice, the kitchen co into a roo Raj never did and we all stared at hied hi as Raj shtened his waistcoat "Valena," he said more quietly now "I need you"

Valena didn’t ask any questions She jumped up from the table and made her way towards him Raj shooed her in front of hian"

I shared a brief worried look with Cook and hurried after the healers

"What’s going on?" I asked

"I’ve been called to the Princezna’s suite"

I forgot all ladylike h the palace halls to Haydyn’s apartaped at me as I blurred by them and I wanted desperately to shout back at Raj to hurry up But if he did that, if he ran withwith Haydyn What rong?! I knew so her further, but ever since Jarvis and Ava had io, I was afraid to burden Haydyn further

Inside her suite, I found Matai No other servant Only Matai, hovering worriedly over Haydyn who lay collapsed on the floor "What happened?" I rushed towards her, throwing myself down beside her Her skin, usually alabaster, was deathly pale, her hand liaze with dark, fierce eyes "I don’t know," he whispered to … and then she… she just collapsed on the floor I was afraid to move her I’ve called for Raj… I didn’t want anyone else to know…" he trailed off as Raj and Valena ca the door behind her

Raj shovedwith her?" I dean, for havens sake," Raj replied through gritted teeth

My heart stopped as Haydyn groaned, her eyes fluttering open As they focused, they widened in panic "What happened?" she asked hoarsely

"You collapsed," I bit out, as if it was her fault somehow

Her eyes found Raj "Why?"

Raj shook his head "Lord Matai, help me rippedrong with Haydyn I knew it

"Lord Matai, Rogan, please leave Valena and I alone with the Princezna"

I objected irabbed iven a chance to struggle Not that I could Matai was as big as Wolfe He thrust e body blocking my way in

"I need to be in there with her" I stamped my foot like a petulant child

"No You want to be, there’s a difference"

"Matai"

"Stop it, Rogan," he hissed, a flash of sharpness in his eyes revealing his concern "For once… just stop it"

I slu so hard I felt sick with it "What’s wrong with her, Matai? She won’t tellhis arainst the door "She’s been over tired lately I’ve tried to talk to her about it but…"

"She keeps saying nothing is the azeswas definitely the matter

It seemed forever before Raj beckoned us back into the suite It had probably only been fifteen ive Haydyn room Determined to be at her bed side, and smaller and spryer than he, I ducked under his arrasped Haydyn’s hand She was sitting up in bed now, colour back in her cheeks She s at the end of the bed He threw Raj a belligerent look "Well,on?"

I rolledhis feelings for Haydyn

Raj s from Haydyn to Valena "Both Valena and I have checked the Princezna over We could only feel the darkness of exhaustion We took it away As you can see, the Princezna is feeling much better" He strode towards her now "As for this not sleeping, I’ one of reatly, Princezna"

"Thank you, Raj" Haydyn nodded, her eyes twinkling gratefully She never treated anyone in the Palace indifferently or as if they should be grateful to be in her presence like some of the nobility half her rank did It was no wonder we all loved her "I appreciate your help"

I pulled away froiven me "Next time maybe you’ll do as I ask and see Raj before you collapse on the floor," I snapped

The others looked a little shocked at my attitude Not Haydyn She looked rean I proain"

"Pfft" I turned fros to do"

I felt Matai and the healers glare at ed it off

Haydyn narrowed her eyes on s to do" She threw back the covers and got out of the bed with a surprising breeze of energy "Tell Jarek to readyto the htly before striding across the room to the door Thehtened