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My next awakening is more real, my perception sharper, my pain so ive up trying to open thee, like it has swollen to twice its norh, is in my abdomen, just left of the Godstone

I reasps The darkness, the glea

No All this pain means that I am alive I will think about that instead

Even with ht breeze caressesa sweet concoction of freesia and hibiscus My balcony curtains whisper as they les with a fresh infusion of water

Soht ainst my shoulder My stomach muscles clench involuntarily, which sends a wave of pain all the way to my breastbone I force myself to relax, to breathe

Then I turn et a noseful of soft, freshly washed hair, a blast of warnize his scent anywhere It’s Rosario, n or if he slipped his nurse again

It makes h for les closer, which helpstiain, my eyes open easily I start to sit up but abandon the effort Pain aside, my stomach er broke souards One stands at the foot of my bed, two atto ," I say with enorer, all cracked and dry

They snap to attention

One steps forward My vision wavers with heat and dizziness, but I recognize Lord Hector by the broad set of his shoulders

He whispers, "Elisa?"

Questions tu for attention Who rescued me? Did they find the assassin? How badly aine Rosario cuddled besideall this tocomes out

"Your Majesty?" he says "Are you able to tell me how you feel?"

My bedroom is taut with silence as everyone awaits my response They need ain "Sandstore worried glances

I take an excruciating breath "Sandstorm," I repeat "Like I’ve been lost And flayed alive"

Lord Hector wilts with relief "You look it too"

The others gasp at his audacity, but I laugh It sounds like a wheeze

Hector turns to one of the guards "Get word to General Luz-Manuel and Conde Eduardo at once Tell the his naeneral sitting ine it?

"I’ll fetch Ximena and Mara," Hector says "I forced them to eat and rest"

"Thank you" Alreadyto closewas I--"

"Three days"

It’s like a punch to ut "And the assassin?" Words, at least, are co more easily

"Disappeared We’ve searched everywhere"

I feared as much Why else would I require so many sentries? "Was Invierne behind it? Was it related to the anius’ threat?"

"The other Quorum members think so The people think so Conde Eduardo posted notices throughout the city advising that no one go anywhere alone Several districts have requested a stronger guard presence"

Mymyself to do it Instead, I say, "Did you find me down there? Are you the person who saved my life?"

He freezes, and I wish my vision were clearer, for I would dearly love to read his face

"I’ll send your ladies," he says, and he strides away before I can respond

I’ in almost-sleep when Nurse Ximena and Lady Mara bustle inside, followed by a lanky nize as the royal physician Hector does not accompany them

Ximena showers htorried thatit’s good to see you awake"

Mara fluffs aze, but I notice a tear in the corner of her eye, which she quickly scrapes away "You remember Doctor Enzo?" she says

"Of course He took wonderful care of the king" I al "After he was injured"

The ladies step aside, and Doctor Enzo leans forward to peer at me He has a beakish nose and a razor-thin mustache that twitches with excite "I’m surprised to see you awake so soon Your vision must be disastrous Can you see at all?" Doctor Enzo was never one for niceties

"It see better"

"Nauseated?"

"Mostly dizzy Doctor, please tell esture left of the Godstone My stomach clenches painfully in response "Fortunately, the assassin missed The knife slid in sideways Didn’t hit the ier, he indicates an iside my navel--"that was nearly severed If you remain very still for a couple of weeks, it may heal properly As it is, you’ll have a tremendous scar May I docu injury"

"He didn’t miss," I whisper

"What was that?"

"The assassin didn’t asps The guards exchange looks of wonder, and I alh No sorcery was involved in the Godstone’s interference, nothing divine It was random luck