Page 133 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Thorne,” said Kai. “I must know what kind of poison it was. I can keep her alive for a while with basic tonics, but I can’t reverse the effects without knowing exactly what we’re dealing with.”
“Are you saying she’ll die if we can’t figure it out?” asked Casimir.
“It’s possible,” whispered Kai.
“I’ll have a team search for anything that can help us,” Thorne said and rushed from the room.
The ache in Casimir’s soul burned; terror churning with anguish and barely contained wrath. He took a deep breath, approached Ava, and sat at the edge of the bed.
Brushing the hair from her face, he whispered, “Please don’t die.”
Kai placed his hand on Casimir’s shoulder. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He ripped open her dress and placed his hands on Ava’s abdomen. “I’m going to try to stop the bleeding with my magic.”
Casimir nodded, throat tight as he fought back tears, furious with himself for leaving her alone. He should have stayed with her when she told him about the man. It was his fault she’d been stabbed, and he’d never forgive himself if she didn’t make it.
They’d had no time together. He’d had no time with hislove, his soulbond. His Miraêl Li’ra. He wanted to take her to the animal rescue and see those smiles again; to drink tea and read books snuggled on the couch; to make love to her and spend the rest of the night wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Can I sit here while you work?” he asked, vision blurring.
“Of course.”
Kai opened a vial filled with brown liquid. Casimir scooted back to give him room and held Ava’s hand as Kai lifted her head and used a dropper to release the liquid down her throat. She coughed and Casimir tensed, but swallowed and was silent again.
“Good,” said Kai. “That’s a good sign.”
He looked at her perfect face as she took shallow breaths. An hour ago they were dancing and enjoying themselves. How did this happen?
Kai gave her various tinctures and monitored her pulse, Casimir watching attentively. At one point, he put his hands on her chest and closed his eyes, searching for any clues with his magic to what the poison could be.
After what felt like forever, Thorne entered with a guard at his heels. “We found this in the garden. It seems some of the poison dripped off the dagger.”
Kai stood and took a leaf from the outstretched hand of the guard and smelled it. His eyes went wide as he set it down and rummaged through his apothecary kit.
“What? What is it?” Casimir said. His chest was so tight it ached.
“It’s strong. I can’t even pronounce it and it’s very rare. It kills quickly but we caught it in time and fortunately I have the antidote.” He found the vial and uncorked it, leaning over her. Parting her lips, he tilted her head forward and poured the purple liquid in her mouth. “Come on, Ava. Drink.”
Thorne hovered nearby, watching Kai carefully.
Her throat moved and she swallowed, taking the antidote.She coughed and Casimir panicked, running his hand along her face, whispering encouragement to her. The coughing stopped and she stilled again.
“She’ll live?” he asked.
Kai nodded. “But I don’t know how long it will take her to wake. It could be days.”
“Okay,” he said. “Thank you.”
Thorne leaned over his sister, squeezing her shoulder, a pained look on his face. He turned to Casimir. “I must go check on the guests and talk to the advisors about ending this ball early. Please let me know if she wakes.”
“I will,” he answered as Thorne left the room.
Casimir stayed with her for hours, sitting on the bed and holding her hand. He didn’t move from his spot as Kai came in and out to assess her vitals. The rest of his friends left him alone, giving him space to be with his love. For he knew he loved her; he’d known for a while. And though he’d confessed his feelings, he hadn’t said those three words yet, not wanting to put pressure on her.
And now she didn’t know.
Casimir jerkedawake from his spot in the chair as someone entered the bedroom. Titus was asleep by Ava’s head and Luna at her feet, both refusing to leave her side.
Raine strode forward and stopped. “We found him.”
