Chapter 020\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~Kaia~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s such an absurd accusation. Do you know what you\u2019re talking about\u201d Beta Zane looks at me with\u00a0<\/p>\n
doubts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, doubts. I didn\u2019t expect anything less.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not asking you to believe me,\u201d I replied,looking away.\u201d I\u2019m stating the truth\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, a servant rushed in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHealer,\u201d she called out to me.\u201cYour attention is required in the king\u2019s chambers\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at Beta Zane, expecting him to scold me but he didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked conflicted. Maybe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to leave. \u201cI\u2019m going to check on the king. Excuse me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They led me into the King\u2019s chambers. The air was heavy,sharp with sickness and something darker.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped close and froze. That scent\u2026 metallic, sour, rotted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I recognized it instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Poison.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blackbane\u00a0<\/p>\n
The same poison that almost killed the guard on our way here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could recognise it from the photos but the smell is unmistakably unfamiliar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I walked into the king\u2019s chamber, an older gentleman with silver hair sprouted out on the bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The once\u2013mighty council King lay still beneath the furs, his breathing shallow, his lips pale.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the Council asked me to \u201cprove my loyalty\u201d by tending to the Council King, I knew they didn\u2019t mean well but I didn\u2019t expect it to be this bad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The king was dying. Barely holding on to life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whatever I do here could either heal or kill him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I know this. The council knows this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure this is the reason why they agreed to send me here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze, every instinct screaming at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When they summoned me to the council chambers, I knew something was off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019d spent weeks looking at me like a stray rogue now suddenly, I was trusted enough to look at the council king?\u00a0<\/p>\n
This wasn\u2019t random. Someone was killing the King from within, and now they wanted me to take the blame for\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I couldn\u2019t walk away. I\u2019d sworn to heal, not to watch someone die.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019d been waiting for a chance to watch me fail or to blame me if I didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While thoughts run through my mind, a woman walks in with four other men, who I assume are the council members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLady,\u201d the woman calls out to me. \u201cPlease help my mate recover. I can\u2019t lose him.\u201d She didn\u2019t look at me when she spoke. \u201cDo what you must do to help him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tears welled up in her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mate? She must be Theo\u2019s stepmother, Cara\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Successfully unlocked!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 020\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure if I can save the king.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I bowed my head. \u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council from Theo\u2019s Pack claims you know what to do\u201d One of the council members\u2018 eyes flicked toward me, full of warning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I said. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I understand what you mean,sir\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I understand what he meant. But, still.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Council King\u2019s health has taken a turn. You were trained as a healer, yes?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My pulse spiked. \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe King\u2019s life is in your hands now. You\u2019ll treat him,\u201d the man said. \u201cIf your skill is true, you\u2019ll help him recover.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If not\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t need to finish. The meaning hung thick in the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their eyes slid to me like knives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is a trap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s either I save the council king or I die with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The King\u2019s pulse was weak, his breathing ragged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I examined the faint purple marks along the King\u2019s veins, the sluggish pulse beneath his skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was Blackbane,no doubt about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I got to work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mixing crushed sage root, moonflower sap, and a drop of wolfsbane diluted in alcohol. A risky antidote; one that could cure or kill depending on dosage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands shook, but I forced them steady. The Council watched from behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHelp the king up,\u201d I urged the servants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the king was stabilized, I made him drink the potion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Forcing an antidote down a man too far gone to fight it. His pulse fluttered, then steadied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For one sharp, terrifying moment, he convulsed. The guards lunged forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed harder, forcing the last drops down his throat. Then\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
The King gasped. His eyes flew open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room went silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I leaned over him, the King suddenly convulsed even more violently. His breath hitched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shocked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone turned to me, gasping with disgust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the elders frantically asked. \u201cWhat\u2026 what did you do to him?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet her away from him!\u201d one of the healers shouted. \u201cShe\u2019s killing him!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the King convulsed, I heard one of the Pack\u2019s resident healers yelled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hands grabbed my arms, pulling me back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not-!\u201d I struggled against them. \u201cHe\u2019s reacting to the antidote!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let her come close to the king. Pull her back\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some guards came forward to stop me but I didn\u2019t stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tore free, pressed my hands to the King\u2019s chest, and whispered through gritted teeth, \u201cBreathe, please breathe. Don\u2019t you dare die now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a heartbeat, there was nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 020\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, a sharp inhale. His chest rose. The color returned, faintly, to his lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silence that followed was deafening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2026 she saved him. The king is alive!.\u201d Someone, who I didn\u2019t know said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was drenched in sweat and fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His breathing steadied. The dark lines along his neck began to fade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The king stirred faintly, groaning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s draining out,\u201d I whispered. \u201cHe\u2019s fighting it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minutes later, the King opened his eyes, weak, but conscious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet the king rest alone for now. He\u2019s still very weak, his body is not strong enough\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to leave immediately but one of the elders stepped forward, face pale. \u201cThat\u2026 that you didn\u2019t hurt the king, did you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t dare think of hurting the king. Rest assured, I gave him the right potion for his illness\u201d I answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara turned to me slowly. \u201cHow did you know what to use?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wiped the blood from my fingers. \u201cBecause it wasn\u2019t an illness,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cIt was deliberate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Cara looked at me seriously.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour Grace, what I meant was the king\u2019s illness is something I\u2019m familiar with. That\u2019s why I knew what to use\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d she sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s good\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind us, the Council members murmured among themselves \u2013 half\u2013relieved, half\u2013afraid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One man remarked. His voice was laced with masks of false surprise. \u201cImpressive. I didn\u2019t expect the healer from Theo\u2019s Pack to be any good at all\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another said too smoothly. \u201cIt seems our\u2026 guest has some skill after all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the pack\u2019s healer came close to me,asking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,right?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded,not moving my eyes from the king.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you tell what exactly is wrong with the king?\u201d She asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard, my throat raw. \u201cIsn\u2019t that the Pack\u2019s healers\u2018 duty?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice was low,not loud enough to grasp the others\u2018 attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,but you seem to know so much. You wouldn\u2019t mind sharing,do you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up, meeting her gaze with the faintest smile. Obviously not reaching my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe king had a high fever which was blocking his heart so I made him drink the potion and ease the blood circulation. He will be fine\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned back to the King, adjusting the blanket around his shoulders, pretending not to notice the change in the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see,\u201d I said softly. \u201cSometimes a fever is just a warning for something bigger.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They all looked at me, nobody spoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turn to the healer. \u201cI would like to head back. Please let me know if the king needs anything\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They watched. Silently as I walked out of the king\u2019s chambers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anger thick like smoke raging from within.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I came out of the king\u2019s chambers I found\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane pacing outside, his jaw tight. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 020\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to speak to you,\u201d I said, stepping closer. \u201cIt\u2019s important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned, his expression sharp. \u201cMake it quick, Kaia. The King\u2019s condition is-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d I cut in. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what I\u2019m trying to tell you. I think he\u2019s being poisoned. The same poison I mentioned earlier from our injured teammate was found on him. The Blackbane toxin\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane froze. \u201cYou\u2019re accusing someone of poisoning the Council King? That\u2019s treason if you\u2019re wrong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I spoke under my breath, lowering my voice. \u201cI\u2019m not wrong,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cI know that scent. That decay beneath the blood. It kills slowly without a trace and this is what it looks like. I\u2019m telling you the truth\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beta Zane furrowed his brows. \u201cDidn\u2019t you tell everyone it was high fever??\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt isn\u2019t a fever, Beta Zane. Someone\u2019s poisoning him. Slowly. The same residue I found on that guard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes flickered, testing my conviction. \u201cYou\u2019d better pray you\u2019re right.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI could be wrong about the type of poison but the council king is really being poisoned,\u201d I revealed. \u201cI don\u2019t know who to trust reason why I\u2019m telling you this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned my head slightly looking towards the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBelieve me, the council King\u2019s life is in danger\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His jaw tightened. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beta Zane didn\u2019t know what to believe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trusting a stray is ridiculous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But not trusting me could cost the king his life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11\u00a0<\/p>\n
Subscribe\u00a0<\/p>\n
1 Likes\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 021\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 20 Chapter 020\u00a0 ~~Kaia~~\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s such an absurd accusation. Do you know what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-nightshade-heir-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27265\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}