“Perhaps they thought that by killing you, it would simply distract and weaken him. Which it would,” Luce advised. “It could have nothing to do with their attempts to free their Queen, but more so to level a blow that our King would find difficult to recover from. Choosing a poison that affects pregnancy so adversely was extremely lucky for them—and most unfortunate for you.”
I tried not to be offended by her word choice. “Do we have any idea who could’ve done it? Were the other bottles contaminated? Any other drinks?”
“So far, only about a dozen tested positive,” she said.
“Are any of the fae here at risk?”
“We’ve notified those who are pregnant, and it doesn’t appear that any have been put at risk,” she answered.
“That’s good news,” I whispered, hands curling into the thin blanket.
“Caden has been holding an inquisition, questioning all the fae who had access to the drinks that were in the cooler,” Tink said. “Which is pretty much every fae here.”
It almost seemed like an impossible task, but Caden could compel the truth. Something that I doubted he wanted to do to every member of his Court without due cause. He was smart enough to know that he’d create more enemies using glamour to find the one who was responsible, but now he had a reason.
I just hoped it didn’t hurt his relationship with his Court.
But I wanted whoever was responsible dead. Actually, I wanted to be the one to kill them myself. That would probably violate the whole bed rest thing, but I also thought it could be fairly therapeutic.
“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Tink said. “And I know that usually means I’m about to say something completely irrelevant, but I promise that’s not the case right now.”
My brows rose. “What have you been thinking about?”
“Why do we think it’s someone who didn’t know you were pregnant?” Tink asked as he glanced between the two of us. “Because there are a lot of ways they could have tried to kill you—well, poison is definitely a quieter way, but there are other poisons they could have used. Right, Luce?”
“Right,” she replied, drawing out the word.
“All I’m saying is that it seems way too coincidental that the poison that was chosen, was the one that has that kind of effect on a pregnancy.”
A trickle of unease skirted through me. “But there are only a handful of people who know I’m pregnant. None of them would’ve done something like this.”
“I don’t think they would’ve, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t say something,” Tink reasoned. “That everyone kept their mouth shut.”
“You’re suggesting that one of us jeopardized her safety?” Luce demanded. “I can tell you that those who know never would’ve done that.”
“I’m not suggesting that anyone did it thinking it would jeopardize her safety,” Tink responded. “Look, everyone talks. Even the fae. You may be special, Luce, and you’re a fortress of secrets, but there ain’t a single race of beings out there that isn’t infected with the need to gossip.”
“I get what you’re saying, but those who know would never be so careless with such information.”
“Maybe not.” Tink sat back. “Perhaps they weren’t so careless at all.”
My gaze sharpened on him, but I didn’t say anything until Luce finished up and left the room. “What are you really thinking? And don’t say nothing. You were being purposely vague. Maybe Luce didn’t see that, but I did.”
Tink glanced at the door. “Okay. I was being a little vague, but Lite Bright, something doesn’t seem right about this.”
“A lot of things don’t seem right at the moment.”
“Yeah, but I just think it’s strange that out of all the poisons—and there are many that have been brought over from the Otherworld—that would’ve killed you with just one taste, that one was used.” His gaze slid back to me. “Sure, you were given a large dose that would’ve taken you out if you were completely human, but why take that risk when there are far more effective ones? Think Game of Thrones level of quick and messy death. It’s almost like killing you wasn’t the priority.”
“If I wasn’t the priority, then—” That was something I didn’t want to even think. Because it would mean that the baby was the target, and that meant Tink was right. “Who would you think would’ve talked?”
“I don’t know. I want to say none of them, but…”
“But you just said everyone gossips.” There was a great sense of dread. “And you said maybe they didn’t speak carelessly. I’m thinking you meant someone shared the news with intent.”
“But I do agree that none of those who knew would’ve done anything to harm you. Kalen stopped you from drinking. Tanner wouldn’t do something like that. He’s too dignified. And what reason would Faye have?”
“And Luce?”
“She’s had plenty of opportunities to end you or the baby.”
True. She could’ve poisoned the prenatal pills, and no one would have known. “Then who could it have been?”
“Do we know that no one else was in the courtyard? No. We don’t. Someone else could’ve been out there,” he said. “Whatever fae is working with the Winter Court could’ve followed you, or it could be someone else.”
“Then that would mean we have not one but two fae we need to locate.”
Tink nodded. “And that Caden is definitely going to kill.”
“Caden?” I coughed out a humorless laugh. “I’m going to kill the sons of bitches.”
Chapter 16
After Luce had returned later with a light dinner, she wanted me to get up and move around a little, which consisted of me walking around the small room.
Then came the part I usually dreaded whenever I went to the doctor. She weighed me, and for once, seeing that I’d gained a few pounds even though I’d been a volcano of vomit the night before made me breathe a sigh of relief. She took some more blood, and after my twentieth or so lap around the room, I returned to the bed, surprised by how much that had worn me out.
“Like I said, you’re going to be weaker than usual,” she told me, slipping the vial of blood into a small bag. “But I have a feeling you’ll regain your strength quicker than even I expect.”
“The Summer Kiss, huh?” I leaned back against the mountain of pillows.
“It’s a kiss of life.” Luce placed the bag on the counter and then crossed her arms. Her gaze fell to the small table. I’d engaged the blade earlier, just in case. It was only a few inches in length, but it was long and sharp enough to do its job. “I wish you would’ve told me about that, and yes, I know I already said that, but I feel the need to restate it. I could’ve told you then that you had nothing to worry about when it came to our King choosing you—that I had nothing to worry about.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that changed things. Caden never told me,” I explained. “And I get why he didn’t. He was trying not to overwhelm me after everything, but I wish he’d told me.”