The Medicine He Forced Me to Drink

Kael led me into the palace himself.

Seraphina walked behind us, unusually quiet.

Good.

Let her wonder why the prince had not immediately fallen at her feet.

I pretended not to notice Kael’s eyes returning to me again and again.

That look made my skin prickle.

In my last life, he had been polite, distant, perfect.

A prince carved from ice.

This Kael looked like he was holding himself back from touching me.

That was more dangerous.

Affection could be a trap sharper than hatred.

When we reached the guest wing, I pressed a hand to my forehead.

“Your Highness, I feel a little dizzy. May I rest for a moment?”

Concern crossed his face.

“Of course.”

He arranged a room for me.

I asked my maid Sera to watch Seraphina carefully.

“If she does anything improper in the palace, tell me at once.”

That was what I said aloud.

What I meant was: let Seraphina know she was being watched.

A caged heroine often struggles harder.

After they left, I lay on the bed and closed my eyes.

For the first time all day, silence settled around me.

Then the door opened.

Softly.

I did not move.

Someone stepped inside.

Kael.

I recognized his scent before I opened the Demon Eye.

Snow. Cedar. Bitter medicine.

He came to the bedside and sat down.

For a long while, he only looked at me.

The Demon Eye whispered, “He is close. Let me devour him.”

I kept still.

Kael raised one hand and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

His fingers trembled.

“Mira,” he breathed, so quietly I almost missed it.

There was grief in his voice.

Real or performed, I could not tell.

Then he tapped the tip of my nose.

I was ticklish.

My eyes flew open.

Kael smiled.

“You were awake.”

I sat up, pretending annoyance.

“Your Highness enjoys disturbing sleeping women?”

“You have never been good at pretending to sleep. Your lashes shake.”

The familiarity in his tone made my stomach twist.

I looked away.

“Have you seen Seraphina?”

His smile faded.

“Why ask about her?”

“No reason.”

“I brought medicine.” He lifted a bowl from the table. “You said you were dizzy.”

I stared at the dark liquid.

In my last life, I had died because I trusted his softness.

This time, I would rather swallow glass.

“How thoughtful,” I said.

He scooped a spoonful and brought it to my lips.

I clutched my forehead.

“Actually, my head hurts more now. Perhaps I should lie down.”

Kael immediately set down the bowl.

“I will call the royal physician.”

I grabbed his sleeve.

“No need.”

He looked at my hand on his arm.

Something flickered in his eyes.

I forced myself to smile.

“The room is too warm. I only need to remove a layer.”

I slipped off my outer robe.

Kael froze.

Good.

Men, even princely ones, were often easiest to handle when embarrassed.

I stepped closer and placed one finger beneath his chin.

“Unless Your Highness wishes to watch me remove everything?”

His ears turned red.

For the first time in two lives, I saw Prince Kael Draven speechless.

“I’ll wait outside,” he said quickly.

Before leaving, he added, “Drink the medicine.”

The moment the door closed, I picked up the bowl and walked to the potted plant near the window.

“May your next life be stronger,” I told the poor plant.

Then I poured.

Halfway through, the door opened again.

Kael stood there holding another bowl.

“I knew it.”

I looked at him.

He looked at the plant.

The plant looked doomed.

I set the empty bowl down.

“I feel much better.”

“No.”

He walked toward me.

I stepped back.

He continued.

My knees hit the bed.

Before I could move, Kael drank from the bowl himself.

Then he caught my chin and kissed me.

The medicine passed from his mouth to mine.

Bitter.

Warm.

Unavoidable.

For a second, shock froze me.

Then rage.

How dare he?

I opened the Demon Eye.

Power surged through me.

Kael’s body stiffened as my spell caught him.

His pupils unfocused.

I pushed him away, breathing hard.

The Demon Eye laughed wildly inside me.

“Devour him.”

I should have stopped.

I should have run.

Instead, I looked at the man who had killed me.

The man who now stood helpless before me.

And hatred won.

I pressed my hand to his chest and drew in his true energy.

Pure.

Bright.

Stronger than I expected.

The Demon Eye screamed in pleasure.

Then screamed in pain.

I jerked back.

Inside me, the demonic power thrashed.

Kael’s energy was not feeding the Demon Eye.

It was purifying it.

I stared at him.

What are you, Kael Draven?

His knees weakened, and he collapsed onto the bed.

Still under my spell, he reached for me.

His arm circled my waist.

I froze.

He pulled me down beside him like a sleeping child clutching warmth.

I should have shoved him away.

Instead, for one foolish breath, I looked at his face.

He was beautiful.

That had always been the cruelest thing about him.

A face like spring.

A heart the story had turned into winter.

His eyes opened.

The spell broke.

We stared at each other.

His arm was still around me.

My hand was still on his chest.

His lips were still damp with medicine.

He whispered, “Mira…”

I slapped a hand over his mouth.

“Nothing happened.”

His eyes curved.

I realized how ridiculous that sounded.

“Nothing important happened,” I corrected.

He smiled against my palm.

I hated him.

I hated that smile.

I hated that some part of me remembered loving it.