Chapter l332

Chapter 0332

The doctor frowned deeper. “And I’m told the symptoms came quickly. I can’t make sense of it. There seems to have been no cause for this reaction. But that’s not possible.”

For even the doctor to be confused, sent tendrils of worry shooting out in all directions inside of me. The doctor was supposed to have everything under control. They were the professional.

“I’ll need to run some tests,” the doctor said. “Let me draw some blood for now, and give her what medicine I can. But we may need to take her to the hospital.”

“The hospital?” Fear choked my voice.

Nicholas rubbed my back. “We’ll do whatever is necessary.”

“Okay,” I said. “Yes. Thank you, doctor.”

The doctor nodded and went to draw the blood and inject the medicine.

When she had gone, I moved a chair to Elva’s bedside and sat there with her. Nicholas kept vigil, standing behind me, watching over us both.

Minutes, hours. I had no idea how much time had passed. I was in a trance, watching the unsteady, struggled breathing of my little girl. When she ached, I ached too. When she cried, I cried too. When she whimpered, it was all I could do to hold in a so b.

Nicholas placed his hand on my shoulder. That point of contact was the only thing that kept me from fully falling apart.

At some point, day sl*pped into night, and the light was gone from the windows. Charlotte came around and closed the curtains. She didn’t try to speak with me, though she watched,

worried, from a distance.

Later still, the guards at the door began to speak to one another. I looked up, confused.

“I’ll take care of whatever it is,” Nicholas said, and started walking toward the door.

He only just arrived there, when Julian burst through the door, Veronica in tow.

“This isn’t a viewing gallery,” Nicholas said, stepping into their path. “If you don’t have purpose to be here, then leave.”

Nicholas was on edge, yet to speak so harshly to Julian and Veronica seemed unwarranted. Maybe he was more fearful than even I had realized.

Concerned like a father would be.

Fresh tears welled in my eyes.

3/2

+15 BONUS

“Piper,” Julian called to me. “You trust me, right? I swear I didn’t bring Veronica here to gawk. I just need you to trust me.”

I swallowed down my worry to find my voice again. “I do trust you.’

“See?” Julian said to Nicholas and then pushed him aside. He motioned to Veronica, bringing

her closer.

“I’m sorry for the intrusion,” Veronica said as she came nearer the bed. Her eyes fell onto Elva and she stopped at once.

“What is this about, Julian?” I asked, firm. I wasn’t in the mood for games. “Elva’s very sick.”

“I know that, Piper,” Julian said. He wasn’t smiling. There was sadness in his eyes. “And I know even the doctor is confused. Which is why I thought Veronica could help.”

“Help… how?” I asked.

Nicholas returned to his spot behind me. I felt stronger for it.

“She can feel magic,” Julian said.

Magic? I looked up at Nicholas. His brow pulled together.

“How would that help Elva?” Nicholas asked.

“Don’t you find it strange how Elva has the best medical care in the entire kingdom but still mysteriously gets sick at the drop of a hat?” Julian asked. “As if someone is dictating when and how badly?”

“Life isn’t fair,” I said miserably.

“Normally I’d agree with you,” Julian said. “But in this case…” He looked at Veronica. I did

too.

Her frown deepened as she regarded me. “I’m sorry, Piper. It appears that Elva is indeed shrouded in dark magic.”