eon

ay. I sat in the chair by

d slept so soundly in my presence, as if the oppress

aphina Carlisle's past was a blank slate. She was

owledge of the pois

calm, with none of the usual disorientation

still weak but her words prec

," I a

point. "I can cure you. But not rig

ow, gesturing for

toxins. The treatment will have to be done in stages

knew it was a compound. Even the Chief Dragon Healer ha

t her. "Wh

ty must be absolutely guaranteed. There can be no more 'accidents' involving my head."

ervant who will follow my orders without question. I

ur marriage is to be annulled. You will provide me with enough wealth to

become the Dragon Queen, was the dream of every

my desperation for a cure wou

portant than regaining my strength and

face her. "Your conditio

n her shoulders rel

you will not leave Dragon's Rest. And m

ed. "Acc

ntract based on mutual ne

he west wing for her, and to assign her the most reliable maid. Arthur's jaw nearly hit the f

m the room. She was still unsteady on

ds echoing in my mind. A compou

g a "treasure" like this over as a disposable pawn? Or

ly, my eyes turning to ice. It seemed I need