Beyond the Stars

Chapter 7: Wandering and Wondering

I woke up in an unfamiliar place. The ceiling above me was carved with golden vines and painted with flowers I didn't recognize. The mattress I was lying on was far too soft, and the sheets smelled faintly of roses. Where am I? My body felt heavy, drained of all energy, and every attempt to summon my powers only made the ache worse. Even the smallest thought of creating a portal sent a sharp pain through my head, like a blade pressing against my temples.

I tried to stand, but my knees wobbled. Just then, the doors creaked open, and four people stepped inside. Two were young—about my age—and the other two, by the way everyone looked at them, were clearly of great importance.

The two young men startled me first. Wait... I know them. They were the boys I had met the night I got lost, the ones who told me I was in Caspian, not Therondia. My stomach tightened. If that was true, then this must be their home. And if this was Caspian... then these two older people standing behind them could only be—

"This is the girl we found lying unconscious on the ground," one of the boys said. His voice was firm but respectful.

The other boy added quickly, "We saw her once before. She looked lost then, too. I think she's an orphan, Your Highnesses. She doesn't seem to have anywhere to go."

Your Highnesses? My heart skipped. The older couple weren't just nobles—they were the King and Queen of Caspian. Which meant... they were the parents of Prince Sinag, the man Queen Mirikit claimed had raped and murdered her daughter.

I panicked. This was it. This was where I died.

The Queen of Caspian leaned forward slightly, her expression soft. "What is your name, child?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out. My throat burned, raw and dry, and no matter how hard I pushed, only air escaped. My lips moved, forming the words, but my voice had abandoned me.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I tried again, desperate, terrified, but nothing. I pressed my hand against my neck as if I could force the voice out. Nothing. My panic must have shown because all four of them quickly came closer, their faces suddenly concerned.

"She can't talk, Your Highnesses," one of the boys said, bowing slightly.

The King furrowed his brows. "Then we'll have her seen by a healer tomorrow. For now, let her rest. She looks weak."

The Queen placed a hand on my arm and smiled faintly. "You are safe here. Sleep, and tomorrow we'll know more."

Safe? How could I be safe in the home of my supposed enemy?

The next morning, I was taken to see Caspian's doctor, a tall woman with sharp eyes that glowed faintly as she scanned me. It reminded me of the doctor in Therondia.

"She has been poisoned," the doctor announced flatly. "The poison weakens her stamina, burns her throat, and prevents her powers from manifesting. She will not recover unless she takes the herbal medicine made from Lobelia."

"Lobelia?" the Queen asked quickly.

"Yes. A rare flower. Once harvested, it must be prepared into medicine, a process that takes a full month. Only then will she regain her strength and voice. Until then, she will be powerless."

A month. A whole month stuck here.

The Queen looked to the younger boy. "Baron, don't you have Lobelia growing in your garden?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, but we only planted it recently. It won't bloom for a week yet."

"Then when it blooms, harvest it immediately. This girl will stay with us until she recovers," the King declared, his voice carrying the weight of command.