When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

AERYN'S POV

Giddiness from the high bubbled up my throat in the form of a giggle and I imagined my slow dance at the Nyrial Castle, blurting, "No longer is my Champion a need, he's a want. I want Zoran Masters more than I'll ever let him know." 

I heard a distant grunt followed by Shade's utterance of irritation, "The medic must've infused some love potion nonsense into her concoction before giving it to you." 

Ignoring him, I lost myself in the exhilaration of the weightlessness that came with disclosing secrets. I had to confess more and get rid of the truths bringing me down. 

On an exhale, I declared, "I am here to assassinate Prince Shade Cross."

I was charged with an intense, pleasuring sense of bliss as my mind cleared and oxygen filled my lungs. The light, airy feeling was addicting, and I couldn't get enough – I needed more. 

Gripping the sheets, I disclosed, "The antidote is in Garrenth" and sunk deeper into the mattress as pastel hues mixed behind my eyes. A pleasing coldness streamed through my veins, cooling the ache from the constant scalding of the Curse.

"There's a cure?" Shade inquired, sounding closer. Under his breath, he added, "And you're supposedly going to kill me."

I nodded, limbs feeling as light as one of the Phoenixian feathers on Zoran's wings. "The Dracnae in the secluded hot spring cave. They might be the answer," I drawled, wiggling my fingers as I chuckled. "Plus, Bastion knew your father was lying when he accepted the marriage proposal at that Consul meeting. You've been plotting my assassination before the creation of the treaty."

Shade took a few moments to respond, then sighed. I could imagine him shoving a hand through his hair between his horns like Zoran always did when he was aggravated. "I'll have a civil conversation with you when you can think logically. I'll leave you alone for now."

Disappointment flared through me, and I peeled my eyes open. Reaching out a hand, I pleaded, "Stay. I must tell you more."

He stared at my outstretched arm and backed away, turning a gruff shoulder on me as he strode to the door. "We'll talk when you're not delirious."

The door slammed shut in his wake and I flinched at the noise only for the calming sensation to overtake me. My eyelids fluttered closed, and I relaxed into the pillows, allowing a swift sleep to overcome me.

I didn't wake until the middle of the following night when my body was wracked with feverish chills. My teeth chattered and a cold sweat drenched my shirt, making the damp fabric stick to my warm skin as I clung to the weighted blanket in an effort to rid myself of the uncontrollable shakes.

"Shade," I hushed, leaning over the edge of the bed as the faint smell of smoke wafted around the room. I wanted to poke him or shake him until he woke up, but I wasn't about to risk my life to touch him. "Shade," I said a bit louder, emphasizing, "I'm freezing."

"And I'm sleeping. Or at least, I was."

"I don't feel so well," I said as my stomach churned and made upset gurgling noises.

"You're breaking the fever," Shade said without facing me. "Your body is compromising with the Curse."

"It feels like it's losing to it."

"That's more accurate. It is starting to accept the venom instead of fight it. You've almost gotten through the worst of it. You'll be fine in the morning. Go back to sleep."

My stomach flipped and I clamped a hand over my mouth as bile stung my throat. My cheeks puffed as I vaulted off the bed and ran for the bathroom, dropping in front of the toilet. I didn't even have time to hold my hair back as the contents of my stomach emptied into the bowl. I dry heaved, leaning heavily against the porcelain seat with my hair plastered to my cheeks as I swiped the back of my hand across my lips.