Heart's Blood

Chapter 6

"Yu, we have a problem," Pai says, coming into their quarters unannounced. Rain squeals and hides under the covers. Pai stops amazed at the sight of the two of them in bed. It's been four days since the club but they have been a little like a newlywed couple unable to get enough of each other. Today, after their morning meetings, Rain had practically dragged Phayu back to the room.

"Ever heard of knocking?" Phayu growls at Pai.

"Ever heard of locking a door?" Pai returns.

"Where have you been anyway?" Phayu asks. "I haven't seen you around in days."

"I was helping out......a friend." Pai looks at where Rain is hiding significantly and suddenly Phayu understands. So young Sky has been in heat.

"So what's so urgent now?" Phayu asks. He has to swat Rain's hand under the covers, Rain is being naughty drawing his attention away from the lycan. Who knew this boy would be so insatiable.

"There has been news about who poisoned the former queen." Pai says. He feels Rain stiffen at the words.

Rain pulls down the covers enough to sit up and says, "What news? My mother was poisoned by her enemies wasn't she?"

"It seems someone inside the court must have helped. At first everyone assumed that it was a servant who had been bought off or planted here. Now it seems more likely that it was someone higher up. That leaves the children or the advisors." Pai says.

Rain frowns at this, he doesn't want to think one of his fellow children would be capable of that, but it's even scarier to think there might be a traitor among the most trusted members of the court.

"Who would have the most to gain? The children really don't have any power on their own and with so many of them the chance that someone poisoned the queen in hopes of gaining the throne themselves seems unlikely." Phayu says.

"The advisors have the most to gain." Rain says, "But they have all been with the court for hundreds of years. Why would they act now?"

"Why now is a good question, maybe we should look at that angle. I will have some people look into it." He gives them a wink and says, "Feel free to continue, I will lock the door on my way out."

"Are you okay, sweet boy?" Phayu asks once Pai is gone.

Rain shrugs, "I guess. I mean nothing has really changed. It's just a little scary knowing that the person that poisoned my mother could be someone she trusted. Someone I trust."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Phayu asks.

"Not really, there isn't much use until we find out more information. I don't even want to think about it." Rain says. "Why don't you distract me?"

Phayu will gladly do that.

Phayu looks around the meeting hall and wonders if any of the people around him is the traitor. Rain doesn't think it makes a difference if it was someone outside the court or a member, but Phayu knows he's wrong about that. Someone from the inner circle being a traitor means that Rain is in danger.

He looks over to where Rain is talking to his friend. Sky looks a little tired and pale but otherwise seems to be pretty well recovered from his heat. He knows that the lycan will protect Rain with his life but he would feel better if Rain had more guards around him during the day.

He also wants his own people in the kitchen preparing Rain's food. He can use the excuse that as Rain's heat approaches he wants to make sure the king's food is as nutrient rich as possible. As far as blood, there is no need to rely on donated blood. Phayu will provide Rain with all he needs.