Tides Of Bones

7. PURPLE FLOWERS

At the stables, Zav is jumping off his horse but Dearon is standing under the roof, his cheeks wet.

"Dearon who is with my sister?" Cyrus asks.

"I-" He stutters. "I am so sorry. She-"

Zav looks at him like he does not hear him.

There is shouting and both men bolt for her chambers.

"What happened?" Cyrus asks as he swings the door open.

"She was having a hard time breathing. Her heart stopped a second ago-Captain what in the God's are you doing?"

Zav accidentally knocks a book over from the table as he grabs a purple flower from the vase and pours hot water into a cup. He dunks the flower in it. "Out of my way!" He shoves the doctor.

Gently, he pours the liquid down his sister's throat.

Cyrus falls to his knees, unable to breathe. He had only wanted more time. More time to take her out to the garden, to spend time with her laughter.

The silence is deafening.

With a roar of anger, Zav pushes everything off the table. Plates and dishes crash to the floor.

His sister coughs.

It is faint but they hear it.

The doctor quickly is at her side and puts his thumb on her wrist. "To the Gods, I have never seen such a thing." He whispers. "Her pulse is strong. Stronger than usual. I do not understand." He grins, nonetheless.

"Zav?" His sister calls, sounding confused, her eyes fluttering open.

"Princess." Zav kneels on the side of the bed. "I am right here. Do not worry, I am here." He cups her cheek with his hand.

She smiles before her eyes close and she falls back asleep.

"Get out." Cyrus says to the doctor.

"Your Majesty-"

"I said leave! All of you!" He snaps, standing. "Dearon." He grabs the man's arm.

"Cyrus I did not know what to do. I came looking for you as soon as the doctor-"

"It is okay. I am not mad." he assure him. "At least, not at you. Here," he hands him the journal. "I need you to translate this, word for word. But keep it quiet. I will explain more tomorrow. Okay?"

Dearon bows in reply and leaves.

"Zav, what did you do?"

"I do not know." He is kneeling still, his hand running through his sister's hair. "I saw the flower and...it just made sense."

Cyrus looks to the vase, now that he inspects the flower he can see the small details that match the book.

"Every day. Every day, since she was ten I have picked that flower from the garden. They are her favorite. She once told me your Mother received the seeds as a gift. She let the princess plant them. Not that Caleena ever said it, but it was a rare act of kindness from her. They grow like weeds. I remembered the first week, when we were sure she would....I brought some to cheer her up. The next day she was a bit healthier. The pollen, she was breathing it in...Cyrus, whatever is in that book, you are right. It will help her."

"This whole time, he had the answer." Cyrus sighs, his feet crunching on the broken glass as he sits in a chair.

"Do you think she knew you were his?" Zav asks, his back against the wall. He looks exhausted.

"There is no way she did not."

"What of her sickness? The flower?"

"Dearon will figure it out. For now-"

Zav stands but just as soon as he does he falls over.

"Zav? Help! I need the infirmary!" He shouts, running to Zav. He picks him up and for the first time notices the bleeding. Ripping his shirt he almost gags, there's a long, deep gash on his chest going from his left shoulder to his right breast. He had to have been bleeding this whole time, his shirt is soaked with crimson.

Cyrus had not noticed because of the rain, but now it was clear.

Men rush in to grab him and Cyrus follows him out.

*/*/*/*/*

Cyrus sits at the table that stretches the length of the room. Some of his guards were enjoying breakfast alongside his staff.

This was one of the major changes he had implemented when he became King. All was allowed at his table.

Cyrus was picking at his food. He had been in the infirmary all night, by Zav's side. Eventually he was kicked out and told Zav only needed rest. The nurse in the infirmary was not quite scared of him. She had whipped him with a towel and demanded he get real rest.

It did not matter, he barely slept. Right now he was waiting on Dearon, hoping he had something for him.

"Where is he?!" Cyrus stands at the sound of his sister's voice. Confused, he watches as she runs into the room, her white night gown barely over her knees.

Stunned, Cyrus only stares. His sister has not been out of bed in over a year yet here she stood, white hair a mess, eyes worried, her bare feet on the cold cobblestones. 

"Where is Zav?" She all but screams.

"Princess Caleena!" Zav runs in, clearly having just come from the infirmary. He has no shirt on, just white bandages covering half his chest. He is covered in sweat, but otherwise looks fine.

"Zav," relief shows on Caleena's face, as she turns to him. "I-there was blood. My maid, she said you had been hurt." Caleena sways and Zav catches her.

"It is okay. Barely a scratch, I am sorry I worried you." He says. Uncharacteristically, he kisses the top of her head.

She hugs him, and Cyrus motions for someone to bring her a chair.

"Sister, how are you feeling?" Cyrus asks, finally finding his voice.

Zav helps her into the chair and Cyrus walks to them.

"I feel great. I-I was hoping to see the gardens today. I have not coughed this morning, not once. You believe me Zav, do you not?" She looks up at him, hopeful.

"Of course, Princess." He agrees, quietly.

"Ms. Hannel, would you mind making a plate for my sister?" Cyrus turns to a seated maid. Everyone had stopped eating; they were all watching the twins.

"Yes, your Majesty." She bows before picking up a plate.

"Caleena, I need to have a word with Zav." He squeezes her shoulder lightly.

She nods, taking a cup of orange juice from the maid.

"Captain," he motions for the door and Zav follows them out.