Dancing on Strings

Ladies In Waiting

"Mai!"

Henri's face appeared over hers as she rolled onto her back, a hand going to her forehead.

She felt hot yet she was shivering, her skin damp and clammy.

It was almost a surprise for her to feel the effects of the poisoning because she had felt fine in her dreams but Griffin had given her enough to at least knock her out for a bit so it would make sense that she was feeling some unpleasant reactions...

But she was feeling a lot less forgiving at that exact moment compared to when she was around Griffin and Black in he dreams.

"Thank goodness," Henri said, drawing her eyes to him as he looked around, his hair sticking up from having fingers run through it again and again. "Joliette! She's awake!"

Joliette appeared a second later, looking like she had been crying.

"Oh thank goodness," she said, another sob catching in her throat. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Mai croaked out, motioning for them to help her sit up.

As one, they supported her arms and back and levered her up, settling her back against a mountain of pillows they quickly stuffed behind her.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Three days."

Mai looked at Joliette, startled. She assumed she'd only been asleep a few hours.

But then, of course, Angelique had commented on time not working the same way.

"I was poisoned," she said slowly.

Henri nodded, squeezing her hand as Joliette lit the candles around the bed.

"Did they find out who did it?"

"They're still looking into it," Henri said, "But don't worry, they'll find them."

Mai glanced at him, then nodded. "Alright," she said slowly.

They were silent for a moment as Joliette picked up a comb and gently swept her sticky hair back from her forehead, pinning it back as Henri picked up a cloth and dabbed at the skin on her face and throat.

"My siblings?"

"They're all gone," Henri said.

Mai looked at him.

"They all left the night you collapsed. Your father rushed them out without pause – though I don't think anyone wanted to leave. They'll be all along the way to their smaller courts."

"And court?"

"Etienne is handling things."

"Do they know I was poisoned?"

"No, they know you fell ill and worry it's the same thing effecting your sisters."

"What time is it?"

"Three in the morning, or there abouts?"

Mai looked at them in surprised. "Why are you still awake?" she asked.

The other two stared at her, then looked at each other.

"Because we needed to look after you," Joliette said.

"You should have called for servants."

"No," Henri said, shaking his head, "We've traded out with them for short periods but we wanted to stay and look after you. We're your inner circle – and even if we have been on shaky terms at the moment, we weren't leaving you."