The King's Wife

16

Ismay didn't feel right. Not at all. Panic seared her mind, worried she poisoned herself. It was only held at bay by the knowledge whatever magic was in the wine wasn't meant to kill, but confuse Gabriel. Ismay had to get to her room before someone saw her stumbling like a drunkard. Sweat beaded her brow when she finally reached it. Her heart raced, her lower belly quivered with something unnatural.

Elena's eyes widened when she saw her. "Queen..."

"I drank it...whatever it was, I drank it," Ismay said, sitting on her bed in a heap. She pressed her thighs together as she rubbed her sweaty palms on her skirt.

The girl's eyes widened even further. "You drank...why would you drink it?"

"I had to," she said. Elena looked at her, silently demanding more. "Hugh believes I wouldn't risk to protect Darug... and Clarissa believes she can challenge me. I had to... prove them both wrong... to prevent... further transgressions." Ismay reached up and brushed her hair from her face. Her fingers grazed the skin of her neck sending a tingling sensation through her skin. Ismay's lips parted and the urge to do it again flooded her. "What's wrong with me?"

Elena walked over to her. "May I, my queen?" She held her hands a few inches from Ismay's cheeks.

"Yes," Ismay said, her voice breathy then closed her eyes as Elena cupped her face in her hands. She sucked in a breath as the echo of Elena's touch rippled through her. It felt like the chaos Gabriel's kiss, but more intense with a sensation of wrongness and violation. A cool, calming sensation trickled through her and Ismay sighed with relief.

"Ah, of course," Elena said. "I should've known. You're suffering from lust."

"Lust?" Ismay repeated, though her voice came out more like a gasp.

"Yes, lust. As in desire for the flesh."

Elena was right, it should've been obvious. Clarissa wanted a child. "How long will I be like this?"

"I'm not sure how long the magic she used was meant to last, but I can counteract it with another potion, but it will take me some time to gather everything I need and brew it."

Ismay blew out a breath, but before she could answer the door burst open and Gabriel rushed into the room. Elena jumped, startled, which removed her hands from Ismay's face. The cool calming sensation dissipated and the chaos return. Ismay groaned and her heart once again sped up.

"Ismay," Gabriel said, worry marring his face. He rushed over, taking her hand. Ismay sucked in a breath. The heat of his skin searing her already overheated flesh. Yet surprisingly, her body relaxed once he touched her. "What happened?"

"Happened?" Ismay repeated, looking up at him, unsure what he meant. She tried to remember, but when she looked up at him, into his eyes, all her thoughts scattered.

"I don't think you should be so close to her," Elena said, just as worried as Gabriel.

"Why?" he demanded.

"Ismay is suffering from a spell that causes intense lust," Elena replied. "I need to counter it with a neutralizing potion." Gabriel's jaw dropped as he stared at the girl. He started to speak when she stopped him. "I think it's best before questions are answered I brew the potion."

"Go," Ismay said in a sigh, her fingers sliding her neckline, her head falling back on her shoulders. Gabriel looked at her with a strange expression.

Elena started but stopped when she looked at Ismay. "I... I won't take long."

"Mhm," Ismay hummed. Her eyes never leaving Gabriel. Elena frowned but hurried out of the room.

"How did you become spelled, Ismay?" Gabriel said. His voice wrapped around her, warm and delightful.