Chapter 23

Queen Aster POV

I woke up in my bed but I was unsure how I got there. The sun was up and I wasn’t sure how long I’d been out this time. I really need to stop skipping sleep. As old as I am, I’m still in need of it and I’ve been working myself much harder than my mind is used to. I got up and found a buffet of food on a nearby dresser. The cooks were starting to get used to this since this has been happening more. The food was cold but it’s no matter, I can warm it up. I held out my hand and said, “infernus” and the food was steaming before long. I grabbed enough to fill my stomach and took the tea next to the food. Me passing out was usually followed by an incredible headache but the tea would help the pain before it starts.

I couldn’t remember how far I got into telling those kids what I’d found out. I better find out if they are still here. If they are then they need to hear the rest. I walked out and the guards bowed while telling me they were glad I was okay. I looked to the guard on my right and grabbed his chin to make him look at me. “Gray I told you to stop bowing.” I said and took off his helmet. I grew to love this man quite a while ago. I rested my forehead on his. I realized he was the reason I was in my bed. When I touch people I can see into their minds. It’s a gift. Gray looked back at me when I lifted my head. I locked eyes and just stared at his bright blue eyes and gray hair. He just had it cut so it barely covered his ears. He was in the sun more since he came to be my personal guard so he was starting to get a tan. He sighed in response to me and I gave him a quick kiss and he followed me down the hall to the guest rooms.

Immyria POV

The three of us had decided to stay to make sure the queen was alright. We were sitting in silence in the living room to the guest house, Celia was cuddling with Tiberius, I had my head in my hands when we started to hear someone walking down the hall. We waited patiently for them to arrive. It had been more than a day of waiting for the queen to wake up. I was starting to wonder if she ever would. But she walked in with the guard that asked for help getting Aster to her room. I didn’t realize it but he was slightly taller than her and very well built physically. I assume they were at least seeing each other since he was always so close together whenever I saw them. She came over and sat on a couch and asked, “how are you all?”. We all looked at each other and back to her, then Celia spoke, “how are we? How are you? You just collapsed while talking to us!”. Aster took a breath and said, “Gray will you sit with me instead of standing?” So that was his name. The guard smiled and sat with her. She leaned into him like he was a support pillar. She was absolutely still exhausted. But at least she was awake.

“Not to sound rude but you said you had something to say about our father Queen aster? We’ve been worried about you don’t get us wrong but we are also worried about him. We need to know if there is a cure.” Tiberius cut in. Aster sat back up and started, “I do little prince. I know what ails your father.” When she finished she looked back to gray. She was becoming nervous and that put me on edge. She continued, “With the blood that your sister was able to get me I’ve been able to determine that he’s been poisoned. But it’s not a poison from this world so we don’t know what a cure would even look like. Or how we could obtain it..” she stopped for a second. Gray spoke up then “Maybe the wyverns?” We all looked up at him with a questioning look. They haven’t been a part of our kingdom for almost 200 years. They claimed their independence as their own kingdom and no one ever hears from them though. They keep to themselves. I had to ask, “What about them? Do you think they would know?” It was silent for a moment and Aster walked over to the fire and put her hands over it. “I’m not sure they’d even be open to talking to us,” Aster said almost in a quiet tone and continued, “But if it did come from another world then a portal would’ve been used somewhere…” she finished while focusing on the fire. Tibs spoke up then, “Why would we need wyverns to help us? Especially about other worlds?” Thats where gray chimed back in, “Wyverns have always been entrusted since the time of dragons to nurture, protect, and guard the magic of our world. They themselves are made of magic. They could, theoretically track magic that’s been used by others. The only problem is that since they declared independence, they usually don’t talk to outsiders. Let alone help them.” He finished and my thoughts were racing. Obviously they’re the only chance we would have but how would I get them to help us?

“How do I get there?” I said suddenly. I looked up to Aster. I knew I had to go. Out of all of us I’m the most expendable. I don’t have a throne, and I’m not a child too young for the world. I’m not a ruler. And it needs to be done. “You are not going alone.”Tiberius said and Celia nodded with him. I shook my head and said, “No Tiberius. Not this time. You need to get back home in case anything happens to dad and make sure mom and rose are safe from uncle Tobias. Celia if you come with Tiberius will be too distracted to do anything that needs to be done. The only thing I have is an engagement. And if something happens to he Garret will understand. He’s not his father and he won’t declare war on the rest of the kingdom.” Everyone was silent for a moment. When I looked at my brother he nodded in understanding. He knew we couldn’t leave the palace for long because of our fear of Tobias.

Aster was the one that spoke up, “She won’t go alone. I’ll send Gray with her. I can teleport you to their kingdom borders but that’s the best I can do. Their magic exceeds mine even with my gifts.” I nodded and I felt more fear spilling over me. Then Aster continued, “I trust gray with my life Immyria. He won’t fail you. I’ll make the portal tomorrow morning but until then we should all rest.” She finished and gray got up to walk over to her. He grabbed her hand and started walking her back to the hallway. I needed time to think and process so I got up and started walking to my room. “Immy” I turned to see my brother standing. I understood his worry. Wyverns weren’t exactly friendly and with everything else we’ve learned, it could put us both in more danger if anyone else found out. I walked over to him and gave him a hug. When I pulled back I looked at his face and said, “I’ll figure it out and bring the cure before anything happens. Don’t worry.” I gave him a reassuring smile and walked away before he could respond. And went to lay down in bed. I wasn’t hungry for dinner so I just got ready for bed.

Tomorrow is a new day. And maybe, just maybe I can also figure out why they left our kingdom all those years ago. Assuming they didn’t burn me as soon as they saw me.