Chapter 152 Steal
ANAISE
"No the-" I stopped midway, realization rendering me speechless. Slowly I looked up at my sister, one thought running through my head. No one apart from Ryker, Faye and I knew wew oils be transporting Audrey's crown and I'm certain I didn't tell Astrid for I hadn't time to so how did she know? She raised a brow in question, wondering why I was yet to answer. I continued to watch her in a speechless daze, there was certainly no way she could have sent those men to steal the Empress's crown. There is no way she hired those people who put Ryker in this position.
I swallowed thickly, "D-did you hire those men Astrid, to steal the Queen's crown?"
Astrid hissed, pulling me into one of our rooms. She pipped through the small crack she left before shutting the door. she rushed over to me, an angry gaze casted down on me
"You should think twice before asking me something like that in the open" she frowned.
My face fell, seriousness taking over my features "Did you hire those men Astrid!?"
She looked taken aback at my tone, "Yes and so?" She asked nonchalantly.
I felt my veins fill with ice and rage, how coulds he just shrug it off. "How could you!? Ryker is in this state all because of you!"
Astrid rested her hand on my shoulder, her gaze softening "Please calm down. It was not my intention to have Ryker harmed, believe me"
I pushed her hands off me, glaring daggers at her "Then why in the name of the goddess were the men carrying daggers laced with wolfsbane!? Where did you even get wolfsbane"
"That is none of your concern sister" she walks over to her bed and drops down, completely unbothered that I was fuming. "It was not my intention to harm Ryker, my men were simply prepared for worst case scenario. I was not aware of the security measures Faye would have taken, so I prepared for the worst" she picks up the plate of fruit from her side table and begins throwing balls of grapes into her mouth.
Her chewing made me feel like nails were being pierced into my ears. I stormed over to her, snatching the bowl from her hands "You went to far Astrid. Now look, Ryker is in a critical state and the goddess only knows what will happen and if the Physician will be able to help him"
Astrid reaches over for the bowl but I pull it away, snarling at her. She sighs, pushing herself up from the bed. She walks over to her big chest of clothes where she digs through and pulls out a small bottle filled with a green like elixir. She walks back over to me and presents it in front of me.
"It seems you really care for him so here. Have him drink this and it will help heal his injury faster. The liquid will work its way to the wound, making it release all the toxic blood that had been affected by the wolfsbane and after a matter of two to three days the wound should be completely dried up" Astrid finishes, placing the bottle into my hands and taking her bowl of fruit.
"Monroe doesn't have anything that can heal a wolfsbane cut so he will not be able to help Ryker. You have to mix the elixir into a colored liquid. If you mix it into water it will change its color and taste"
I examine the bottle, a million thoughts going through my mind: could this really help Ryker? What if Astrid was lying? She had no reason to anyhow. If this could help Ryker in anyway then it was worth the try.
"Than-"
Before I could finish Astrid cuts me off midway "Do not thank me. Just make sure whatever it is that you feel for him" she turns, making sure their gazes were locked. "You do not let it consume you"
I turn to leave, my footsteps nearing the door when I stopped. "I think you need that advice more than I do" without looking back I twist the door handle, pull it and walk out.
Without wasting time I make my way to the kitchen, slipping the small bottle into the bust of my gown as I pass by the guards and maids. I arrive at the kitchen, dismissing the head cook and the other kitchen helps after they had prepared Ryker's meal. It had been sometime since he was taken to Monroe, I hope he had woken up now. I gathered the plate into my hand and made my way to Monroe's room.
Stopping in front of the weak wooden door I knock gently and walk in. I am greeted with the sight of Ryker adjusting the cloth that was pressed against his wounds while had his back turned and was mixing some herbal tea. A small smile eased its way onto my lips as I walked into the room. I stopped at his side and he disregarded his actions and tried to sit up. He groaned, coughing profusely as I helped him sit up a bit and rest against the pillows.
"Are you fine?" I asked, biting down on my tongue and dread settled deep in my bones. I knew who caused this, it was none other than Astrid and I could not do anything about it bit try to heal him and try to lessen his pain.
He gave me a pained smile, "I will be"
Monroe walks up to us with a cup in hand and offers it to Ryker bit he refuses it, "If he keeps on trying to remove the cloth it will do him more harm than good"
Ryker rolls his eyes, "And if you keep trying to make me drink that disgusting liquid I will do you more harm than good" he retorts and I was shocked at his agitated state.
"Give it here" I open my hands to Nostradamus, gesturing towards the cup. "I will ensure he drinks it"
Monroe stares at me for a while before he places the cup in my hand. "I will be back" was all he said before he strides off. If I didn't know better I would think he was intentionally leaving us alone.
While Ryker was occupied eating the meal I had brought I adjusted to the side, hiding the cup as I slipped out the bottle and poured in a few drops of the elixir. Just as quickly I slipped it back in and faced him.