198- Tears of Gaia and Venom in the Dark
POV Aldren Valmorin:
“Do you know how fast an alpha heals, my friend?” In my laboratory, Orion showed me a dark red sprig inside his leather-and-wood case.
“Obviously.” He widened his hazel-green eyes and wrinkled his pale brow, startled by my impatient tone. “Forgive my impatience. Please, go on.”
He nodded in agreement and offered a sympathetic smile with his thin lips. He always dressed in what he claimed were the latest fashions, invariably bought during his travels.
“Gaia’s Tear. I discovered it east of California. It has miraculous healing properties—rapid and powerful effects on wound closure and tissue regeneration.”
“The name refers to the mother goddess?” I was referring to Gaia, goddess of Earth and generative mother of all gods.
“Exactly. It received that name due to its rarity and its regenerative power, which resembles the rebirth and fertility associated with the goddess. According to an ancient legend, these herbs sprouted where the goddess’s tears touched the soil, symbolizing her connection to life and healing. Each drop of her weeping turned into a plant with healing properties capable of quickly closing the wounds of those who protect the land and wildlife, like us.”
“Plant it with the other tests.”
“I’ll do that now.” He closed the case. “And then?” He was looking for the next order.
“The trip was long. Rest for now.”
“I understand you don’t want me here… did something happen? Any problem?”
“A prisoner was poisoned, and I need to run some tests, Orion.”
“Do you need help?”
“No. Thank you.” It was good to have him back, but at that moment I couldn’t waste time updating a friend on my misfortunes.
“All right. Call me if you need anything—any day, any hour. There’s something I need to tell you later.” I raised an eyebrow. “Personal matters.”
“Fine. Get some rest.”
I waited for him to leave to continue my work. I filtered and prepared the tea sample, then subjected it to toxicity testing. Depending on the result, I wouldn’t need to consult my database; I would be able to identify the toxic substance at first glance.
Being so close to the prisoner left me in constant agony. The female was ill, and my urge was to bite her whole. It wasn’t safe to remain there while her heat hadn’t ended.
Ironic or not, I was protecting Elowen from myself.
Given her state of health, administering the anti-heat while the antidote was still acting could worsen her condition.
I prepared an herbal infusion to treat her stomach and received notice that Teneris had arrived. I waited for her at the laboratory’s neutral point to give her instructions.
With her sweet smile and a loose white dress falling to her knees, she entered and tried to circle the counter to approach me, but I asked her to remain where she was. Something in me made the thought of touching her again repulsive.
“There is an important prisoner in my bedroom. She is ill, and I need you to care for her for me. Nerin won’t be able to step away from her duties, at least for now.”
I didn’t choose Nala because, besides being more jealous, she played an important role in managing the main market.
“In your bedroom?” Her brows knit in surprise, but she quickly masked it.
“Yes. She holds information I need for our security.” I had no idea if it was true, but I preferred to believe it was—and that this was why my beast wanted her so much. “You will be well paid.”
“Aldren…” She brought a hand to her chest, sounding offended. “I would never charge you for anything. You know that.”
“I know. Still, you will be paid.”
“As you wish, my alpha. When should I begin?”
“Today. Prepare a small bag of clothes; you won’t be leaving my house.”
Teneris was only a hundred years old and had joined Valmorin at thirty. She still had four hundred years of life ahead of her. With no family, she owed explanations to no one besides her single friends—six of whom lived together.
I gave her a few more recommendations and dismissed her to pack. The toxicity test would take a few more hours, and I would need to return to the laboratory to check the chemical reactions and reach a verdict.
Who poisoned my prisoner?
Nala wouldn’t have access to toxic herbs for that. Konrad learned about her only after the incident—impossible. Kehin was imprisoned, and Nerin would never do it; she was the only one I’d bet an arm on. Her assistants wouldn’t stoop to that either; they had no reason.
Wound tight and with my heart pounding in my throat, I met with three of my guards to coordinate the installation of cameras. They didn’t know what would truly be done, but they would help me divert attention from locations when needed. One of them was also tasked with buying clothes in the prisoner’s size. Without knowing her tastes, I asked Nerin to check with her and report back.
I returned home and prepared the new tea for Elowen’s stomach myself. My regent stood beside me, helping by handing me items whose locations I didn’t remember. I hadn’t cooked in many years.
I smelled everything she handed me, trying to detect any strange odor.
“Sir, can you tell me how the test went? I’m truly distressed after what happened, suspicious of everything and everyone, I—”
“Nerin,” I said her name in reprimand, “you’ll be the first to know when I find out. Until then, help me by keeping your eyes wide open.”
“Forgive the intrusion, but didn’t the female’s reaction this morning seem strange to you?”
In an involuntary movement, I tightened my grip on the ceramic cup, nearly extending my claws. If I didn’t pay attention, I would shatter it very soon.
“No, it didn’t.” I turned to look at her and saw conflict in her expression. “You’ve been in heat and you know how it works. All I wanted was to provoke her to make her suffer, to repay all the disturbance her presence brings me. Objective achieved.”
“I truly don’t remember, sir. I’ve controlled it with herbs for so many decades…” I finished preparing the drink and placed the cup in her hands. “Should I give it to her?”
“Of course. What a stupid question.” I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth. I was being foolish to someone who didn’t deserve it, so unsettled was I.
“Oh, forgive me, I just thought that you…”