Adremedian Prince 7 What Is Forbidden 1

James woke to the young maid coming in to stoke the fire. He sat up then and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He needed to find answers. Picking up the book he had been reading earlier, he continued to read.

He learned that animals only gave their lives for Adremedians if they chose; either out of need, to keep them alive, or if the extra spirit was needed to progress the healing process further, faster. Depending on which one it was, determined if a mark appeared or not. This book didn't specify which one was which, but he knew someone else might have written that answer. But the more he read the more frustrated he was becoming. He still had more questions than answers and at this rate, he'd forget which ones he wanted/needed answers for so he could help Lilly. He set the book down long enough to find paper, a quill, and inkwell, James wrote several pages of questions.

For three days, James watched Lilly sleep as he read, questioned, pondered, and paced to keep his worry and frustration in check. Even sick Humans didn't sleep endlessly for that long. They usually woke up at some point, but Lilly had not. He was starting to wonder if she would ever wake up, despite her breath remaining steady and deep. He paced the room. His mind reviewing the events of the other day over again for something, anything, that would help him know what had happened. He hadn't been gone long. The cat giving his life to her to help her heal would not have caused her illness to get worse. Not if what the authors of the books was true and accurate.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't hear Lilly stir.

'Prince James, what upsets you so?' she asked.

"You're awake!"

Lilly curled slightly and grimaced at the noise.
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'Sorry,' he apologized in thought.

'What's upset you?' she asked again.

'You've been asleep for the majority of the last three days. Did something happen when I left the trees to talk with my stable hand?'

Her brow furrowed in thought. '…I can't recall.'

James exhaled loudly.

Lilly s.h.i.+fted to her feet and hurried outside.

James followed.

She stopped several feet from the house before she heaved. She heaved again and vomit poured out of her mouth. Lilly shook her head. She sat hard on the ground and wept. 'Korah, you fool!'

'What's that?' James asked, seeing what looked like small polished semi-precious stones in a milky substance. It was definitely not typical Human vomit.

'Poisons and my current illness.'

'Poisons?! Where did they come from?'

'How much have you been able to read?'

'A lot. There hasn't been a lot of new information in the books I found, but that's getting off topic. Tell me about the poisons.'

Lilly shook her head. 'Continue your reading.'

'No. I want to know how you got poisoned.'

'If you do not find it in your reading then I'll tell you.'

'Lilly.' He turned her face to look at him.

She looked better than she had and her green eyes looked a little less muddy; but it still wasn't where it was when he first found her. The seriousness of her gaze let him know that the point was not up for debate. He looked towards the poisons and found them gone.

'Where did they go?'

'The Earth took them.' Then she looked away.

A light breeze blew and moved her hair. The coloring on her neck and shoulders seemed a dark contrast to the fairness of her skin. Lilly turned around to look at the young maid that had helped keep the room warm. She held two plates in her hands. Lilly smiled softly and took one of the plates. James accepted the other and watched the girl stare at Lilly a moment longer before running back inside.

'Hehehe,' James laughed.

Lilly raised an eyebrow and James had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing aloud. Her gaze s.h.i.+fted to her plate and she played with her food a little before eating it. Her face seemed solemn to him.

'Lilly are you all right?

'Yes.'

'Then why is your expression so glum?'

'There are others who are not "all right".'

'Like who?'

She let the question hang.

He took her hand in his.

'Let it go, James. The truth will only make things worse.'

'Worse how? I have held nothing back from you.'

Lilly looked at him sadly. 'Being what you are, the answers would only serve to kill me.'

His brow furrowed. 'How would telling the answers to a Human kill you?'

'The answers themselves won't kill, but your reaction is what I need to avoid.'

'Reaction in what way?'

'Anger.'

'Lilly, I won't be upset if you tell me.'

She watched him for a moment, judging to see how accurate his words were. Slowly she set the plate down and s.h.i.+fted into a kneeling position, with one knee up, in case she had to run. 'Korah is not all right.'

Lilly watched him fight to keep from releasing his noises. After a long pause he finally asked, 'What did he do to you?'

'That which is Forbidden.'

'Which is?'

She picked up a berry and ate it. 'Continue your reading.'

'Lilly, please!' he pleaded.

Lilly shook her head. 'You're already too upset for me to be safe in telling you more.'

"Lil..."

She shoved a small vegetable in his mouth to stop the noise then picked up her plate and went inside.

James hadn't wanted to let it go, but knew that whatever Korah did it couldn't have been good, judging by her reaction to him earlier. He was grateful that the poisons Korah had given her… forced upon her… hadn't killed her. Clouds gathered and the wind increased as he went back into the summer home. He saw the timid little maid kneeling on the floor by Lilly looking more closely at the pattern that covered her shoulders. She turned when she saw him and got up to leave. James stopped her and waved her back to Lilly. She gave him a small smile and returned to watching her.

James stayed long enough to pick up the books and pages of questions before entering the study to read. He set everything on the table then went out to the stable where Torta was being housed. He hadn't given him a personal brus.h.i.+ng since they arrived. He needed to do that now or Torta would be showing his displeasure later. Picking up the comb Lilly had given him, he spoke softly to Torta while he brushed his coat. He nickered in pleasure with each stroke of the comb. James brushed Torta until his coat s.h.i.+ned. Then he returned to the study to read. He pushed the books and pages aside for a moment and closed his eyes.