Page 45 of Fated Flames: Volume Two
With great reluctance, I set her on her feet, though I keep a firm hold on her arm in case she falls.
“How can one be bleeding and be fine?” I grumble. She’s fully human. Humans are fragile.
Bindley, who finally seems to have snapped out of his stupor, goes to the tent entrance and pulls the flap open. “If I may, Your Majesty, why don’t we step out, and I’ll explain…”
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Several moments after Bindley’s explanation, I still can’t fathom how such a thing could be possible.
“Every month?” I ask once more.
“Give or take a few days,” Bindley replies.
I stare at him. “And every human woman, you say?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I cross my arms and consider this. I’d always thought human women delicate—in body, at least—but how could they be if they bear such an affliction? And often in secret?
“Warriors,” I say finally. “All of them.”
The physician inclines his head in agreement. “We are fortunate those of dragon blood are unaffected.”
“Fortunate indeed,” I say, my gaze drifting toward Rally keeping watch. My wingmates, along with the princess’s guards, were already stationed around the physician’s tent when Bindley and I stepped outside. I would need to ask Rally how Marta endured this monthly trial.
“Why was my sister there?” I ask. “Is she well?”
“She’s in excellent health, Your Majesty. She was merely accompanying Princess Rosa.”
My brows draw together. “Is Princess Rosa well?” She seemed fine earlier, though I suppose I didn’t look much either.
“I’m told,” Bindley says with an impassive face, “that upon her arrival at the palace, she was complaining of lightheadedness, sire. She insisted on seeing me rather than my assistant, who was nearby.”
“I see. And did you find the cause?”
“I did. It seems her corset was laced too tightly.”
We share a look of quiet exasperation. This isn’t the first time Rosa has inconvenienced my servants. I tolerate her friendship with Tilly in the interest of keeping good relations with Ilanthren, and I only pursue such relations for my sister’s sake. She has ties there that cannot be severed.
I massage the bridge of my nose, retracting my wings as I do so. “Have her escorted back to the palace. If she gives you further trouble, send for me.”
Bindley bows, and it isn’t until after I dismiss him and he disappears into the tent that I realize I didn’t ask when my princess might reemerge. I signal Rally over.
“You didn’t tell me of this monthly curse,” I say when he nears.
His eyes swell. “Oh.”
“Mm.”
“Oh,” he says again, grimacing. “I should have warned you.”
I let out a long, measured breath. “Yes. Now, when do you think she’ll be back out?”
Rally eyes the tent. “It’s hard to say, but for stars’ sake, don’t ask her how long she’ll be. She could bite your head off.”
“She hardly has the teeth for that.”
“She won’t need them.”
