Page 21 of Cornflower Heart

He held his tray close and hurried out of the room. He could hear people start talking behind him, but thankfully, no one seemed to follow. Still, just in case, he didn’t linger. He went straight back to his room, even though he’d thought about taking a walk somewhere. He loved being home, but sometimes he still felt like a prisoner.

But he wasn’t, and right now, home felt safe. He breathed easier as soon as the door closed behind him, although that only lasted a few moments. The door opened again almost right away, and Twig tensed—but he shouldn’t have.

No one would just walk into his room like that except his mother, since they lived together. She had every right to walk in like the place belonged to her, because it did.

She looked a bit frantic as her gaze landed on Twig, but she relaxed instantly. Twig tensed, wondering if something had happened, and he barely had time to put down the tray before his mother was on him. She hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back, wondering what was going on.

“Did something happen?” he asked. The worst came to mind. Pearl had somehow gotten to Killian. She’d declared herself queen. She was going to come for every one of her siblings because she was afraid they’d try to do what she’d just done.

“I heard the news,” Twig’s mother murmured.

“What news?”

“About Pearl.” She leaned back. “I’m so sorry she did this to you.”

Twig blinked. He hadn’t told his mother what he’d heard while sitting with the council. He couldn’t have. She’d probably heard people talking about what had happened to him and who might be behind it, but as far as he knew, no one had confirmed anything beyond the fact that he’d been poisoned until now. That meant she’d just found out it had been his half-sister who’d done it.

“I’m fine,” he told her. “It’s not like Pearl and I were close. I don’t think she was ever close to anyone, not even our allies.”

“I don’t think she’s the kind of person who’d be close to anyone, no,” his mother agreed. “Still. I know you’re interested in getting to know your siblings better.”

“I am, but not the ones who try to kill me. I promise I’m fine, and I already knew about it.”

She finally took a step back and nodded. “Because you’re a council member now.”

“I really don’t want to talk about that. I don’t feel like a council member. I don’t think I want to be one.”

“But Killian asked, and you said yes. You’re not going to change your mind.”

His shoulders slumped. “I won’t.” His mother knew him too well.

“Still, I’m sorry all of this happened. Logically, I knew it had to be a dragon, but I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to think that now that the old king was gone, everything would smooth over and everyone could be happy.”

“I don’t think there’s a chance everyone could be happy, with so many people in the clan. I’m fine, though.”

She nodded once. “Thanks to Palmer. A dragon tried to kill you, and the human healed you.”

There was nothing Twig could say to that, because it was true. He understood what his mother was saying, even though she wasn’t using those exact words. She’d been terrified that having a human doctor would hurt Twig, but instead it had healed him. He would be fine, while Pearl would be exiled.

Twig knew the only reason his mother had distrusted Palmer was that he was human, and humans seldom did anything good for dragons. She couldn’t deny that Palmer was a good person anymore, though. She had to admit she’d been wrong, and she was, in her own way.

That was more than enough for Twig.

* * * *

TAYLOR WAS RUNNING on very little sleep. He probably should have taken Killian up on the offer of a day off, especially now that Pearl and one of her biggest supporters were gone and Twig was safe.

Or at least, he should be. Everyone was very much aware that Pearl probably had more supporters than anyone knew about, and that she’d find a way to come back. It might take her a while, but Taylor had no doubt they’d see her again.

Which was why he’d decided to go to work anyway. He’d spent part of last night finding and arresting Alatar, and now the dragon was behind bars. It hadn’t been easy to talk him down—he’d been willing to sacrifice himself, and only telling him that Pearl definitely wasn’t going to sacrifice herself for him, and showing him the proof, had changed his mind. He wanted to live more than he wanted to keep supporting her. She’d betrayed him, which surprised no one but him, but Taylor didn’t feel sorry. The dragon had been working against Killian. He might have been the one to poison Twig under Pearl’s orders. His place was behind bars, and if he felt betrayed—well, that was a bonus, as far as Taylor was concerned.

So yes, Twig was probably safe, but until they were completely sure, Taylor wasn’t going anywhere. That was why he stood in the hallway, yawning every five minutes, keeping an eye on Twig’s door. It had only opened a few moments ago, right after Taylor arrived, when Willa had gotten home. She’d nodded at him, which had surprised him, and he was curious, but for now he wasn’t planning on knocking.

Maybe he should. He frowned as he stared at the door. Wasn’t Willa supposed to be at work? Taylor didn’t know much about what she did, but Twig had told him his mother had gone back to work now that he was home. Why was she here today? Did she have a day off? That was probably the most logical explanation, but Taylor found himself moving before he could think better of it.

Then he tried to stop himself. Whether or not Willa was home to stay, he couldn’t stay. He just wanted to check in on Twig and make sure he was okay, and once he had, he’d go back to his post and keep watching what happened in this hallway. He’d know for sure that Twig was okay, though, which was what mattered most to him—and to Killian. The king had assigned Taylor specifically to Twig’s security. It said something about who Killian could trust, and there had to be some truth in that, considering Twig had been hurt by two of his half-siblings already, but Taylor suspected there was more to it.

Not that he was going to ask. Killian was king, and his reasons for doing what he did were his own. They didn’t need an explanation, especially when Taylor was perfectly fine doing whatever Killian ordered.