Page 45 of Lethal Souls
“I’ll just be in my room,” I say. “I think I’m full.”
“You’ve hardly eaten,” she returns.
Killian stands too. “She said she’s full. I’ll walk her back.”
“Guide them.” Callista points her attention to Arie.
Arie rises with reluctance, licking his fingers as he follows us out of the dining hall.
I don’t wait for him to walk around and guide us. I’m already marching through the corridor.
My stomach bubbles, and bile creeps up my throat. I heave, my mouth coating with sick heat.
“You all right, Willow?” Killian asks.
“No.” I press a hand to my mouth again. “I think they did something to the food.”
“We did no such thing!” Arie declares, stepping around me.
“I feel sick,” I whispered. “Do you, Killian?”
Killian presses his lips as he considers it. “I’m fine.”
“Let’s move along.” Arie gives us his back as he saunters ahead. He doesn’t make it very far though because I end up gagging and rushing to one of the oversized planters in the corner.
With my knees planted on the floor, I throw up everything I’d just consumed.
“Love of Vakeeli,” I whisper when the retching ends.
Killian stomps toward Arie and grips him by the collar of his shirt.
“What did you put in the food?”
Arie’s eyes broaden, but it’s hardly a reaction. He frees himself from Killian’s grip and says, “As I’ve told you before, we’ve done nothing to the food.”
“How do I know that?” Killian snaps.
“You’ll just have to believe me. I think Willow, here, is just homesick. Or perhaps she’s still adjusting to the Vakeeli diet. I can imagine food on Earth isn’t quite as extraordinary.”
Killian turns away from him to help me to my feet. “Let’s get you back to your room,” he murmurs.
When we pass Arie, Killian gives him the most threatening death stare yet.
TWENTY-SEVEN
WILLOW
When I’ve made it to my room, Killian helps me onto the bed, and I rest with my back on the headboard.
I want to sleep so badly, but I doubt it’ll happen in this place. My stomach is still weak, and now I have a headache.
“I’ll have one of our servants bring you some tea,” Arie says, then he takes off before either Killian or I can protest.
Killian paces the room. “As much as I hate giving them any credit, I don’t think they tampered with the food. Perhaps being in this castle is getting to you, not to mention you aren’t with your mate so that could be causing an issue. Don’t you two get sick or weak or something when you’re apart for too long?”
“There’s an ache sometimes, yeah.” I sigh as I rub the center of my chest. “My whole body wants to be next to him. My heart feels like it’s beating slower without him.”
“That bloody Tether,” Killian rasps. “Can’t imagine having to deal with that. Being attached to someone else and feeling everything they feel, smelling what they smell, hearing all their thoughts. No secrets whatsoever.”