One Thousand Kisses by Jody Wallace Page B

You Out Of Bed.
    “There’s no mark.”
    “I doubt we can detect it.” Cats often seemed to see things fairies couldn’t, staring at walls and chasing nothing across the floor. “Master Fey, I have an appointment. Can I get you anything?”
    “Miaow,” he said, but it didn’t translate.
    “Very well.” If the cat chose not to elaborate, she couldn’t make him, much like another man in her present company. “I hope to see you later.”
    Embor again held out his hand to transport them to the healer’s ward when the cat said to her, He’s going to lie to you about the exam.
    The cat’s timing was deliberate. So, too, his cryptic delivery. Cats were perfectly capable of being concrete. They chose not to be.
    A little annoyed, she asked, “Would you like to speak with me in private, Master Fey?”
    The cat quit scratching the jamb and began to wash his face. She knew a dismissal when she saw one.

Chapter Five
     
    Embor waited patiently while Gangee examined Anisette. He’d decided not to discuss his sleep issues with the physician. He felt more rested today than he had in weeks.
    Last night wasn’t the first time Anisette had appeared in his nightmares. That seemed to be the hallmark of these latest terrors, failing to bond with her and watching her die. It was, however, the first time he’d sought help. It was also the first time he hadn’t crawled from bed in a haze of fury and impotence, so exhausted he needed an immediate infusion.
    Was that the secret? Asking for help? He’d woken before the nightmare’s dreadful conclusion and slept the rest of the night undisturbed. Besides, if he told Gangee, the healer would want to know about the energy globes. No need to give his staff cause to watch his comings and goings more closely.
    The glow from the final spell faded, and Gangee patted Anisette’s knee. “Princess Anisette, you’re in perfect health.”
    “Just as I assured the Primary I was.” Anisette pressed open a flower sewn to the neckline of her dress and peeked at Embor. Seated on the exam table, her face was level with his.
    “I’m pleased to hear it.” That being said, he failed to believe last night’s episode had ordinary causes. She wasn’t of the nature to be unhinged and hurt people. She’d borne Talista’s antics with dignity, even when she’d been punished for covering up shenanigans.
    If Anisette hadn’t collapsed five years ago when Talista had gone missing, the stress of Court training was hardly enough to overset her. Some other force was at work. Something had affected her that she didn’t understand or wasn’t sharing. Why else would she have tried to strangle him?
    “What about her mental health?” he questioned the healer.
    Anisette answered first. “I’m overscheduled, not unstable.”
    “No one’s questioning your stability,” Gangee assured her with a pointed glance at Embor. “Your panic attack was an acute episode.”
    “And isolated.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I’m recovered.”
    “We can’t be certain.” Embor considered how much to tell her. She’d been exposed to many Court secrets, including the fact spirit magic wasn’t so much criminal as it was a necessary evil.
    Yet she hadn’t mentioned any suspicions the Torvals might have used spirit magic on her. Misguided loyalty? Or had they erased her uncertainties? The Torvals were experienced and devious, and Anisette was no match for their wiles.
    Embor rephrased his question. “Are her stress levels high?”
    “Stress and hormone levels are within accepted parameters.”
    “This is excessive.” Anisette’s fingers twitched, and her skirts rustled. When he glanced down, he saw the tips of satin slippers.
    Last night she’d been barefoot—her feet as blue as the rest of her. He saw no dye now and wondered how she’d removed it. Wondered if she’d missed any spots and where they were.
    When he raised his gaze to her face, checking her neck and lips for stains, she was