You haven’t been—

That’s none of your concern, my dear. His tone warned me to drop the subject.

I mulled over what I’d learned. If you’re immune to the toxin, does that mean you can heal, as well?

No, my life magic prevents me from getting sick. I’ve never had a cold, the flu or stomach problems. Even poison has no effect. Ah, here we are. He laid me on my bed and released me.

I hovered over my body, still able to see despite my closed eyes.

Tohon sorted through the clothes in the armoire. He held up a green gown. Sequins glinted from the low-cut bodice. “Wear this one tonight. I’ll send Winter in a few hours to help you get dressed.” He draped it over a chair before leaving.

Disembodied, I tried to move, remembering how I had flowed through the roots of the Death Lily. But then a vine had connected me to the Lily. I had also needed Tohon’s touch. My body lay on a mattress; perhaps I could move through the bed.

Imagining traveling into the softness, I projected my awareness toward the bed. Nothing happened. I guessed I would remain an intangible being until the toxin’s effects wore off. Yippee.

Winter arrived a few hours later. She called my name, but my body didn’t stir. Perhaps I wouldn’t have to go to the party, after all. The young lady touched my hand and I flowed into her consciousness.

Worry for me dominated her thoughts. Nice to know she genuinely liked me. Concern over King Tohon’s reaction if she didn’t have me ready in time pulsed at the back of her mind. She debated if she should report my condition to the king.

Can you hear me, Winter?

No reaction.

I didn’t feel right hearing her thoughts when she couldn’t hear mine. However, I did learn a few things. One, she was terrified of Tohon. Two, she had been ordered to tell Tohon everything I did. Three, Winter would never deliver a message to Sepp for me.

She removed her hand and I floated up like a bubble released underwater. I stayed an invisible ghost for ages; at least, it seemed as if time had stopped. When I had been inside the plant, my body and soul had reconnected as soon as I’d been spat out, but Tohon’s injection lasted much longer. At least it didn’t kill me.

Without warning, I snapped back into my body. I kept my eyes closed until the strange feeling of weighing a thousand pounds dissipated. Then I sat up and stretched.

Winter returned while I soaked in the tub.

“Thank the maker you’re awake!” She bustled around, gathering brushes and combs. “The king was getting impatient. Come on, miss. We have lots to do.”

The desire to drag my feet and make Tohon wait surged. But I knew he would direct his ire at Winter so I cooperated with the girl, letting her arrange my hair and apply makeup. But when it came time to dress, I balked.

The plunging neckline aside, the silk gown’s straps tied behind my neck so no material covered my back or my sides until my waist. I felt almost naked. Instead of putting the green one on, I found a yellow gown with layers of silk that wasn’t as revealing.

Winter fretted over my decision, but she finished with my hair without saying a word. She had pulled it back with two combs and then curled the ends. It had grown past my shoulders.

As Winter was applying the finishing touches of my makeup, Tohon barged in.

“What’s taking so—?” He stared at me. “Why aren’t you wearing the gown I picked?” he demanded. A crazed fury filled his eyes.

I stepped back automatically. “It didn’t fit.”

“Don’t lie.” He closed the distance between us. “You will change now.”

“No. I was uncomfortable.”

“I don’t care. Change now.”

“I—”

He grabbed my forearms. Intense pain shot up them and spread all over as if I had caught on fire. I yelped, yanking my arms in an attempt to dislodge his grip. Stronger than me, Tohon held tight. Waves and waves of fire boiled my blood. He stared at me as I yelled.

The attack stopped as quick as it started. With his fingers still clamped on me, Tohon leaned close to my ear. “The green gown. And if you give me trouble again, you’ll be thrown into a cell below the castle for three weeks. Understand?”

Unable to control my ragged breathing, I nodded. He released me and watched as I fumbled to change. I turned my back on him to finish. Winter helped me tie the straps. When she moved away, Tohon came up behind me.

He touched one of the scars crisscrossing my skin. I stiffened.

“Is this why you didn’t want to wear this gown?”

“Yes.”

“Who did this to you? Kerrick?” Anger spiked his words.

“No one. I healed a man who had been whipped.”

“Then you should be proud of them. The healers I worked with were always showing me their scars. The women especially enjoyed revealing all of them. They appreciated the intoxicating link between us.”

Unlike me. I stepped away.

“Come on, then. We’re late.” His clipped tone warned that he remained unhappy.

I followed him to a carriage that had been brought to the main courtyard. The cold air sent goose bumps along my skin. Tohon helped me into the carriage and I flinched as he draped a blanket around my shoulders.

As the horses pulled us through the gates and toward the city, Tohon chatted as if he hadn’t just attacked or threatened me. His mood swings made Kerrick’s seem tame in comparison. If something as minor as a gown set him off, what would he do if he discovered the real reason I was here? I swallowed as fear bubbled up my throat. At least that incident provided me with more incentive to find a way to send a message to Sepp. My time here was limited.