He turned, almost running ahead of them, then forced himself to slow when he realized Lucius couldn't move that quickly while supporting Elissa.
They reached her door in a few moments. Mack pushed it open and stepped aside.
"Inside," Lucius said quietly.
He guided Elissa across the room, her steps uncertain but still moving. Her head tipped once against his shoulder before he helped her sit on the edge of the bed, then eased her down carefully until she was lying back against the pillows.
"Can you,Close the door," he said without looking away from her.
"Of course ",Mack mumbled and hurried to the door, shutting it firmly.
Lucius helped her to the edge of the mattress and eased her down carefully, supporting her head and shoulders. As he straightened—
A low, warning rumble filled the room.
Skoll stepped out from the shadows near the hearth, a pup but fierce , form slipping between the bed and the rest of the room, icy eyes locked on Lucius. His lips lifted just enough to show teeth.
Lucius froze,eyes wide with shock , hands open and empty at his sides. "I mean her no harm," he said calmly.
Skoll stood between the bed and the fireplace, hackles up, not breaking the eye contact with Lucius. The wolf's lips peeled back just enough to show teeth.
Mack lifted both hands slightly, palms out. He moved slowly to Skoll's side.
"It's all right," Mack whispered to the wolf, his voice low and steady. "He's helping her. No one's hurting her. It's all right, boy."
Skoll's gaze flicked briefly to Mack, then back to Lucius, but the growl in his throat softened, just a little.
Mack looked at Lucius. "You can lay her down properly, Prince Lucius," he said carefully. "He won't bite you if you're gentle. Probably." Adding at last.
"Comforting," Lucius murmured, but there was a thread of dry humor in it.
When Lucius stepped back, putting a little more space between himself and the bed, Skoll moved closer to Elissa, jumping on the bed and resting his head near her arm, as if to make the ownership of this space very clear.
Lucius let out a slow breath. "Impressive guardian."
"You have no idea," Mack muttered, some of the tension in his shoulders easing now that Elissa was lying safely.
He adjusted Elissa's position, making sure her head was supported, her skirts not twisted uncomfortably. Skoll watched every movement, muscles tense but not lunging.
When Lucius straightened and turned toward Mack, his eyes went briefly back to the wolf.
"You know about him," Lucius said. It wasn't really a question.
Mack hesitated only a heartbeat, then nodded once. "Yes. And I'd prefer it stayed that way. The fewer people who know about Skoll, the better for her. There are enough rumors already."
Lucius studied him for a moment, then inclined his head. "Her secrets are not mine to trade," he said quietly. "I have no intention of shouting about it in the halls."
Some of the tightness eased from Mack's shoulders.
"What happened to her?" Mack asked, looking at Elissa's pale face. "She was fine this morning."
Lucius glanced at the faint damp mark on her sleeve, the edge of her dress near her wrist where the scent of something too-sweet still clung.
"I don't know yet," he said. "But I intend to find out."
He looked back at Mack.
"Go," Lucius said. "Bring someone she trusts. And someone who won't panic at the sight of him." He nodded toward Skoll.
"Martha," Mack said immediately. "I'll bring Martha."
"Good," Lucius replied. "Hurry."
Mack slipped out, closing the door behind him.
Lucius remained where he was for a moment, watching Elissa's breathing. Skoll watched him back, unblinking, as if weighing his worth.
Lucius lowered himself into the nearest chair, hands loosely clasped, and met the wolf's gaze.
"Then we wait," he said softly. "You for her to wake. Me for answers."
Lucius stood quietly for a while, watching Elissa's face.
In sleep—or whatever this was—her features had softened. The tightness that usually lived between her brows was gone. Her lashes lay dark against her cheeks. She looked younger like this, and frighteningly unguarded.
Something shifted in his chest. Not quite tenderness, not quite guilt, but close enough to both that he turned his gaze away.
He rose and crossed to the tall window that opened onto the narrow balcony. Beyond the glass, the mountains loomed under a pale winter sky, their edges blurred by thin mist.
He rested one hand on the cold stone of the frame and let out a slow breath.
"You're getting in further than you should," he murmured, so low the window barely heard him. "You don't even know it yet… and what will you say when you find out where you've ended up?"
He didn't expect an answer. The room stayed quiet, save for the faint crackle of the banked fire and the soft sound of Elissa's breathing.
A few minutes later, the door opened in a rush.
Mack came in first, Martha right behind him, skirts swishing, hair slightly out of place as if she'd run.
Her eyes went straight to the bed. "Princess!"
She hurried over, dropping to sit on the edge of the mattress, one work-roughened hand going to Elissa's forehead.
"What happened to her?" she demanded, looking sharply between the two princes. "She was fine at breakfast. Who did this?"
Lucius stepped away from the window and came closer, careful not to make Skoll tense again.
"She's under the effect of something she inhaled," he said evenly. "A potion. I smelled it on her clothes." He paused a little to settle the information and then said, "It's acting like a heavy sedative—fogging her thoughts, weakening her limbs, slowing her reactions." His words calm , "We have a small window to lessen it before tonight."
Martha's jaw worked. "A potion," she repeated tightly.
Lucius continued as if she hadn't spoken. "She needs two things immediately: to be out of these clothes, and a counter-brew strong enough to blunt whatever she inhaled."
Martha studied him for a heartbeat, taking in his calm tone, the certainty in his words.
"You sound very sure, Your Highness," she said. "You've seen this before?"
"Not this exact mixture," Lucius replied. "But something similar. Enough to recognize the pattern."
He listed, crisp and precise: "You'll need dried feverleaf, crushed star-anise, a pinch of ground valerian root, and three petals of mountain moonblossom if you have it. Brew them in water with honey—no wine, no spirits. It must stay clean. I'll provide the rest."
Martha narrowed her eyes. "Mountain moonblossom? You think I keep a royal apothecary in the kitchen cupboards?"
Mack cut in. "There should be moonblossom in the royal stillroom," he said. "The healers use it. You can ask from them.... or .. if you say,...I'll see someone gives you some." He looked at Martha and told her.
She gave him a curt nod, then looked back at Lucius. "I can make the tea. But I can't change her with two princes standing over her."
Lucius inclined his head. "Of course."
Martha pointed toward the balcony. "The two of you. Out there. Please. ... And with a little strict voice , "And don't you dare look back until I call you."
Mack lifted his hands in surrender. "Yes, Martha."
Lucius almost smiled at that, but followed him out onto the narrow balcony. Martha swept to the window, pulled the heavy curtains closed between them, and set about changing Elissa's damp clothes with brisk, efficient movements.
On the balcony, Mack folded his arms and leaned one shoulder against the stone.
"So," he said under his breath. "You smell potions now. That a common talent in the west?"
Lucius looked out at the mountains. "It's not the most useless skill I've acquired."
Mack snorted softly. "You collect skills the way Endora collects secrets."
Lucius didn't answer. He watched the slow drift of a cloud snagging on a distant peak.
After a few minutes, the curtains rustled. Martha's voice came through. "You can come in."
They re-entered the room.
Elissa now wore a clean nightgown, her hair loosened from its braid and spread over the pillow. Her face was still too pale, but her breathing seemed a little more even. Skoll had shifted closer, one massive paw pressed against the coverlet near her arm.
"I'll fetch the herbs," Martha said.
She headed for the door. Lucius spoke quietly. "Martha."