KAI RECEIVED TWO COMMS BETWEEN THE TIME THEY LEFT THE elevator and the time they reached Dr. Erland’s office—Cinder knew because she could hear the chime from his belt—but he didn’t answer them. He insisted on helping her down the hallway, despite her protests that she could walk just fine, despite the curious stares of passersby. Curious stares did not seem to bother the prince half so much as they bothered her.
He didn’t knock when they reached the office, and Dr. Erland, upon seeing who had burst in without announcement, did not seem surprised when he saw the prince.
“It happened again,” said Kai. “Her fainting, whatever it is.”
Dr. Erland’s blue eyes switched to Cinder.
“It’s gone now,” she said. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” said Kai. “What causes it? What can we do to make it stop?”
“I’ll take a look at her,” said Dr. Erland. “We will see what can be done to keep it from happening again.”
Kai seemed to think this was an acceptable answer, but only barely. “If you need funds to do the research…or special equipment, or anything.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” said the doctor. “She probably just needs another adjustment.”
Cinder clenched her teeth as her lie detector flashed at her. He was lying to the prince again. He was lying to her. But Kai didn’t object, didn’t question. He sucked in a deep breath and faced Cinder. The expression made her uncomfortable—the look that suggested she was a china doll, easily shattered.
And perhaps a hint of disappointment hung behind it all.
“Really, I’m fine.”
She could tell he was unconvinced but had no way of arguing with her. His communicator dinged again. He finally glanced at it, then scowled and shut it off. “I need to go.”
“Clearly.”
“The prime minister of Africa called a world leaders’ meeting. Very dull and political. My adviser’s about to have a breakdown.”
She raised her eyebrows in a look that she hoped conveyed how much she was all right with him leaving her. After all, he was a prince. The most powerful men and women on Earth had summoned him. She understood.
And yet he was still here, with her.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Go away.”
The worry in his eyes softened. He spun toward Dr. Erland and pulled something from his pocket, forcing it into the doctor’s hand. “I also came to bring you this.”
Dr. Erland slipped his spectacles on and held the glass vial up into the light. It was filled with clear liquid. “And this is?”
“A gift from Queen Levana. She claims it’s an antidote to letumosis.”
Cinder’s heart lurched. Her gaze focused on the vial.
An antidote?
Peony.
Dr. Erland’s complexion had drained, his eyes widening behind the glasses. “Is that so?”
“It could be a trick. I don’t know. Supposedly, it’s one dosage—enough for an adult male.”
“I see.”
“So, do you think you can duplicate it? If it is a cure?”
Dr. Erland drew his lips into a thin line and lowered the vial. “That depends on many things, Your Highness,” he said after a long pause. “But I will try my best.”
“Thank you. Let me know as soon as you find anything.”
“Of course.”
Relief loosened Kai’s brow. He turned to Cinder. “And you’ll let me know if anything—”
“Yes.”
“—changes your mind about going to the ball?”
Cinder pressed her lips together.
Kai’s smile barely reached his eyes. With a curt bow to the doctor, he was gone. Cinder retrained her gaze on the vial, enclosed in the doctor’s fist. Desire coursed through her. But then she noticed the whitening of his knuckles and looked up, finding herself pinned under a stormy glare.
“What do you think you are doing here?” he said, planting his free hand on the desk. She started, surprised by his vehemence. “Don’t you realize that Queen Levana is here, now, in this palace? Did you not understand when I told you to stay away?”
“I had to bring the prince’s android back. It’s part of my job.”
“You’re talking livelihood. I’m talking life. You are not safe here!”
“For your information that android could be a matter of life.” She clenched her teeth, refraining from saying more. With a heavy sigh, she peeled the stifling gloves from her hands and slipped them into her pocket. “All right, I’m sorry, but I’m here now.”
“You have to go. Now. What if she asked to see the lab facilities?”
“Why would the queen care about your lab facilities?” She claimed the seat opposite Dr. Erland. He stayed standing. “Besides, it’s too late. The queen already saw me.”