The sun had set when Lyne went back to the room. She unzipped the black and white jacket she had on and let it slide down her shoulders as she remembered her discussion with Maya which had gone well. They had both planned the whole act and she was ready to go. 

Letting off the belt hook, she pushed down her black pants and boots, leaving her bare. She has had quite a tough day and was hoping to have a cold bath. Dumping the clothes into the basket just across the room, she removed the pin that held up her hair and let it cascade down her neck. It was growing longer again, the length touching her back. 

A hand slid around her waist and she could feel someone's body press behind her and gathering her body in his. She looked up at Zeidan, smiling sweetly as he kissed her gently. 

"For how long have you been in the washroom?"

She asked.

"I've spent five minutes there now." He let his wet lips nibble the side of her neck, taking in the softness of her skin and hiding his face there. 

She hunched a shoulder, enjoying the feel of his body against hers.

"But you're undressed. Did you even take your bath at all?" She asked him.

Zeidan chuckled and raised his head, kissing her cheek again. 

"I was waiting for you."

"To do what?" She teased, knowing full well what he meant.

"To pay for the training, My Lady."

"Amber trained me as well, but she never asked for payment. Shall I ask you of your true intention," she wobbled her body against him as she turned to look into his eyes, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. "Sir."

"You like to play naughty, don't you?" He asked, eyes taking in every detail of her body and warming her up with every stare.

"I'm afraid that is part of your training, Sir." 

He laughed, running his hands all over her back and up her stomach. 

"Well, I've got more training to dish out tonight. I hope you're well prepared." 

"Ride away."

He kissed her fully in the mouth, and she let him take the wheel, tasting him and feeling his hands on her skin. She was breathing heavily and faster now, trying to match up with his pace. Underneath her began to ache for him as if she had expected this before. But did she need to expect it before wanting him? 

She wanted Zeidan every damned minute and every time they were alone, she just can't do without wanting to touch him and feel him. 

She raised her hands and ran them over his shirt fumbling with the buttons and trying to shred open his shirt. He disengaged their lips enough to get undressed and when the shirt was gone, he resumed kissing her while Lyne ran her fingers over the fine smoothness of his muscular body. He quivered with her touch. 

Just when he pushed her to the bed and began unbuckling his pants, a knock rattled on the door. They both paused, breaths ragged. 

"Who's there?!" Zeidan asked and a feminine voice sounded from the outside.

"It's I, Amber, your Highness. Aurora has been asking after you and she won't sleep unless she sees you."

He looked at Lyne and a smile curved his lips, making her stomach flutter. Would he leave her? She wasn't ready to let him leave. She grabbed his face and planted a kiss on his lips, while he ran a hand on her thighs. 

"Mmm. Yeah." Zeidan muttered until another knock interrupted them and she heard him cursing under his breath.

"I'll be with them shortly. Tell her that." He replied before kissing the upper mounds of her breast making her curl her toes.

"She is crying..."

"Leave!" The two of them chorused and she could imagine Amber scurrying away from the door. 

Zeidan placed one of her breasts in his mouth, tasting and adoring it. She raked one hand over his hair, the full fine texture falling over her fingers. She moaned lowly, enjoying the feel of his lips on her breasts. She jerked each time, with a sharp gasp escaping her. 

A knock came again but this time, it was a bang. 

Lyne pushed his head and shifted on the bed, asking him to go and get the door. 

"Aurora is as stubborn as you, Lyne." He mumbled and went to the door, opening it slightly. 

She shook her head at his words and went to the rack of clothes grabbing a robe and wearing it around her. 

"I think Aurora has a running temperature." Lyne's heart jolted as she heard Amber say. 

"What?" Zeidan came back inside, grabbed his shirt, and stepped outside following Amber. She rushed to the door but realized she was wearing just a robe, she stepped back inside and grabbed a golden cloak, tying the ropes around her neck and moving out, the fabric covering her body and sweeping behind her.

As soon as she reach the nursery, she was told Zeidan had carried her to the royal infirmary. She headed to the place and when she got inside, Zeidan was sitting beside her on the edge of the bed, a hand pressed to her forehead. She was now calm but her eyes were drowsy and her face pale.

She rushed towards them and made to touch her. 

"I don't think she would want anyone to touch her. She wouldn't allow the nurses to so I asked them to go and fetch Rydel, the new royal doctor, for me."

Lyne sighed and say down on the other side, one hand pressed on the bed as she looked down at her daughter. 

"How's she feeling? What's wrong with her? I....I...I'm just worried."

"Don't be," Zeidan assured. "She'll be fine. I think it's just fever."

"Fever? Just fever? Zeidan, she isn't supposed to be sick."

As if just realizing it, Zeidan raised his hand from her forehead and looked at Lyne frowning. 

"What the heck is going on?" 

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "She must have been poisoned." 

She could see Zeidan's face getting pale immediately. Colour drains from his face immediately. 

"How?"

"I don't know but I suspect it must come from one of Luana's allies in the palace."

"That's right. Let Rydel come back. We'll have to confirm with him."

She nodded and made to touch Aurora whose lips were now dry and her eyes were closing. Beads of sweat were now laced on her forehead and Lyne feared greatly what might become her child. She had not been able to save the others but such must not be the fate of her treasure. One she had fought so hard to protect. 

"No." She said aloud as she shook her head and sniffled. 

Zeidan rushed to her side and gathered her in his arms, kissing her forehead and rubbing her back to comfort her. She rested her head on his chest, crying and praying that no harm befalls her child. 

"She'll be fine. I'll make sure of that." He comforted and she made sure to believe. Hope is the most essential thing she needed right now before it becomes too late. 

Soon, Rydel arrived. He was a small man with spectacles and he was bald. He carried a small box, unlike Stevenson who fancied bigger ones. As he moved closer to Aurora after saluting the two of them, he placed a hand on her forehead, and neck and checked her pulse before straightening to face them.

"I'm afraid, your royal Highnesses, the Princess has been poisoned."