The Haunted Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 5)

Chapter 11: Departures

As Sabrina's strength began to return, she grew more fretful and demanding. Cynthia had her hands full trying to entertain the invalid, leaving the intricacies of Miahn society up to Éllina. She didn't seem to be making much progress, so it was a surprise to Cynthia when Éllina's housekeeper announced that Princess Kashmia would like to see her.

"Uh..." Cynthia got to her feet, at a total loss and wishing Éllina hadn't chosen this afternoon to go to her husband's grave. "Thank you. I'll see her downstairs." She glanced at Sabrina to make sure she was still sleeping. Tristan eyed her balefully, but when she didn't make any further movement toward the bed, he went back to sleep.

Cynthia was still trying to remember who in the world Princess Kashmia was, and whether she should curtsy, when she entered the sitting room. "Hello, your highness," she said.

Kashmia was tall and regal, with an air of hauteur the Queen lacked. "Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Grayson. Please sit, if you like. We need not stand on ceremony."

Cynthia knew better than to take that last comment at face value. She chose a chair and sat carefully on the edge. "May I do anything for you, your highness?"

"My Aunt Imari asked me to come and reassure Sabrina that my brother is being well looked after and is recovering. I have heard that she has been quite insistent on seeing him. This is not possible at the moment. But I can at least give her firsthand assurances of his health."

"Thank you. That will ease her mind," Cynthia said. "She really has been worried about him." Now that she had a few clues, she could see the faint family resemblance among the Queen, Kashmia, and Ford.

"Understandable," Kashmia said. "We all have been. May I see Sabrina now?"

"She's asleep, but I'm sure she'd want to be woken up," Cynthia replied. "If you'll come with me?"

When they entered Sabrina's room, Tristan lifted his head and glared at them. Cynthia wished she had brought something from the kitchen to distract him, but Kashmia merely returned his glare. After a moment, Tristan got to his feet, sniffed, and went to the foot of the bed, where he began washing himself. Cynthia felt slightly better that she wasn't the only one intimidated by the princess.

Kashmia reached down and touched Sabrina's shoulder. "Sabrina?"

Sabrina stirred, murmuring, "Cyn?"

"No. It is Kashmia. I have come to visit you."

Sabrina blinked at her, then coughed as she tried to sit up. Kashmia gently pushed her back against her pillows. "Please do not disturb yourself," Kashmia said. "I've come to put your mind at rest about Niavar."

"You've seen him?" Sabrina said hopefully. "Is he all right?"

"Yes. Physically he is in good health. He is recovering from the strain of the competing resonance." Kashmia cast a glance at Cynthia.

"Would you prefer me to step out?" Cynthia asked.

"There's no need," Sabrina protested. "Cynthia was there."

"Yes, so I've been told," Kashmia said. "At any rate, he is recovering well."

"Then why can't I see him?" Sabrina asked.

"His...mental state is not all it could be," Kashmia admitted. "He suffers from a confused memory, and lingering guilt over actions undertaken while influenced by...while he was not himself."

"Let me see him. Please. I can tell him it's not his fault. I was there."

"He is under the best possible care," Kashmia assured her. "It has been decided that he should not have visitors until he has come to terms with what happened."

"But I'm part of that!" Sabrina protested. "I don't understand why I'm being kept away from him!"

"He is not ready to face the world, and you are not strong enough to travel to Giandrah," Kashmia said. "That is the obstacle. When you are better, I am sure Aunt Imari will reconsider."

Sabrina grudgingly accepted the truth of Kashmia's assessment. "Has...has he asked about me?"

Kashmia hesitated. "Not while I was there. But," she added, "there is no reason he should have asked me in particular. I am sure he has been receiving updates on your condition."

Sabrina tried to smother a yawn. "He didn't give you any message for me?"

Kashmia shook her head. "He said very little." She paused, then continued, "He is coming to terms with what happened to him. Until he can do that, he will do better to avoid outside contact."

"That's what his doctors say?" Sabrina pressed.

"Yes."

"It's not just a political decision?"

Kashmia smiled thinly. "I am afraid Niavar has become a political problem, it is true. But his care will not be compromised. I can assure you of that."

There was a tense silence. Finally Sabrina said, "Thank you. It was a silly question." She drew a deep breath and let it out again, then said, "May I give you a message for him, when you see him again?"

"I doubt that will be anytime soon," Kashmia replied. Then she softened. "But of course you may give me a message. I will try to see that it is delivered."

"Tell him...." Sabrina trailed off. She wanted to assure him that she was all right, that she did not blame him, but the phrasing eluded her. "All is forgiven" implied there had been something to forgive, and "There's nothing to forgive" sounded so dauntingly null. Finally she sighed, "Tell him I miss him."