I held Liora's gaze.
"What do you mean?" I asked again, quieter this time, but no less firm.
Liora straightened slightly, composure returning to the careful professionalism she wore when speaking of matters she understood well.
"Your Highness, as you know, I am trained in apothecary."
I inclined my head once. "I know."
Her hands folded before her.
"I have also studied toxins extensively. Their behaviour, their progression, their… inconsistencies." Her eyes flicked briefly toward the door that led to the guest chambers. "Lady Lirael appears to have been poisoned."
The words fell into the room like something fragile shattering.
Maribel inhaled sharply. Cassian's expression hardened.
Elias stilled beside me.
"Do you know what poison?" I asked. My voice remained level, though my grip on the necklace tightened unconsciously.
Liora shook her head. "I cannot say with certainty. But she is displaying symptoms consistent with the drug currently circulating within the kingdom."
