Read Online Kismet's Kiss: A Fantasy Romance (Alaia Chronicles) by Cate Rowan - Free Book Online

“Be welcome, Royal Healer.” Rajvi’s tone was gracious, but her voice raw and weakened. “Thank you for coming to our aid so far from your homeland.”
    “Esteemed lady,” she answered, “I hope to help. May I examine you?”
    “Please do.”
    Varene moved to the bedside and evaluated the Sha’Lai’s skin, eyes, and demeanor. The sultana acknowledged great thirst and a burning throat, and had been forcing herself to drink from the half-empty pitcher of lemon water sitting within reach. Varene nodded approvingly, then laid her hands on Rajvi’s wrist and throat and sought deep for the cause of her illness. All the while, she was aware of Kuramos’s penetrating gaze.
    As with the sultan’s son, she sensed no match with maladies she knew. Disappointment curled in her gut. If only she had answers, she could do more, she could heal …
    And then she could go home.
    She called up her kyrra to ease the pain in Rajvi’s throat. When she did, she was gratified by the Sha’Lai’s evident relief.
    Soon, Varene told herself, she could take real action. If the illness was so enigmatic for everyone, she’d have to treat the symptoms as best she could and hope her herbal strategy could vanquish the source.
    “As I felt with the prince Tahir, this is a malady I have not encountered before.” She placed a reassuring hand on the Sha’Lai’s shoulder. “There may be things I can do—more, I hope, than just the relief for your throat, my lady. But before attempting them, I will need to be sure the other patients are the same. Sometimes those suffering from the same malady have discrepancies in the feeling, in the pattern of the illness. And if the pattern inside any of them is familiar to me, I would have a greater chance of helping all of you.”
    “O Lord?” called a timorous voice from the antechamber.
    “In here, Sohad,” the sultan answered.
    An angular man in a shin-length tan robe rushed in, giving obeisance. “You honor me with your summons, Great Sultan, and may my abilities be found worthy of your—”
    Kuramos interrupted him with a quelling glance. “Have you made any progress against the illness?”
    Sohad swallowed and shook his head. “No, O Lord, not yet, though I am working hard to save all I can, and—”
    “Royal Healer,” Kuramos said, turning to Varene, “this is Sohad. He worked with Yaman, my Royal Physician, for just six months before Yaman’s…unfortunate end. He’ll escort you to the other patients. You two will have much to talk about, I’m sure.”
    He glanced at the assistant, whose expression reflected surprise and uncertainty. “Sohad, Varene na Seryn is the Royal Healer of Teganne. Since Yaman is dead and I now have no Royal Physician, treat this woman as if Yaman had come back to life in her.”
    Varene blinked. What an odd way to put it.
    Sohad, too, seemed astonished. He nodded, but his dark eyes looked none too pleased. “Yes, O Lord. I hear and obey.”
    Kuramos swung his curt stare to Varene. “Sohad will help you with your pack,” he pointed to her canvas travel pack by the doorway, “and provide whatever else you need to do your work.”
    His dismissal was clear, but the sultan hesitated a moment, holding her gaze. “May Naaz grant you luck.”
    Sohad retrieved her pack and gestured courteously for her to accompany him, but his eyes continued to betray resentment. Varene walked out behind him, realizing her troubles might have borrowed a new face.
     

     
    I n the Sha’Lai’s inner chamber, Rajvi spoke first. “The Healer will need a good handmaiden. Preferably one with experience in the infirmary.”
    The sultan grinned down at her and crossed his arms. “I’ve already sent for the Staff Mistress. Perhaps I’ve learned a few things from you since we came to the thrones.”
    “Imagine that!” She chuckled. “You’re good to ignore my meddling.”
    He made a dismissive gesture. “You’ve kept our household intact and functioning for nearly two