Chapter 49

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True to his word, the king remained by his sleeping beauty until she awoken. He did end crawling into bed to hold her within his embrace. The nerves laying to rest with her safely in his hold. Artemis couldn't help but smile at them. They truly were the epitome of what a loving marriage should be. Even with her being unconscious, she maneuvers her body to curl into her husband's side. 

While they both were resting with Goliath at their feet. She began going about the room searching. Her eyes traveling over everything in the room attempting to find the cause to the sudden change in the queen. She went to the bathroom once again observing everything. 

"Artemis?"

She jumps whipping around with her hand to her chest. Caspian standing at the entrance to the bathroom. His brows furrowed as he looks to see his love looking at his parent's things. 

"What are you doing love?"

Artemis straightens up and takes a deep breath. She opens her mouth to speak when something catches her eye. A glisten on the floor between the bed and stand next to it. She doesn't bother speaking as she winds around Caspian heading over to the bed. Caspian follows her wordlessly watching as she leans down to pick up a silver goblet off the floor. 

Artemis sees a bit of liquid in the bottle of the cup. She inhales it before pulling it away from her nose in disgust. Caspian taking it from her hand doing the same. They both can tell that is not how the tea is supposed to smell. Artemis takes the goblet walking to the end of the bed. 

Goliath?

The wolf opens it's eyes to look to Artemis. He still is upset with her however will not disrespect her. He watches as she brings a silver trinket to his nose. One sniff is all it takes for the wolf to pull back snarling loudly at it.  

That is hemlock Artemis

Artemis gasp almost dropping the goblet from her hand. She can not believe that someone would attempt to harm the queen. She turns to Caspian who looks to her confused. She grips the cup tightly. 

"It contains hemlock" 

Caspian tenses hearing of this herb. He had not come across it but knows the purpose is death. His mind coming to the conclusion that someone was attempting to kill his mother. 

Artemis, I can track the scent. It is uncommon and who ever touched it will still have the scent lingering on their skin. 

Goliath stands up without another word. Caspian watches as the wolf sniffs the air before leaving the room. 

"Caspian follow him." 

Without questioning further, Caspian turns following the wolf. Artemis walks over setting the goblet next to the bed before gently shaking the king's shoulder. He blinks a few times coming back to consciousness. She was surprised that the queen began stirring as well. Both Artemis and Casden holding their breaths as she blinked her eyes open. The king smiles before pulling her into a tight hug. One that she equally reciprocates before her eyes land on the silver goddess standing next to the bed. Her metallic eyes glistening with unshed tears. Analee looks to her and mouthing thank you. Casden releases her to see her eyes locked on their daughter in law. He gets up from the bed allowing his queen to hug her savior. 

"Come here Artemis" 

Artemis comes closer until the queen throws her arms around her using what strength she has to hug her. An endless stream of thank yous falling from the queen's mouth. Artemis holds her rubbing her back soothingly. After a few minutes pulls back turning to the king whose eyes are glued on his wife. She stands from the bed allowing the king to take his spot back by the queen while she walks over to the opposite side. Her hands floating over the queen while she hums to confirm she is no longer in danger. After her scan, she feels no damage to her anymore. 

The king and queen watching as she continues to care for Analee. The king never feeling happier for the silver beauty than in moments like these. The queen looking to her with utter adoration and gratitude. Artemis opens her eyes to them before stepping back from the bed. She walks back over to the kings side picking up the silver goblet from the table. 

"Your majesty, did you drink from this?"

The queen looks to glass nodding her head confused by the question. The king also sporting a perplex look. Artemis exhales shakily not sure how to tell them. 

"Did you notice anything different about your morning tea?"

"It had a different odor to it.. What does that-"

"My queen, it contains hemlock." 

The king jerks up taking the goblet taking a big inhale of it before pulling it bag with a disgusted look on his face. His blood boiling at the thoughts of this being an attempted murder. He turns to his wife who looks like she is going to be sick. Her face sporting a pale green shade. Her eyes showing her worry as she pulls the sheet up higher. The king softens his expression leaning forward to kiss her forehead coaxing her to relax to him. 

"You are safe my love" 

"Who?"

Her voice practically broken as she now is fearful for her unborn child. Her hand instinctively going to her stomach. The king lays his hand over hers protectively. His eyes turning to Artemis who goes to speak but the door to the chambers is pushed open. A maid being backed up by the growling wolf stalking closer to her. Caspian following behind closing the chamber doors with Vatalanie at his side. 

The maid just now taking in her surroundings and turning pale white at sight of the royal couple. A viscous snarl snaps her attention back to the wolf. She backs up again while Artemis goes to stand by Goliath. The wolf barely containing his rage. Vatalanie whom was next to the prince coming to stand next to her pack mate. 

"Who are you?"

Artemis ask loud and clear while standing next to the wolves. The terrified maid looking frantically looking from the wolves to the silver princess before turning back to the creatures. 

"Sh-Sheena princess"

Artemis raises her hand asking the wolves to silent. She looks to the king immediately catching on to whom she is. The queen clutching at her husbands' shirt refusing to release him. He continues holding her while Artemis turns back to the maid. 

"Did you deliver the majesty's morning tea?"

"Ye-Yes"

Caspian comes to stand by his wife side sliding his fingers into her palm before gripping her hand. The maid, Sheena, knows she has been caught. Falling to her knees she begins pleading. Her head to the ground as the queen begins to shake. 

"WHY!" 

Caspian roars startling the maid from continue her praying. She looks to him with tears in her eyes. 

"I was threatened that if I did not deliver it, my baby sister would be killed. She is only 5. I couldn't-"

"Who threatened you?"

Artemis voice booming in the room. The maid shaking her head rapidly as if she is not allow to say. She lifts her head hoping to plea but coming face to face with a wolf whose teeth are bared at her. 

"I will not stop him from attacking unless you give me a name."

A low growl emits from Goliath's chest before he snaps his teeth at the maid. The terrified woman falling backwards backing up to the wall. Goliath slowly stalking towards her. 

"Stop stop STOP! I'LL TELL YOU!!"

"NOW!" 

Caspian bellows still holding Artemis to his side. The king doing the same to his queen. All eyes are on the maid whose body is shaking uncontrollably. 

"It was the doctor"

Her voice trembling but all eyes widen at her answer. The doctor that has been looking after this family for years. What reasoning would he have for betraying them. It made no sense. Not caring for the reason, Caspian rips himself away from Artemis stomping to the hallway to gather guards to assist in the arresting of the doctor. The maid holds her hands over her head wondering if she just cost her sister her life. She jolts feeling a touch on her shoulder. Her eyes snapping up to meet silver. 

"You sister will be safe.." 

"Th-Thank you"

She knows of her fate but is grateful they are willing to protect her sibling. She bows her head in defeat. Goliath snaps one more time before walking over to hop on the bed pressing her body protectively in front of his mistress. Artemis stands back up. 

Vatalanie, keep her still til I get a guard 

Vatalanie bows her head while Artemis turns to exit the room. Glancing in the hall she sees that Caspian has stationed a few men next to the door. She turns to one who nods to her. 

"Please take this maid to the chambers" 

He bows to her listening as he strolls into the room going to the maid that is still on her knees guarded by a wolf. He goes over pulling her up before taking her from the room. She does not resist feeling defeated. 

The doors close and the queen crumbles clinging to Casden for support. He holds her tightly taking all her sobs. Artemis decides to give them a moment stepping out of the room with Vatalanie at her side. They stand outside when the pitter patter of feet makes her turn. She sees Cassandra bouncing with Navene attempting to keep up with her. 

"Artemis, is mom better?"

Artemis kneels down to the young princess taking her hand. Her smile gentle as she nods her head. 

"Yes she is, but right now. She is resting with your dad. How bout you guys come with me to take the wolves to the gardens?"

Cassandra slumps slightly but perks up at the mention of the wolves. She instantly looks to Vatalanie who tilts her head playfully to the princess. Before taking off with Cassandra following. Navene then steps next to Artemis as they slowly make their way down stairs. 

What happened Artemis?

She was poisoned 

Navene falters in his steps momentarily taking in her words before looking to the backside of the princess. 

She is not to know Navene

He nods his head letting the conversation go as they go outside to tend to the wolves. While they attempt to relax, Caspian is ripping through the village with over two dozen guards. Everyone asking about the physicians whereabouts. They finally are told of his location taking off like a bat out of hell. Caspian's rage barely contain as he kicks the door open. The doctor who was packing a bag attempts to take off out the back only to be stopped by a guard. Caspian brings his blade out pressing it to his throat with eyes narrowed on the man. 

"How could you?!"

His words holding his anger and disbelief. The blade penetrating enough to seep blood down the old man's throat. 

"She had a bounty on her head" 

He talks as if her life means nothing further infuriating Caspian. 

"SHE TRUSTED YOU!" 

"No she didn't, that stupid force field said otherwise." 

At this Caspian furrows his eyebrows in confusion. It then clicks he is not speaking of his mother. 

"You attempted to kill Artemis?"

"Clearly the stupid maid didn't do her fucking job." 

He spits in disgust at the maid's ignorance. Caspian presses the blade so close to throat that gulping would cause it to slice him open. Caspian gets up in the old man's face no longer caring what happens. 

"Your poor attempt to kill my wife will end in your death." 

The doctor chuckles making Caspian become lethal. 

"Your queen will die due to her abilities... more bounty hunters will come" 

Caspian slits his throat having blood splatter him while the corpse falls to floor in a heap. The guards looking down at the body before looking to their prince. He continues looking down to the corpse. 

"And just like you.. they will perish." 

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