She knew precisely where she stood. In the late hours of the night, when she knew the corridors would be abandoned and all had retired to their beds, Lily had taken her cane and departed her room.

Silently, she counted the 120 steps to the end where the corridor turned right. Another seventy steps straight before the wall ended. There the path was simple. Straight or 120 steps to the right until the end of the hall.

Her cane mapped the edges of the tray before she set it aside. She bent to reach the tray, tested its weight, then slowly straightened once more. Lily stretched her arm across the tray and it firmly wedged itself into the side of her waist. With her free hand she opened the door.

In her previous visit she hadn't had a lot of time to become acquaint with the room's surroundings. As she walked in the room's distinct scent filled her. Parchment, ink, and thyme mixed with basil all at once.

She remembered a large table off to the left where shelves lined with dozens upon dozens of bottled herbs rested neatly above it. There had been a desk too, straight at the back of the room that was encased by opaque windows on either side. The rest of the walls were lined with books and scrolls. To the right there held been a door.

Not knowing if Landros sat at the desk, she called out tentatively, "P-prince Landros?"

There was no response. He was probably behind the narrow door. Counting the steps to the table and confident that it was bare, she set the tray down and returned for her cane before closing the door.

From there, with her cane in hand, she made her path to the door in the back. She retraced her steps, grabbed the tray without the cane, and walked across the room. When her fingertips touched the smooth wall, she glided her hand until she felt the wooden texture of the door.

She opened the door, not bothering to knock, "Prince Landros?" Her ears picked up on the rustle of sheets and a small glow penetrated the darkness of her blindness.

At the sound of his name, his hand snaked out to the glow stone by his bedside. Giving it a feeble shake, the pale yellow light glowed just enough to see who dared to enter his private chambers. Using his knuckles, he pushed himself to a sitting position. "How did you get here?" It didn't have the usual amount of contempt she had come to expect from the prince.

"I walked." She could feel his patronizing glower, but she ignored it, blaming whatever malady he had as the cause for it. "I've been learning how to get along. I know a couple of paths across these quarters."

"That does not explain why you are here." His voice was low and scratchy.

Her shoulders lifted of their own accord in a shrug. "I brought you food." Lily answered by way of explanation.

"You should not be here. No one is allowed in without my permission. Leave." The command held only a small hint of bite. Still, had she been his subject and a servant she would have probably taken off running. Lucky for her, she was neither.

"Make me." Lily challenged and cocked her head smugly. "Although, in your current state I'd doubt you could carry a kitten." She waited. "Well? Aren't you going to tell me where I can set this down?" There was a soft thud which she assumed was Landros knocking his head back against the headboard.

"You barged in without knocking or announcing yourself. I could be undressed."

"And I'm blind. What's your next excuse?"

A long pause and a loud sigh of frustration later, "Walk forward and I will take the tray from you."

Cautiously she walked toward the sound of his voice. Her knees bumped the edge of his bed then she felt Landros' fingers slide against hers to guide the tray down. She struggled to fight the temptation of using her Sight.

"You've delivered the tray. Now why are you invading my privacy? Leave."
"No. You need help." She shoved his legs aside and sat on the bed, taking his hand and using her Sight.

Incredulous at her familiarity with him, Landros' eyes squinted in distrust. "Do not assume to know--"

"Let me tell you what I know." She cut him off, leaving Landros aghast. He looked worse than the night he'd been in her room. She briefly took in the layout of the room. The narrow bed, just like her own, ran against the wall. They did share a wall, afterall.

Her attention then fully turned to him. His face was more gaunt than she had seen and the normal silk curtain of ebony hair her fingers had longed to touch, looked dull and limp matted against his face. There were darker purple smudges under his eyes and the hollow around them had deepened. At that moment, she wanted to reach out and comfort him, but she couldn't.

"I know that you are a great healer. But even healers cannot heal themselves. I know that every time you use your gift, it weakens you. That the use of your healing ability comes at a high cost to you and," her voice softened. "Yet you do it again and again. I know you push yourself too far."

She could sense he wanted to argue the point, but she would not concede. Instead, she went on, "Don't deny it. Why else would you be unable to carry a tray of food or tend to yourself? I know," Lily stressed the last and squeezed his hand, "I know that this is not the first time that it has happened. That is why you hide in here. Away from anyone knowing just how weak you get."

"Why is it that you will not leave? And I do not hide." It was an outrage to suggest it. He scowled down at the tray.

"Shall I open the door, prince?" Lily smiled radiantly with defiance.

Outmaneuvered, his lips pursed into a thin line. "I should have bolted the door. What else is it that you think you know?"

The next part would not be easy to say. Should she tell him? If she did and she was right, what would he do? The variables were unpredictable. But she could not play this cat and mouse game of court politics. She wasn't made for intrigue and deceit. "I've come to the conclusion that you only get like this after you've healed the king."

Charcoal eyes lasered focused on her. "You've been spying on me, have you?" Fingers that were moments ago dormant ensnarled her hand. Their grip punishing.

"What? No, I...The night you came to my room you told me. Don't you remember?"

Landros remained silent. Portions of that night were not clear.

"You were weak, by your own admission you had healed the king. I think you healed him today." She took a steadying breath and met his gaze. The following would be the most dangerous of all. "I also have the suspicion that even the king is unaware of your healings. You sacrifice—"

"My sacrifice is not your concern. Is this how you schemed to become a recognized member of House Verakis? By blackmailing and lying."

"No! Why is it so hard to accept help?" She countered.

"Then what do you want for your silence?"

"Nothing." The word drifted between them.

Slowly, he loosened the hold on her hand. "I cannot decide if you are a fool or naïve."

"Perhaps both." Lily smiled tentatively. "That is the kindest thing you've said to me."

Landros scoffed. "I should have sent you away with the others." Then he released her hand and placed the lid on the stand beside his bed. Cheese, figs, and bread surrounded the bowl in the center filled with mortrew.

His slender fingers reached for a black fig, plump and full of sweetness. After one bite, he set it down and tore at the bread then soaked it in the bowl. But a few morsels later his hand dropped with a solid thud against the tray. The verbal sparring had drained what little strength he'd gained.

"Prince Landros!" The clatter panicked her and frantically she reached for his hand to use her Sight. She was right to worry. His breath was ragged and his head lolled off to the side, leaning against the wall. A thin layer of moisture glistened across his forehead. The back of her hand pressed his cheek.

"I believe you have a fever. Where is your wash basin? I will get you a cool cloth for your forehead."

Landros squeezed her hand in silent command to stay.

"But you need­—"

He groaned. "No. The, the drawer. Open it."

Hastily, she reached with her free hand to pull it open. Several empty glass vials rolled across the floor of the drawer, clinking as they crashed against one another.

"What are these?"

"It helps regain my strength faster."

"There are none. What can I do?"

He vaguely shook his head and closed his eyes. Insurmountable fatigue claimed his body.

"You need to eat. That will give you strength." She took the spoon, filled it with the bowl's contents and brought it to his mouth.

His eyes slit open with an attempt of contempt. It was quite feeble. But his pathetic glare gave her courage. "Eat, you stubborn elf! And don't you dare say you can do it yourself!"

"You have the most horrible of manners." As far as insults went, it wasn't his best, but at least he succumbed and opened his mouth.

"Well, I am human after all. I suppose you can blame it on that."

"I do."

They didn't speak after that. Instead, she focused on the task at hand and made sure he finished every spoonful until the last. Soon his eyes began to drift close again and a wide yawn by the prince brought out a small smile from Lily. It was a sign of restful sleep to come. There was still food on the tray, but it would have to wait.

After covering the tray, she took it from his lap and place on the stand. "Rest, prince. I will return in the morning."

"No." Another yawn escaped him. "The others will suspect."

Stubborn as ever. "Then I will return after dark." It was a promise. "Until then you must eat what is left." She rose to leave, but felt a tug at her sleeve. 

"How will you get back to your room?" Was it concern in his voice?

"I have my cane and I know the way."

"When you arrive at your room knock against this wall three times so that I know you have returned without incident." His arm stretched across the wall beside him. She nodded once and turned. Landros watched her leave, using her hand to feel the outline of the doorframe. From there, she stood straight and moved confidently out of view. Soon there after he heard the door to the main room open and close.

A while later, Lily opened the door to her room. She walked to the bed, to the wall that they shared. Her hand floated above the smooth surface. Finally, she knocked against it. One. Two. Three.

She waited breathlessly. Had he'd heard? Or perhaps he'd fallen asleep? Quietly she got into bed feeling dejected.

In the silence of night, three soft knocks filled the room. Lily fell asleep with a smile.