Chapter 17- Poisoned meal

But at least, the second guard was distracted enough for what I planned to do.

I knew there was no way the silver knight would invite me in- for something he hadn't the smallest idea I was here for. I wasn't hoping for that.

While the second guard cleaned his spear, I dashed for the double doors in a blind daze. 

No hands pulled me as I made my way to the doors and burst through it. I appeared at the end of the table, at the part closest to the door, my cry of: "The food is poisoned!" making  everyone seated at the table turn to me.

The guard that had gone to plead my case with the Silver knight; that stood just next to Rhysand Thorne, was watching me. Soon, he was heading for me, ready to throw me out for being such a nuisance in such a noble gathering. 

As the guard approached me, I moved in the opposite direction. "Your majesties, I promise, the food is poisoned and you're all at risk of succumbing to the poison if you eat this meal."

Everyone watched me incredulously. Orla's gaze burned into me, realizing that I was the one she had been looking for yesterday night. 

With the gaze she and the man beside her that was the taster for this morning gave me, I couldn't see myself surviving this morning if they succeeded. 

The gazes of the other members of  the royal family were on me as well. A woman with brown and gray hair watched me quietly. She was advanced and regal and I assumed she was the Queen Mother. 

Celosia Bathory's eyes were on me as I moved towards the food carts and tried to evade the- now- two guards that stealthily followed my movements- the second guard had come inside and had joined the former guard. At a wave of Celosia's hand, I saw them stop and I could concentrate on my breathing as I panted from my run.

I turned to the emperor and his eyes, gray and intense as they were, rested on me, a quiet and hidden contemplation in them. I tried to hold his gaze but couldn't and I dropped my gaze to the floor as I narrated to the best of my knowledge the plot to poison the royal family. 

Before I even concluded, Orla's cry had gone up, " Liar! Attention seeker! What do you hope to gain from your fantastical story?"

She stepped up to me menacingly and I stepped back, whispering: "Nothing."

I could hear the venomous man beside her hiss.

"Human," Celosia said then, passing me an inquisitive gaze. "Are you certain about what you speak of? The tasting routine is finished and the food did not have any disastrous effect on the taster. Even a poison with a delayed effect would be active at this time."

"The taster is a venomous man," I stated. "He is trained with poisons. The poison in the food may not affect him."

"Preposterous!" Orla said. "Your majesties, do not listen to this deluded fool. Who let her in? Guards!"

"Hold on," Celosia said. "She will be thrown out if she has come to waste our time." She turned to me. "Do you have any proof of your claims?"

"No I-" I started. "I don't."

Silence followed and I could see the triumphant look on Orla's face. "Liar," she said. "Guards. Take her out."

Celosia did not stop them. 

I rushed to the food carts in a mad dash and to everyone's surprise, I began to shove large portions of the food in my mouth. I didn't stop chewing until I choked and coughed for a second. I gripped my stomach as I felt it clench uncomfortably.

I gave another cough as I watched the approaching guards blur in my vision. I began to slowly sink to the floor as I felt darkness pull me.