A/N: Follow-up to No. 19

No. 26: "You look awful."

Genya sat by the king's bedside, keeping watch as Nikolai slept. The antidote David had devised had successfully neutralized the poison, and now all they could do was wait for Nikolai to recover. With his vitals now stabilized, Tamar and Tolya had left to help Zoya in the investigation trying to find the culprit behind the attempted assassination.

Genya re-wet one of the small towels in the bowl on the nightstand and gently wiped Nikolai's face. His clothes and bedsheets were sticky and damp from the cold sweat, and she imagined he'd be very uncomfortable when he woke. They'd change everything out then.

He made a small sound as Genya cleaned his neck, and she paused to see if this was the time he would finally regain consciousness. It took a few moments, but his eyes were moving under his closed lids, and then they cracked open.

"Hey," she said softly.

Nikolai squinted at her blearily. "Genya? What happened?"

"You were poisoned."

He gazed blankly at her for a long moment. "That explains how I feel," he finally breathed, his voice catching on the last word, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed painfully.

Genya reached for a cup of water with one hand and elevated his head with the other so he could drink. "Small sips," she cautioned.

He carefully took a few and then fell heavily back against the pillow. "What's my prognosis?" he asked roughly, and there was a stiffness in his expression.

"David found an antidote. The poison has been fully countered. You should make a full recovery."

Nikolai flicked a look at her guardedly. "The last king didn't."

Genya winced. "I wouldn't lie to you," she said.

He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"No, it wasn't. But I promise this is not the same. This poison was intended to kill and it failed. Once the inert substances work their way out of your body, I believe Grisha healing will help you along."

He let out a wheezy exhalation. "How? I mean, I remember feeling ill in my study, but I hadn't eaten anything recently."

"The flowers," Genya answered. "They were fabrikated with poison. Everyone is still looking for the culprit." She twisted in her chair to reach behind her for the tray of food sitting on the cart. "Can you eat?"

Nikolai made a face. "I don't think my stomach will approve of that."

"We anticipated that. Try just a few bites of plain toast," she coaxed.

She leaned forward to help Nikolai scoot up a few inches, piling extra pillows behind him. He lifted a slightly wobbly hand to pick up the sliced bread and take a bite. He coughed and almost choked on it, and Genya hurriedly grabbed the glass of water to help him drink again.

"Easy," she soothed.

He thunked his head back against the headboard, breathing heavily. "You're sure…this isn't…permanent?" he wheezed.

Genya pursed her mouth and extended her hands, connecting her power to Nikolai's lungs and easing their strain, helping them draw in oxygen slowly and deeply. Nikolai gradually sagged as his body calmed.

"I'm sure," she then said.

She got up and went to the door to speak to the guards outside. "Tell General Nazyalensky the king is awake. And have someone bring in hot water and honey for tea." She then went back to her seat by the king's bedside.

It wasn't long before Zoya arrived, sweeping inside with urgency as she took in Nikolai's state with sharp eyes. Her demeanor was poised and professional as always, but Genya could see the flicker of relief in Zoya's eyes.

"You look awful," was the first thing she said.

Nikolai pressed a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "My ruthless Zoya, even your words are sharp."

She scoffed. "I'm merely making an observation."

"Well, I did almost die, I'm told."

"That'll teach you to accept mysterious gifts from unsigned admirers."

"Alright, enough you two," Genya interjected. "The king still needs to save his strength." She turned back to him. "Can you try eating a little more?"

He made a face at her, which was encouraging if he was in his usual mood, and he nevertheless picked up the toast again.

A servant arrived with tea, and the twins weren't far behind.

"How are you feeling?" Tamar asked.

"Wretched," Nikolai replied. "But grateful to be alive. I need to thank David for his work in that."

"I'll tell him," Genya said. "Now, do you think you can manage sitting in a chair long enough for us to change these sheets? And your clothes."

"I'm not sure but I'd rather get it done anyway," he said honestly.

Genya didn't blame him. She pulled back the covers, and Tolya gently pulled Nikolai up and then helped him hobble into the chair Genya vacated. Then she and Tamar stripped the bed of the sickly linens and replaced them with fresh ones. Changing Nikolai's shirt was easy, but it took a little more careful maneuvering for Tolya to get him behind the dressing screen to change his breeches. Nikolai was wheezing again and starkly pale by the time they got him settled back into bed, but he let out a relieved sigh, both at lying down again and no doubt the feel of clean fabric.

"Thank you," he said breathlessly.

Tamar sat on the other side of the bed and reached for his hand.

"We haven't discovered who was behind the poisoning," Zoya informed him.

"And Zoya's been on the warpath," Genya added. "The culprit would have fled the country by now if they were smart."

"I have no doubt," Nikolai murmured.

Tamar patted his arm. "Just rest. Between the lot of us, we have things under control."

His lips quirked as he closed his eyes. "I know. I'm in good hands."