Elma POV
The cook arrived with two guards, a kitchen docket, and enough indignation to fill the infirmary. His name was Bastian. He recognized me as soon as he stepped through the door.
"The girl with the red hair," he said. "I gave you the tray. I didn't put wolfsbane in the food."
"I didn't say you did."
"The king's men have been through every spice tin I own. They took my ladles. What am I supposed to serve supper with?"
Paxton sat at the foot of my bed to record the hearing. Maren had limited us to half an hour. I intended to make the most of it.
Bastian held up a bound docket. "The order came from Lady Anna's wing. One meat course, covered. It was plated and set on the side table for collection."
"Who covered it?" I asked.
"I did. My assistant wiped the rim and fetched the clo
