Elma POV
Julie came back with paper, ink, and Xander's seal. He wrote the order against a side table while I watched. It said I was to remain under the care of the royal healer and could not be returned to the dungeon without a council hearing. It did not say I was free. I made him add that food and water were not to be withheld for any reason.
His pen stopped at the bottom of the page. "No one should have done that."
"You told them to."
He signed his name beneath the addition. I took the paper before he could offer to keep it safe for me and handed it to Lora. Xander stayed long enough to make sure I understood the seal was valid, then left. Maren returned to her patients without commenting on the exchange.
By afternoon, I could sit up without seeing spots. Julie brought a bundle of
