The Antidote for Longing III — Karl Dandenell

When Lars Bjornsen learns the young Empress Anna is finally pregnant after years of trying, it confirms his suspicions that the Emperor Gustavus was inadvertently poisoned by an overdose of the aphrodisiac Sweet Agony. Lars provides an antidote, but before he can petition the emperor for his freedom, he is taken prisoner. Now, Lars faces a choice: does he join the spymaster’s conspiracy and return to the splendors of the imperial court, or denounce her actions and put his own life—and that of his friend Fredrik–in jeopardy?

Narrated by Thomas Baxter.
Published in Metaphorosis on 29 September 2023.
Find the original at magazine.metaphorosis.com.