Chapter 14
The palace gates were opened and two guards took over carrying Blake straight to his bedroom where he would be treated, without asking any question while another went to inform the Alpha King of the misfortune that had occurred. Liam was brewing with anger, and upon seeing Alden who was carrying a tray of cookies, his anger was unleashed.
"You are back," Alden's face lit up upon seeing Liam and Ciara walking down the hallway.
Liam was in no mood for what he presumed to be pretense on Alden's part and rushed towards him, grabbing him by the collar in such a way that the tray fell to the floor, rendering all the cookies broken. "How did you know?"
"What are you talking about? Get your hands off me! Do you want to end up back in the dungeon?" Alden inquired, trying to wriggle free from Liam's grip.
"Wouldn't it be better than being sent to the untimely grave you plotted out for me?" Liam retorted.
Alden was confused. "What?"
"Liam, let him go," Ciara said, but Liam ignored her.
"How did you know where to find me? Fine, you might have contemplated that I'll be at my mother's graveside, but how did you know exactly where the cemetery was?" Liam asked.
"That? Well, my mother told me. Is there any problem?" Alden asked.
Finally, Liam let go of his collar, figuring that Alden might truly be innocent of his presumptions and had unfortunately probably being a pawn in his mother's scheme.
"Where is she?"
"Why are you asking? Did anything happen?" Alden asked, but he got no response from Liam, so he looked to Ciara for answers.
"We were attacked on our way to get Liam by rogues and it seemed like the rogues had intentionally been looking for Liam. Unfortunately, they were able to shoot an arrow at Blake," Ciara explained. "What? That's terrible news. Is he okay?" Luna Vienna came rushing in.
"Why? Are you disappointed that they got him and not me?" Liam barked furiously, even more angry now that he was standing face-to-face with the Luna.
"I'm sorry to cut in, but we went looking for the Pack's doctor. Neither he nor his assistants are at the infirmary. I heard that they went to administer drugs to the refugees at the camp," a guard said, panting heavily as he rushed in. "How deep is the wound? Can I take a look?" Alden asked, and was about to hurry off to Blake's room when Ciara stood in his way.
"I'm sorry, but I can't trust you with him especially after what just happened," Ciara said.
She felt apologetic to Alden, but Blake had just risked his life to save hers and she couldn't endanger him by putting him in the hands of someone who might have had a hand in his predicament.
"Good call, Ciara," Liam applauded her, determined not to let Alden go through.
"Do you really think I would risk my own brother's life? Even if I wanted to do so, why would I do that in a palace filled with people? That's ridiculous!" Alden expressed. "Still_"
Ciara was cut off by the Luna. "You must learn your place, young lady. First, you interrupted me earlier today and made everything about you, and now, you're stopping the prince from exercising his right to freedom of movement? Are you insane? Don't you know I could kick you out of the palace and ensure you never step your foot in the Silver Crest Pack ever again? Who even are you? For all we know, you could be a murderer on the run," Luna Vienna rebuked Ciara, staring daggers at her.
Ciara felt like the woman could see through her and her heart began to pound loudly as she slowly made way for Alden to go through.
"If it would make you feel better, you could stay throughout the process," Alden said over his shoulder as he walked away, trying to hide the ache that was slowly consuming him whole at the thought of Ciara believing the worst of him. "Get Prince Alden everything he needs," the Luna said to the guard and then informed Liam that the Alpha was waiting to see him in the throne room.
Minutes later, Ciara watched as Alden successfully treated Blake's wound and cured it of any infection before wrapping a bandage over it.
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"I'll dress it up again in the morning. Also, your wolf is still weak from the injury you got while training two winters ago. That's why you've not been healing properly except at full moons. Just take your herbs and medicines. You'll be in perfect health in no time," Alden said.
"How did you know I haven't been able to heal properly?" Blake was surprised.
"I could tell. It's a natural gift."
"Is there anything you can't do?"
"I'm useless with swords, at hunting, at-"
"Fine, I get it. Thank you very much. I owe you one," Blake said.
"I'll hold you to that. Don't forget to call me if you need help with anything," Alden said, then stood up to leave.
"Alden, I'm sorry about earlier. I was just worried because of what had happened..."
"And you suspected me. Of course, everyone suspects the maidservant's son. Why wouldn't they?" Alden retorted, then walked away.
Ciara proceeded to go after him, but Blake stopped her.
"Just let him go. He'll get over it soon enough. He's not one to hold grudges," Blake said.
Ciara went over and sat by his side on the bed. "I see. Are you sure you can trust him though?"
"Yeah. It's his mother I'm not sure of, but Alden... Alden can't even hurt a fly," Blake reassured Ciara.
"And you? Can you hurt a fly?"
Blake chuckled. "It depends. I won't hurt it unprovoked. However, if it comes for me or someone I love, I won't just hurt it. I'll trample upon it, smash it and kill it," he said.
Ciara laughed. "I don't think you need to go through all that hassle. All you need to do is clap your hands and it's gone," she said.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really."
For whatever reason, they both began to laugh at the same time and it continued for a while until the laughter dried off and they were stuck, being so close to each other and looking into each other's eyes. "Why did you save me today?" Ciara heard herself ask him.
Blake shrugged. "I felt like I needed to."
"Would you have risked your life if it was someone else?"
Blake thought about the answer to give her for a while, then squeezed her hands gently. "I don't think so."
"Why then did you risk it for me?"
"You're not just anyone, Ciara. You're the girl I like," he said to her, and for Ciara, it was all she needed to hear to close her eyes.
Blake leaned in to kiss her and they could both feel the tension building up, but just then, the memory of his mother's disgrace flooded his mind.
Was he moving too fast? What if just like she had quickly judged Alden presumably because of his background, she ended up judging him after learning of what his mother had done? What if... what if she left him like the secret first love he had never told anyone about?
"You should go," he said, looking away.
Ciara's eyes fluttered open and she was immediately overcome with embarrassment. "I... I should," she stuttered, then stood up hastily and practically ran out of the room.
As soon as she was gone, Blake felt like a complete idiot. Why had he done that? Perhaps, it was the right thing to do, but why then was he restless? And why did it seem like it would remain that way until he got her, until they finished what they had started?