CHAPTER 56RYKEN.“You..” My brows drew together in a knot. I simply stared at him, not truly sure what to say.“Good morning, your majesty.” Lord Vargen bowed, his blonde hair falling after him. “I hope you had a good nights rest?” he smiled gently, as calm as always.“Yes-" My frown deepened. “How are-"“I am at full health now, your majesty.” Vargen spoke before I could continue, taking a step towards me with that same calm smile. “We may resume our business as usual, yes?”I glanced at the royal doctor, he had his head bowed, his form firm yet relaxed.“Of course.” I blinked, turning to my beta. “There are matters to discuss.”Vargen nodded, and we walked out together, shutting the door as we made our way down the hall.“You did not have to come for me, your majesty.” He spoke after a moment of silence, staring ahead.“You sacrificed yourself for me., Vargen.” I watched him closely, staring at the space between his chest where the silver stake had been etched. Now he stood tall,
RYKEN.I felt the shift.The tear. Like half my veins ripping out of my heart, blood pouring out of me in invisible pain.I breathed in, my breath shaky as I rose from my desk. What had just happened?My wolf was silent.I frowned at the realization. It was a silence that came with absence. I could not feel him, like he was barely even there. Within me.What was this?I was moving without understanding where I was headed. I just knew I needed to leave. I had to.I walked down the halls, my steps quick and panicked, as I watched round with quick glances. Something was not right.Goddess, what was it?!I reached my court in moments, pushing the doors open as I walked in, my feet taking me to the terrace. What was this? what was this?I reached up to pull my hair, my scalp burning as I paced. The sun had not yet risen, and the air was ice cold, winter wind blowing fierce on my skin as I leaned against the railing, staring ahead in a squint.I had never felt this way. I was irritated, an
SAPPHIRE.“But it will cost you your life.”Qyeen Lystra's eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the room. Her brows lowered as she stared directly at me.“Your majesty-" Dr Davin interjected, standing from his desk, folding his hands as he sighed. “That it a very complicated process.” His two colored eyes sharpened as he warned. “Very.”“But it can be done!” She turned to him, almost in panic. “It hasbeen done before, has it not?”I stared, half frozen in confusion and fear as Dr Davin let out a sharp breath, staring at the ground.“Yes, your majesty.” He nodded. “Yes, it has been done before, but the person who had transferred their life force was a strong wolf!”I clenched my hands to my chest tightly at his words. The queen was silent at that, her shoulders dropping as she turned again to me.“There is no point using someone who will die, and the lord won’t live.” He shook his head, his words sharp to my heart.What a joke!If I was not hurting so greatly, perhaps I would have
SAPPHIRE.I walked back to the slave quarters. My steps were shaky as I walked down the hall, my head lowered as I passed by tense looking guards as they martched down the pathway.Everyone was so stiff.I continued walking, wiping my face as I left the north wing. It was as I neared the east wing that I realized how tired I felt. I wrapped my arms round myself, looking round in caution. I was about walking by a crossing to the arches of the east wing, when a hand reached out to me quickly.“Sapphire!” I turned to Tyda with a gasp, my heart pounding in my chest. I had thought it was an invader..“What in the realms are you still doing here?” He stared wide eyed at me, his eyes lifting as he watched the rushing guards. “I-“ I cut myself off, my hands grabbing the side of my tunic as I breathed. “Whatever your reason-“ Tyda shook his head, leading me towards the slave court. “-it is not worth your life today.”I nodded in silence as we passed through the heavy doors, our steps quick
Everywhere was in chaos. I could not recognize a thing, amongst the scattered servants rushing round the halls in frantic confusion. The guards rushing to all the entrances, to the throne room, determined to search out the rogues, if there were anymore than the ones that attacked him-Oh, goddess...I followed after Queen Lystra, shaking away, burying the horrid thought that surfaced in my mind. It can't be...I walked after them. I should not have, it was not my place, but I could not bare it. I needed to be sure that my worst fear had not come true. As I trailed behind the Queen and her personal maid, amidst all the chaos around me, it was nothing compared to what I felt inside. I was burning. A strange writhing pain. My wolf made no sound, it was not like she ever truly did, but now she was silent. Like she was gone. But one thing I felt was the worry, the pacing.Was King Ryken-?The heavens forbid it.I was shedding tears, I could not stop, I cared less for who was watching
RYKEN.Perhaps this was the goddess mocking me.Me.“Your Majesty.” Walkh stared at me, his eyes lifted from the unsealed scroll he had brought with him. “Do you approve?” He raised a brow.What in the lands was he even talking about?I clenched my jaw as I looked down at the table, all the papers were organized perfectly, Vargen’s writing was neat, legible.Why was I so damned distracted?!“Like you do not know.” My wolf grumbled, equally as pissed as I was. “You only fool yourself.”“And you irritate me with your persistence!” I roared my response In my thought, my head pounding with a headache I was already accustomed to.“Your Majesty-"“I KNOW-" I cut Walkh off sharply, shutting my eyes as I looked away, staring out the window. “I know.” I let out a slow breath, my hands clenched tight. What was all this?!I caught Walkh’s brows furrowed slightly, his eyes flashing briefly to Vargen at my words.“We shall..” I shut my eyes again, thinking back to what he had said. “We shall meet