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Sage"Her condition is destabilizing," one of the doctors reports. "But her heart rate is still elevated, and her blood pressure is concerning for the pregnancy."The mention of our child focuses my thoughts instantly, turning from self-loathing to concern for our pup. Whatever happens to me, I must protect the innocent life growing within. No matter the cost. Through the emptiness where our bond should flow, I try to project this determination to Alaric, hoping some trace of our connection might still exist beneath Cassius's violation. I need him to know I’ll do anything to bring his heir safely into the world for him. Even if it means playing Cassius’s game. For the briefest moment, something responds – not clear communication, not distinct emotion, but the faintest resonance like a distant echo. Alaric's eyes widen slightly, the only indication that he might have felt the same impossible connection."The child." My hand moves protectively to my rounded abdomen. "What effect does
SagePain tears me from sleep like claws ripping through flesh. My back arches off the bed as fire spreads from Cassius's mark, radiating through my chest in waves of agony that feel like my ribs are being pried apart one by one. A scream tears from my throat before I can even register that I'm awake."Sage!" Alaric is at my side instantly, his hands hovering over me, uncertain where to touch when every inch of my skin seems to burn.The monitors surrounding the bed erupt in a cacophony of alarms – heart rate spiking, blood pressure plummeting, fetal distress indicators flashing urgent warnings. Medical staff rush into the room, their voices distant through the haze of pain consuming me."What's happening?" Alaric demands, his voice carrying the edge of panic I've never heard from my warrior king. "Do something!""Her system is rejecting the bond," one doctor explains, frantically adjusting medications. "But this is far more severe than a typical adaptation response."Another wave of a
SageAlaric catches himself at the last possible moment, claws already extended, body partially shifted in response to a threat no Alpha could tolerate. The aborted attack leaves him trembling with suppressed violence, beast and man warring between instinctive response and strategic necessity."Touch her, and consequences of killing you become acceptable risk," Alaric manages through clenched teeth, each word measured and precise despite the rage behind them.The standoff stretches between them – Cassius's smug certainty against Alaric's barely leashed violence. Medical staff retreat to a safe distance, monitors continuing to track my gradually stabilizing condition while the predators in the room measure each other with lethal intent."Your aggression poses a greater threat to her stability than my proposed solution," Cassius notes with a psychotic detachment that makes his implications even more monstrous. "Perhaps you should consider which male's attentions would cause less overall
AlaricI haven't left Sage’s side in the thirty-six hours since Cassius's violation triggered her crisis. The doctors' insistence that he stay close by has left a gnawing rage brewing under my skin, like an itch I can’t find a way to scratch. I watch my beautiful, perfect mate as she sleeps, relieved to find her peaceful despite the trauma she’s suffered. My hand rests protectively over hers where it cradles our child, the subtle movements beneath her skin confirming our baby's resilience despite the circumstances threatening them both.A raised voice from the connected chamber draws my attention – not loud enough to disturb Sage's much-needed rest, but carrying clear tension that suggests an opportunity I can’t ignore. I position myself near the connecting door left partially open, shamelessly eavesdropping."—completely unacceptable," Daphne's cultured voice carries unmistakable fury beneath her controlled volume. "You assured me this arrangement was temporary and wouldn't affect ou
Alaric"I heard voices, arguing." Sage murmurs, eyes finally opening to confirm my presence. And even in the midst of the chaos around us, the sparkling amethyst pools take my breath away. "Cassius and Daphne," I confirm quietly, my position shielding her from the connecting doorway where their conflict continues with decreased volume but undiminished intensity. "Disagreement about current arrangements."Understanding dawns in her expression – the implications of their conflict registering the same conclusion I already came to. For the first time in days, I see hope flare in her eyes, a wicked smirk pulling at her lips despite everything she;s been through. And I’d do anything to keep that look on her face.The medical chamber door opens, interrupting our silent communication as an older doctor enters to assess my mate. His professional detachment carries something almost like sympathy as he notes our silent communication, awareness of our situation evident beneath his clinical exteri
SageThe old doctor's hands move efficiently as he completes his final assessment, eyes darting toward the surveillance camera before leaning closer to check my pulse. His fingers press a small scrap of paper into my palm."Your vitals are strong enough for transfer," he announces loudly. "Your new accommodations are being prepared as we speak."I slip the paper beneath my blanket while Alaric positions himself between us and the camera. Shared anticipation pulses between us– the first real chance since our capture."When exactly will security protocols be suspended?" Alaric breathes, the question audible only to us."0800 to 0835," the doctor murmurs, adjusting my IV with practiced movements. "Standard procedure to allow the necessary medical equipment to be moved without damaging the security system’s radio frequencies.."Thirty-five minutes. A narrow window that might be our only opportunity. I can practically feel Alaric’s mind working, calculating timing, variables, potential obst
Sage"Now," Alaric says the moment Daphne’s footsteps fade beyond hearing range.His movement to the doorway carries predatory silence born of centuries of hunting heritage. The corridor outside remains momentarily clear, guard rotations creating a brief opportunity we take full advantage of."Three minutes until the doctor reaches the communication point with Garrett and our men, if he isn’t stopped," Alaric whispers, helping me from bed with careful movements balancing speed against my still-recovering strength and my ungainly belly. "Seven minutes until the guards return."The understanding of the critical timing required crackles like electricity between us – so many moving parts, narrow windows within windows, our success depending on precise execution without room for error. My legs wobble slightly as I stand, my body still recovering from the bond rejection crisis that nearly killed me days earlier and my power still muted by the steady diet of drugs Cassius has kept me on."I c
SageWe reach the connecting doorway just as Daphne's composure shatters completely, her elegant hand sweeping equipment from a nearby table with surprising strength. "You promised me partnership in creating a new order, not a position of convenience while you pursue your sick personal obsession with breeding your former mate!"Alaric moves with lethal silence, shifting into the perfect strike position without detection. His hands find Daphne's neck almost without looking, twisting with minimal effort until her head goes slack.The sickening crack echoes through the room with dreadful finality. Her body crumples with a graceful elegance belying her violent end, her life extinguished between one heartbeat and next without any warning. She likely died before her impending death even registered, not the agony she deserved.Cassius's usual flat affect quickly betrays his shock– eyes widening, pulse visibly pounding at his throat, his gaze flitting between us as he struggles to understand
Alexander A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I call, expecting another messenger or council member.Instead, Kieran stands in the doorway, hesitating at the threshold as if unsure of his welcome. "Your Highness," he greets formally. "I was told you wanted to see me?"I blink in surprise. "I hadn't sent for you yet, but your timing is perfect. Please, come in."He enters cautiously, his posture suggesting he's bracing for confrontation. I realize with sudden clarity how rarely we've interacted without Lyra present, how much tension still exists beneath our carefully maintained civility."The moonflower essence is secure in the reliquary," he says, clearly assuming this is about the ritual. "Queen Sage confirmed the potency exceeds expectations.""Good," I nod, "but that's not why I wanted to speak with you." I gesture to the chair Dominic recently vacated. "I have a proposition that requires your particular expertise."Curiosity overcomes wariness as he takes the off
Alexander"They found her, but she's not exactly rolling out the welcome mat."Dominic drops a report on my desk, interrupting my third attempt to write a diplomatic response to the Northern territories. I've been staring at the same paragraph for twenty minutes, my mind constantly drifting back to last night with Lyra."Vega's niece?" I ask, pushing aside the draft to read the new report."Karina," he confirms, dropping into the chair across from me. "Lives in a tiny settlement called Blackstone Ridge at the edge of the Northern territories. Our messengers found her, but she told them—and I'm quoting directly here—'to go fuck themselves and the royal horses they rode in on.'"I can't help but laugh. "Sounds like she inherited her aunt's charming personality, if not her politics.""She's a healer," Dominic continues, "which makes her refusal more complicated. She's not just rejecting royal authority; she's rejecting what she sees as interference in healer business."I lean back in my
Lyra "I'm glad," I tell Kieran, meaning it despite the complex emotions churning beneath. "That you have someone to talk to."He looks surprised, then grateful for my response. "It helps," he admits. "Figuring out my place here, now that everything's..." he gestures vaguely, "different."The word encompasses so much—our relationship, our community's situation, our very identities shifting in this new context. I reach across the table to touch his hand briefly."Some things aren't different," I tell him. "You're still important to me, Kieran. That hasn't changed."His eyes meet mine, conflict evident in their green depths. "Just important in a different way now."I can't deny the truth of this observation. Before I can respond, a palace page appears in the doorway, bowing slightly when he spots me."Healer Lyra, Prince Alexander requests your presence in the royal study. He says it's regarding tonight's ritual."Kieran withdraws his hand from beneath mine, the moment broken. "You shou
Lyra The royal sanctuary glows with morning light filtering through its glass walls, illuminating Queen Sage as she tends to rare plants with her own hands rather than delegating the task to servants. She looks up as I enter, a knowing smile touching her lips."Lyra," she greets warmly. "You look well this morning."Something in her tone tells me she's perfectly aware of why I might look "well," and I feel heat rise to my cheeks again. "Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty.""Sage, please," she corrects, setting aside her gardening tools. "At least when we're alone. We're family now, after all."The casual acknowledgment of my place in her son's life—in the royal family—leaves me momentarily speechless. I've been so focused on the complications of court politics that I hadn't fully considered the simpler truth: I've gained not just a mate but a family connection.I kneel beside the spiral pattern of silver-blue blooms she’s tending, assessing their condition with a healer's eye. "
Lyra Sunlight streams through the curtains, painting warm patterns across the tangled sheets. I wake slowly, momentarily disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings before memories of the night flood back. The weight of Alexander's arm draped across my waist anchors me to both the present moment and the significance of what passed between us.I study his sleeping face, softer in repose than his usual royal mask allows. Dark lashes rest against cheeks still bearing faint marks where power surges manifested during our separation. The bond between us pulses with contented warmth, stronger and more stable than it's been since the temporary healing at the Cave of Whispers."You're staring," he murmurs without opening his eyes, a smile curving his lips."Just making sure you're real," I reply, surprised by the vulnerability in my own voice.His eyes open then, violet depths focusing on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. "Very real," he assures me, pulling me closer. "And not going
KieranMira and I sit in silence for a while, watching stars appear one by one in the darkening sky. The distant sounds of palace life—guards changing shifts, servants carrying out evening duties—remind me how far we are from the simplicity of our forest home."I slept with someone else," I admit suddenly. "After Lyra left with Alexander that first time. One of the refugees from the northern settlement."Mira raises an eyebrow but doesn't interrupt."I thought it would help," I continue. "Thought maybe if I could just be with someone else, these feelings would fade or change or..." I shake my head. "It didn't work. Just made me feel worse, actually.""Because you were using them to try to forget Lyra," Mira points out. "That never works.""I know that now." I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "Gods, I'm a mess.""Yes, you are," she agrees with characteristic bluntness. "But that doesn't mean you can't figure your shit out."A sudden flush of anger rises in me. "Easy for you t
KieranThe palace gardens are annoyingly perfect—every shrub precisely trimmed, every flower arranged in meticulous patterns, like nature couldn't be trusted to look good without human interference. I find a secluded bench beneath a weeping willow, as far from the manicured beds as possible, and drop onto it with a heavy sigh.It's been two hours since I quietly slipped out of my chambers, unable to stay there any longer. The thin walls did little to muffle the sounds from Lyra's room, each soft gasp and whispered endearment like a knife twisting in my chest. I knew this was coming—hell, I practically pushed her toward the prince—but knowing something will hurt doesn't actually make it hurt less when it happens.I lean back, staring up through willow branches at the darkening sky. At least the stars look the same here as they do back home. Small comfort, but I'll take what I can get."Thought I might find you out here sulking."I don't need to look to recognize Mira's voice. She's bee
Alexander I’ve spent the entire day in bed with Lyra in my arms and I’ve never been more at peace. As twilight deepens outside the windows, we lie tangled together in comfortable silence. My fingers trace idle patterns on her bare shoulder while her head rests on my chest, directly over my heart. The bond between us hums with contented warmth, stronger and more stable than it's been since the temporary healing at the Cave of Whispers."The power surges have stopped," I observe quietly, realizing I haven't experienced a single manifestation since we came together.She props herself up on one elbow to look at me, her hair falling in a curtain around her face. "The intimate connection strengthened the bond's stability," she explains, unable to completely suppress her healer's analytical tendencies even now. "It's not permanent healing, but it's significantly reinforced the temporary measures."I can't help but laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Only you would provide a tec
Lyra The morning light is a soft intrusion, warm on my eyelids and tangled limbs. I wake in the circle of his arms, the night before replaying in vivid, lingering bursts. My body is a symphony of aches and satisfaction, reminders of just how thoroughly bonded we have become.I shift slightly, feeling the press of his skin against mine, and my breath catches at the heady intimacy of it. He murmurs something in his sleep and pulls me closer, as if even unconscious he can't bear for there to be any distance between us. The memory of our first night together blooms in my mind, a kaleidoscope of sensation and emotion.I remember the way he groaned my name as I collapsed against him, spent and breathless, the echo of our shared release reverberating through the bond."Does it hurt?" he asked.It had, but not in the way he meant. The stretch of him inside me was so overwhelming, so intense, but exquisitely good, and the moment I adjusted, it was as if my body couldn't get enough."More," I