All Chapters of The Healer and The Beast: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Kael's POV. Thane led me through the corridors toward the throne room, my footsteps echoing hollowly against the stone floors. Each step felt heavier than the last, weighed down by the knowledge of what I was about to face.When we reached the massive doors, I paused for a moment to steel myself. Through the crack, I could hear the soft, broken sound of weeping that seemed to come from the very depths of a mother's soul.I pushed open the doors and stepped inside.The woman sat hunched on one of the chairs near the front of the room, her small frame rocking back and forth as tears streamed continuously down her face. She held something clutched against her chest—a small piece of fabric that must have belonged to her daughter.At first, she did not notice my entrance. She was lost in her grief, trapped in a world of pain that I had helped create.But when she finally looked up and saw me standing there, her expression transformed instantly from sorrow to pure, blazing hatred."You," s

Kael's POVTHREE WEEKS AFTER Three weeks had passed since the incident that shattered everything.Little Lily had been buried in the royal graveyard as I had promised her mother, with a beautiful marble headstone carved with butterflies and flowers. I had personally ensured that her mother was given a comfortable home and enough gold to live without worry for the rest of her life. It felt like a small step toward redemption, even though I knew it could never truly make up for what we had lost.But that was not the issue consuming my every waking moment.Sena had not opened her eyes since that terrible day. She lay still and pale on our bed, her breathing so shallow that sometimes I had to press my ear to her chest just to reassure myself that her heart was still beating. Dr. Ashford visited daily, trying different treatments and medicines, but nothing seemed to reach whatever dark place her mind had retreated to.I was losing my sanity piece by piece.My entire world felt like it was

Kael's POV I lay beside Sena in our room, holding her cold hand in mine while speaking softly to her unconscious form. This had become my nightly ritual, telling her about the day's events and begging her to return to me. A knock at the door interrupted my quiet conversation with her. I had not summoned anyone, and most of my staff knew better than to disturb me during these evening hours with Sena unless it was an emergency. "Come in," I called, sitting up straighter but keeping my grip on Sena's hand. The door opened to reveal Lydia carrying a wooden tray laden with fresh fruits and bread. She wore a bright smile that seemed too cheerful for the somber atmosphere of the room. I gave her a puzzled look. "What are you doing here? I did not send for you." "Good evening, Kael," she said, stepping into the room without invitation. Her eyes

Kael's POVI stepped into my chambers to find Lydia standing beside Sena's bed, her hand hovering just above my mate's forehead. Something about the scene made my wolf snarl with alarm."Who told you that you could come in here?" I asked, my voice carrying the full weight of my authority.Lydia jerked her hand back and turned to face me, her expression shifting from something I could not quite identify to the familiar mask of fragile innocence."I am sorry, Kael," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I did not mean to overstep. I was just so worried about her."I moved closer, positioning myself between Lydia and Sena's unconscious form. "Worried about someone you have never met?""She is your mate," Lydia replied, tears beginning to gather in her eyes. "That makes her important to me too. I thought perhaps I could help somehow.""Help how, exactly?" I kept my tone neutral, but every instinct was screaming at me to g

Kael's POV The next day The evening dragged on with excruciating slowness. I forced myself to maintain normal conversation during dinner, nodding at appropriate moments as Lydia spoke about her day and expressed concern for Sena's condition. Every word felt like acting, every smile felt forced.When she finally excused herself for her usual walk in the gardens, I waited exactly ten minutes before making my way to the designated meeting spot with Thane.I found him waiting in the shadows near the servants' staircase, his expression tense with anticipation."Vera confirmed that Lydia left the castle," he whispered. "She should be occupied in the gardens for at least an hour.""Then we move now," I replied, following him up the narrow stairs toward the guest quarters.Lydia had been given rooms in the east wing, far enough from my chambers to provide privacy but close enough to the main areas of the castle to make her fee