All Chapters of The Healer and The Beast: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Kael's POV"How much farther to the castle?" Sena asked from behind me, her voice strained.I glanced back at her, noting how she gripped the reins with white knuckles. The argument with Callister felt like a lifetime ago, though it had only been hours since we'd managed to extract ourselves from his diplomatic trap. The memory of his smug expression as he presented that fabricated evidence still made my blood boil. Someone close to us had betrayed our secrets - someone who knew about Sena's pregnancy, about details only a handful of people could have accessed.I had somehow negotiated our temporary freedom - twenty-four hours to "consider their generous terms" - but we both knew it was merely a reprieve. Callister's fifty soldiers hadn't been there for negotiation. They had been there to intimidate us into submission, and if we returned tomorrow without Sena in chains, they would likely take her by force."Another few hours if we maintain this pace," I replied, studying her face in t

Kael's POV"Let me help her," the green-eyed woman said, stepping forward with concern.I carried Sena into the hut, surprised by how clean and well-kept it was inside. The elderly woman quickly prepared a bed near the fireplace while the green-eyed woman gathered clothes and water."Here, lay her down carefully," the older woman said, smoothing blankets over a narrow cot.I settled Sena gently, worried by how still she remained. Her face was pale, and she felt too warm against my hands."She has a fever," I said."That's normal when someone is this worn out," the green-eyed woman replied, checking Sena's pulse. "May I?"I nodded reluctantly. She began cooling Sena's face with damp cloths while the man started something at a small stove in the corner."Has she been sick like this before?" she asked."Yes, some days ago. She's been nauseous.""Early pregnancy can be hard. Her body is working ext

"Our solution is to give you information you need to make an informed choice. Right now, you only know what Callister has told you. You don't know who's really behind these accusations or why they want you gone."I stood up again, this time steadier on my feet. "I want to see Kael.""That's not possible yet.""Then I want to leave.""Also not possible."I walked to the door and tried the handle. It didn't budge."You're holding us against our will," I said flatly."Temporarily, yes.""That's kidnapping.""Call it what you want. We're trying to save your lives."I turned to face her, anger overriding my fear. "By doing exactly what you claim our enemies are doing - taking away our choices and forcing us to comply with your demands."She had the grace to look uncomfortable. "I know how this looks.""It looks like you're no different from Callister and his Alliance.""We

The blue flame flickered and went out entirely, plunging us into darkness.In the sudden blackness, I heard Vera whisper, "They're here."Before I could ask who, the door exploded inward with a thunderous crash. Dark figures poured through the opening, their faces hidden behind masks, weapons gleaming in the faint moonlight that streamed through the small window."Run!" Vera screamed, fire erupting from her hands to illuminate the chaos. "Sena, run now!"I scrambled backward as the stone chamber erupted into violence. Vera's flames lit up the attackers - at least six of them, moving with deadly precision. These weren't common bandits. They moved like trained assassins.Thomas appeared in the doorway, his sword already bloodied. "The back passage!" he shouted to me. "Through the corridor behind you!"I spun around, seeing a narrow opening in the wall I hadn't noticed before. But as I stumbled toward it, more attackers burst throug

Sena's POV"We need to go back," Kael told me as we made our way through the forest. "To where the attack happened.""Why?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer."I need to find spare clothes - mine were destroyed when I transformed. And we need to make sure there's no evidence that could lead our enemies to us."The thought of returning to that place of horror made my stomach clench, but I understood the necessity. We couldn't leave traces that might be used against us.The journey back felt like walking into a nightmare. I could see the path of our desperate flight the night before - broken branches, disturbed earth, drops of blood on fallen leaves. Each step brought back memories of terror and death.When we finally reached the clearing where the underground chambers were hidden, I had to press my hand over my mouth to keep from being sick again.Bodies lay scattered around the entrance, some still wearing the masks t