Chapter 13 - Awaken

    "You Highness, the prince awakens." The royal physician announced.

I slowly opened my eyes. Mother was beside my bed, my hand in hers. She held it tightly.

    "How do you feel son?" She asked me.

I tried to speak but my voice failed me. Instead, I nodded. She smiled at me and held my head close to her chest.

I closed my eyes, feeling safe in her embrace when suddenly memories of that night came rushing back.

I jolted, trying to get to my feet. I had to see my mate and Marla!

Were they alive? Are they hurt?

Mother held me back down softly and firmly. She did not need to, my strength had waned and my eyes were heavy.

    "Rest son. Marla is safe. She had but a bruise and she is recovering nicely." She said to me.

That news soothed me but I still worried about my mate. Her wounds were deathly.

    "The rogue?" I mumbled, my words sounding drowsy.

Mother just rubbed my hair.

    "Rest son. We shall talk abouth that when you wake." She said instead.

She sat by my side and began to sing to me as I drifted off to sleep. 

My dreams were black. I saw nothing, or heard nothing. The time I did see something, I saw my mate.

She stood before me, her tattered white gown stained with blood and her eyes with no emotions. She would not speak and I did not know what to say to her.

She would only look at me and just when it seemed like she would speak, she would disappear..

I stirred awake once more. This time, by my side  was Derrick.

He looked worried and restless. When he noticed my eyes open, he stood up.

    "How do you feel brother?" Prince Derrick asked me.

I began to sit up when Savi rushed to my side to help me.

    "I will live." I said to Derrick.

He smiled half-heartedly.

    "You have no choice." He joked. He laughed while I only smiled.

    "What happened?" I asked him.

He took in a deep breath and sat before he spoke.

    "Father received the news of the return of the soldiers. He desired to share the news with you but he could not find you. A servant told him you had left. He was not pleased."

He paused.

    "He ordered we all leave. When we arrived, the guards were nowhere to be found. We found you, Marla and the rogue unconscious and wounded. That was two nights ago."

    "How is Marla?"

He smiled a little.

    "She is recovering. The physician believes she lost consciousness from shock. She is fine."

I nodded. At least she was fine. I wanted to ask about Ally, but I was unsure of how to do so without giving my feelings away.

I lowered my gaze.

    "You suffered some injuries that would have been minor, but there seems to have been poison on the weapon used on you. It nearly took your life." He said

I looked at him and noticed there were tears 

in his eyes. He turned his head away and tried to laugh it off.

    "It is strange how one night nearly took the life of the two people I care about the most." He said softly.

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

    "I am still here. And so is Marla. It is going to take more than that to take us away. Do not grieve what you have not lost brother."

He chuckled.

    "Your words are true. I am glad you are 

alive and healing wonderfully."

He wiped his eyes and took in a deep breath.

    "What happened to the rogue?"

    "She is... She suffered great wounds. I am unsure of how she is faring but I hope she does not lose her life. Marla tells me she saved her life and for that, she must be rewarded."

Derrick continued to speak but I was not listening.

All I could think of was how my mate was dying and I was just laying here. I knew she had serious wounds. Maybe if I had tried to do something that night instead of falling asleep, she would be better.

What kind of a mate was I?

I had to do something. To save her...

Or at least be by her side. Just once. 

    "What is wrong with her?" I asked Derrick.

    "The rogue?"

I nodded.

    "I am unsure. You worry about her?"

My look at my brother must have been harsh because he apologized soon after.

    "I am sorry if that upsets you. I did not know you though of her affectionately."

    "She saved my life Derrick. As you said earlier, we must reward her. We can not do that if she is dead."

    "We could give her a befitting burial." Prince Derrick suggested and I ignored him even though that angered me and saddened me.

I sighed.

    "Can you take me to her?" I asked him.

    "I can not do that. Mother ordered that you remain in bed until you fully recover. As we speak, there are guards outside the doors to ensure you do not leave."

I groaned.

    "If it makes you feel better, I can go see how she is and let you know." Prince Derrick offered.

    "Thank you. I appreciate that."

    "It is the least I can do. I will be back soon." He said with a mischievous wink.

I shook my head with a smile. After he left, I relaxed in my bed. 

    "How do you feel, my Lord?" Savi asked me.

    "I do not know."

Physically, I barely felt any pain except in my arm and my head. But it was nothing a good night rest could not fix.

    "Is it because of the rogue?"

I sighed.

    "How is she?"

Savi took a step forward.

    "She was heavily injured. Like you, she was poisoned and that has slowed down her healing. With her already poor health, it is not certain if she would recover or not."

I lowered my head as tears pricked my eyes. I balled my fist, feeling helpless.

I wanted to help her but I did not know what I could do to help her.

    "What is Father's attitude towards her recovery?"

Savi hesitated.

    "The King is torn in his desire. He feels she has embarrassed you by saving your life according to the account given by Princess Marla and so he is not too keen about her recovery. He believes should she live, she would be a constant reminder that you were weak."

I scoffed, the lump in my throat getting heavier.

    "So he wants to watch her die?!"

    "Not exactly, my Lord. He acknowledges that she saved not only your life but the integrity of the kingdom and so he must reward her."

Hearing him speak about Father's thoughts infuriated me.

I pushed the covers off my body and began to stand. Savi came to my side.

    "Where do you wish to go, my Lord?"

    "To my mate."

    "My Lord, per the Queen's orders you will not be allowed to do that."

    "Fine! Then take me to Father!" 

Just then the doors opened.

    "You mother said you had awakened but I did not expect to see you on your feet." King Breaven said as he walked in.

I looked up at him with suddenly no thought on my mind.

    "Savi, excuse us." King Breaven ordered.

Savi bowed.

    "As you wish, your Highness." 

Savi walked out. Father walked closer to me.

    "Tell me, what is all this fuss about the rogue?"