Chapter 15

    I do not know how long I stayed kneeling at her bedside. I must have fallen asleep at some point because when I woke, I was back in my chambers.

I looked out my window to find that it was almost day. I took in a deep breath trying to dispel the gnawing hurt I felt in my heart. 

It occurred to me that I did not know of Ally's condition. I had failed to ask the physician and I was carried away before I had the chance to. 

I had no way of knowing if she was getting better or worse.

Worse, I did not know who took me off her bed and into my chambers. I hoped it was not done by Father's orders. Or Mother's orders. I was not ready to explain myself to them just yet.

My stomach grumbled, telling me how famished I was. My immediate instinct was to ignore it but I could not. The hunger made me weak and dizzy and soon I couldn't think of much except food and Ally.

There was a knock on the door.

    "May I come in, my Lord?" Savi said.

    "You may." I said weakly.

Savi walked in. 

    "How do you feel, my Lord."

    "I am famished, Savi. Get me some food." I ordered.

    "My Lord, the King requests your presence at the dinner table this morning. I am afraid I can not bring food into your chambers now as it is close to dinnertime and for that, I apologize." He said with a bow

I rubbed my brow.

    "Then get me dressed Savi. I have little strength." 

    "As you wish, my Lord."

Savi did as he was told in the quick timely fashion I knew too well, yet for he was not fast enough. By the time I arrived at the dinner table, I felt I could eat a horse.

Mother seemed pleased to see me on my feet. So did Marla and Derrick. They must have been waiting for me because their meals had not been touched.

I bowed slightly before I sat down.

    "How are you son?" Mother asked me.

    "Famished." I said lightly.

Mother chuckled whilst Derrick laughed at my response.

    "Then let us not keep you waiting. We shall say a prayer to the Moon Goddess."

Mother said the prayer as we were accustomed.

Our meal for the morning was potatoes, steak and a side of fruits and vegetables. The moment she was done with the prayer, I began to eat.

    "How is the rogue?" Father asked me as I ate.

I put down my fork slowly as I wondered why he would ask me. Or perhaps, he had me carried out.

I glanced at Derrick briefly. He looked like he was hiding something, mischievous as usual.

    "I do not know. I did not speak to the physician about her health." I said.

    "You did not? I find that strange considering how concerned you were about her." Mother said.

    "And you did go to her bedside yesterday." Father added.

Mother looked surprised at his words. A small smile crossed her lips.

I said nothing but continued to eat. 

    "And how about you son? How do you feel today?" Mother asked.

    "I am well Mother." I said with a kind smile.

Mother looked pleased.

    "Then you shall continue your duties as a prince. I believe you have to train for the archery contest." Father said.

The thought of the gruesome training sunk my heart. I did not want to do that. If I wanted to do anything at all, it would be to be beside my mate.

    "As you wish, Father." I said.

Father nodded in approval.

The meal ended soon after. With Savi by my side, I unhappily got dressed for the training.

I had decided to have the training session earlier than usual because I believed it would give me more time to be with my mate later in the day.

But I was sorely mistaken. Father must have known of my plan somehow because he kept me busy till the sun set. 

After training was dance classes. After that was swordsmanship lessons. And after that was etiquette lessons. That was the most unnecessary one of them all.

Even worse was I could not leave because Father made sure to never leave my side. 

When the day came to an end, I was completely exhausted and wanting rest more than anything else. Father, on the other hand, seemed pleased with himself.

    "May I get you anything, my Lord?" Savi asked when we were in my chambers.

I sighed and looked out the window into the dark night. I shook my head.

    "Just take me to my mate." I said.

    "As you wish my Lord." Savi said.

We walked together to the infirmary. On the way, my thoughts were almost blank and my movement almost lifeless. I blamed the fatigue. 

It was the thought of Ally that gave me strength. All I wanted was to see her. 

I walked into her room with Savi behind me.

    "She looks better." Savi said.

A smile broke on my face as my eyes teared up. She did look better. Her skin was healing and I no longer saw the bruises I had seen the night before.

    "Do you wish I leave you alone, my Lord?" Savi asked me.

Unable to speak, I simply nodded. Savi bowed and left us alone.

I took a deep breath and wiped my tears.

    "Savi said it before I could but you look better today." I said to her, taking a step closer to her. 

I held her hand softly. It pleased me to feel her pulse stronger this time. She was not as frail as she was. And certainly not as cold.

    "I am happy. I am happy because of you." I said slowly.

I did not know what to say. I was so overwhelmed with relief and happiness that I could not think of what to say.

And I was tired. I yawned.

    "Father tried to take me away from you today." I said with a little laugh. 

I leaned close to her, so close I could feel her breaths on me. They were slow and steady.

    "But no one can do that. I made a promise to you. I will never fail to see you." 

My eyes fell on her lips and instantly, I felt a sweet pull to them. I smiled to myself.

I wanted them. I wanted them on mine but I would wait. Wait until she wakes.

    "I think Father knows about us. But you do not even know about us yourself."

I slowly sat up.

    "You do not know what you mean to me. And that tears my heart. You are my mate and you do not know it."

I sighed and made myself content with playing with her fingers as my mind wandered about.

What a fine predicament I had fallen into. My own mate did not love me and I had been given the curse of wooing her. 

How fortunate of me.

I looked at her and my heart melted. I loved her.

    "How do I make you love me?" I asked, my mind distant.

I became alert when I heard my Father's voice in the infirmary. I had to leave before he saw me.

As I sat up, I felt her finger move and I froze momentarily.

I do not know when I moved but before I knew it, my hands were in her hair and my face was once again close to hers. 

    "Ally?" I whispered, waiting eagerly for her eyes to open.

I could hear my Father's footsteps nearing me. I could not let him see me in this position. 

At the same time, I wanted to be the first face she saw.

    "Ally?" I whispered, holding her close.