Chapter 16

"What are you doing here?" Father asked.

I looked at him, my face calm. He met me standing on my feet, away from Ally. My arms were crossed before my chest.

"I am checking up on the rogue." I said.

Father made a sound.

"The night is deep. You should rest. Your presence here is not necessary." Father said.

I caught what he did not say but meant.

I took a step closer to Ally and spent a minute admiring her peaceful appearance.

"I am aware. I simply desired to know how she fared. It has been a week and I think it is right that I see her again."

Father said nothing and walked to me.

"The rogue is getting better. Let that calm you. Now leave. I want to have the night alone with the rogue." Father said.

His words instilled suspicion and cautious fear in me.

Why did he want to be alone with her? What business did he have with the rogue?

Or perhaps he wanted her dead?

"Do you want to end her life with the night?" I asked him.

Father chuckled.

"Fear not son. I will not harm your savior. Go now."

"Yes Father." I said with a slight bow.

I hesitated for a moment to take in all I could of her. I hoped it would be enough to keep me through the night.

I said a prayer to the Moon Goddess to protect my mate from my father.

I walked out.

Father had his men outside who made sure I left the Royal Clinic and went straight to my chambers. That made me even more afraid for my mate. I began to pace around.

Father had said he would not hurt her and Father does not go against his words but...

I could not trust him.

He disliked her. And it was no fault of hers. It was not her fault she was made a rogue.

It was not her fault that she saved me in my moment of weakness.

Oh Moon Goddess, soften his heart.

"My Lord." Savi said.

I turned to him. He had a kind smile on.

"Rest easy Crown Prince. King Breaven does not hope to hurt your mate." He said.

"Why do you say so? What knowledge do you have that I do not?" I asked him.

"Before he encountered you, King Breaven spoke to the physicist. The King merely wants to monitor her health. He also believes you see the rogue in a special light as it is unlike you."

I sighed, relieved that she was safe. I sat on the bed slowly.

"My Lord, I advise you to tell the King of the bond you and the rogue share. He would treat her better if you did." Savi said earnestly.

I bit my lip, thinking of the future of that action.

"I fear he would request I reject her." I said after a while.

"My Lord, he has no reason to. Your mate has been proven innocent. She is trustworthy." Savis reasoned.

"But she is a rogue Savi. A rogue for Luna might be hard to accept."

"My Lord, do you have plans of telling your parents of this bond?"

I thought of it.

"I wish to be alone. Goodnight." I said instead.

Savi bowed.

"Sleep well, Crown Prince."

I laid back on my bed after he had left and thought of his words. He was right. I have to tell Mother and Father soon.

But I feared their response.

She was a rogue...

I turned to my side and yawned. My eyes felt heavy.

Perhaps I will tell them sometime in the future. When the time is right. Or when Ally accepts me as her mate.

But until then, I will keep this a secret.

I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, it was day. I smiled at the birds singing in the morning skies.

Could Ally hear them? Had she woken up?

She looked better yesterday, so she must be awake today.

I nearly jumped out of bed at the thought.

There was a knock at my door.

"Come in Savi. Hurry." I said, my voice light.

Savi walked in, his face marked with pleasant surprise.

"My Lord, did you have a pleasant sleep? You are in high spirits today." Savi remarked.

"Of course I am Savi. My mate might be awake!" I said, hurriedly undressing myself.

"But My Lord, it is almost time for breakfast."

"I do not care about that Savi." I said with a laugh.

Savi simply chuckled and helped me. He drew me a bath and helped me get dressed after I had taken my bath.

Quickly, I made my way to the Royal Clinic. I could not keep my smile off my face . I was excited to see her.

The Physician was not available when I arrived but I did not mind. I knew where to find her anyways. I pulled the curtains aside and immediately my spirits fell.

Her bed was empty.

"Ally?" I called to no one.

I turned to Savi, concern in my eyes.

"Where is she, Savi?!"

Savi looked as confused as I was.

"My Lord, I-I"

"Where is she?! Tell me right now!" I exclaimed, holding him by his breeches and shaking him.

Before he could answer, a helper in the Clinic walked up to me. He bowed slightly.

"My Lord, do you search for the rogue?" He asked.

"Yes. Where is she?" I asked.

"I do not know. King Breaven had her moved at night yesterday." He said.

"Where did he take her?!"

"I do not know my Lord." The help said, cowering before me.

I called my fist in anger.

That snake!

"Did you not tell me he meant well?!" I questioned Savi who had suddenly turned mute.

"If anything happens to the rogue, I will end your life."

"Yes, my Lord."

I walked past the help and began to make my way to Father's chambers through the halls. I did not know what I would say or do to him if I met him but I did not care.

He touched my mate. And who knows what else! He deserved whatever I would do.

"The King might be having dinner at this time, My Lord." Savi said meekly.

I immediately changed my direction. This time, I headed to the dining hall. I could feel my anger spewing out of me.

The maids and guards avoided me as I walked. They seemed scared and alarmed by my appearance.

"Father!" I exclaimed, pushing the doors to the dining hall roughly.

"Where is-"

Father looked up at me along with Mother, Derrick, Marla and... And Ally.

My anger fizzled out the minute I saw her, like it was never there.

She smiled a little before averting her gaze.

"And this is why your Father takes you to etiquette classes son. Now you have embarrassed us before our esteemed guest." Mother joked.

Father looked pleased with himself.