Chapter 16

Kaelion rose swiftly, his steps purposeful as he headed for the cave entrance. The storm had lessened, though snow still blanketed the world in an icy hush. Finding a small patch near the cave, he knelt down and carefully replanted the flower, packing fresh snow tightly around its base. The frost clung stubbornly to the roots, shimmering like tiny diamonds.

 Satisfied that it would remain viable, he returned to the warmth of the cave. His eyes immediately sought Rhaine, who still slept peacefully by the fire. Her face, partially hidden by the veil, remained a mystery that tugged at him in ways he couldn't explain.

 Kaelion's gaze lingered longer than it should have, his resolve wavering. There was something maddeningly graceful about the veil, as though it guarded a truth too precious to be easily revealed.

 With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes, willing himself to focus on their next steps. But her image lingered in his mind, tempting and elusive. Rhaine, he thought, you've already claimed a part of me I never meant to give.

The fire crackled gently, its golden warmth barely enough to ward off the chill that clung to the cave walls. Rhaine lay in a fitful sleep, her dark skin flushed faintly from fever, contrasting against the pale cloaks wrapped around her. Kaelion watched over her, worry etched deeply on his face. Days had passed, and the storm still raged beyond the cave. Food was scarce, and water had to be painstakingly thawed from the near-frozen stream he'd found.

 Each time he brought water to her lips, he closed his eyes, willing her to respond. Her breaths were shallow, her lips barely parting as he fed her what little liquid he could. Every moment felt like a delicate balance between hope and despair.

 Then, on the third day, a soft cough broke the eerie silence.

 Kaelion's eyes snapped open. "Rhaine?"

 She coughed again, her body trembling from the effort. He was by her side in an instant, lifting her slightly. "Here, drink this," Kaelion said, bringing the warmed water to her lips. His hand was steady as he helped her sip, his eyes searching her face for any sign of discomfort.

Rhaine's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

"It's okay," he replied softly, his gaze unintentionally lingering on her longer than it should. She noticed and frowned slightly, her hand instinctively reaching for her veil.. The realization dawned on her. "You didn't—" she began.

"If you're worried that I looked while you were unconscious, don't be," he interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "I respect you too much for that."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Thank you," she murmured, shifting her gaze to the snowstorm outside. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Three days," Kaelion admitted.

"Three days?" she gasped, alarm flashing in her eyes. "Then—wait, what happened to the flower?"

"It's safe," he assured her. "I planted it outside in the snow where it'll stay viable."

Her tension eased, only to be interrupted by the loud growl of her stomach. Kaelion couldn't help but chuckle, the sound deep and rich. "I found some berries outside. Eat up. It's not much, but when we get back, I'll have the servants make you as much as you want."

Rhaine smiled faintly. "Thank you. This is enough. Really."

Her gaze drifted back to the storm. "When will this snowstorm end? The king needs the antidote urgently," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "Perhaps we could still ride through the storm—"

Kaelion's expression darkened. "It seems like being buried in the snow half-dead didn't teach you a lesson," he said sternly.

"I just think now that we have the flower, it won't be that bad—"

Before she could finish, a dark chuckle rumbled from Kaelion's chest. He stood abruptly, his powerful frame towering over her. Rhaine's heart skipped a beat as he closed the distance between them with purposeful strides. Only then did she notice how little he was wearing—both cloaks were still wrapped around her.

Her breath hitched as he knelt before her, his hand moving with lightning speed to cup her chin, tilting her face so she had no choice but to meet his intense gaze.

 "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling, her heart racing wildly.

"Do you even have a heart?" he asked, his voice low and raw.

"W-What?" she stammered.

"Do you know how long it took to find you buried in that snow pile? Hours, Rhaine. Hours of not hearing your voice, thinking something terrible had happened to you." His grip softened, but his eyes remained fierce.

Her breath caught as realization dawned. "Hours…" she whispered. Panic flickered in her chest. I haven't taken my elixir. It's been four days. That explained the strange warmth in her chest, the fluttering in her stomach, the way her body seemed to betray her every time he was near.

Whatever the reason, she couldn't let these emotions take over. She had responsibilities, a duty that left no room for distractions.

"Kaelion, why does it matter to you?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Because I care about you," he admitted, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Her breath hitched, and no words came out.

"When I saw you on the battlefield for the first time, I felt something I've never felt before. No woman has ever made me feel this way," he admitted, his voice raw with emotion. "When I thought you might have died, it was as if my world ended right there. I don't know if I love you…" He paused, his gaze softening. "But I'm certain that I adore you."

His confession hung in the air, heavy and unspoken.

Rhaine's heart twisted painfully at his words. He adores me... No, this cannot happen.

"Well, thank you for liking me but---," she said awkwardly, trying to suppress the turmoil inside her. "But I can't be the woman you want. I'm sorry. Please... don't like me anymore." Her voice faltered as she looked away. Her stomach was starting to cramp a little.

The next day, her cramps worsened, leaving her doubled over in pain. Kaelion's worry deepened as she vomited, a hint of blood staining the snow outside the cave.

 "Rhaine, what's wrong?" he demanded, his voice tight with fear.

 She shook her head, weakly holding back another wave of nausea. "My veil..." she started, gasping for breath.

 "Does it matter when you're this ill?" Kaelion asked urgently.

 "Yes," she said fiercely, her gaze locking with his. "I don't want to be disgraced." Her voice trembled before her strength gave out, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.

 Kaelion caught her just before she hit the ground, his heart thundering in his chest. The winds outside had lessened, but the snow still blanketed the landscape. His jaw clenched with resolve.

 We're getting out of here.