When we finally got Alaric into his chambers, I instructed everyone to leave, my voice calm but firm. They obeyed immediately, bowing and exiting without question.
I didn't sit on the bed. Not yet. Instead, I asked a maid to fetch a chair, and I positioned it right next to him, sitting so I could take his hand in mine. The warmth of his skin seeped into me, and I felt a flicker of relief. Only moments ago, he had been as cold as ice, drained and pale, but now, slowly, life was returning to him.
I pressed his hand to my forehead, feeling the faint pulse beneath his skin. "You gave us all a scare," I whispered softly, my voice carrying both chiding and concern. "And on the twentieth anniversary of your mother's death, no less. Karma's a cruel one, isn't it?"
He stirred slightly, his fingers tightening around mine. I stayed there through the night, refusing to sleep. Food was brought up to me, though I barely touched it, only taking small bites, my eyes constantly on him. Every time I let go of his hand, I felt like he might vanish — like the warmth might slip from me if I allowed it. And I couldn't bear that thought.
••
I don't really remember when I drifted off, but I woke to the gentle brushing of my hair.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, dust motes dancing lazily in the air. I blinked, disoriented, only to realize I wasn't lying on the chair I'd occupied. I was on a bed — no, on Alaric's chest. My eyes lifted to meet his, and he was smiling down at me, that cocky, infuriating smirk I knew so well.
"Morning, princess," he said, voice low and teasing.
I reacted before I even thought, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his chest. "Oh, goddess, you're alright," I breathed, relief flooding me. "You were out like a candle…" I paused, my voice catching, "…do you know how worried I was? How terrified you made everyone?"
He chuckled softly, and I sat up a little, scowling at him. "Don't laugh, Alaric! It's serious!"
Before I could argue further, he pulled me back down against him. My cheeks flushed hot, my heart racing as his warmth enveloped me. He brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear with a tender touch and spoke again, softer this time. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I… I can't even remember what happened." He exhaled a long, defeated sigh.
"You were poisoned with wolfsbane," I said firmly, my thumb stroking along his cheekbone as I spoke. "Someone poured it in your coffee. I forced the council to leave and bring you here immediately. I still can't believe they listened to me."
He chuckled, that teasing, smug sound that made my stomach flip. "Of course they listened," he said, voice laced with pride. "Because you're the future Queen. And as far as they know, the Princess of the entire werewolf world. Nobody can defy you. Not even the council."
I smiled and leaned closer, pressing my palm against his warm cheek. "I was so worried something far worse could have happened."
I paused, clearing my throat before continuing, my voice firm. "And I've arranged your schedule for this week so you can recover properly. You're staying in this bed until I say otherwise." I rose from the bed, letting him see my resolve.
"Someone's taken real authority in the palace," Alaric murmured, his voice still playful, full of that familiar smugness.
I rolled my eyes and faced him fully. "Like you said," I repeated his own words back to him, my tone firm and teasing in equal measure, "I'm the future Queen, and the current Princess. No one can say otherwise."
With that, I walked toward the bedroom door, ready to get some food and reclaim my own strength. The sunlight caught the strands of my hair as I moved, and I stole a glance back at him. His eyes followed me, warm and watchful, and in that glance, I knew — he wasn't going anywhere, not today, not ever.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt like the weight of the world had lifted just slightly, leaving only the quiet certainty that we were together — and that was enough.