Chapter 65
Chapter
Sixty-Five
“It is an unusual injury. But I believe he will be all right,” Grand Healer Eveline said softly.
Gerard and his siblings exhaled. Juniper squeezed Senta’s shoulder.
“I concur.” Healer Doran, King Alaric’s personal healer, stepped forward. “He has already improved greatly in the short time since he arrived. If he continues in this manner, I have no doubt that King Alaric will recover completely.”
My father is okay. The kingdom is secure.
Gerard did not want to ponder what would have happened if his father had died tonight. The loss of his father would have no doubt taken a huge emotional toll on Gerard.
But their father was also the king. The impact of losing him on Draconia would be immense.
And if he died, Konrad would become ruler.
History had taught Gerard that such a transition of power could be tumultuous.
Plus, the dragon king dying during the peace assembly would create further complications.
But he is alive. That is one problem we do not need to deal with.
And they currently had more than enough problems that needed dealing with. The grand healer and Healer Doran stood by their father’s bedside. Although, the bed was only newly assigned to King Alaric.
The original quarters provided for the royal family of Draconia were in the process of being examined and the dead bodies of the guards removed. As a result, their family had been placed in new quarters.
They had Draconian guards on duty. And when the grand shield had told Gerard, “My warrior monks will be at your disposal,” Gerard had agreed and thanked her, less resistant than he had been previously to accept her help. After all, his own guards had failed to protect his family.
The king coughed. “It was those three,” he rasped. “The three of them. Black masks.” He gestured to his face. He coughed again and tried to sit up. He cleared his throat. “I saw them … They cast their spell and …” A fit of coughs racked his body, robbing him of speech.
“There will be time to talk later.” The grand healer poured tea and held it to the king’s lips. “What is important now is that you rest.”
The king sipped and lay down.
“Yes. Rest will help you recover, Your Majesty.” Then Healer Doran glanced meaningfully at Gerard and the others and gestured to the door.
The healers walked out of the room. The siblings and Juniper followed.
When they left, the grand healer shut the door. “I know you have questions. But he needs sleep for now.”
Healer Doran lifted his chin. “And do not fret, as the king’s personal healer, I will remain by his side and watch over your father as he sleeps.”
“I will join you,” the grand healer said.
Healer Doran sniffed, clearly disliking sharing the care of the king with anyone. But he did not refute Grand Healer Eveline’s words.
“We will inform you immediately if any changes occur,” the grand healer said.
Gerard and the others said their thank yous. Then they wandered down the corridor without speaking a word to one another. They filed into a sitting room. The weight of the day’s events hung like a thick fog over them. Luther poured wine into goblets and handed them out.
Konrad leaned forward in his chair, face drawn. “He is alive. That is what matters. That is what is most important.”
The silence stretched. Gerard glanced towards one of the doorways leading out of the sitting room.
Where is Elias now?
Gerard had last seen his husband in the courtyard, speaking with the grand monk, the grand shield, and several others. For half a second, he’d considered calling out to Elias and asking him to come along. But it looked like the grand monk had need of him.
Was Elias okay? Had he seen a healer? A healer had treated Gerard whilst Healer Doran and the grand healer attended his father. He hoped a healer had seen to Elias as well.
Gerard did not know where he and Elias stood. Their last conversation before they’d been captured had been harsh.
“You’re a liar, Elias! That’s all you are. A fucking lie! How do I believe a single treacherous word from your mouth ever again?”
He rubbed his eye. Since then, they’d fought together. They’d had to.
But how could Gerard let go of that which he’d learnt? Because even though they’d managed to defeat their enemy, it did not change the fact that Elias had lied to him. Gerard could understand lying about being an archmage. He’d done that for his kingdom.
But do I even know him?
Gerard swirled his red wine.
Vile. Repulsive. Dragon wretch.
He closed his eyes. Elias had said those words. He’d confessed to saying them. None of that had anything to do with Elias being an elite lightning sorcerer.
Gerard had thought Elias cared for him. Found him desirable even. He’d not believed it at first, of course. How could he? But Elias had been so convincing. Had it really all been a lie?
Perhaps Elias had found it amusing to dupe the dragon warrior.
Maybe Gerard shouldn’t want to see Elias. No doubt the lightning prince would speak his beautiful lies. Gerard didn’t know how to defend himself against that. Because Gerard adored Elias. He cared for him more than he wanted to admit. Even after everything, he still cared for Elias.
And Gerard had now seen Elias in all his true power.
Previously, Gerard had thought he surpassed Elias in battle capabilities and bravery. But now he’d seen the real Elias, fearless and mighty as he vanquished his enemies. He was beautiful in a wonderous and terrifying way.
If not for being completely dishonest, he’d be far above Gerard. Because Elias was strong, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, and brilliant. Gerard took a deep gulp of his wine.
“Fire and fucking flames!” Luther exclaimed. “I still can’t believe Adelina plotted to kill us and Father!”
Konrad groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Honestly, I understand why she was angry,” Senta said. “I wouldn’t tolerate my spouse treating me like Father treated her. Still, murdering your whole stepfamily and your husband is a lot!”
Juniper rubbed Senta’s back.
“And Elias’s stepmother turned on him too. It’s like the plotting of the stepmothers!” Luther shook his head.
“Elias’s stepmother despised him and relished hurting him,” Gerard said. “At least our stepmother felt guilty for plotting against us.”
Senta snorted. “Not enough to stop her from trying to kill us!”
“True,” Gerard said.
Juniper cleared her throat. “I just feel that I should point out that not all stepmothers are evil. My stepmother raised me as if I were her own. She didn’t treat me differently from how she treated my stepsiblings.”
Senta patted her on the knee. “Your stepmother is a lovely woman, and I cannot imagine her even doing what ours or Elias’s stepmother has done.”
Konrad leaned forward. “Gerard, go over it all again. Slowly. With as much detail as possible. After all, we’ll have to question Adelina when she arrives.”
Taking a deep breath, Gerard launched into the story, answering all their questions as he drank his wine. Luther refilled his goblet twice.
“So our half-siblings have no idea?” Luther asked.
“None,” Gerard said. “I am certain of that.”
“Good. That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about, at least.” Konrad rested his head against the back of his armchair and closed his eyes.
“I’m not so sure.” Senta rubbed her forehead.
“They might not have been plotting with her. But she is still their mother. And she will be charged with treason. Even if they weren’t traitors before, they might be soon.
Especially because they must have witnessed the poor treatment of their mother at the king’s hands.
They might think her behaviour appropriate. ”
“Fuck!” Luther threw his hands into the air.
A Draconian guard appeared in the door. “Your Highnesses, Prince Elias Storm wishes admittance into these quarters.” The guards had strict instructions to let no one in without first clearing it with Gerard and his siblings.
Gerard’s lungs constricted. “Let him in.”
Senta looked at Gerard. “So it turns out that the lightning prince is not just a pretty face.”
Gerard took another deep gulp of wine, finishing his goblet. “Definitely not.”
“Don’t feel too bad for being fooled by him, Gerard,” Konrad said. “It seems he fooled everyone.”
Unfortunately, that didn’t make Gerard feel any better.
A moment later Elias appeared in the doorway. He startled and glanced around, apparently not having expected to be faced with all of them.
It was clear that Elias had not taken a moment to freshen up. Dark blood matted his skin and tangled white hair. His clothes were dishevelled and dirtied. Fresh bruises stained the pale skin of his face. Bags hung beneath his violet eyes.
Still, Gerard thought him the most beautiful fucking sight he’d ever seen.