Chapter 42: Chapter 41

“We have Royal Guard Jaxson.”

The link came through, soring relief through him.

“How is he?”

“They’re on their way to the town infirmary.”

Chris’ heart stopped. They didn’t say he was OK… He crammed his feet into shoes before sprinting from his suite. “My Prince!” The two guards stationed outside his front door yelled as he sped past them.

“Town infirmary!” he shouted back, hearing their boots pounding the wooden floor behind him. He didn’t bother with the stairs, vaulting the bannister, he landed with a crashing thud that echoed down hallways. Chris didn’t pause long enough for a few that heard to come see what the noise was. He was out the door, sprinting around the palace, his guards hot on his heels. He hoped they wouldn’t be a feature in his life for long, but didn’t fight their existence for now.

For now being the optimal statement there. He would not tolerate them forever.

He slowed as he passed one of the training grounds, knowing it never looked good for royalty to be sprinting at full speed.

With quick steps, he made it to the town infirmary. “You can wait out here.”

“My Prince we-”

“There will be plenty of guards around. I’m perfectly safe. Ensure no one else comes in to disturb him.”

Chris entered, shutting the door with a quiet snap, surprised to see it empty. Frowning, he went further in. Thinking maybe they left him to rest, there were plenty of curtains pulled hiding the beds from view of the door.

Dust danced within the streams of sunlight piercing through the windows until a shadow caught his attention.

“How are you still wanting him?” a high pitched whine pierced the strange silence. Laura stepped out behind one of the curtains, her flaxen hair falling out of a high ponytail in wild disarray. “I don’t understand!”

“What are you talking about? How are you here? I thought you were in the cells.”

She shrugged as if it were unimportant. “Males will surprisingly do anything with the promise of pleasure. You should know.”

Chris bristled, “I’ve made mistakes. Not acted appropriately but I know my place now.”

“But your place is wrong! It’s against everything we-”

“What’s it to you? Why does it matter?”

“I need a mate!” she yelled.

He glanced to the door, sure the guards would hear her. He didn’t feel in danger, merely confused. “You think this is the way to go about it?” it was the only question he could think of. She seemed somewhat deranged.

“That magic was meant to work!”

“Magic? How do you know about that?” He squinted at her, a squirming discomfort in his stomach.

“I bought a potion. Stupid witch clearly lied.”

“Potion?” he mimicked the word back at her.

“After you had it, the first person who touched you was supposed to be who you fell in love with!”

“When… when did you-?”

“When I found you in the woods! You’re supposed to love me!” she cried. “It was all meant to work the witch was supposed to do her job!”

“It was all you?” The first glimmers of anger radiated in his body, replacing his confusion. He was confused, don’t get him wrong. But the thought of someone… taking advantage like that simmered fury.

“Yes! I thought it would work. It was meant to work! You belong with me! I deserve to be a royal!”

“Clearly it was useless. Hope you can get your money back from the cells.”

He raised his hand to click but she spoke.

“Wait! I’m sorry. I just… I really wanted to be a royal. Your brother and I had a thing but then that bitch turned up. Then I saw you at the party… I thought it was my second chance. You are that chance.” Her eyes pleading, her tone of sheer conviction.

“Your thoughts are ridiculous. You’re clearly not meant to be a royal. No royal would behave the way you have.”

“Please. We’d be happy together!” She misguidedly approached, setting her hand on his chest.

He wanted to push her away, but chose to step back as if she burnt him. “As happy as if I spent the rest of my life in Blackwood’s cells,” he snarled. “You are clearly a despicable individual. Luckily you suck at manipulating me.”

A tear skated down her cheek. “Why are you being so nasty?”

“You forced goddess knows what down my throat! You found me in the woods after I had been kidnapped and poisoned! Instead of helping, you thought giving me some fake love potion was a good idea! And then you expect kindness from me!” His heart pounded in his chest, part of him wanted to back away. Leave. He’d said enough. The other part wanted her harm. That was a part he buried regularly, one he never wanted to admit. He knew he never would… was always just something that flittered in his mind. Like a what if.

“Guards,” he barked. The door opened instantly, slamming against the wall. “Take her to the cells. Ensure she is not released. Notify my brother she has admitted to causing harm to the royal family. She organised it all.” His hard glare was fixed on the blonde who shook her head.

“N-no… you were going to let me walk away.” Her eyes filled with tears before spilling.

“Why would I do that?” He jerked his head to her and his two guards instantly flanked her.

“Town guards are on their way,” one of them stated.

“Jaxson… where’s Jaxson?” Chris asked suddenly, remembering why he was there in the first place

“You’ll never find him!” she screeched.

“Who linked me?” He instantly tried to find that channel, trying to remember the feeling but he couldn’t, he’d been too preoccupied with the information.

“You’ll never know.” She smirked through her tears.

“Jaxson is in the palace infirmary, you’ve been cleared to visit.” Jesse’s voice flooded his mind in the link.

Without a word, Chris turned on his heel and ran. “MY PRINCE!”

He ignored the bellows behind him, going back the way he came until he skidded to a stop outside the infirmary. If he weren’t in here now Chris would… well he wasn’t sure. Maybe start tearing the Kingdom apart until he was safely in his arms.