Chapter 49

ZAR

There’s a rustle, a gasp of breath.

Someone’s running through the forest, branches scratching at him as he goes. He stumbles, falls face-first into the dirt.

He curses under his breath, a groan escaping as he feels the wound on his lower abdomen bleed. He takes a deep breath and pushes himself up, running again. The voices behind him are getting louder.

He glances back, the bastards are closer than he thought. He reaches a clearing, looking for a place to hide.

He sees people in the distance and runs the other way. He’s begging for help, but his vision is starting to blur.

His breath comes in ragged gasps, his hand gripping a branch, making noise, alerting his pursuers. He gathers all his strength and runs again. This is his last shot.

He takes a turn, collides with a fallen log, and falls. He groans in pain, tries to get up, but his body gives out.

Then he hears a rustle right in front of him. He lifts his head, smiles at the person standing there, and whispers, “Help me,” before everything goes black.

VALKYRIE

The trail is lined with trees and vines. I see couples laughing and eating, and I can’t help but smile.

I walk further in, reaching a clearing with a beautiful lake. The water is so clear I can see the fish swimming.

I kneel by the water, giggling at the sight. I’m hungry, and I still have twenty minutes before I need to leave.

I find a perfect spot under a tree and sit down. It’s peaceful, exactly what I need.

I take a sip of water, but my mind is still a mess. I need to figure out what to do. My behavior is affecting those around me.

As I’m lost in thought, I hear a noise behind some trees. I see a shadow pass by. I stand up, curiosity getting the better of me.

I pull out a dagger, hiding it behind my back, and head towards the noise. I take a turn and hear a thud, followed by a groan.

I hide behind a tree and see a man groaning in pain. He looks pale, hurt. My instincts kick in, and I approach him. I hear voices in the distance, getting closer.

“Help me…,” he whispers before passing out. I look down at him, frowning. I don’t know who he is, but he’s hurt.

“Whatever,” I mumble, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “Help me, please,” I say, struggling to lift his heavy body.

I carry him away from the lake, back towards the outer gates. He’s about the same size as Damian, and he’s heavier than he looks. I pull him along, using the strength I’ve learned from Jordan and Leo.

I find a spot to lay him down. I look around, but no one seems to be following us.

I check his pulse. He’s still breathing. I look over his body and see a large cut on his lower abdomen. Blood is pouring out.

I quickly rip my dress and bind his wound. I pray Damian gets back soon.

I give him one last look before I hear Damian calling me.

“Here!” I yell, waving my hand frantically.

Damian runs up, looking worried.

“What’s this and who…,” Damian starts to ask, but then stops. “Zar?” he whispers.

“You know him?” I ask, confused.

“Where did you find him?” Damian snaps.

“He was running from some men. I was by the lake when he showed up, wounded,” I explain. Damian growls.

“Let’s leave him,” Damian says, grabbing my arm and trying to pull me away.

“NO!” I yell, running back to Zar. “I’m not leaving him, Damian!”

“Valkyrie! Don’t test my patience today!” Damian growls.

“Give me a reason!” I plead. “If you can give me a good reason, I’ll listen. But if you can’t, we’re not leaving him!”

“Damn it, Valkyrie!” Damian says, running his hand through his hair. “He’s the son of King Gabriel. Our enemy!” Damian grits his teeth. “Now, come here!”

I look at Damian, then back at the man on the ground. Something tells me I can’t leave him.

“Val…Ky…Rie!” Damian growls, his voice dangerous.

“No! I’m sorry, but we’re taking him with us,” I say. “That’s an order.”

Damian frowns, his lips pressed into a thin line.

He turns away from me and undresses. I sigh in relief and stroke the man’s face.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” I whisper as I hear Damian’s wings flap.

~“Get on!”~ Damian growls in my mind.

I climb onto his back, securing the man’s body before we take off.

***

We arrive back at the palace. I can hear Dimitri’s growl from afar. I brace myself for his anger.

I lay the man down, his head in my lap. Damian turns back into his human form and glares at me.

“Where is he?” Dimitri asks, his footsteps echoing in the cave. “Care to explain?”

“What?” I ask, “I saved him, okay! We can argue later. I need Michael now!”

“Valkyrie!” Dimitri’s voice cuts through the air, sharp as a knife. All eyes swivel to me, their gazes heavy with judgment. I’ve defied him again. “Do you even know who this man is?”

“No, and I don’t care. I couldn’t just let him die,” I shoot back.

“How many times will you disobey me?” Dimitri’s voice is a low growl.

I close my eyes, clenching my jaw. A dull headache is starting to pound at my temples, making it hard to focus on his words.

“I asked you a question!” Dimitri’s hand clamps down on my arm.

“I’M THE QUEEN HERE! LIKE IT OR NOT, I HAVE A SAY IN ALL OF THIS!” My voice echoes through the room. Everyone stares at me, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief. I wrench my arm from Dimitri’s grip. “If you don’t like it, then leave!”

Dimitri’s face twists with hurt, then hardens into anger. He turns his back to me. I shift my attention back to the injured man. I ask Leo to fetch Michael, but before he can even move, Michael rushes up to us.

“What happened?” Michael kneels beside the man, his brow furrowed. “Zar?”

“You know him?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes… Let’s take him to my room, and I’ll explain,” Michael says, motioning for Leo to help him.

As I start to follow them, a hand grabs my arm. “I’m coming with you,” Damian insists.

I nod at him, then trail after Leo and Michael.

“He’s lucky you found him. His wound is deep,” Michael says, wiping his hands clean.

Zar lies pale and still on the bed, his body wracked with fever. He’s clearly in pain.

“Then do something,” I demand, and Michael frowns at me.

“No, I won’t,” he snaps back. “I’m not using magic on him.”

“I’m not asking you. I’m ordering you,” I say, crossing my arms. Michael glances at Damian, who pointedly ignores him. Michael sighs.

He sits next to Zar and begins to work his magic. But there’s a troubled look on his face.

“Is something wrong?” I ask. Michael shakes his head.

“I can’t!” he mutters, standing abruptly.

“What do you mean?” Leo asks, confused.

“He’s been poisoned. It’s dangerous to try to heal him,” Michael explains, sighing heavily. “It could be dangerous for me as a healer. I don’t know what type of poison it is, but it’s potent.”

“Then let me,” I say, moving toward the bed.

“What? No!” Damian protests. “What if something happens to you?”

“Nothing will happen,” I assure him, squeezing his hand and giving him a reassuring smile. Damian looks torn. Michael just sighs and leaves to fetch some medicine.

I sit next to Zar, taking his cold hand in mine. His fever is high, and I can’t help but worry: maybe we can’t save him.

I take a deep breath, relaxing my body and clearing my mind. I focus on Zar, whispering the healing words.

Warmth flows from my hands into Zar.

After about ten minutes, I open my eyes. A wave of nausea hits me, and I rush to the bathroom to throw up. I feel sick.

Michael rushes in to help me. Sweat beads on my forehead as I empty my stomach. Panting, I lean against Michael.

“Did you heal him?” Michael asks as Damian calls him over. I nod, and Michael helps me up. My head spins, and I still feel sick. I follow him back into the room, where Damian is grinning.

“You did it!” Damian exclaims. I glance at the bed. Zar’s color has improved. His fever is gone, and his wound is healing.

“What kind of poison was it?” Michael asks as I sit down.

“I don’t know,” I admit, taking Zar’s hand to check on him. His body is starting to warm up.

“Did you notice who was following him?” Leo asks.

“Yes,” I say, frowning as I remember. “I saw three men dressed in black with a symbol.” I try to recall more details.

Leo and Damian exchange a glance.

“Did the symbols look like this?” Leo asks, showing me the one on Zar’s discarded shirt.

“Yes…,” I murmur.

Damian nods at Leo. “Stay with him,” he instructs, and they leave the room.

My gaze returns to Zar. He’s quite handsome. His skin is pale, almost like porcelain, and his jaw is chiseled. His brows are thick, his lips full.

I reach out to touch his brown-red hair. My eyes drop to his body, taking in the numerous scars.

“These scars…,” I murmur, and Michael looks at them.

“Torture scars,” he says, frowning. “What happened to him?”

I look at Michael, my brow furrowed. What could have happened to someone like Zar? A prince, no less.