Chapter 117

Chapter 117 I’m glad you came.

The next morning, Doris woke with a headache sharp enough to kill. William was still out next to her with his arm draped lazily across her body. She gently moved his arm just enough for her to slip out of his hold. “Finally, you’re awake.” A voice said inside her. Doris flinched at the sound.

“Cordelia?” Doris said hesitantly inside her mind. She glanced over to look at William still sleeping soundly. “Who else?” Cordelia grumbled. “Did you miss me?” “I thought you were gone—I didn’t feel you at all.” Doris got up to pace around the fire that had long gone out. She looked around for something to light it again but couldn’t find anything.

Cordelia laughed inside her as if it was all one big joke. Doris felt the sudden urge to strangle her with relief. “They wish they could have silenced me forever. I’m still here.”

“Where did you…go?” Doris asked.

“I was asleep. All I saw was darkness and suddenly I woke up and you were here with our mate.”

Cordelia made a sound of approval. “I knew you would come around. Don’t think I missed your pleasurable night—”

“This isn’t the time for that,” Doris said quickly, her face flushed. “When William wakes up, we have to go help Enzo before it’s too late. I hope he’s doing okay out there, wherever he is.”

“Don’t I deserve some sort of day off?” Cordelia whined. Doris wanted to slap her and hug her at the same time. “I saw how tough Enzo is, he can handle himself. His wolf is almost stronger than William’s and much stronger than all of the other rogues we’ve met.”

“What are you doing?” William asked. Doris stopped her pacing and turned to find him wide awake with watchful eyes.

“My wolf-she’s awake.” Doris pointed to her head. William rolled his eyes. “Oh she is? Wonderful. I assume you’re ready for battle then?” William said as he pushed himself up to stand. “Care to explain what even happened to me?” Cordelia asked almost lazily as if she didn’t really care.

“We were drugged. It mostly was to put you out for a few days so I couldn’t defend myself.” Doris said silently. William raised his brows.

“You look as if you’re having a deep conversation, should I leave?”

“No, no. Of course not—I’m finished now, I swear.“ Doris moved to the cave entrance and peered outside. “It’s morning, we should move out and try to find where Enzo is.”

“Enzo this, Enzo that.” William pushed past her and shrugged on his coat. His shirt was in a mess on the floor and she felt her skin prickle just looking at him. How was he not freezing? “He’s going to be fine.”

William grumbled.

“How are we going to find him and the rest of your royal party? They must be going crazy searching for you all night.” Doris followed him through the snow. He set off in a direction without a thought, she wondered how he could always be so sure.

“I told them to stay with Enzo and help him when I went after you. They know not to expect me anytime soon.” William said quietly. His steps were light as he moved through the snow and Doris tried to match them. She gripped onto his arm when she felt herself start to slip.

Doris followed William through the snow towards where she could only assume was towards Enzo’s camp. It was a wonder how he knew his direction so well when she would wander for days before she found anything near where she needed to go.

They walked in complete silence, only the wind whistled through the trees but nothing else could be heard for miles. A small frozen lake up ahead made Doris finally aware of where they were.

“We have to stay quiet.” William whispered when she opened her mouth to comment on the lake. “I don’t know if the cabins have been taken over by the other rogues or if Enzo is here. Stay down.” He hissed.

William tightened his grip on her hand and crouched as he led her towards the path that led up towards the cabins. She tried to calm her breathing but it only made her want to choke the more they walked.

They paused by a large tree and she strained to hear above the growing winds—but she couldn’t hear a thing.

It was as if there was no soul for miles. They crept towards one of the buildings and stayed close to the sides as the peered around the corner. The sight shocked her. Everything was ransacked and flipped over and it looked utterly abandoned. William moved out further into the camp to observe the wreckage but it was clear there was no threat still here.

“They’re all gone.” Doris said as she followed him. William opened each cabin but there was no life inside.

“They must have emptied out when they heard the rogues were coming.” “Or the rogues had come and forced them out.” Doris said sadly. When they got to her cabin, she went inside to change into something clean and warmer, William did the same. She took precious seconds to clean the dirt off her body and pack a bag full of essentials before she met William back outside. The sight startled her, he had shaven the roguish beard he’d grown. He looked fresh in a dark sweater and sharp jacket. William looked more like a prince for the first time since he’d gotten here.

Doris stepped up to him and traced her fingers across his smooth skin. He gripped her hand and eyed the knife on her belt that Enzo had given her. “Some of the horses are still in the stables.”

“We only need one.” Doris stepped back and shoved her hands in her pockets. “We‘re going back to Life Pharmacy, aren’t we?”

“I don’t suppose you know of any other places to look?” William rolled his eyes and kicked at the snow.

“We should have left when I said to. None of this would have happened if we did.”

“I assume you think this is my fault then? I’m not the one who met every night with Enzo to discuss kingdom politics—“

“Of course not. You don’t give a shit about the kingdom or its politics.” “I care about what is right—“

“You only care about your own freedom.” William spat. Doris crossed her arms over her chest as a small ball of anger rose in her throat.

“At least I’m not trying to throw my own brother off the throne by working with known enemies. I don’t know what you hope to gain by enlisting Enzo, but neither of the parties would be willing to work together —“.

“I am trying to make peace!” William growled. Doris flinched at the sound. “If I can get the rogues on my side, the crown would be mine. Not even the charming crown prince could convince the rogues to unite with the kingdom again—but I can.”

“You truly think that would win you the crown? If you can create peace between the rogues and your kingdom?”.

“My father has been trying since before I was born to claim the north as his own again. No one from the kingdom has dared travel through here because of the vicious stories and people—but I could be the one to bring peace.” William lowered his voice a little when it started to raise. “Martin has no interest in even touching the north because of the reputation. I wouldn’t be so weak. The kingdom needs a strong leader, not a charming fool.” He spat.

Doris hadn’t realized how determined William was for the crown, he had it all worked out in his head. She already knew he didn’t come here for the poisonous plant—but for his own benefit. She just didn’t realize how far ahead in the game he was.

“I had hoped you moved past your feeling for my daft brother—” “I don’t have any sort of feelings for him!” Doris said angrily. “How could you think I would have feelings for him and be with you like I have been?”

“You wouldn’t be the first maid to sneak in more than one prince’s bed.” 1 His words were like ice, she didn’t expect them to hurt as badly as they did. Doris turned away from him and headed straight for the stables without another word. She didn’t need him, she never needed him despite what her stupid mind tried to make her believe. 2 Tears blurred her vision, she wiped them away quickly. She’d rather drop dead than let him see her cry.

When she opened the doors to the stables, an old familiar man stood next to one of the horses. Sir Antony turned to her with a smile.

“Ah, good. I’m glad you came.”