Chapter 103 Chapter 103
Chapter 103 Chapter 103
“Physically?” I’m fine. No serious injuries, thanks to you.”
“You did pretty well on your own. And mentally?”
He paused, eyes lowered to the ground, and shoulders hunched.
“Exhausted.”
“You’ve been through a terrible ordeal, Ivan.” I reached for his hand and held it in mine. “You’re allowed to fall apart.”
“I can say the same for you.” His thumb caressed my palm.
“I’ve fallen apart plenty in the past two years.” My smile was bitter. “It’s time I put myself back together.”
“Let me help you.” He whispered.
“You have always taken care of me, always been there to put me back together, even when I wasn’t 'me.' You had to be strong and put-together your entire life. Let me help you this time.”
Eyes closed, he held my hand in his and lay his head in my lap. Warm tears trickled down my fingers as he sobbed silently, years of fatigue and exhaustion released in the form of scalding tears.
I ran my other hand through his matted hair, giving him whatever comfort I possibly could. We stayed like that, engulfed in our own bubble of pain, relief, and silence for a long time.
—
“So, catch me up on what happened during my nap.”
He was now sitting up again, feet resting on the edge of the bed, munching on an apple he snatched from the tray a nurse brought for me. I toyed with the plastic spoon as I waited, stabbing the jelly over and over again.
“The guards raided Gianna’s wing.” His voice was cold, detached.
“Why?”
“After your heroic stunt,” I rolled my eyes at his glare, “word of the Queen’s return made its way to the other kingdoms somehow, and the last of the Grim ones retreated to the underworld.
The royal families sent some of their high-ranking guards to “help. His tone was as sarcastic as his air quotes. “Odds are they just wanted to make sure you really are alive.”
“It must have been a disappointment to find me in a coma instead.”
“You were breathing. That’s all that mattered.” He took another bite of the apple. “After running rescue missions and security detail, the questioning started.”
“Everyone conscious and coherent was questioned. Kira, Rose, Eli, Kevin, Gabby, Mr. Blackthorn, the Ignises… Everyone. The knowledge of the betrayal of one of the royals sent the kingdoms into frenzy, and, understandably, Gianna’s parents refused to believe their daughter had anything to do with anything. Not even after we told them about Holden.”
My stomach knotted at the mention of his name, and flashes of that night invaded my mind. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“What happened then?”
“Your parents ordered the raid. The Guards took hours tearing her suite apart, but they finally found the journal.”
He paused, and I gave him a questioning look. I didn’t need the suspense right about then.
“She hid a journal in her safe. In it, she detailed everything about her life, from her childhood to the resentment she harbored against you, the first time she opened a portal into the underworld, her dabbles in black magic, everything was there. Even what happened two years ago.”
A moment of silence passed as we both got lost in our thoughts. I felt almost guilty for causing the spiral of destruction my cousin was caught in.
Somewhere in my brain, I knew I wasn’t responsible for her actions because I never did anything to cause her harm, but I still couldn’t help feeling at fault; after all, I was the reason behind her demise.
“It’s not your fault,” Ivan whispered. He always had a knack for knowing exactly what I was thinking.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I nodded, unwilling to continue this conversation.
“You should go get some rest.” I gave him a faint smile. “And maybe a shower.”
“I’m not tired.” I would have believed him if it weren’t for the yawn that interrupted his sentence.
“I’ll be fine, Ivan.” I pushed his feet off the bed. “Go, sleep.”
“Alright.” He nodded after what seemed like forever. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll be here.”
—
The days that followed were a blur. I was discharged from the hospital the very next day, against my mother’s wishes, and cleared to join society as a healthy and somewhat sane individual.
Kira and Rose were finally cleared to enter the kingdom, and we spent hours catching up. I told them about everything I could remember and answered the millions of questions they kept throwing my way.
Eli and Kevin also visited me, which was surprising considering we weren’t that close. But I guess avenging the death of their best friend and prince meant they were now loyal to me till their last breath, or so they said.
They told me about Holden’s funeral, the beautiful memorial they held for him, and the statue that was commissioned in his memory. They kept me in the loop regarding the new security measures and the rebuilding in Halitus, and I was grateful to have them as allies.
“Have you heard from Isaiah?”
Ivan and I were walking along the path in the garden. He said it would be good for me to step away from all the politics for a few minutes. He was right, it was getting a little overwhelming.
“You haven’t heard?” He gave me a confused look.
“Heard what?” I stopped walking and turned to stand in front of him.
“He is being held by the king and queen for questioning. Mr. Blackthorn, Genevieve, and Nathanial Ignis are all under questioning for treason.”
—
The chatter of the guards reached my ears before I walked into the meeting hall. The throne room was still being rebuilt, so for the past couple of days, all royal business had been taking place in the second biggest space in the castle.
“Your highness.” One of the guards bowed, and soon the other two joined in.