Chapter 24 24
Denary's POV:
“Damn it!” I cursed under my breath, as I saw Amelia roll down the slope, and struck her head against a stone. Then, I pulled Stallion to a halt, swung off him immediately and ran down the slope, boots cutting into the earth as I descended.
“Amelia.” I muttered, kneeling beside her. “Wake up.”
Just then, the sound of hooves came from above and Jasmine dropped from her horse in one fluid motion and began making her way down the slope toward us.
“Denary, is she…”
“Stay there.” I ordered sharply without even looking up. “You’ll slip.”
She froze on the incline, but asked again. “Is she okay?”
But I didn’t respond, because my focus was on the girl in my arms, whose hair was partly stuck to her cheek, whose hand was lying uselessly beside her like it didn’t belong to her body. And the angle of her head made it impossible for me to check the wound properly. So I gathered her up, one arm under her knees, the other around her back.
Her head lolled against my chest. “Denary…” Jasmine tried again.
“Not now.” With that, I climbed back up the slope with her held close. At the top, the stableman finally arrived, breathless and pale.
“My lord…”
“Amelia’s horse ran off.” I said flatly. “Go after it.”
“Yes, my lord!” He took off running in the direction the horse had fled.
I readjusted her in my arms, preparing to mount Stallion, when the underbrush rustled and a guard burst through the trees, sword half-drawn.
“My lord! I heard screams.” He began, but paused when his eyes landed on Amelia. “Should I, should I help carry her?”
“No.” I didn’t hesitate. “I have her.”
Then, I climbed up the slope further and stepped toward Stallion. The guard instinctively moved to hold the reins still so I could mount and my grip on Amelia never loosened. Once I was on Stallion’s back, the guard helped me position her safely in front of me.
As I settled her, I gave the guard one last command. “Make sure Jasmine returns to the Packhouse safely.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I didn’t spare Jasmine a glance because I didn’t have the patience for her theatrics, I just kicked Stallion lightly, and we tore through the forest path, leaves slapping past like blurred green sparks.
As soon as the Packhouse gate came into view. “Get Uriel.” I barked at the guard. “Send her to my room. Immediately.”
“Yes, Alpha!”
I rode straight into the courtyard, dismounted with her in my arms, and carried her upstairs, past startled servants. In my room, I laid her down on my bed, sat beside her, took her hand and held it in mine for a few minutes until a knock on the door snapped me out of it. Only then did I release her hand instantly and rose to my feet, composing myself.
“Come in.” The door opened and Uriel stepped inside, bag in hand.
“Please examine her.” I exhaled. “Make sure she’s fine.”
With that, I took a step back then walked out of the room. Outside, I found Jasper approaching down the corridor, concern etched across his face.
“What happened?” Jasper asked. “I heard from the guards you returned with an unconscious Amelia.”
“She fell from her horse.” I said simply.
Jasper sighed. “If she couldn’t ride, she shouldn’t have insisted on following you.”
My jaw tightened as I explained. “Actually, the belt of the saddle snapped, then she fell and hit her head.”
“That’s strange. That’s never happened before.” Jasper remarked. “The stablemen change the saddles twice a month to avoid this exact problem, so accidents like this are nearly impossible.”
I frowned. “I found it odd at first. But…” I exhaled slowly. “Then I remembered that the horse galloped violently because she couldn’t control the horse. So it makes sense the belt snapped under that pressure.”
Jasper nodded at that then we both remained silent for a while before Jasper said quietly. “You look worried.”
“I’m not worried.” I snapped. “I’m talking to you normally, right? Do I sound worried?”
“No, you don’t sound worried.” Jasper admitted. “But you definitely look worried.”
I glared. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Telling me pointing out things that aren’t true.”
Jasper folded his arms. “I’m just pointing out the fact that she’s growing on you.”
“She is not growing on me.”
“I know you better than you know yourself, Denary.” Jasper said calmly. “So let me be the one to say it, she's growing on you. And soon, you are going to get fond of her.”
“I’m not having this discussion with you.” I exhaled sharply. “She’s not growing on me, and I’m not worried about her. I’m just…”
“You’re just what?” Jasper pressed.
“I’m not having this discussion anymore.” I turned away and walked back into my room only to see that Uriel was packing her things and I crossed the room quickly.
“You’re done with the check-up already?”
Uriel nodded. “Yes.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s fine.” Uriel reassured me. “Luckily, she isn't bleeding out, probably because she didn't hit her head hard.”
“Then why isn't she waking up?” I demanded.
“I believe she fainted due to shock, so she's just asleep.”
I swallowed hard. “Is it possible that the hit could trigger her lost memories?”
“It’s possible, but unlikely.” Uriel said carefully. “From what I’ve seen, the impact wasn’t too heavy, she just has a slight concussion, nothing more. But if something starts triggering her memories, you’ll know. She’ll have panic episodes, headaches and speech glitches.”
Uriel slung her bag over her shoulder and moved toward the door. “I should take my leave…”
“Uriel.” I said sharply. “One minute.”
She paused, turning to me. “Is there a problem, my lord?”
“What about the thing I asked you for?”
She exhaled slowly, stepping closer and lowering her voice. “You know very well that herbs or manufactured medicines like that were banned by your father from ever entering MoonClaw, because of their extreme side effects. It will be nearly impossible for me to get them. And even if I do…” She looked up at me. “Do you really want her to take it? She could lose her mind, go insane, suffer brain damage, or even die.”
I said nothing but my silence was enough of an answer for her to continue.
“You should have a rethink and if you eventually decide that you still want to give it to her.” She whispered. “Then you can let me know, and I’ll try to find it.”
With that, she left and the room fell quiet again with Amelia still unconscious on my bed. While I was still standing there silent, conflicted, and unable to decide what the next step I needed to take was.