Chapter 31

Thinking back, her heart beat so fast, I had felt her fear as if it were my own. I am the one who put her in this mess. She wanted to go back home from the moment she arrived in Valtor, but I forced her to stay. Even when she insisted on staying, I should have banned her from the kingdom and forced her to go back home.

Daylight streamed into my chambers as I waited impatiently for the healers to work their magic. They ordered me to stay away, which was physically impossible as I burn for her, to be in her presence, to watch over her and make sure that she doesn’t ever leave my side again, which I know is impossible, because she would want to return back home eventually.

My heart pounded like crazy the first time I ever placed eyes on her.

I had to see her, I had to know if she was okay, so I stormed out of my sleeping chambers and head down to the castles healing quadrant where a few healers was already waiting for me.

“ Your highness.” They bowed at my arrival, and I followed them through the halls into the healers section where the head healer was awaiting my arrival.

“ Your highness.” The woman had a grave expression on her face.

“ I warned you.” I stared at her speechless, knowing she was right. A part of me broke and a part of me wanted to go back into the darkness before I shifted into a dragon. I clutched my head as if it was going to explode with anger and muffled a scream.

That bustard’s scent lingered in my head, the fowl scent that lingered on my mate the entire flight home. I wanted to annihilate them all over again. Angry tears blurred my vision. Anger that was aimed towards myself and that fucker who assaulted my Mate. I crouched and concentrated on making this sickening feeling in my gut disappear.

“ Are you okay your highness.” The head healer asked.

“ Not now! Where is she?”

“ Come.” She led me to a private section, handing me a vile of concoction. I wanted to chuck it back at her because she wasn’t listening, but I didn’t.

“ You look pale your Highness. Drink this, it will help bring your energy up.” She was right, I did feel weak, so I took the vile from her and downed it in an instant.

“ Where is she?” I spoke as I finished the last drop. I could barely contain my emotions, and my voice was barley notable.

“I will take your Highness to her shortly. They are just finishing up with her.” I nodded and pinched my eyes hoping it would make me feel better. I hadn’t slept much during the past few weeks since I had woken that day to find her missing. Claws screeched on the marble floor behind me.

“ Kaden.” Luka’s voice appeared in my head. I turned around to find Luka standing behind me. I place a hand in his mane, stroking him. He needed the comfort just as much as I did. He knew what I was going through without me needing to explain it, because he went through the similar situation of his mate being injured.

“ How is the little snowball doing?” I tried to ask with high spirits.

“ As good as new. Back to her old mysterious self.”

“ That is good to hear old buddy.” I continue to stroke his mane as we wait.

“ I am sorry that I wasn’t here for you in time of need.”

“ There is no need to apologize old friend. I would have done the same.” I rested my back against the wall with my arms folded. I didn’t have to make up scenarios anymore of where she was and what happened to her, she was finally back. I had her back; she was home again.

Deon also never gave up looking for her, he was by my side every step of the way, saving my life more than a couple of times, especially with the Lycans. I couldn't stay strong anymore, and I hit my face with my one hand. My body shook as the tears flowed. I hadn't been there to protect her. I failed to do my duties as her Mate.

Luka rubbed his face in the palm of my hand, comforting me.

“ She is safe now.” Luka tried to reassure me. I grabbed the arm of the nearest healer I could find and asked her if I could see Meara now.

( Meara )

Pain came first, though it was better than before. I jolted up in the bed.

“ No this can't be. I can't be back, it's impossible.” A big hand on my shoulder made me jump with fright.

“ It’s me Little One.” His voice came out so sweet and tender that it braked my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes.

I called for him and he came.

I couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. I cried like there was no tomorrow. Kaden pulled me into his warm embrace. There was once a time where I thought that he was a Barbarian, but I was wrong. He was nothing like those other sick sadistic bastards.

All the tears I kept in over the past few weeks came pouring out like freshly fallen rain streaming over a dam. But these were tears of relief. That nightmare was finally over. I grabbed Kaden around the neck and pulled him closer. I don’t know why I did it, but I guess I just needed comfort after everything that happened. My life has changed so much over the past few months that I feel like I have lost myself.

“ Thank you.” I whispered in his ear between sobs. In the corner of my eye, I notice a healer injecting something into my IV. My head started to feel heavy, and Kaden stroked my head softly, and I could feel him placing me softly down back on the bed again.

( Kaden )

My heart ached. My mate was skinny and dehydrated. The healer gave her something to relax so that she could sleep and get the rest she needed. I touched her cheek softly and rested my head close to hers.

“ You are going to be fine; I promise.” I whispered in her ear.

I stayed by her side for the following days as the healers kept her unconscious. I didn’t want to leave; I could never leave her side again. I would be anything, do anything she wanted me to do. A friend, a trainer, whatever she wanted, as long as I was at her side.

I didn’t know how I was going to fix things with her, but I would do anything in my power to make sure she is never harmed again.

The moment I shifted into a dragon; it was as if the bond we shared grew stronger. I could feel her emotions as if they were my own. I felt her pain, pain she wasn’t supposed to endure. I would do anything to take that pain away from her.

( Meara )

The next time I woke, I was in a beautiful, elegant sleeping chamber. It radiated with white, gold and a soft pinks, with pink florals beautifully draped from the ceiling down to the big arch windows. It was absolutely breathtaking. Freshly picked flowers were also placed on a console table made with gold vines for legs and a pearly white counter top. It was nothing like Kaden’s sleeping chambers.

I inhale deeply, and the aroma of fresh flowers invaded my nostril. The sweet smell of roses and peonies made it all seem so real, like I truly was back in Valtor. There was even a little library in the one corner of the room. I was stunned. Why now, why couldn’t he just give me this room from the start?

Kaden’s chair was really close to the bed, he was sleeping with his head on the bed. The curtains were closed but I could tell it was day. I turned my body sideways to face Kaden, and the movement awoken him from his peaceful sleep, and he lifted his head.

“ My Sleeping Beauty.” He whispered, as his eyes glistened. “ Your awake.” He smiled as he reached for my hand, but stops midway, and hesitates. So, I placed my hand on his instead.

“ You know, you could have given me this room from the start.” He gives me a slight smile.

“ I couldn’t, because it wasn’t finished yet.” I look at him shocked.

“ You had this room especially made up from me?” Tears welled up in my eyes.

“ I wanted to give you the best, and at that moment the best was my own sleeping chambers. So, I tried to keep you in mine until they finished installing your own little mini library and flowers and prepare everything to your liking.