Chapter 22 Kill him
Chapter 22: Scarlett
Asher's castle policy made sure that most of the maids and servants there were dominantly humans, with a few werewolves to do the heavy lifting and hard work.
I had always thought Bee was human because he was frail and never exhibited abnormal strength or abilities. So, I couldn’t believe what this healer was saying.
"You are making a mistake in your judgment. Bee is human," I insisted. “Maybe you should conduct more tests.”
The healer looked up at me, with disgust on his face. "I've been in this line of work for almost forty-five years. I trained for this since when I could read and write so I have immense experience."
I realized I had just spat on his knowledge but rather than apologize, I decided to change the topic before I soiled him further.
"Why is he not reacting to your medicine?" I asked instead. “I mean, if he is a wolf, his body should heal, right?”
"True. But the boy’s abilities have been sealed away by some type of magic. This magic is definitely from a powerful witch. I haven't seen anything like this in a long time." He shook his head.
I felt my heart shrink even further and I fisted my hands to keep myself from yelling. “So, what are you saying?”
"The silver has done a lot of damage to him, possibly reaching his organs," he sighed— like he was telling us something positive.
"What can we do, Master healer?" Luciano asked and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes.
How could this man be a ‘master healer’ and he couldn’t even tell what was wrong with Bee other than coming up with twisted theories! Talks about magic and bullshit!
The healer brought out his bag and searched inside. "Just get me some medicines and another healer to assist me. I will try to purge the silver out of his system and hopefully, his wolf will do the rest for him.”
His eyes then fell on him and his brows narrowed. “We might be here for a long time; I recommend that the Queen get some rest."
"I'm not going anywhere. I will wait till Bee wakes up and sees me." I refused.
Luciano sighed and nodded at the healer. "I will get the assistant healer now." He looked back at me. " Just take it easy, Scarlett." He moved quickly in the opposite direction and left me with the healer.
I sat on the ground and folded my hands. The healer sprinkled sacred water on Bee and when the other healer arrived, Bee was moved to a better room in one of the cells for his treatment.
"My Queen, I advise that you wait outside." The assistant healer advised.
I wanted to ignore him, but the Master healer's weathered expression told me it wasn't a good idea.
Irritated but restrained, I stepped out of the room. I sat in the waiting room and rubbed my hands together in the cold.
—Lydia had already returned to the castle, so I was alone.
Thoughts of losing Bee circulated my mind and I wasn't at ease. It reminded me of how I had lost my relatives… Especially my younger brother, Blade… I couldn't lose another close person again.
I checked the room occasionally and saw the healers still working.
It took a while but when they eventually finished treating him, the assistant healer stepped out, but the old man was still inside watching over Bee. By the look of things, it wasn't looking good.
I prayed fervently that I slept off with exhaustion. When I eventually woke up, a blanket covered me, and I sat up immediately, my eyes searching my surrounding until I found Luciano at the far end.
"What happened?" I rubbed my eyes.
"You fell asleep," Luciano replied with a shrug.
"No— I meant Bee." I stretched, pulling myself into a more comfortable position.
Luciano shook his head. "Still the same. Now that you are awake, why don't you get some proper rest in the castle? It's not good for royalty to be seen in the cells."
A frown instantly covered my face. "No! I'm not going anywhere!" I hit my fist on the chair.
Luciano shook his head. "This isn't good. You shouldn't be involved in this. Asher almost found out where the flowers were gotten from if not for Bee... The last thing we want is to get the boy into more trouble."
I glared at Luciano and remained silent, my mind racing with angered thoughts.
"What?" Luciano asked as my expression and silence continued.
"Why did you let Bee take the fall for you?" I asked, the one question that bothered me.
"You knew he wasn't the one that gave me the flowers, but you said nothing when he was taken away. I saw you outside the kitchen yesterday, talking to Asher. You didn’t mention anything. Why?"
Luciano suddenly became nervous. "Lower your voice, here isn't the place."
"Lower my voice? My friend is in that state!” I hissed, pointing at the door where Bee was held. “You could have done something for him. You could have said the truth!"
Luciano frowned. "If I said the truth, Asher would kill me!" He whispered. "Everything would have ended that day! And he would come for you next! Bee protected you!"
He sounded very guilty and somehow, I felt bad for spurring the matter.
"Luciano," I said gently.
"I couldn't get my mind off it. I let a small boy take the fall for me. He protected me and you, because he knew what would happen. But here I am, alive and well while he suffers inside that room alone..." Luciano whispered, his voice heavy with pain.
A gasp escaped my lips, as I finally understood. All this time, Luciano was suffering from guilt.
I closed my eyes and moved closer to Luciano. "I'm sorry. But why didn't you tell Asher the truth? We are just friends, he knows that."
Luciano looked at me and suddenly grabbed my waist, pulling me towards him.
"Luciano! What are—"
He held my face and before I could stop him, he kissed me.
Then he drew away and whispered in my ear. "Can friends do this?"
I gasped for air as my heartbeat quickened while my brain tried to come up with an answer...
"I—"
Luciano kissed me again, sealing whatever I wanted to say between our lips.
I found my hands going around his neck as it intensified. His hands went around my waist and started going to my hips. Then his hot tongue moved to my neck… slowly planting kisses.
"Do friends know how each other tastes?" He questioned me again, but I was already devoured by something.
I couldn’t tell if it was just my desires or a sudden urge to try to wipe out Asher from my brain.
I kissed him by myself this time, it made my mind numb like I was going into a trance.
I couldn't sense my wolf, but I didn't care. At least, my heart raced for this.
Luciano snaked his hands into my jacket, making way for my chest when we heard heavy boots right outside the door. We flinched apart.
The door chose that moment to open, and Asher stepped inside.
His eyes locked on me; he didn't care about Luciano.
"What are both of you doing here?" He echoed; his voice laced with fury.
Shit, Asher had caught us! Or had he?
I scrambled for answers in my head, but I couldn't find anything. My brain screamed for me to lie, but my lips failed.
"Bee is dying. The healer says that the silver in the whip is affecting him," Luciano responded instead.
Asher's eyes slowly rolled to Luciano and his expression darkened even further. "Rubbish, the boy's human. It shouldn't affect him like that!"
I felt relieved that he had moved his attention away from me. I just hoped he didn't use his high sense of hearing to listen to my heartbeat.
"That's what we are looking at. The Master healer says he is," Luciano continued to explain, drawing Asher gradually away from me.
Asher raised his brows at Luciano. "Then why are you here? Do you care for this boy too?" He asked.
"N—No, my king. I am here because I heard the Queen made her way to the cells alone,” Luciano replied, throwing me under the bus.
Oh Goddess!
Asher flashed me a murderous look. “How did she know about this?”
“One of the maids must have told her, my king.”
“You must put a lid on how much information circulates. Just look at it, even worthless maids know of the news around here. It won't be long before they leak our plans to our enemies!" Asher growled.
"That's why I'm here, your Grace." Luciano bowed his head and held his chest. "It's quite suspicious that this young man has a sealing spell on him. I want to make sure he's not a spy, that's why we are keeping him alive."
Luciano's words alarmed me and before I could stop my mouth, the words spewed out of me.
"What are you saying? Bee is just a normal boy! I—I don't know how he got his power sealed, but he's a good person!" I hissed, throwing a dirty glare at Luciano.
Asher’s eyes narrowed into dark beads, and he turned to Luciano, who quickly bowed.
"Forgive me, my King, the Queen doesn't know how things work around here."
I didn't know what game he was playing here, but I didn't like it. It wasn't playing to Bee's advantage.
If he carried on like this, then Asher might harm the poor boy.
"Luciano! What are you saying?" I tried to cut in, but Asher roars stopped me.
"You make a lot of noise, woman! Keep shut or lose your tongue!"
I kept my gaze down under Asher's glare.
Asher clicked his tongue and turned to the door. “Let' me see this boy myself. Let me see what's making you whine.” He squeezed the knob open and walked in.
I followed in alarm because I feared what he would do to Bee.
"My King!" The Master healer stood up and bowed his head.
Asher ignored him and stood at the bed. He watched Bee with a plain expression which slowly creased into a small frown and then utter disgust.
Then he snarled a command that caught my breath.
"I don't trust him! Kill him!"