Chapter 11 Chapter eleven
Sylvia carried Ellie in his arms, his steps steady but his breathing uneven. The forest was quiet now, the moonlight filtering through the branches like liquid silver. Her body was limp against him, her head resting against his chest. He could feel her shallow breaths, the faint warmth of her skin, and it made something ache deep inside him.
“Hold on, Ellie,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re safe now.”
By the time they broke through the treeline, the soldiers were already gathering. Torches flared.
Claus stood at the front, tense and grim, his eyes scanning the darkness. The moment he saw Sylvia emerge, holding Ellie in his arms, something flickered across his face, relief, disbelief… and then jealousy. Why is he holding his mate in such a intimate manner?
“Ellie!” Claus rushed forward, his expression twisting as he took in the sight of his twin carrying her so protectively.
Sylvia didn’t resist when Claus snatched her from his arms, though his jaw tightened but he quickly conceal the expression before anyone see it.
“Thank you,” Claus muttered stiffly, not meeting his brother’s gaze. His voice held the edge of command, not gratitude.
Sylvia only nodded, his eyes following them for a moment before turning away.
“What happened to you, Ellie?” Claus asked softly, brushing the strands of hair from her face. Turning to Sylvia, his expression hardened. “What happened out there?”
“Witches, Claus,” Sylvia exhaled heavily. “They had Ellie bound with spells. They knew about the child.”
“Witches,” Claus snarled, his jaw tightening. “How dare they lay a hand on my mate?”
“We need to leave immediately,” Sylvia urged, mounting his horse. “Ellie needs care — both she and the baby need urgent attention.” His voice trembled with concern.
“Ellie… she needs to see the healer,” Claus muttered, deep in thought.
He didn’t seem troubled about the child growing inside her, perhaps because doubt had already taken root in his heart.
Claus carried Ellie all the way back to the pack mansion, the soldiers’ footsteps fading behind him.
At the palace gates, Nora, the head court lady, and several maids rushed out. Their faces lit up with relief at the sight of the rescued queen, but the joy quickly vanished when they saw the state she was in.
“Oh, my Goddess, who did this to the queen?” Nora cried out.
“Nora,” Claus said firmly, “the queen needs every bit of care and attention you can give her. Do everything possible to make sure she recovers.” Then he turned to Luke. “Fetch the healer. Tell her I won’t rest until she’s here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Luke bowed before dashing off.
From a distance, Sylvia watched everything unfold. A faint, satisfied smile touched his lips, he was simply grateful that Ellie was safe and alive.
Inside, the corridors were dim and quiet, and the only sound was the rapid beat of Claus's heart. He pushed open the door to their chamber and laid her gently on the bed. For a long moment, he just stood there, watching her.
Her face was pale but peaceful. Strands of hair framed her cheeks. Claus brushed his thumb across her hand, feeling the faint pulse there.
He sank into the chair beside her bed, his mind spinning.
How had Sylvia crossed the magical barrier when other people including wouldn't dare to? What connection allowed him to pass, a connection strong enough to override the magic itself?
The thought twisted something sharp in his chest. His twin… and Ellie. There had always been something unspoken between them, a glance too long, a silence too charged. He’d ignored it, convinced himself it was his imagination. But now… now he wasn’t sure.
The door to the chamber opened, and the healer stepped inside.
“Your Majesty,” he greeted with a respectful bow.
“You’re here,” Claus said, rising to his feet. “Tell me she’s going to be all right.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to help her,” the healer replied, moving closer to Ellie. He gently took her hand, pressing his fingers against her wrist to feel her pulse. His eyes closed briefly as he measured the faint rhythm beneath her skin.
“She’ll recover,” he finally said, “but I fear for the child. The life within her is in danger.”
I stirred, my eyes fluttering open in confusion. My head felt heavy, as if I’d been struck by something. When my gaze found Claus sitting beside me, I blinked in disbelief.
“Claus?” I murmured, my voice weak and raspy.
“You’re safe now,” he said softly, leaning closer. “Don’t move. You need to rest.”
“What about my baby?” I asked, turning to the healer. “My baby is fine, isn’t it?”
Even half-conscious, I had heard them talking about the danger my child was in. I had waited years for this moment, the day I’d finally hold my baby in my arms and now I was terrified I might lose it. I couldn’t let that happen.
“The baby will be fine,” the healer reassured me. “But you must rest. I’ll prepare some herbs to help strengthen you.”
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Claus said.
The healer bowed. “I’ll take my leave now, Your Majesties.” Then he quietly exited the chamber.
I tried to sit up anyway, but when Claus reached out to steady me, I flinched away.
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to...”
I turned my face aside, my voice tight with exhaustion and hurt. “I want to be alone. If I need anything, Nora can help me.”
My words struck him harder than any blow. Before he could respond, I swung my legs off the bed and stood, unsteady but determined.
“If you won’t leave, then I will,” I said coldly.
“Ellie, please...”
But I couldn’t bear to look at him. The man before me no longer felt like the one I had loved and cherished all these years. His recent words calling me a liar and a cheater still echoed painfully in my mind.
Staying in the same room with him felt unbearable. Suffocating.
I headed for the door, too hurt to look back.
The corridor outside was cool and dim. I walked without thinking, my bare feet silent against the wooden floor. Every part of me ached not just my body, but my heart. Claus’s words, Sylvia’s face, the witches’ laughter, they all blurred together until I just wanted to escape it all.
Then I stopped.
I didn’t even realize where I had gone until I looked up and saw the half-open door before me. Sylvia’s room.
A soft trail of steam drifted from inside. Curiosity tugged ate, faint but insistent. I hesitated, then, almost without thinking, I stepped closer and peered through the gap.
And froze.
Sylvia stood by the window, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His hair was damp, drops of water tracing the lines of his shoulders and chest. The moonlight poured over him, highlighting every scar and shadow on his skin.
For a heartbeat, I couldn’t breathe.
I didn’t know what startled me more, the sight of him like that, raw and unguarded, or the sudden rush of emotion that came with it. Something inside me shifted, something I couldn’t name.
Before I could move, Sylvia turned slightly, sensing my presence. His eyes met me through the half-open door. For a long, suspended moment, neither of us spoke.