Chapter 15 CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MAX’S POV
I watched as she lazily opened her eyes.
A massive wave of air rushed out of my chest. I hadn’t realized that I was holding my breath. She is fucking okay, Zaria is awake.
She tried getting up, but I pushed her down slowly.
“You need to rest,” I said, and hoped it didn’t sound like an order.
Ethan and the healer turned to look at us, with shock in their eyes.
“She is fine, Ethan, relax,” I said, and he huffed at me, walking towards the bed.
He pushed me to the side and took Zaria into his arms. The care in his eyes was evident, and again, I hated it.
“How are you, Zee?” He asked, pushing her hair to the side.
Zee?? What makes him think he can call her pet names? He look on his face, twisted my gut, he fucking loves her and that alone, is freaking me out.
“I am fine, just a slight headache,” She said, rubbing her forehead.
Ethan held her tightly, and I couldn't keep my cool anymore.
“You can go now,” I growled, trying to keep my voice low.
“Dude, what the fuck is your problem? I am here for her and not you, so you fuck off,” he argued, with his voice laced with disgust.
I ignored his words and tried to concentrate on other things, but all I saw was Ethan's hands on Zaria, holding her close, the small voice in my head, the one that told me Ethan wasn’t genuine, kept shouting in my head, and I lost focus.
“I tried to be cool but you aren’t getting it.” I snapped at him, “Get the fuck out of my chambers and my pack”
He scoffed, carefully placed Zaria back on the bed, and walked towards me with a scornful look.
“Don’t give me that crap, your fucking grace” he said rudely, pushing me to the wall.
In anger, I grabbed his shirt collar. I didn't shove him hard, but I put enough force into the quick tug to make my point clear. "I said, go! You’ve done enough. I’ll take it from here."
“Can you guys stop!” Zaria yelled, and immediately, I released his shirt. “Ethan you can leave, I will write to you this evening and come see you tomorrow”
What? She wants to see him tomorrow, but she didn’t even bother to talk to me about it.
He looked surprised, then his face hardened with irritation. "Fine. But I'll be back later to check on you tomorrow, I actually care, you know." He said, then shot me a look of pure dislike, then straightened his jacket and walked out.
“Of course, you care” I mocked bitterly, watching him leave. Just the thought of his care for her pisses me off.
I turned to Zaria, who lay in the king-sized bed, looking small and tired.
"Hey," I said, my voice dropping its earlier harshness.
"Hi," she mumbled. She tried to sit up again, but I gently pressed my hand against her shoulder, keeping her down.
"Rest!” I said, and now it was an order and sounded like one.
“You can say it nicely!” She rolled her eyes, I missed her sassy attitude, fuck, I actually thought I was going to lose her.
“The healer said you were poisoned,” I said, turning to the healer, but it appeared he had already gone. “What happened?”
Her eyes darted away, towards the window. "Nothing. I just... fainted, I guess. I probably ate something weird in the early hours of the morning. I am trying to get used to the food." She gave a weak laugh.
It has been almost a month since she moved in with me, she is already used to the food, it was obvious that she was lying, and my jaw tightened.
"Stop it, Zaria,” I said, my voice now cold. "The healer said it wasn't food poisoning. You don’t just faint like that. Someone did this to you. Tell me who."
She gave me a quick shrug, then turned to look at me, her deep blue eyes, staring into my soul, making my heart beat faster.
I saw the lie behind those eyes, she is fucking lying, and I can’t even prove it.
She clutched the bed sheet in her hands. "I told you, I can’t remember. It all went blank. It was probably just stress. I’m fine now, see?"
She shifted her gaze from me, back to the window. The usual cheerful eyes were replaced with a deep, unsettling fear that she was trying, badly, to cover up.
She is a terrible liar, and her lies just built my curiosity.
I stood from the bed. My anger flared, but not at her, but at whoever had made that look appear in her eyes. I had to find them. Now!
"Stay here," I ordered. "Don't move, don't talk to anyone until I get back."
“Where the hell do you think you are going?” She asked, but I ignored her.
I walked out of my chambers and made my way to the head of security in the palace.
“James” I yelled and he ran to me, with a quick bow.
“Your grace,” He said.
“I need you to send words to Raymond, before the sun rises tomorrow,” I said, ignoring his greetings, I was in no mood for such formalities.
“I am at your service, Your grace,” He said, still with a bow.
“Tell Ray that someone attacked the Luna, She is stable now but the healer said she was poisoned. I need to know the killer before nightfall tomorrow!” I said, with authority and urgency in my voice.
“Yes, your grace!” He said, as he tried to leave but I stopped him.
“I want a full sweep of all the visitors we had today, check every maid in the palace, talk to every person who served the Luna’s meal, or even come close to her. Find the scum who did this. And I mean now!" I ordered.
He nodded, his face grim. "Consider it done."