Chapter 45 SHOCKING REVELATION
(HAVEN)
I'm with the princess in her bedroom when something sparks.
My pulse quickens and a sharp pain tugs at my heart. Steph , as she insisted I call her, is busy folding clothes for their elvish party tonight, going on about how amazing said party is. But my focus is no longer on her. No. It's on the pain in my chest that feels like a hot rod has been placed in it.
“Auren" a voice whispers inside my head and my heartbeat accelerates.
“Excuse me, princess," I tell her. I don't wait for a response before I scramble to my feet and rush out of the room and down the corridor. I head to Auren's chamber and barge in.
No one.
I turn to the bathroom door and see it is half closed
“Auren?” I call, pushing it open.
The scent hits me first, harsh and metallic.
Then I see him.
He’s on his knees beside the basin, shoulders hunched, one hand braced against the marble as if it’s the only thing keeping him upright. Dark blood stains the porcelain, and more blood on his lips and clothes.
For a second, my mind goes terrifyingly blank.
Then I move.
I drop to the cold floor beside him, my hands already on his shoulders, my breath coming too fast. “Auren…gods, look at me.”
His head lifts slowly. His eyes meet mine, unfocused but aware, and the sight of that alone nearly breaks me.
He’s pale, too pale. The bond between us thrums violently, buzzing with pain and exhaustion that isn’t mine, but feels like it is.
“I’m fine,” he murmurs hoarsely, “You don't have to worry.”
Anger flares through the fear, sharp and hot. “You’re bleeding into a sink,” I snap. “You don’t get to tell me not to worry.”
His lips twitch faintly, like he wants to smile, but it fades just as quickly. His breath stutters, his grip on the basin tightening.”I thought you hated me." He chuckles.
I feel the urge to knock his teeth out. He's losing blood and literally fighting for his life and still has the courage to joke.
Then I feel it.
His energy is frayed, unraveling at the edges, burning itself out instead of circulating. It’s like watching a fire consume its own fuel.
“You’re dying,” I whisper, the words tearing out of me before I can stop them.
His jaw tightens. “Not today.”
I shake my head, my vision blurring. “You don’t get to decide that. You passed out earlier this morning and now you are coughing out blood.”
He sways, and instinct takes over. I slide closer, wrapping one arm around his torso, pressing his forehead to my shoulder. He’s burning hot—too hot—and yet there’s a hollowness beneath it that terrifies me.
“Imogen,” I shout over my shoulder, my voice shaking. “I need him. Now.”
Footsteps echo outside, hurried and sharp, but I barely register them. All my focus is on Auren’s labored breathing, on the way the bond screams between us like it’s afraid.
“I won’t lose you,” I whisper fiercely, my hand flattening against his chest. “Not like this. Not after everything.”
His fingers curl weakly into my sleeve. “Haven… if you try to fix this…”
“I know the risk,” I cut in. “And I don’t care. We'll find a way around this.”
My magic stirs, responding to his pain like it recognizes it as its own. I don’t force it. I simply let the bond guide me, let my power press gently against the chaos inside him.
Just enough to steady it.
Auren gasps, his body tensing against mine, and for one terrifying moment I think I’ve made it worse.
Then his breathing evens out, just a fraction.
His weight slumps into me, exhausted but conscious.
Imogen bursts into the room then, swearing under his breath as he takes in the scene. Amelyn follows close behind, her face pale with fear.
“Move him,” Imogen orders immediately. “Carefully.”
I don’t let go.
Not even for a second.
Because right now, holding him together feels like the only thing keeping the world from falling apart.
With the help of some guards, we lay him on the bed and Imogen sedates him. I watch his pupils dilate as he slips into a slumber and his face becomes peaceful like sleeping is the only way to ease the pain.
“I'll need to be alone with the king," Imogen says, going to undo the buttons of my husband's shirt.
Amelyn is about to argue when I grab hold of her hand and pull her out of the room. She instantly runs to her chamber and I head to find the king.
I find King Tyren in his study, going through a pile of papers that give me a headache just by staring at them.
“Ruling a kingdom must be a nightmare," I say, announcing my presence as I step inside. “ I can't see myself reading thousands of papers daily all in the name of kingdom affairs.”
I expect him to scold me or get insulted and reprimand me for my disrespect, or even have me thrown into the dungeons, but he does none of that.
No. What he does is chuckle and set aside the paper in front of him. " Princess Aremina.”
I narrow my eyes at the name. Mother once told me that she had wanted to name me Aremina, but how did he know that?
" Your mother spoke about it too often. She would dream of a future with Eurolys and a beautiful baby girl who would go by the name Aremina,” he says, answering my unasked question. “Have a seat,"
I shake my head. “No, thank you, your highness. I'd rather remain standing."
I still don't trust him and standing close to the door gives me an easy opportunity to escape in case he gets weird.
“What do you know about my mother and the Ethereal Essence and the prophecy that links to me?”
He's silent for a while and I almost think he'll drive me out. But then he clears his throat and rises to his feet.
" I'll ask you just one question.” He begins adjusting his cufflinks. " Where did your husband tell you they locked your mother?”
" Eurion.”
"When was that? I mean when did they seal her in there?”
" During the war,” I answer, not getting where he's going with this.
" You see, your mother couldn't have given birth to you, knew your aunt Mira and left you under her care if she was in Eurion,” he tells me.
" Maybe she escaped?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. " You can ask your husband about it, but I'll tell you what I know." He steps around the table to stand in front of me, leaning against the desk. “Eurion is the most secured prison in Elaria. It contains a vast amount of magic that will cause an intense commotion realm wide if the seal holding it shut is broken.”
“What you mean to tell me is…”
" Your mother didn't escape from Euron. She was just never imprisoned.”