35. Old Wounds.

35. Old Wounds.
Caspian

I do not understand what happened, one moment she was alright, well not alright, but conscious at least and then she was lying in my arms, just as my father burst through my door in a panic.

"What are you doing, Caspian?!" He demands of me, although I can physically see him deflate as he sees my own lost expression.

I would be angered by his accusation if it weren't for Catherine in my arms, physical contact with her calms me it seems, even with my immediate concern for her condition. My face has a pained subdued panic painted over it, as my father halts his steps and takes in the sight of my mate unconscious in my arms.

"Son?" He asks.

"She was fine, then she just..." My voice cracks even to my own ears, as my eyes scan over her beautiful face hoping for both an answer and the reassurance that my mate is well.

"With me, come on." My father takes control swiftly. "We must take her to Marjorie."

I nod, grateful for his instructions as I swoop her up into my arms and am straight out of the door behind my father. My mind is racing with what could have went wrong. The transition is meant to make our mates stronger, but it was as if my beloved was suffocating under the strength of her own fear. I couldn't reach her. Nor could I help her. This fact terrifies me beyond comprehension. The feeling of failing her once again sits heavy in my stomach, and I silently question my own worth as I stride towards the palace healers. This is not how it is meant to be at all.

I am still chastising myself, when she begins to stir in my arms about half way to the healers. I cannot help but hold her tighter, plagued by the worry she will somehow squirm out of my arms and away from me forever.

"Caspian?" Her soft voice calls to me, "What, happened?"

"Shhh..." I attempt to soothe her, "We are going to the healers, they will make sure you are alright."

She burrows herself closer to me in her dazed state, and my heart cannot help but soar as she seeks comfort from my presence.

"What about the sailors?" She mumbles, causing both my father and I to falter in our steps.

I am clueless as to what she means, but I instantly notice my father's interest flaring. I cannot help but hold her closer, feeling the strong urge to protect her from even him.

"What sailors, Catherine?" I ask, as I resume my striding, walking straight past my father refusing to even glance his way, as well as denying him the opportunity to scrutinise her closely.

The weight of her head drops onto my shoulder again and I have cleared another three hallways before she speaks once more.

"The ones in the ship wrecks. I heard them screaming. The waves were so high... I do not see how they could have survived." She whispers out to me, whimpering at the thought before slumping once more into unconsciousness in my arms.

I do not know what she refers to, but the looming shadow that is my father's presence behind me tells me he knows exactly what is going on. I would even wager that is what he barged into my room for.

When Kelpie's tether, we bond a part of ourselves to our mates. It seems my beloved Catherine has absorbed some of my power over water. Though, it should not be enough to sink a ship.

My father's voice breaks me from my thoughts.

"One thing at a time, Caspian. First we ensure she is well." He speaks calmly, obviously sensing my concerns before I can speak them.

I nod in response as I pause and allow him to open the door to Marjorie's healing rooms. There is already a team there waiting upon us.

"What happened?" She asked without preamble as I gently place Catherine upon the bed.

But when I go to answer, she interrupts me further.

"And, I want the story from when she awoke. I gave strict instructions that she was to eat and then see me to be checked, yet I hear that you allowed her out and she was seen swimming alone, and to the surface no less?" Marjorie reprimands me.

I do not argue or bristle at her words, she is right I should have noticed her absence long before I did. I tell Marjorie what happened to my knowledge from the moment I awoke. I admit that we argued, that I found her on top of the tower, only to receive a look of horror when I admit she told me she scaled the old worn out steps. I tell them of the bath I made her take to relieve her chilled limbs and that I was about to order her some lemon sole when she suddenly could not breathe, and could not speak, right up until she swooned into my arms and my father found us.

Marjorie nods along, listening as she places her hands on different parts of Catherine's body. Her wrist, and the her neck before placing two hands on either sides of Catherine's head and inhaling deeply.

She is performing an act of telepathy our healers have, and the sweat beading on Marjorie's face does not bode well, nor the tears that begin to slide down her face.

She shakes her head and pulls back, we are all aghast as she touches her hand to the small trickle of blood dripping from her nose.

"What did you see?" I ask, desperate to know yet petrified of the answer.

"She... The poor child, she..." Marjorie stumbles and her assistant is quick to catch her.

"Marjorie what happened?" My father demands at my side.

"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I just..." she swallows deeply, befor taking in a shaky breath to steady herself. "Princess Catherine's mind was not easy to touch. I had to fight through, something that has never happened before. I do not understand how she could keep me out so easily."

I frown at her words, glancing to my mate, who seems so peaceful as she sleeps.

"When I did get through, I saw fear, panic and six men. The only lightness was in the form of a kitten. I have not seen one since I myself was a child, but then that too was dragged away. She has been surrounded by darkness, for quite some time." Marjorie's tears are flowing freely for my mate, and she takes a deep shuddering breath before continuing. "Caspian your mate suffered from an attack of panophobia. Physically she will be alright, her transition is secure. The problem lies in her psyche, and that is something I am not strong enough to help with while she is unconscious, she would have to let me in willingly."

"How is that possible?" My father asks. "That she can keep you out?"

"I do not know." Marjorie's response gives no quarter in her confidence.

This is new to her.

"And the men?" He asks, angering me with his unspoken insinuation.

"No." I bark out. "I know of the men. The man who held her captive arranged them, but he seen that as his prize alone. They did not claim her, and I got her out before he could touch her."

It sickens me to discuss her like this. I shouldn't have to, because the transition would not have taken had she joined previously with another. I would have lost her in the water. She is more than that.

"Son, the possibility..."

"Catherine is innocent!" I snarl loudly at him.

My father's voice raises quickly, "I am not questioning that. Let me speak damn it!"

My jaw tensed as I await his next words.

"The possibility is there that although they did not damage her body, they may have damaged her mind, it is something we will have to deal with. Especially if she has absorbed more of your gifts than normal."

I nod at his words, seeing the sense before turning to Marjorie and her assistant.

"How long until she awakens?" I ask, suddenly knowing what I need to do.

"I have no way of knowing, my prince." Marjorie answers. "But I would imagine she will need rest even when she does awake."

"Thank you. Father, can you send Mira to my, our room?" I ask, correcting myself with a smile as I scoop Catherine into my arms once more. "I need to head out and I do not want her to awaken on her own."

"Where are you going?" My father demands.

"I am going to find some light for the darkness in my mate's heart."