Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Ezra,” I said darkly.
“Get out? Yeah, yeah, I know.” He stopped at the door and looked back at me, genuine concern in his eyes. “Get some rest, Your Highness. If she wakes up and sees you like this, she’ll be angry at you for not taking care of yourself.”
Duke Trelawney smiled and got to his feet. “He’s right, you know. If you need it, I can have a sleeping potion sent over.”
I shook my head. “No. I want to be present when she wakes up.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.” He picked up his envelope from the table. “I’ll look into this and contact you as soon as I find out anything.”
“Compile the final report with Ezra,” I said, getting up. “There’s a high chance we’ll figure something out when we put your findings together.”
They both nodded and left with a swift goodbye, and I followed them out of the room a moment later.
I’d already been gone from Allie for too long.
Now that the person who’d released the monster was dead, I was at a loss. There was nothing I could do from here to find out about the black magic or the links the Armand family might have to an old bloodline. My only option was to wait, and that was the last thing I wanted to do right now.
If I had nothing to do, I could only think of Allie. Of how I might never see her smile again. Of how the last time I heard her laugh might really have been the last.
Of how I might never get to feel her arms around me again.
I knocked on her door, and Bella pulled it open. “Any change?” I asked.
Bella shook her head, stepping back to let me in. “None, Your Highness. The doctor and High Priest Dhaesis have already been by this evening to check her condition. The high priest said her divine power is recovering well, but he doesn’t know when she might wake up.”
“She’s in a different nightgown.”
“Yes. While you were out, we bathed her with Rina’s assistance.”
I jerked around to face her. “You put her in a tub?”
“No, Your Highness. We only wiped her body down in the bed and changed her nightgown, as well as her sheets.”
“Right. Of course.” I ran my fingers through my hair, sighing. “I jumped to conclusions.”
“Please don’t worry.”
I peered at her. Bella’s brown eyes were shadowed by dark circles, and even she looked paler than usual.
“When was the last time you slept properly?” I asked her.
She lowered her chin to her chest, looking down. “I’m quite all right, Your Highness.”
“See the mages for a sleeping potion. Get one for Annie and Rina if they need it.”
“I’m really—”
“Bella, you’re clearly exhausted. If you don’t get some sleep, you won’t be able to look after her properly.” I laid my hand on her shoulder. “Have them assign another maid to the room in case of an emergency, but I will stay here with Allie tonight. Please look after yourself, or she’ll shout at us both when she wakes up.”
She swallowed, then nodded her head in agreement. “Then please excuse me. I will make sure nobody disturbs you.”
“Thank you.” I patted her shoulder before letting her go, and she quietly left, gently clicking the door closed behind her.
Allie’s maids really were fiercely loyal to her—especially Bella, even if it was to the detriment of her own health.
Weirdly, I felt better knowing she had such a strong ally on her side. Bella looked sweet, but I had no doubt she would hold her own. She had to be able to if she was serving Allie so diligently.
God only knew she was a handful.
I kicked off my shoes at the end of the bed and sat down next to her. She looked so peaceful. There was some colour in her cheeks compared to this morning, and that made me smile as I brushed the back of my fingers over her cheek.
She felt warmer, too, as if the life was slowly returning to her.
“Wake up soon, my Allie,” I said softly, lying down on the bed next to her. I propped my head up on my arm so I could see her, but she didn’t so much as blink at my closeness. “I miss you and your smile. I’m going crazy without you here.”
I watched her as if she would respond to me.
Stupid.
She still hadn’t even twitched.
“Bella and Annie have been taking good care of you. They bathed and changed you earlier, although I had to tell Bella to get a sleeping potion. She’s too worried to sleep properly.” I traced her delicate features with my fingertip. “Rina’s been here, too, and she’s punishing herself for not being able to protect you. You need to knock some sense into these women. We’re all just waiting for you to wake up.”