I flew out of the room, the heavy silk of my gown billowing behind me. My bare feet pounded against the polished stone floors. Servants scattered, their eyes wide with surprise. I didn't care. I needed to get to him.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright?" One of the maids, a kind woman named Anya, rushed forward, her face etched with concern.
"I-I have to go!" I choked out, tears stinging my eyes. I couldn't explain, didn't have the time.
I burst through the castle doors, the crisp morning air hitting me like a slap. Two guards, stationed at the entrance, moved to intercept me.
"Your Majesty, where are you going? You can't leave the castle without an escort!"
Before they could stop me, Wilson, my personal bodyguard and arguably the most patient man in Northern Glades, stepped forward.
"Stand down," he commanded, his voice low and authoritative. "I'll go with her."
He turned to me, his expression a mixture of exasperation and concern. "For a royal, you certainly move with… enthusiasm." He started running to catch up.
I didn't respond, my focus fixed on the horizon. I ran faster than I ever had in my life, fueled by a primal fear. The Royal Infirmary was on the far side of the city, a good ten minutes by carriage, but I couldn't wait. I needed to see him now.
Wilson, despite his impressive physique, struggled to keep pace. He finally caught up as we reached the imposing gates of the Infirmary, his face flushed and his chest heaving.
"For a royal, you surely can run," he panted, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Well, when you have older brothers, you learn a thing or two," I replied, trying to catch my own breath. We used to race through the forest as children. Now, I wished they were here.
I approached the front desk, my heart hammering against my ribs. The nurse on duty looked up, her expression polite but guarded.
"I'm looking for Torrance," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Are you family? Only family members are permitted to see him at this time." She explained, her gaze unwavering.
Dead end. I hadn't thought this through. I needed to get past her, somehow. My eyes darted around the room, searching for a solution. Then, my gaze landed on my left hand, on the ornate red ring I always wore. Made of Rubies, the birthstone of my family. An idea formed in my mind, audacious and desperate.
"Yes," I said, meeting the nurse's gaze. "I'm his wife."
Wilson, standing beside me, raised a disbelieving eyebrow. The nurse's eyes widened in surprise.
"Apologies, Your…Mrs. Torrance. You may see him. Room 302. I'll have someone escort you." She gestured to a young orderly who was standing nearby.
He led me down a sterile corridor, the air thick with the scent of disinfectant and despair. Finally, he stopped outside a door marked "302." He gestured for me to enter and quickly disappeared.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. The sight that greeted me stole the air from my lungs.
Torrance lay in the bed, his usually vibrant face pale and gaunt. He was swathed in bandages, a network of bruises and scars marring his exposed skin. An IV drip snaked into his arm, and a monitor beeped steadily beside him.
He looked…broken.
"They had to sedate him to allow his body to rest," a voice said from behind me. I turned to see a man leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. Grayson.
"You're Grayson?" I asked, my voice a choked whisper.
He nodded, pushing himself off the wall. "Yeah. I'm Grayson."
He was tall, easily six-foot-five, with a lean, muscular build. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing sharp, chiseled features. He looked to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. The Italian heritage was evident in his dark eyes and strong jawline.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling. "How did this happen?"
Grayson sighed, his gaze fixed on Torrance's still form. "He took a fall. Off a cliff. Saving a child."
"W-what?" I stuttered, my knees threatening to buckle.
"The mission was going as planned until they trapped us on a cliff, holding a hostage – a kid. Torrance grabbed the kid and pushed him towards me, but the guy charged forward, and Torrance lost his balance and…" Grayson trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
I bit my lip, fighting back the sobs that threatened to overwhelm me. Relief warred with despair. He had saved a child. That was Torrance. Selfless, even in his darkness. But at what cost?