The guardsmen were on alert and I stationed a few of our finest warriors out of the castle in case of an attack. I was tired from today's work and needed a rest.
I needed to check on Seraphina first but she must be asleep.
She seemed tensed and scared earlier.
The poor things had gone through so many things than to witness a war now.
I heaved a sigh, I should not be thinking about Seraphina and her problems. There were many things at hand.
I headed to her chamber and found her asleep.
I smiled and walked towards her, she looked so beautiful and peaceful. I sat down beside her and admired her. She's changed.
Stronger, wiser, and smarter.
I knew she was not the old Seraphina; she had begun to exhibit the signs of a true queen, but one part of me was against it. I cannot accept her yet.
Ever since she came back from the dead, she'd talk back at him and disobeyed my commands most time. She made sure to reply every time I said something.
I watched as her chest rose and fell after each soft breath, and her lips slightly parted, inviting. I desired her but I also grew a sense of unease.
I felt a sudden twist in my stomach. It was painful and bad.
Something was wrong.
I had not eaten anything odd, had I?
I tried to ignore the discomfort, but it grew worse; I gritted my teeth.
With a muttered curse, I stood up from the bed and went to a nearby chair, not to wake Seraphina. I tried to catch my breath as the pain spread throughout my stomach.
I never thought I'd die like this.
This is not what I wanted right now, the kingdom was in danger. They needed me.
Not with the murder attempt not solved and Seraphina... Well, Seraphina being Seraphina.
I glanced over her, she was still deep in sleep. I was glad she was oblivious to the pain I was enduring.
As I sat, I noticed something was off. This was not a normal stomach pain. It was more than that.
Suddenly, I felt something. Something huge was coming, something bad. Someone deliberately did this to weaken me.
An enemy had snuck into the castle but who could that be? The woman in the veil! She seemed anxious earlier; I had fallen for her trap.
She said Alistair had sent her. Why would he want me dead? Well, there are so many reasons.
Are they coming to kill Seraphina?
I needed Seraphina to escape…..no hands must be laid upon her except me. I'm her only Alpha.
"Seraphina…..
~~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
Warning horns blared continuously.
I became annoyed and stood up from my bed, who the hell blows horns to wake people up?
I froze in my tracks.
My hand covered my mouth.
Lorien!
He was pale and stiff on the chair.
"Lorien…are you okay?"
He was not okay.
I mustered courage and ran to him, he had burns on his lips. He was poisoned!
I panicked, who did this? Why?
"Lorien, please talk to me." I cried as I shook him, violently.
"Good morning Alpha! The rival Alpha has invaded duskbane with a large force" A guardsman announced outside.
I realized it was war sounds that woke me up, I became confused and afraid.
"The Alpha will join you soon. Go and prepare the battle finery," I shouted, wondering if that sounded genuine.
"Yes! My Queen!" The guardsman replied and went away.
I needed a solution, something to cure Lorien. He is our leader, we will all die if something happens to him. I scrambled around his room and looked for anything to help him.
I found some little portions and decided to taste them one by one. There should be a cure for poison.
Most of the portions burned my mouth, they seemed so strong. I wondered what they were for but I must find a cure for the poison.
Finally, I found a blue-colored portion. As I took it, my stomach became upset, I held my stomach and immediately it became normal. I felt very healthy and fine.
This must be the cure!
I ran to Lorien and poured the potion into his mouth quickly. He must live, Lorien must live!
"Lorien!…please wake up, please," I begged as tears rolled down my eyes. I got on my knees and placed my head in my hands.
This is the end.
"You're so emotional."
I became startled and looked up. He was smiling weakly!
I could not help the tears that rolled my eyes. It was tears of joy!
"I did not know you loved me so much." He said as he stood up and then stretched his hands to help me up. I accepted his hands and stood up.
"What…happened?" I stammered softly.
"Someone poisoned me, but I don't have time to explain; we will talk better after the war." He replied hastily.
"Ohh….
I got an unexpected kiss…it was gentle. I could feel the burning sensation on his lips. He released my lips and stared deep into my eyes. "Thank you."
I was overwhelmed, different emotions enveloped me. This is the first time the Alpha would appreciate
me, genuinely.
"I will come with you, Lorien" I announced softly.
"No, you've got to stay here; I can't risk it." He replied.
"Please, you're still weak from the poison."
"I have strong warriors by my side, stay here!"
"If you leave without me, I'd sneak to the battlefield and fight!"
Lorien looked at me with wonder, I wished I knew whatever he was thinking.
"You've to be by my side, always !" He commanded.
We went to the courtyard and got ready for the battle.
The battle was long and intense, our enemy's forces pushed hard against our defenses. I tried my best to fight bravely, my sword sliced through the enemies mercilessly.
Lorien eyes were on me, his eyes gleamed with admiration. He never believed I had skills; well, I guess it was Seraphina who had fighting skills.
As the fight continued, I realized that Lorien was not just a perfect warrior, but a brilliant Alpha. Even with how weak he was from the poison, he directed his troops with ease, defeating the enemies at every curve.
I refused to let that weaken me, I controlled my strength and used it against the enemies.
Alistair also fought selflessly and killed most of our enemies.
As the sun began to set, the rival Alpha's forces began to surrender. Lorien, seizing the opportunity, led a final, decisive charge.
In the end, it was I who faced off against the rival Alpha, my sword pressed to his throat.
"Yield," I commanded. My voice was firm, knowing Lorien was behind me.
The Alpha, defeated, nodded, and I stood back, allowing Lorien to approach.
As we stood victorious on the battlefield, Lorien turned to me, his eyes gleaming with a newfound respect.
He was amazed.
"Thank you," he said, again. His voice was gentle. "I owe you another one."
I beamed broadly, feeling a sense of responsibility and unity. For the first time since my arrival at Duskbane, I felt like I was part of the pack.
"Why did you send a murderer to me, Alistair?" Lorien asked as he walked up to his brother.
I was stunned.
Alistair looked confused. "A murderer?"
"Yes, a murderer."
"But I never….
"Don't lie, Alistair! You have always wanted this position, this crown I wear! You sent that woman to give me a poison so you'd take on our enemy yourself and you'd reign as the new king after I'm dead!"
I was shocked beyond words. Alistair seemed nice but why would he do that? To become the next alpha? He sent someone to give Lorien that poison so he'd rule! It all made sense.
"Bring the woman out," Lorien announced and the guardsmen dragged a pretty woman in chains to Lorien's front.
"Do you recognize her?"
Alistair looked down at the woman carefully.
"Ivy?"
"You really know her," Lorien said grinning.
"I met her on my tour, I never sent her to kill you. I did not even know she was in duskbane!" He said.
"Is that true?" Lorien asked as he looked down at her.
She was silent for a while.
"We truly met during his tour, but he did not send me to kill you; I'm a personal maid of the king you took captive. He was the one that sent me." She explained staring at the floor.
Alistair bent beside her and held her hands.
"Why ivy? Why!"
"I missed you. The king told me if I obeyed him and poisoned your brother, we'd be together." She said as tears ran down her cheeks.
"You shouldn't have done that, I'm so sorry for this." He replied as he stood up and placed his sword on her neck.
"Any last words?"
I felt bad as I watched the scene. They must like each other, but I can't interfere; this is a case of Lorien's planned murder.