The Sovereign and The Sorcerer (Larry Stylinson - L.S.)

Chapter 21

Harry fed him by hand, cutting small bites for his ease and offering small sips of water in-between. Louis could laugh at his fate, they had been strangers when the Prince had done this for him not long ago. Now, he didn't know what they were anymore.

"How is she? The Queen," he asked, linking a finger through the Prince's sleeve, not meeting his eye.

"Better," Harry whispered, "Nadia and Miriam are looking after her."

He nodded, pulling his hand back, his gaze falling to his nest. He would have to remove it, he wasn't sure he could build another one again. Everything seemed to be falling apart.

"I didn't let anyone in here," Harry pulled him out of his thoughts, "No one has seen your nest."

"Oh," he gulped, breathing more easily, "Where was I stitched up then?"

"Care wards. Miriam woke up soon after Lor- after Frederick was arrested, she wouldn't let any other Sorcerer touch you or Nadia," Harry said.

He smiled, she was a fast learner.

"Frederick hit her on the head, she had watched him poison mother before she fainted."

"What did Princess Gemma find at Frederick's house?"

"His sister and daughter were brewing the poison, and Lady Bernice was bringing it to him in the Palace, he confessed and surrendered when he saw them imprisoned." 

"Lady Bernice? I guess I was wrong about her."

"No," Harry spoke, "He had threatened to kill her if she spoke against him. She was an accomplice against her wishes. We have kept her in the guest quarters under strict watch. I want you to decide her fate."

"Oh."

Harry got up from beside him and went to the table by the window, gathering some things in his arms before returning to Louis. "Let me change your bandages, they are about a day old."

"You know how to do that?"

"I learned, didn't want anyone near you."

"You didn't wonder whether I wanted you around or not?" He was surprisingly calm, too tired to muster any anger.

"I did," Harry nodded once, taking his right hand and undoing the bandages, "And I decided to be here anyway. I'm not leaving your side, you can be furious with me, you can hate me all you want, but I'm staying."

Louis let his forehead rest at the Prince's shoulder, not wanting to look at his injuries, "That is the problem, isn't it? I can't bring myself to hate you. I think I would have done the same if I was in your place, the proof against me was astonishingly strong."

"It was," the Prince whispered, opening a jar after he had wiped away the previous medication, "But you would have thought practically, you would have given everyone a chance at defence. I should have listened to you."

"You should have."

"I let him blindside me, let me turn on you," Harry gritted, "I could have killed him myself when I saw the chains on you."

Louis frowned, "This isn't your doing?"

Harry paused, hand hovering above his wrist, "I know you think me to be ruthless at times, but I could never do this to you, my love. I admit it happened because I let the guards put you away, but had I known he had done this to you, I would have killed him without needing any other reason. I almost did."

The growl in Harry's voice was filled with anger, angered at himself, at Frederick, for what Louis had to suffer through.

"Where is he now?" He asked, wincing as the bandage covered an open wound.

"In the cells, his sister, and daughter, too. Awaiting execution."

"Harry," he gasped, looking up at the alpha, noticing the tightness in his features, his barely concealed rage, "You can't sentence them without a trial."

"I can. I failed to keep my promise to you, I will punish anyone who dares to hurt you."

"No," he said with finality, "You won't be that kind of a ruler. I have lived in a nation whose King was driven by emotions, you won't be that. You will give them a chance at a fair trial."

"Even knowing that you wouldn't have gotten it if Gemma had not reached out to you?"

"Yes, even then. You let your emotions take hostage of you when you saw your mother in that state, refusing to hear to anyone other than the first person who gave you some inkling of proof," he admonished him, not caring for the frown he received. "You know he is guilty and you have put him in the cells for it. Now, you will have a fair trial."

"He already confessed."

"Only to the Sovereigns. If it ever becomes an issue, your word will be merely hearsay. When he confesses in a courtroom, do whatever you want with him."

"Are you going to make me do your bidding from now on?" Harry asked, not entirely bothered by the notion.

"Yes."

"Will it grant me your forgiveness?"

"I can't promise that, you've hurt me too much."

The Prince hung his head, "I'm sorry, I can never say it enough. And I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I want you to know that I'll forever be ashamed of what I have done."

"I know," he nudged the Prince's cheek with his nose, "I can't promise to forgive you, but I want you here. Stay with me."

"I'm never leaving your side, my love."

Harry took care of the bandages on his other arm as well before moving to his leg. The Prince brought him potions from his cabinet, and helped him to the bath and back into the bed. Administered anaesthetics to his arms and leg to make the pain bearable.

"Will you do something for me?" Louis asked, almost asleep.

"Yes, darling."

"Cover my nest with a sheet."

"You don't want me looking at it?" Harry asked, a hurt in his voice.

Louis shook his head, "Don't want others to look at it, it's ours. I want to meet Miriam and Nadia when I wake up."

"Okay," Harry kissed his forehead.

"And hold me while I sleep, don't leave."

"I'm here, darling."

The Prince climbed into the bed beside him after covering his nest, holding him gently as he drifted off to sleep, a hand lovingly stroking his hair.

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