𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟓// 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

When Will woke up the next morning, his body felt heavy, and every joint ached, as though he had run several miles. He braced himself on the bed and tried to sit up, but his arms refused to support him. 

Anxiety coiled in his chest. He tried again, then again, but he felt as weak as a newborn calf. He stared helplessly at the ceiling, his body shaking from the exertion. 

I can’t stay in bed today, he told himself. I have several meetings to go to. Unable to think of a decent solution, he finally forced himself to tense up and roll over, before trying to crawl his way out of the bed. 

It didn’t go as well as he had hoped; he struck his face on the carpet, and had to fight the damned blankets, but at last he was out of bed. He leaned against the frame, catching his breath. The bathroom felt miles away, but he could at least try to make it. 

When crawling didn’t work, he decided to lose the rest of the dignity and scoot, but he only made it a few feet before he had to lie down. He glared at the ceiling again, as though it was the source of all his problems. 

Why am I like this? he thought, angry tears gathering in his eyes. What’s wrong with me? 

He realized he would need some serious help today. Shame burned in his chest, but he pushed it away. He took a breath and shouted, “Leo! Jason?” 

Footsteps in the foyer, before the door opened. Leo gasped and was at his side in a second. “What happened? Are you hurt?” 

“Be an angel and get Fletcher? And Kayla.” Jason immediately left to do so, concern written all over his face. Leo managed to help Will get to his feet and sit on the edge of the bed. 

Leo frowned at Will before saying, “You don’t look hurt. Did you fall or something?” 

Will thought for a moment, brushing his hair out of his face. “I’m…exhausted. I can’t walk.” 

Leo frowned. “Exhausted? From what?” 

Will gave a cold laugh. “Oh, I wish I knew.” 

Leo was silent for a moment, shifting his weight. “Is there anything I can do for you?” 

Will raised an eyebrow. “Can you take me out back and put me down like an injured horse?” 

Leo gave a shocked laugh. “I’m afraid not, Your Highness.” 

“How unfortunate.” Will let himself lie down, trying to relax his muscles. 

Several minutes later, Jason came back with Kayla and Lee. The healer already carried a potion and something metal, already knowing what Will was struggling with. He walked over and gave Will a smile. “Hello, Prince.” 

“Save me from the consequences of my own actions,” Will lamented, making Kayla laugh despite the worry in her face. 

 Lee’s smile grew as he sat down next to Will. “Do you want Kayla and the others to stay? We’ll be talking about your health, so...” 

Will rubbed his temples, trying to focus. “I don’t care. Do what you want.” Lee could have lectured all of them about his health and he wouldn’t have enough energy to bother stopping him. 

To his surprise, Lee turned to Leo and Jason and calmly said, “Then I would like you two to be outside the door instead. Patient confidentiality and all that.” 

“And me?” Kayla asked, frowning, as though wondering why Will had even wanted her to be here. 

“Will considers you family, so I’ll leave it up to you.”