Fated To The Fae King

Chapter 21

▪️G O L N A R▪️

My heart raced just thinking about Cedric's wound.

With each step toward the castle, my mind churned with a profound sense of confusion that seemed to cloud my every thought. Cedric's actions baffled me. He had always been standoffish, his motives shrouded in mystery.

I never thought he would willingly endanger himself, especially for someone like me.

There had been faint whispers of Cedric's involvement in the recent attacks, casting a shadow of suspicion over him. Even Kieran, Cedric's own cousin, had doubts about his loyalty. The tension between them had always been palpable, but now it seemed to simmer with a new intensity.

Yet, if Cedric truly harboured malicious intent, why would he intervene to save my life?

The question gnawed at me, filling me with a sense of unease as we hurried through the debris-strewn streets. Was there more to Cedric's actions than met the eye? Or was I simply grasping at straws, desperate to make sense of a world suddenly thrown into chaos?

The journey seemed endless, every stumble or uneven cobblestone beneath our feet a potential threat to Cedric's fragile state. But Alaric and I refused to falter, our determination unwavering as we pressed forward.

I could sense Alaric's worry, his normally stoic expression etched with lines of concern. Guilt weighed heavily on him, a burden he carried silently, knowing he had been unable to protect us both. The strain of the recent magical exertion showed on his face, a subtle weakening that belied his usual strength.

As we neared the safety of the castle gates, I spared a glance at Alaric, noting the tension in his jaw and the weariness in his eyes. It pained me to see him struggling, burdened by the weight of his responsibilities as both a King and a brother.

But amidst the turmoil, one thing remained clear: Alaric's unwavering dedication to his family and his kingdom.

When we finally approached the towering gates of the castle, a surge of relief washed over me. The guards sprang into action at our arrival, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as they caught sight of Cedric's battered form.

Alaric wasted no time. "Summon the healers!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the air with urgency. "And prepare one of the rooms for treatment."

The guards nodded in acknowledgment, swiftly carrying out Alaric's orders. Two of them stepped forward, gently taking Cedric's limp form from the Fae King's arms, their movements careful and steady as they carried him toward the designated treatment room.

With Alaric leading the way, I followed closely behind, my heart heavy with worry for Cedric's well-being. Each step felt like a struggle, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me with every passing moment.

Upon entering the room, Alaric immediately directed the healers, his voice firm as he ensured that Cedric received the attention he needed.

I watched with bated breath as the healers began their work, their skilled hands moving with precision as they assessed Cedric's injuries.

Alaric's eyes never left Cedric's frail form. His brow furrowed with worry, he turned to the lead healer, his voice tight with concern. "How is he? What can we do?"

The healer, a woman with a reassuring presence, met Alaric's gaze with a sombre expression and replied, "His injuries are severe. The dark magic used against him was strong, it has tainted him, eating away at his very essence. We will do our best to remove the corruption, and even then, it will take time to heal him."