The Prince's Gift

Chapter 71.

Ana's POV

I let out a slow breath as the mission was completed. They'd caught him. I couldn't actually believe it was at least on the road to being over.

Finally.

I looked over across the room to see Braelyn whispering with a young boy, and as he turned to look around the room, I realized it was the young slave I'd healed in the infirmary. Elias I believe was his name. A small smile crept up my lips as I sensed her anxiousness and curiosity about him. I could feel her heart beating hard in her chest as heat rose to her cheeks. She liked him. And even more so, he liked her.

I stood from the ground, stretching after a long night of sitting stagnant in concentration. Everyone instantly stilled, waiting for my words to confirm their hopes.

"They've got them." I said.

Cheers erupted as those around me began to high five and hug, happy that their men and ruler were returning safely to us.

"They'll be heading home now and should thankfully have no issues on their return. They'll be back by tomorrow by nightfall." My mother and Kora each hugged me as Delphine stepped to my side, all three giving me questioning looks in unison as if waiting for me to elaborate. "They're having to go slower with Lilith and Maddox in the condition they're in. They'll be here soon though."

My mother and Kora each sighed in relief and exchanged soft smiles at one another.

"Delphine, may I speak with you?" I asked, taking this moment to ask her about what I'd seen in Zane's thoughts.

"What is it Adriana?" She asked smoothly, stepping away so that we could speak privately.

"I want to show you something. It's something that Zane let slip in his thoughts and I believe he plans to seek your help once they've returned."

Delphine nodded and I took her hands in mine, closing my eyes to concentrate on the momentary image that had flashed into Zane's thoughts before he left. I willed it between us and into Delphine's mind and I felt her grip tense slightly before releasing me. I opened my eyes to see her scowling down at the floor in thought.

"What was that?" I asked finally.

She let out a slow breath and then her dark eyes drifted up to meet mine. "He intends to sever the bond once he's able. He believes I can help him do it." Her voice was a low whisper, but I was afraid to elaborate any further with enhanced hearing all around us.

I leaned in sent my thoughts to her quickly. "And can you?"

She gave me a guilty smile and nodded once as her reply sounded back I her thoughts. "But it can come at a sever cost. Once the bond is severed, it's not uncommon for the two parties, or one, to be driven mad. The worst I've seen has been death. Most often, that is not the case, but it is possible. It entirely depends on the individual and how they react to such a strain on their emotional and mental state."

I exhaled and pinched my fingers between my eyes for a moment, trying to not let my mind wander. I thanked Delphine and excused myself to return to my room. It was draining staying completely connected for such an extended period of time to not just Zane, but at some points the entire search party. While my gifts definitely allowed me to do so at this point with ease, I now needed to take the time to recharge and settle in for the wait.

I fell into my bed and allowed myself to drift off into a light sleep and before I knew it, the day had passed already. They'd be back soon and it was time to prepare myself to face it all.

It was time to end it. All of it.

—————

A quiet knock sounded at my door and I jolted upright. I'd been sifting through my thoughts so intensely that I hadn't even realized someone had approached my room. I walked over and opened my door to see Zane standing there waiting.