16 FIFTEEN

ALANNA

Wrapping my arms around myself, I gaze down below from the open window of my room. Today seems to be colder than usual; not that I'm complaining. Seven days. There are only seven days left for the bonding ceremony to take place. Strangely enough, Zeron hasn't been avoiding me like he usually does. We don't say much, we only spend time with each other in the garden, in his favorite private spot, in his room and in the library. Yet, neither of us have the courage to talk about our kiss. There's this undeniable tension between us. I can feel it and I know he can feel it too. I close my eyes and let out a sigh when I recall Zeron's dreadful words about the fact that he believes he's dying. God, I hope not. He can't die, not under my watch. The door to my room creaks open and I turn around to see the queen mother as she steps into my room elegantly. She's wearing a black and green floral dress today with her hair braided into a french plait. "Good day, queen mother" I say, trying not to get affected by the stifling intimidation that her presence oozes. "Call me, Tiana" she says, giving me one of her infamous chilly smiles. I bite my lower lip, tightening my hands into fists behind me. "What was our agreement before your wedding?" She suddenly asks and I freeze.

I didn't do anything wrong, did I?

"I-I don't know what you're talking about" I say and she sighs. "I'll get the maids. You will be staying in my son's bedroom, not here. But that's beside the point. Sit down, why don't you?"

I quietly lower myself onto the surface of my bed but Tiana remains standing. "I want to thank you for being so patient with my boy. You've really made a huge impact in his life, Alaska...."

"It's Alanna" I say, trying not to feel offended about the fact that she doesn't know my name. She clears her throat and straightens her shoulders. "Whatever you've been doing, keep doing it. I want you to tell Zeron that I would like to have lunch with the both of you in the garden and make sure he doesn't refuse" she says and walks away. I blink, slowly processing everything that has just happened. Gosh, she's so arrogant!

.....

I knock on the door of Zeron's chamber and it creaks open, the familiar shadows wrapping themselves around me. It's funny how they don't bother me anymore. I walk in, sighing when I notice how dark the whole place is.Great, he's in one of his terrible moods. "Z?" I say and something or someone dashes out from the corner of the room and appears behind me. I slowly turn around to see Zeron staring down at me with a classic blank look on his face. "Hey" I say and he blinks. "Your mother asked me to stay here with you" I say but he just stares. He suddenly begins to move closer and closer to me, making me move backwards as a result of how close he is getting. But then, my back hits the wall and he plants both hands on the wall at either sides of my head. His hair falls over his left eye and he clenches his jaw while I stare at him, my heart threatening to explode. "Z-Z... w-what-" I'm silenced when he suddenly leans closer and captures my lips with his. My eyes instinctively flutter close and I let out a moan as one of his hands splay across the exposed skin of my back. When we finally pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine and slowly strokes my cheek with his thumb."You are beautiful" he whispers and my cheeks heats up. "You're not so bad, yourself" I grin and a smile ghosts over his lips. "Z?" I say and he hums in response.

"Smile for me, please?" I say and he gives me a blank look. "Why?"

"Your gorgeous dimples deserve to be displayed" I say and his eyes widen.

"I-I can't. I don't remember how to" he mutters, avoiding my gaze.

"Oh, Z" I mumble and embrace him. I can hear his heartbeat and this gives me a certain peace. He slowly wraps his arms around me and I sigh in content. "Tell me you won't leave me" I say and he stiffens."I can't say that and you know it. I'm getting sicker by the day" he rasps and I gaze into his eyes, tears blurring my vision when I see how exhausted he really is. "Then, admit your feelings for me" I say and he snorts. "Fat chance"

"Hey! That's not fair" I pout and he rolls his eyes. "Come on, Z. Admit that you have feelings for me"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Alanna" I frown and glare at him. He kisses me and my mind goes blank. "You were saying?" He asks, mockery evident in his voice. "Shut up" I hiss and he shrugs and goes to sit down on his bed. "Your mum asked me to invite you for lunch. She wants to have lunch with the two of us and this time you can't say no" I say and he raises a brow. "Why can't I say no?"

"Because you're not allowed to?" I reply with a duh expression. He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. "What are you doing to me, Alanna? You're quickly consuming me" he suddenly whispers and butterflies invade my stomach. My excitement is immediately short-lived when he lets out a groan and clutches his chest with his right hand. He vomits blood, his face turning pale. "Oh God" I whimper as I brush his hair out of his eyes. He falls to his knees, his body trembling as the shadows around us begins to thicken. He vomits more blood and collapses to the ground, his head on my lap.With a broken heart, I watch as he curls into a ball and begins to shiver, pained groans leaving his bloodied lips. "Sh! It's okay. You're going to be okay" I cry, tears rolling down my cheeks. All of a sudden, his eyes roll into the back of his head and he begins to seize, his muscles tightening painfully. Blood pools in his mouth and pours down the sides of his face. "No! No! No!" I cry and try to do anything to alleviate his pain. "Help!" I scream, strangled sobs escaping my lips. "Help, please!" "Help!"

....

I stare at Zeron's immobile figure, my eyes swollen and red. The healers had done what they could do but he's not waking up. He's been asleep for quite a long period of time and I'm worried. He looks so fragile and broken especially with all the dark veins on his body. "He's suffering. My baby is suffering" the queen mother cries and I swallow hard. "What's it going to be?" She says to the chief healer who lets out a sigh.

"He's in a comatose state, I'm sorry. If he doesn't wake up tonight, he's never going to wake up" My knees buckle and I sink to the ground, my heart shattering into pieces.

....

"He's not going to die under my watch" I say to Taera who gives me a concerned stare. "My queen, you've been awake for a while now. Dawn is quickly approaching, you should get some sleep" she says and I ignore her as I resume my position by Zeron's feet as I rub his feet with ointments. "But my lady-"

"I don't care about what you have to say. Just leave me alone" I rasp and she bows shortly before leaving. I rise to my feet and make my way to Zeron's side. Then, I lay down beside him, tears crawling down my cheeks at the sight of his pale face. I know I have feelings for him but right now, the emotions that I feel are overwhelming. I've never felt like this before. I care for him more than I realize. "You're in love with him" I stiffen at the sound of Valdrin's voice. Making no move to wipe off my tears, I look away. I'm in love with Zeron. Of course, that explains so much. That explains why I feel like I'm going to be ruined if he dies. That explains the overwhelming pain that is plaguing my heart at the moment. I love him and I can't loose him. I would do anything to keep him alive and well even if he doesn't reciprocate my feelings.

"I do hope that he survives for your sake" Valdrin says and walks away. I gaze at Zeron's unconscious form and press a kiss to his forehead as I stroke his hair."I know that we only just began to know each other. But, my feelings for you have grown. I know you hate me most of the time but I don't hate you. I have no idea how this happened but I've fallen for you. My fragile heart belongs to you, do you hear me? You're everything to me now. So, don't leave me. Don't you dare" I sob and bury my head in his chest. I close my eyes and soon, I'm being whisked away into dreamland.

"Hello?!" I call out as I walk deeper into the forest. "Hello?!"I get no response but I continue to move forward until I nearly bump into someone. "Z" I beam at him. He glares at me and clenches his fist. "What are you doing here?" He spits and I frown."I was looking for you. But then I got lost" I say and he flares his nostrils. "Damnit, Alanna. Stop looking for me. I don't want to be found"

"You don't mean that" I say, my voice shaky. "I'm a lost cause, Alanna. Just let me die" he sighs, his shoulders slumped. With tears in my eyes, I cup the side of his face and kiss his jaw. "I'm not giving up on you. Never" I whisper and his eyes widen. "Stop this! I'm a monster-"

"I don't care! Stop being stubborn!"

"Alanna-"

"Shut up and listen to me. You will come back to me. You have to. I love you and I want you back" I whisper and tears fill his eyes and begin to roll down his cheeks. "Please" I whisper when he starts to fade away. "I'm sorry.... I wish I could... I'm in too much pain....." His voice trails off and I fall to the ground, a cry of pain leaving my lips and echoing through the forest. "You really are in love with a demon" a feminine voice states from behind me and I rise to my feet."Who are you?" I say, not even turning to look at her. "I'm a forest spirit and you're in my forest" she replies calmly. "I was just about to leave" I say, wearily. "I can help you save him"

"Really? How?"

"He is supposed to die in twenty minutes but you still have time. I can give him a little strength to hold on till the bonding ceremony" she says and my eyes widen. "What's the catch?"

"One life for another, little human. In this case, it's going to be your life. You are to die by your husband's hands" she says and I swallow hard.

Is it worth it? Saving Zeron's life is totally worth it. Taking a deep breath, I give her a reply,"Fine, I agree"

"It is done"

I wake up to the feeling of dampness on my face. I shakily wipe off my tears and sit up, my gaze resting on Zeron who is still unconscious. "Wake up, please" I whisper as I stroke his hair. Suddenly, his eyelashes flutter slightly. Then his eyes slowly fall open, a confused expression on his face. "Hey" I whisper and he blinks.

"I'm alive?"