Chapter 17

My head is pounding when I wake up. I try to sit up but almost black out again from the pain. My arm and leg are also hurting. Finally, I'm able to inch myself up. I look around and it appears that I'm in a tent. There is a blanket draped over me, but I'm still shivering from the cold.

Someone outside must have heard me because a couple minutes later, Otis peaks his head in.

"Good morning, I hope you slept well. Actually, just kidding. I hope you didn't," he says with a hoarse laugh.

I just glare at him which makes him laugh even more.

"Ooh, you're feisty one. I'll have lots of fun with you."

His words make me sick.

"Josef!," he yells out the tent. "Come and help this young lady here up."

I have to hold myself back as Josef practically picks me up. Once he sets me down, my legs buckle from the pain and I collapse. Thankfully, Josef catches me just before I hit the ground. All of this intensifies the pain in my head.

He half drags and half carried me out. I'm set on a stump next to an unlit fire pit. Josef walks away, knowing that I'll be unable to escape. I look up into the trees and find a pair of eyes staring at me. Ashton! My eyes start to tear up but he shakes his head at me. I look away so that nobody suspects anything.

Otis walks over to me and says, "Aw, the brave one isn't is brave anymore, is she?"

I just scowl.

He laughs and moves his face right next to mine. "You amuse me. I'll have lots of fun with you tonight."

I recoil at his sour breath and horrible words. Turning my head, my stomach tries to vomit, but since I haven't eaten in a while, nothing comes up.

Suddenly, an arrow whizzes into Otis's stomach. The look on his face is priceless as he falls to the ground. The prince hops out of the tree and runs over to where we are.

He picks up Otis by the collar of his shirt and asks, "Where is the antidote?"

Otis laughs and blood bubbles up from his mouth. "Did you really think there was an antidote?" He rasps. "Or that we didn't think that you would chase after us? Well here's something for you: there is no antidote."

The prince throws him on the ground and stabs him in the throat with his sword. I look away and my stomach protests again. By this time, people around us have noticed what has happened. Zander, Ashton, and Juliana are all fighting men.

"Run!" The prince yells out. He scoops me into his arms and runs out of the camp to where the horses are waiting. We all hop on and ride away.

After what seems like hours of riding, we finally stop. The prince gets down and walks away. Zander tries to go after him but I put a hand on his arm. "He needs some space," I say softly.

Zander helps me off the horse and we start setting up camp. I still refuse to speak to Juliana after she betrayed me.

Late that night, my fever comes back. Ashton had come back later that evening and we are sleeping in the same area again. He holds me throughout the night as I go in and out of states of consciousness. My head aches and my wounds are almost unbearable.

The next morning, the prince announces, "Iris's wounds are probably infected. We need to get her back to the castle as soon as possible."

"It's at least a three day journey," Zander says.

"One and a half if we ride all day and night."

"But won't your horse get tired from the weight of both of you?"

"I've decided that you and Juliana will ride together. Iris and I will each have our own so that we can get there quicker."

We prepare to leave and Zander hoists me up onto the horse. "Be safe Iris," he says.

I nod weakly and the prince and I leave. Day and night passes. Every once in a while we stop to let the horses rest.

"Are you okay?" The prince asks me on one of our breaks.

"I'm fine," I'm able to mutter.

Without realizing it, my hand has gone up to the necklace that is around my neck.

"Are you ever going to tell me where you got that necklace?"

"Where I live, there is hardly anyone around. The only close neighbors we have is a family. They have a son that is my age. His name is Caleb. He gave this necklace to me the night that I found out that I was leaving. He gave it to me saying that h-he loves me. Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way about him so things were kind of rough between us when I left."

A tear trickles down my face. The prince looks at me and says, "You didn't have to tell me that."

I just shrug and stare into the woods.

We continue on until we pass through the same village as before. We stop by the inn and say hi to Emilia.

"Where are the others?" She asks.

We explain the whole story to her and she responds by saying, "Take two of our horses. They'll be quicker than the tired ones you have. We thank her and get on our way again.

After much riding, the castles comes into view. My head aches and I can barely sit on the horse I'm so weak and cold. I push through the pain until we get to the castle. The prince picks me up and runs to the infirmary, ignoring everyone around him. I'm treated to immediately and the king is notified of our return.

I gasp in pain as the nurse cleans my wounds. Then she says she needs to stitch them up again. I cry out in pain multiple times as she is doing this. This whole time, the prince is by my side, holding my hand and trying to comfort me.

As I'm resting on a bed, the door bursts open and an angry voice yells out, "Ashton!" It's the king. "What were you thinking?! You just left without telling anybody! I'm very disappointed in you son. You have lost much of my trust and respect. In fact, I have already arranged a ball for you. All the fair maidens in the land will attend and you pick a bride that night."

"But-" the prince starts.

"No! I will not have a son that acts like this! Go get some rest. We'll talk later."

Then the king leaves, slamming he door behind him.

The prince slams his fist down on the table. I close my eyes as pain runs through my head from all the noise.

Then the door opens again and in walks the queen. The prince doesn't even look up at her.

"Son," she rasps.

She looks so weak. Her skin is an ashy color and there are dark circles under her eyes. She's panting from having to walk here.

"I'm very proud of you. You tried to save me. It may not have been the smartest thing, but it was the noblest thing."

"There is no antidote," The prince says with tears in his eyes.

The queen just smiles and says, "It's okay. Nothing lasts forever. If this is my time, I will willingly go."

The prince gets up and engulfs her in a long hug. Then the queen turns her attention to me.

"Iris. Thank you for keeping my son alive. I am proud of all that you have accomplished. You are a brave one."

We say our goodbyes and she exits. The prince sits down in a chair next to me and I place my hand on his.

"It's okay," I whisper.

"No it's not," he says. "My mother is going to die." Then he finally breaks and tears pour down his face.

I scoot over on the bed and pay the space next to me. He lays down and rub his back and smooth his hair down like my mother would do when I was upset. We end up falling asleep together. His arms are wrapped loosely around me and mine around him.