Chapter 8 - King

I fell on my bed heavily.

My body ached from the day's lesson. It was worth it but I felt drained.

"Shall I draw you a bath, my Lord?" Savi asked as he pulled my boots off.

"Not now Savi."

I turned to my side. Would Ally nurse me if she were by side?

"You must at least get undressed from those clothes, my Lord."

I shook my head like a child.

"Allow me to take them off, my Lord."

I shook my head again.

The thought drew me to a possibility in time where Ally would undress me. That teased me in a way I thought only Princess Svannah could.

"My Lord, staying in those sweaty clothes would give you a bad odor."

"I know."

Reluctantly, I sat up.

"Thank you, my Lord."

He took off my clothes quickly. I fell back when he was done but he stopped me.

"You must bathe, my Lord. Your bath is

ready."

I was not up for a debate anymore so I pulled myself to my feet and walked to the warm

bath he had prepared.

The water felt lovely against my skin.

Did they allow Ally to take a bath today? Even if they did, it must have been horribly cold.

The thought of that ripped away all the pleasure I held. I wiped myself dry. Savi helped me get dressed and I laid on the bed once again.

The day was tiring, I deserved to rest. When I wake, I will clothe Ally with as much comfort and love as I can.

I closed my eyes.

In the dark, I thought of only her and she filled my dreams.

"My Lord."

Savi's voice woke me. I opened my eyes and the first thing I noticed was the dark night.

I sat up immediately.

Savi stood at the foot of my bed, holding a tray of food in his hands.

"Why did you not wake me up earlier Savi?"

I got up and began to dress myself hastily.

Savi put down the tray to assist me.

"You were sleeping so peacefully, my Lord. I apologize for my inactions."

I ignored him and began to pull on my coat. Savi intervened to help me.

"What time is it?" I asked him.

"The crow has cried out once already." He said.

I clenched my fist.

It was dawn. I made my mate wait for so long.

I had to leave now.

Savi crossed my path before I could leave.

"Where are you going, my Lord?"

"To my mate. Do not get in my way."

Savi walked aside with his head lowered.

"You must eat, my Lord."

I looked back at my meal. Had Ally eaten?

"Bring it along with an extra serving." I ordered before storming out.

The palace was quiet, evidence of how late it was.

"Did you take the blankets?" I asked Savi when I realized he walked behind me.

"No, my Lord."

I turned around sharply to see Savi already halfway back to get the blankets. I waited impatiently for his return.

When I saw him at a distance, I to the dungeons. He would catch up.

I told the warden to keep my visit secret.

I composed myself before I got to her cell.

Ally was seated on the ground. She leaned on the wall with her eyes closed. She looked paler than I remembered. As if sensing me, she opened her eyes.

Her smile was faint.

I took a step closer. I noticed a cut on her lip and a new bruise on her cheek. My anger spiked.

"Who hit you?"

Ally raised her hand to touch the cut lightly.

"It is nothing to be concerned about." She said lightly.

"Who touched you?" I asked again.

She raised her eyes to mine.

"The King's men."

How dare they touch my mate?!

I will kill them!

I turned to leave.

"Please do not do anything foolish." She said weakly.

"And why not? They hurt you." I said, trying to keep my voice composed.

"That was my fault."

I turned to face her.

"They have no right to hit a woman."

"A rogue is neither man nor woman."

The truth in her words hurt my heart. I remained silent.

"I feared the night would pass without your presence." She said lightly.

I met her eyes. She smiled.

"I apologize for my lateness."

"I have no negative feelings towards you. I understand that a Prince has much to accomplish in his day." She said humbly.

"Nothing will stop me from seeing. I will never fail to see you. You have my word."

She chuckled.

Or she tried to chuckle. A wince pierced through her smile. I took a step to her without

a thought and crouched before her.

"You are unwell." I stated.

She did not respond and she did not have to..it was clear.

"May I have a look at the wound?"

She looked at me for a while.

"If you wish."

Slowly, she lifted her tattered shirt. My eyes grew with concern at how large and relatively fresh the wound was.

It looked like she had been slashed with a sword.

She stopped just below her bosom but the wound did not look like it was shown to its entirety.

It had been bandaged carelessly with torn clothing and it was already falling apart. It had dried blood on it but some parts of the 'bandage' was stained with fresh blood.

Probably form whatever had happened in my absence.

"I am sorry..." I said, not knowing what exactly to say.

My mate was hurting badly and I could only watch.

"You have done no wrong." She said.

She slowly pulled her blouse back down.

"You have a cut." She pointed out.

She touched my hand. I froze momentarily.

Her touch sent sweet shocks through me, not like how I felt when Princess Svannah touched me at all.

But she was right. There was a cut in my palm.

"It's not a serious matter."

"A Prince should not cut himself. Especially one with such beautiful skin."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks.

"I am flattered by your words, my Lady." I said with a chuckle.

"Tis the truth."

She giggled. I saw her shiver.

Savi handed me the blankets before I could call him. This time, I had the pleasure of covering her up myself. She did not stop me as I passed my hands through the bars and wrapped her up.

"Thank you." She said when I was done.

"It is my pleasure."

I stood because my legs hurt from the position I was in. But I did not feel as comfortable standing. I wanted to be as near her as possible.

I ordered Savi to lay a blanket on the floor. I sat on the ground.

"It has been so long since I sat on the ground like this." I said as I sat and crossed my legs.

Ally looked amazed.

"Not even when you are alone in your room do you sit on the ground?"

"No. Heaven forbid Mother comes in and sees me on the ground. Or worse, Father."

She giggled. She looked more ethereal when

she laughed.

"I brought some porridge for you."

Savi handed me the bowl. It was warm.

"I must thank you but I am not hungry. My

appetite has gone from me."

I frowned.

"When was the last time you had a meal?"

She did not answer but it was obvious she thought about it.

"Please have this porridge. You need to eat to get better."

She must have seen the concern in my eyes because she agreed with no words. She only nodded.

I tried passing her the bowl but it was too large to be passed through the bars.

"Do you mind if I feed you?"

With a faint amused smile, she nodded. I do

not know why that made me chuckle but I did.

She burst out laughing too.

Still laughing, I spooned some millet porridge. I blew on it before feeding her with it.

"Do you like it?"

She nodded.

"Tell me about your day." She said.

"If that will please you, I will. The morning was occupied by a court proceedings I headed." I said rather proudly.

"You would make a fine King."She said with a smile.

I hope so. I fed her another spoonful.

"It is what Father wishes of me. To one day oversee this kingdom and the pack."

She nodded.

"Do you wish the same?" She asked.

"Pardon?"

"Do you wish to be King?" she asked, looking at me intently.