Promised To The King

The Queen Has Returned

BLAKELY'S POV: 

    As Silas returned to the car, everyone noticed he was covered in blood, as was Alaric. I wondered who all they had killed, and what they had done to them. But honestly? I was too terrified to ask. It only made me wonder what they planned on doing to me. He had no reason to come and save me. He did tell dad that he found a suitable queen after all. But, it seemed strange that I didn't see her here nor did I hear any mention of her. 

    I wouldn't deny the fact that even covered in blood, Silas was incredibly beautiful. The red only seemed to make his other features pop, let alone the thought of a man drawing so much blood from someone was kind of hot. I blushed immediately at the thought and tried to shake it from my head. But while I fought against that, I could have sworn I seen a smirk form on Silas' lips. Which only made me blush more thinking he knew what was in my head. 

    As we neared the Faylinn River, I was confused as to why he was taking me to his home. Surely if he planned on killing me, he would have at the palace. It made me wonder what his true intentions were. The silence within the car soon became overwhelmingly eerie. Lilith must have felt it too because the thought entered my mind she cleared her throat. 

    "So, Silas, I was thinking, when we get back we should probably let Blakely see Harlow. Maybe she can help give us a clue on the extent of her damages." Lilith said watching his every move. "Also, if I am allowed to speak freely here, we just calmed her down, and both of you returning covered in blood is not helping. Can you imagine what she possibly thinks about what you have in store for her?" Lilith made direct eye contact with him this time. 

    "Speaking as your king, and not your friend, you are not allowed to speak freely right now," Silas stated clearly feeling uncomfortable by the comment she had just made. His lips form a thin line. "Blakely. We are not going to hurt you. It seems that we were inconsiderate returning to the car this way. You have my word that no harm will come to you." He said nonchalantly. He seemed to be watching my movements from the corner of his eye. 

    "It is ok. I understand. But, spare me the details?' I asked, not sure if I could stomach the gore. 

    He offered me a mournful smile to which I returned. I looked back out the window as we crossed the Faylinn bridge. We were so close to his home, I was starting to feel nervous. I mean, am I wrong to not trust him? We were engaged since I was 6. And he broke it off after 10 years. All of the sweet things he said to me seemed to be a lie. Just the thought of everything he put me through in the past year still made my heart twist in knots. I still didn't understand how it was possible for emotional pain to lead to such physical pain. 

    Shea looked back through her mirror and offered a kind smile. "Blakely, we don't have much longer to go. You must have had a long rough day. You will be able to catch some much-needed rest as soon as we get there." 

    I offered a thankful smile. "Thank you. That is very kind." 

    She crept along the road of Ambrogio as citizens began to crowd the streets. Seemingly very happy that their king had returned unscathed. I looked around slowly at the difference in the atmosphere between here and Eudaimonia. Our people were never happy to see father return to his throne. But they, of course, never spoke on those feelings. Sometimes I would even find myself hoping he wouldn't come back. 

    I watched it as we neared Delphi Square. Shea pulled the car to the front and Alaric and Silas were the first ones out. Alaric opened my door and helped me out slowly. I looked around at everything becoming overwhelmed. I still didn't know what was happening, there were townspeople everywhere trying to catch a glimpse of the human princess, everyone speaking so loud trying to catch their king's attention. My breathing started to quicken. Each breath shorter then the last and it felt as though my chest was constricting. The world seemed as though it was spinning around me. Everything was too much to take. It wasn't until Silas was by my side that I realized I was standing still. 

    "Blakely, what's wrong?" He looked around quickly. "Talk to me. What is it?" He said when I remained silent. 

    I placed my hand on my chest and felt tears rushing down my face. My hands were shaking so badly. I felt as though my legs were going to give out any second. I kept my eyes to the ground trying to process everything. But it seemed as if the crowd was getting louder.  Why won't everyone GO AWAY!  Was all that my head had been screaming. 

    As I watched the ground, Silas' voice seemed to be a mumble at this point. I watched as a pair of feet approached. She waved her hand in front of my face quickly, and when I didn't look up her attention went to Silas. "Silas. She is having a panic attack. Make these people leave. You should know better." She scolded. 

    Immediately she draped a blanket around my shoulders, it seemed like a warm embrace and she crouched down in front of me so she could see my face. I could have sworn I heard her gasp as she made eye contact with me. She studied my face for what seemed like forever while Silas and Alaric started sending people away. 

    She seemed to shake herself out of her surprise quickly and placed a hand on my face. "Shhh. I know, you have had a long day. All of this must be terrifying. My name is Harlow. Come with me? We will get you settled in and calmed down." She promised in the most soothing voice I had ever heard. 

    For some reason, my heart wanted to trust her so I nodded and forced myself to stand up straight. She smiled and wrapped her arm around my shoulder walking me into the castle slowly. She held me close to her every step of the way, rubbing my shoulders. As we walked into the door my heart began to slow down. 

    She smiled noting the small changes. "Good girl. It will all be okay. I swear it to you." What was it with everyone saying that? 

    I could hear quick footsteps approach, without turning around, I could tell it was Silas. Without saying a word, Harlow rose her hand to stop him. The footsteps stopped in their tracks. "But, Harlow, she needs..." His voice trailed off as she shook her head. 

    "Yes, medical attention. A medical assessment. I know. Do you forget who you are dealing with boy?" She smirked. 

    "No ma'am. But I want to come with her." He said, actually sounding worried. 

    "It isn't about what you WANT. It is about what she NEEDS. And I said no." She said using a motherly tone. For that, I was grateful. "But if you want to make yourself useful, bring her a change of clothes, something comfortable. I am sure she will want to forget about today as soon as possible. So I want this dress disposed of." 

    He immediately walked by us to do as she had said, and she continues to walk me until we stop at a room. We walked in slowly, and I took everything in. There was nothing particularly special about this room. It seemed like a typical nurses station. She motioned for me to sit on the table while she watched my every movement. As if I were an animal in a zoo. 

    "Do...do I need to take the dress off?" I ask her awkwardly. 

    "No. I already know all of your injuries and their extent. I am a witch. It is easy for me to feel these things. I completed the assessment part as we walked." She spoke smoothly as there was a light know on the door. She opened it a c***k and took the clothes from Silas quickly. "Before you ask, no you can not come in." She said quickly shutting the door. She laughed a little shaking her head. Her beautiful blonde hair fell around her shoulders. She handed me the clothes. "I am going to turn around, tell me when you are dressed and we will work on healing you." 

    As she turned around I quickly stood to change. This was the first time I wasn't given some overly expensive dress. Just a pair of shorts and a tank top. It was actually pretty comfortable. I sat back down quickly throwing my dress to the floor. "I am ready," I said watching her turn around. 

    She smiled. "Alright sweetheart, lay down." She said walking over. As I laid down, she hovered her hands over my body. Her brow furrowed. "That's what I thought." 

    I look at her panicked. "What? What is wrong?" 

    She looked down at me worried. "I need you to stay still and calm. Understand?" I nodded afraid as she hovered her hands over my stomach. She looked at me like what she was about to say would hurt her more then it would be. She looked so concentrated. I could feel the power radiating from her. "Keep in mind, pain is only temporary. This will hurt. A lot." She warned. 

    Before I could process what she had just told me, she moved her hands in one swift motion. An intense pain spread throughout my body as if my veins were being set on fire. As if something inside of me that lay dormant all these years, was finally waking up. A gut-wrenching scream escaped my mouth. And before I knew it, the world faded and went black. 

                                                                              --------SILAS' POV:

    I was walking back to my room when I heard it. The scream that tore through the halls. My heart sank.  Dammit, Harlow. What the hell have you done?  Immediately I turned and walked back to her little station. I banged on the door as hard as I could. 

    "Harlow. Open up. I have given you the space you asked for. But something is wrong. I can feel it. Open. This. Door." I warned. I waited outside the door for what seemed like hours. I banged on the door again. "Open the damn door. Now! Before I bust the f*****g thing down!" I screamed. 

    I hear her footsteps approaching quickly. She cracks the door silently. "Silas, I need you to trust me." She says, her voice strained. 

    "Harlow, what is happening. I need to know. She sounds hurt." My voice came out broken. Just the thought of her being hurt broke my heart. 

    "Silas. She will be fine. The scars and bruises were the least of our worries." She says offering a forced smile. 

    I try to peek around her and catch a glimpse of Blakely seizing on the table, cries of pain escaping her lips. My heart wrenched in my chest. "Harlow. Stop this. She is in pain. So much pain." 

    "Silas. Let me do my job. It needs to work out of her system." I looked at her confused as she turned back to see Blakely. She heaved a deep sigh. "Binding power is a piece of cake. Unbinding power on the other hand. That is a bitch." 

    "Power? Bound? I don't understand." I said as my brow furrowed. 

    Harlow turned to look me in the eye. "Silas. She is a witch."