Erondale

Chapter 22

Toby’s POV

The second that she opens her eyes, I freeze. I know what my strange need to be with her is now. The problem is, that she isn’t old enough to know it yet. She’s my fated mate! How have I not noticed it before? The strange jealousy, the urge to protect her, the constant thoughts of her.

She’s always been mine. I’m twenty one and she’s only 17. She won’t know what her attraction is to me until she turns eighteen. That’s when we know, for sure, who our mates are. I look at Erin. Everything in me wants to say ‘mine’ but I know that it would confuse her.

*Erin.*

*What’s wrong, Brother?*

*She’s my fated!*

She glances at Rae, stunned. She studies her face and suddenly recognition sets in her facial features. She’s starting to connect the dots. She kneels beside us, checking on Rae’s wounds. When the horse fell, all I could think about was Rae. I didn’t get to her in time and my heart seized. I heard her arm break and the air rush out of her lungs. Panic seized me.

*Chris is going to be so broken.”*Erin’s thoughts reach my mind.

It angers me that she is thinking about Chris when Rae is barely breathing.

“Hey, Little one. I need to get you to the hospital. Okay?”

She nods her head a little. I see her wince and my heart pounds.

“Rae, keep your eyes open for us, okay?” Erin asks.

Her only response is blinking her eyes.

I lift her up, as gently as I can, and run with her in my arms. At this point, I don’t care if she is curious to why I can run so fast with her in my arms. My only thought is that she needs to get to the hospital and fast. I feel her clutch my arm with her unbroken arm.

I don’t bother glancing down at her. I fear what I will see. She’s my fated. I feel the bond snapping in place and I feel as if a missing piece of me has finally snapped into place along with it. Love so strong fills my heart and it brings tears to my eyes.

“Don’t cry.” She whispers. “Is it really that bad?” She barely wheezes out.

“Yes, Little one. Hold on, we’re almost there.”

I slam the door open once we reach. I know that Erin has mind linked someone for me because they are prepared.

“Young Alpha. What happened?”

“Her horse fell on her. She has a broken arm and I’m afraid that she might have a busted lung. Please, help her.”

“Of course, Alpha.”

The nurse takes off with my love and I pace worried.

*Son?*

*Father! Oh, thank the Goddess. Where are you?*

*I’m on my way to the hospital. Erin has filled me in.*

*Hurry up, Father.*

I’m pulling my hair, unable to think straight. I just found her, well sort of. I just found out that she’s my mate and she’s dying. I can feel it. I feel her slowly slipping. I feel completely powerless. I pace around the waiting room waiting for word from the doctor and my father. I turn around when I hear running footsteps. My mom, Erin, my Father, and four guards are running down the hall. When my mother reaches me, she pulls me in for a hug.

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”

I don’t realize that I am crying until my mother reaches up to wipe away the tears.

“So, Rae, huh?” My Father asks.

I glance at him, nervous. “Yes. Father, I don’t understand. She’s four years younger.”

“That’s not that abnormal in our world, son. She matches us with our mates for a reason.”

“Poor Chris.” I hear Erin mumble again.

I growl. “Rae is barely hanging onto life and you keep worrying about Chris!”

She bows her head. “I’m sorry brother. It’s just that I know that he loves her.”

I scoff. “Yeah, loved her so much that he took your virginity the day before her birthday.” I snap.

She gasps as both our parents look over towards Erin.

“What did he just say?” My father roars.

Oops. I did not mean to blurt that out. My emotions are all over the place. All of a sudden I feel a sharp pain in my heart. My heart seizes and I drop to the ground. I can’t breathe and I clutch my chest while tears stream down my face.

“What’s happening?” I hear Erin scream.

I know what’s happening but I can’t speak. It’s Rae. She’s dead. The bond is snapping. I can hear the commotion going around me. Everyone is yelling. I can hear the nurses screaming. The doctors are rushing in and out of her room. The only thing that I can think is ‘No, not now. Not now. I’m such a failure. I failed to keep my mate safe.”

I can feel my mom trying to pull me up off the floor. I can hear Erin’s sobs as she realizes what is happening. She just keeps saying ‘no, it’s not true.’ Suddenly I hear a loud scream. I look up and realize that Selene is here. My mother is talking to her. She must have told her.

I slowly make my way onto my feet just as Talon rushes over to me. I don’t feel it. I just feel myself fall to the floor. He’s punched me.

“You promised me, you bastard! You promised me that you would take care of her! You said that nothing, nothing would ever happen to her under your watch!” He screams while I rub my jaw.

Selene looks at me. “No, it can’t be. Her fated?”

“Fated, what?” Talon asks.

“Toby is Rae’s fated mate.” She says in barely a whisper.

“You’re not making any sense, Mother.” He snaps.

“Don’t snap at your, Mother, son.” My father orders. I see Talon unconsciously tilt his head down towards my father in respect.

“I can’t explain it right now, Talon. Please.” Selene begs her son. “Please.” She pleads.

Tears are rolling down her face in waves. Talon glances at me one more time and snarls. I see that the sound surprises him as his eyes widen. He shakes his head, with one more sneer, and wraps his mother in his arms.

Chris’s POV

I walk out onto the platform. Glancing around, I’m looking for only one person. I can’t find her. Disappointment blooms in my chest as she is not here. I had hoped that she would show. I didn’t realize that I had hurt her that much. Depression settles on my soul as I wish desperately that I could go back and change what I had done. Preston sees me looking around and urges me forward.

“Time’s a wasting, Prince. It’s time to become King. Besides, if it’s my sister that you’re looking for, she’s standing front and center.” He teases.

Ugh. No. I do not want to see Rachael but, now that he said it, I notice her. I sigh. This is not the kind of drama that I need. She’s standing there wearing a navy blue dress that shows a little too much cleavage. There is a slit on the side of her dress. When she sees me looking, she bites her lip seductively.

Nope, not going there again. On the outside, she is absolutely breathtaking. I would be a lucky man, to others, if I decided to take her as my girl. However, I’ve seen her inside and it’s ugly. I shudder.

I walk the rest of the way on stage. I glance around and notice that not only is Rae missing but so is her entire family. That kind of hurt. The only friend from school, that is here, is Emma. Em smiles and waves at me. I give her a questioning look, hoping that she knows what I’m asking. Luckily she does. Not surprisingly, she shrugs her shoulders, looking confused.

I guess I am not the only one that is disappointed that Rae didn’t show. Before I can scan the room again, Reginald walks over to me holding the crown in his hands. After addressing the crowd, he turns to me and commands me.

“Kneel, Prince Christopher.” He commands.

I do as commanded with a heavy heart. This was my father’s crown. I had always dreamed of my father being with me when I became King. Looking out at the crowd, I see my mother crying. She is thinking the same as I am.

“Do you, Prince Christopher Murphy, promise to protect your country with your life?” Reginald asks taking me out of my mind.

“I do.”

“Do you promise to lead justly and honorably?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to listen to your constituents with out bias and settle disputes fairly?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to provide this Kingdom an heir and, if not, name a just and honorable replacement?”

I squint my brows. That’s a strange question. “I do.”

All the ladies chuckle and blush. I glance around and notice that a few are smiling at me while Rachael looks like she is about to start a fire with her eyes, looking over at a group of them.

“Do you promise to ensure that your Knights take care of their lands justly. If they do not, do you promise to punish the Knights for their dishonor even taking land from those that do not deserve it.”

“I do.”

“Then you are ready. I hereby name you King Christopher Allen Murphy.” He places the crown on my head. “Rise, Your Majesty.”

I stand up and every one kneels. “Long live the King! Long live the King!” Everyone shouts at once.

I smile. “Thank you everyone for attending. I am honored to be your King. Let the party commence!” My voice rings out across the hall.

The hall erupts in applause as everyone leaves. My heart feels heavy though. I don’t feel complete. I start towards my mother but I’m intercepted. Rachael comes over to me and wraps me up in a hug.

“I’m so proud of you, Baby.” She whispers seductively.

I step out of her embrace. “I’m not your baby, Rachael. Go and enjoy the party. I think that I am going to retire for the night.”

She pouts but Preston takes a hold of her arm. I nod at him appreciatively. He must see the sorrow in my eyes. I miss my father. I miss Rae and I have an aching feeling in my chest that I can’t quite explain.

“See you tomorrow, brother.” He states.

I nod and head to my room. I feel that something is wrong. I just can’t put my finger on it. I glance around one more time, hoping that maybe they just couldn’t make it but would be here for the party. No one is here but Emma. I frown and head towards my room.