The Curse Of The Blood Moon

11: New Life, New Challenges

~Evelyn~

Every day, I felt the effects of the poison lose their potency. My color was coming back, and I felt better than I had in several weeks. I barely saw Asher around now, and even when I did, he kept things brief. Mostly ended things by asking me what I had done for the day. Anne and I have become close friends as the weeks passed. She filled a vacuum for me and helped me not to miss everything I had left behind.

"We should wash your hair today. Shelly said she would come around so we can get some new clothes for you" Anne said and brought out a simple summer dress for me to wear.

"About that, do you think that I could get a few hours? I would like to speak to the king about some things. The guards told me that he is around today; I don't know when he will be available again" I told her calmly.

"That is totally fine. Why don't you go now? The king is in his study; he doesn't have any meetings now until later in the afternoon" Anne said, and I thanked her before leaving the room.

The endless rows of hallways did not deter me from finishing what I had started. Finally, I got to the door of his study and knocked quietly, waiting for a response. There was none, but then I heard the crashing fall of someone. Worried, I listened but didn't hear any movements.

I eased the door open, my senses tingling at the smell of danger. The study was brightly lit, and a cup of coffee was on the table, untouched. I looked around but didn't see anyone. Just as I turned, I caught sight of someone's hands under the table.

"Is someone there?" I asked, cautiously approaching the table.

When I got into full view, Asher lay on the floor, blood pouring from my ears. I rushed to him; he was barely conscious. I thought of the fastest way to get someone trustworthy to help me, but there was no way for me to reach Anne. I tried to scream, but Asher's weak hands circled mine as he managed to whisper with a lot of difficulty.

"Call Annette. No one else should be allowed in here for now" he said as I immediately dashed off to my bedroom to get Anne.

Anne was drinking wine and reading a book when I returned; she seemed shocked to see me, especially since I was winded.

"Are you okay? Did something happen with the king?" She asked me, hurrying to me as I took large breaths to make up for the one I lost while running down here.

"The Ki... The king is bleeding from his ears. I don't know what happened, but he has requested that I get you to him" I explained to her as she simply muttered a curse and picked up her bag.

We rushed to the king's study, and Anne swung into action immediately. She retrieved an emergency kit from one of the drawers, as if this was not the first time that this was happening to him. She didn't seem surprised even when I informed her of what had happened to the king.

"Get me some ice packs from the fridge over there." She said and directed me to the bar area. I rushed down and brought all the ice packs that my hands could carry.

"Here, where do I put them?" I asked her.

"On his body. Just put it everywhere you can," she said, and I began placing the water. When I got to his head, his hands grabbed me, and he pulled me close to himself.

Anne stuck his body with a needle, emptying the contents of the syringe into his body. He relaxed, but his grip on me did not ease off. I tried to break away, but my strength was nowhere near his.

"Stay Evelyn. He is relaxing, and his pulse is stabilizing. I think he finds comfort from whatever is happening now" she said, and I relaxed, even though I felt very uncomfortable about being in such close physical proximity with him.

"Evelyn" a whisper escaped his lips as I moved my head close to his lips to hear what he wanted to say. "Don't leave me" he said, and I held his hands, tightening my grip so he knew I was there and had not left him.

Anne watched us keenly, even though I knew she had many questions. Our priority right now was Asher and making sure that he was fine. He finally coughed violently, spurting out more blood than I had ever seen come out of a living person's mouth. Some got on me, but Anne was quick enough to put a bucket in front of him when the second wave hit.

When he was done, he relaxed and slid right into sleep, his body becoming limp in my arms. I looked at Anne for the instructions she would give.

"We will move him to that sofa. He will be asleep for a little while. Stay with him; he had to attend a meeting. I will go and represent him there. Make sure that no one comes in here. The king must be kept away from all eyes from now on, at least until he is better" she instructed, and I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

"Anne?" I called out when she had turned to leave.

"Yes?" She responded and waited for me to speak.

"Pardon my asking, what is wrong with the king?" I asked her, and she sighed heavily.

"When the time is right, you will know. For now, just keep him away from all eyes and get more ice packs for his body. We have to make sure that nothing happens to him, not now at least" she said and left the room right after.

Confused, I sat there hoping that nothing really terrible was happening to the king. He looked so peaceful in his sleep that I closed my eyes and prayed to the moon goddess for good health for him.