(Im back, Im so so sorry. School keeps getting in the way)
Days bled into nights, each one indistinguishable from the last. The silence was deafening, a thick blanket smothering Northern Glades. It had been days since Torrance had graced my presence, since his dark eyes had devoured mine, since the intoxicating scent of leather and danger had clung to my skin. Days since I had foolishly, willingly, surrendered a piece of my heart.
I stood on my balcony, the cool night air doing little to soothe the fire in my veins. My gaze swept over the sleeping kingdom, the quiet villages nestled in the valleys, the ancient forests guarding our borders. I was their Queen, their protector, their rock. But Torrance… Torrance had become my weakness.
"Your Majesty?" A soft voice broke through my reverie. Elara, one of my most trusted maids, stood timidly in the doorway. "Lunch is prepared. Will you be joining us?"
The thought of food turned my stomach. I hadn't slept properly in days, the worry gnawing at me. "Not today, Elara. Thank you."
Her brow furrowed with concern. "You haven't been sleeping well, Your Majesty. Nor eating. Perhaps a walk in the gardens would do you good?"
I forced a smile. "Perhaps later." I needed to hear from him, that was what I needed. He wouldn't go this long without contact, would he? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. He was dangerous, yes, but always…present. A shadow lurking just at the edge of my vision. Now, only emptiness remained.
Hours crawled by. The sun climbed higher, then began its slow descent. Still nothing. My hands trembled as I reached for my phone, the smooth surface cool against my feverish skin. I had called and texted at least a hundred times. Each unanswered call chipped away at my resolve.
"Where did you go?" I whispered, the words lost on the wind.
Just as despair threatened to consume me, my phone flickered to life. An unfamiliar number flashed across the surface. I answered it on the third ring, my breath caught in my throat.
"Hello?"
A deep, rich voice, laced with a melodic Italian accent, resonated through the phone. It was a comforting voice, even as the words that followed shattered my world.
"Isabella?" the voice asked, a hint of concern woven in.
"Speaking. Who is this?" My voice was barely a whisper.
"My name is Grayson. I'm calling about Torrance." There was a pause, a pregnant silence that stretched on for an eternity. "There's been…an incident."
My heart lurched. "What kind of incident? Is he alright?" I gripped my phone so hard my knuckles turned white.
"He's…he's been injured. He's currently in the Royal Infirmary, recovering."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Torrance, injured? Unthinkable. He was a force of nature, a whirlwind of shadows and steel. Invincible.
"Injured? How badly?" The question clawed its way out of my throat.
"It's…serious. He sustained multiple injuries during a mission. He's stable, but unconscious."
My world tilted on its axis. Unconscious. The one man who seemed to defy all earthly constraints, reduced to a helpless state.
"I…I need to see him."
"I understand." Grayson paused again. "He's been asking for you since it happened. The Infirmary is being heavily guarded but I will make arrangements for you to visit, if you wish. It's best to come as soon as possible."
The phone went dark. Numbly, I placed it on the table. Torrance was in the hospital… This couldn't be happening.
I bolted.