"All these to prove myself? Did you do this?" Genevieve's voice trembled as she turned to the king, her eyes blazing with accusation and fear. The king's expression was somber, his eyes filled with regret.
"I would find out who sent them to attack you, and I promise it would never happen again," he vowed, his voice low and soothing. Genevieve's gaze drifted to Lady Evelyne, who stood frozen, her hands folded in front of her.
Genevieve's anger boiled over, and she took a step forward, her voice rising. "You, you did this, right? You don't want me? You don't like me? I know you don't, and I don't like you either. If you don't want me here, ask your father to reject me and let me go." Her words spilled out in a torrent, fueled by her hurt and frustration.
As she turned to storm off, her eyes met Edric's, and for a moment, they locked gazes. Genevieve felt a jolt of emotion, but she couldn't quite place it. She turned away, her heart pounding in her chest.
Just as she was about to walk out of the hunting grounds, a figure emerged from the shadows, sword raised. Genevieve's heart skipped a beat as she froze, her eyes fixed on the blade. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact, but it never came.
Instead, she heard a grunt, followed by the sound of a body crashing to the ground. Genevieve's eyes snapped open to find Edric standing in front of her, the sword lodged in his chest. His eyes met hers, and Genevieve felt a searing pain, as if her heart was being ripped apart.
"Are you okay?" Edric's voice was weak, his words were barely audible. Genevieve's mind went blank as she stared at him, her eyes fixed on the sword.
"King," she whispered, her voice trembling. Edric's eyes never left hers as he fell to his knees, his body crumpling to the ground.
Everything around Genevieve went dark as she stumbled forward, her hands reaching out to catch him. "No, no, no," she whispered, her voice lost in the chaos.
"Get the royal doctor!"
The sound of shouting and footsteps filled the air as the palace guards rushed to their aid. Genevieve's eyes never left Edric's face, her heart pounding in her chest.
It felt like a thousand nails were being pierced into her heart
She felt a bond, a connection that went beyond words, and in that moment she knew she cared for him deeply.
As the guards rushed to Edric's side, Genevieve felt a wave of despair wash over her. She had been so blind, so focused on her own fears and doubts. Now, as she gazed at Edric's pale face, she realized that she might lose him, and the thought was unbearable.
She didn't know why.
Should she not be happy?
As Genevieve gazed at Edric's pale face, her vision began to blur, and her legs gave way beneath her. She felt a rush of darkness, and everything went black.
~~~
Genevieve opened her eyes, she was lying in her bed, surrounded by the familiar walls of her chamber. Alice, her maid, was sitting beside her, holding a cold compress to her forehead.
"My lady, thank goodness you're awake," Alice said, relief etched on her face. "How are you feeling?"
Genevieve sat up, rubbing her temples. "What happened? How is...how is the king?" She stammered.
Alice's expression turned somber. "They're trying to save him, but...it's not looking good. The sword was poisoned with shiver and another Lycan toxin. It seems they knew they could get to you and used you to get to him. The healers are doing everything they can, but..." Alice's voice trailed off.
Genevieve threw off the covers and leapt out of bed. "I need to see him," she said.
Alice caught her arm. "My lady, I don't think that's a good idea. The king's guards are being very protective of him, and they won't let you near him."
Genevieve's face is set in a stubborn expression. "I don't care. I need to see him."
She rushed out of her chamber, Alice following close behind. When they reached the king's chambers, Genevieve was met with a phalanx of guards.
"Let me in, I need to see the king." She muttered immediately.
"I'm sorry, my lady," one of the guards said, his face was unyielding. "But you can't see the king. It's...it's your fault he's in this state."
"I am his mate! Your King's mate!"
"I'm sorry." The guard said without blinking.
Genevieve's eyes flashed with anger, but she bit back her retort. Instead, she turned on her heel and stalked off towards the dungeon.
"Alice, come with me," she called over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry my lady you can't go in." A set of lower guards were positioned at the entrance of the gate.
"And who are you to stop me? If you want your head to roll, stop me." She said she knew with a little threat she could break them.
Alice followed Genevieve to the dungeon, where they found the assassin being held in a cell.
Genevieve's eyes locked onto the assassin, and she felt a surge of anger. "You," she spat. "You did this."
The assassin looked up at her, a sneer on his face. "I was just following orders," he said.
Genevieve's eyes narrowed. "Whose orders?" She demanded.
The assassin hesitated, and for a moment, Genevieve thought he wouldn't answer. But then, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Someone inside the palace. I don't know who, but...they paid me to kill you and someone else paid me double to kill the king."
Genevieve's eyes widened in shock, but before she could ask another question, the assassin's eyes went wide, and he slumped forward, dead.
Genevieve's face went pale as she stumbled backward, Alice catching her arm to steady her.
"We need to get out of here," Alice whispered, her eyes darting nervously around the dungeon.
Genevieve nodded, still trying to process what she had just learned. As they made their way back to the king's chambers, Genevieve's mind was racing with questions and fears.
When they arrived, Genevieve was met with the same phalanx of guards, but this time, she wasn't going to stop until she saw the king.
"Let me through," she said, her voice firm.
The guards hesitated, and then, one of them stepped aside. "Only for a minute, My lady," he said.
Genevieve nodded and slipped past the guards into the king's chambers. Edric lay on the bed, his face pale and drawn. Genevieve's heart went out to him as she sat down beside him.
"Edric," she whispered, taking his hand in hers. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry this happened."
As she sat there, holding his hand, Genevieve felt something shift inside her.
She felt different.
She felt like he had suddenly become her life. She didn't realized that she cared for Edric, deeply. She cared for his strength and his vulnerability, for his kindness and his fierce protectiveness.
As she looked at him, she knew that she couldn't imagine a future without him. And that realization scared her, because she knew that she was falling in love with the king. After what happened with Alaric she never thought she'd feel that way.
Over the next few hours, Genevieve sat with Edric, talking to him, holding his hand, and willing him to wake up. The healers came and went, but Genevieve remained, her heart fixed on the king.
Genevieve leaned forward, her lips brushing against Edric's ear.
"Please don't leave me," she whispered. "Please come back to me."
As she sat back, she felt a faint pressure on her hand, and she looked down to see Edric's fingers twitching.
"Edric?" She whispered, her heart racing.
But he didn't respond, "he's awake!" She shouted and another doctor ran in.
~~~
"How did they fail to kill her and harm my son instead? Is this girl some God? Alaric what did you do?!"