Bolin
Vether take me. The doctor popped my shoulder into the socket three hours ago, but it hurt like cursed fire. The bones Stella healed held onto the trauma of what had happened. I’d never experienced such agony. Changing my tunic and trousers tortured my limbs.
Yet Stella’s disappearance burdened my heart as heavily as my injuries had to my body. Prince Fernando left me slack jawed when I had no answer regarding her location. I couldn’t follow him in my condition.
Where did you go? I asked her over and over in my mind. What happened?
She’d whispered, “I love you,” then ran away. Her actions made no sense. Maybe if I’d confessed that I loved her too … But saying something like that to anyone beside Patrick didn’t feel right.
If I was her older brother, it would be blood that bound us instead of friendship. It was too easy to lose friends. Siblings, though? No. Family ties us together, if we want them or not.
Guards crowded inside the gate by the time I made it outside. The descending sun painted the sky crimson, with streaks of orange clouds. The silhouette of a distant forest dotted the horizon. Servants, stable hands, and others in the king’s employ roved the front road and entrances. Clucking chickens added to the commotion, and I glanced over to the coop past the stable. I noticed a woman setting their feed into their enclosure.
“You,” I asked a lanky woman carrying a bucket of milk, “do you know anything?”
“No, sir,” she mumbled, ducking her head and hiding her features beneath her white bonnet as she headed inside.
I looked for someone with more information. At this moment, my short stature frustrated me. I needed more open space so my view didn’t consist of sweaty backs and tangled hair. I finally reached the edge the of the walkway. Most of the busy people completed their tasks behind me now.
Sentries watched beyond the wall. Their violet uniforms brightened to a glowing maroon in the sunset.
The one on the far left shouted, “They’re coming back!”
“Did they find her?” I yelled.
The guard met my gaze, and I repeated my question, enunciating each word. “Did they find Stella?”
He peered toward the setting sun, then held up his palm with all five fingers splayed. “Five are returning. I can’t tell their faces yet.”
Irritation heated my cheeks. That told me nothing, as I had no idea how many had pursued her beyond Prince Fernando and Dario. I looked around, hoping to discover anyone with answers.
“Make way for King Sartorius!”
I swore under my breath, scrambled to the side, and bowed, despite my freshly healed ribs and collarbone screaming in protest. All palace staff ceased their activities and gave the proper reverence to their ruler.
He exited the main door, frowning against the receding rays. The king strode down the rocky pathway, stopping at the edge of the drive where it forked between the villa and stables.
“Where are they?” King Sartorius demanded.
“Here, sire,” the head guard answered, commanding two sentries to open the gate.
Dario entered first with a grimacing, bleeding man behind him. Who in the void was that? His hands were bound with black cloth, and Rocco followed with his hand outstretched. Air wielders posed like that before unleashing wind. I concluded he was making sure their prisoner tried nothing foolish.
I strained to look beyond them. Prince Fernando entered with a filthy, blood spattered Stella clinging to his back.
The desire to rush to her, to ensure she was alright made me nearly call her name. Common sense held me back.
King Sartorius spoke. “Explain yourself, healer, or you won’t like the consequences.”
Ice filled my veins. I couldn’t see Stell’s features, but the prince visibly stiffened.
“She made a foolish mistake, father. Her brother came to visit, but because we were nearly murdered by a pretend husband earlier today, she feared he’d be executed. So, they ran instead.”
I pursed my lips and evaluated this brother. His blonde hair indicated a northern lineage, similar to Patrick’s, I guessed.
“It’s true!” Stella called out. “He speaks my language, Celestia!”
Why did that statement punch me in the gut?
The king stood, frowning and considering. “Do you understand that running from your duty to me is an act of treason? Who let you out of the gate?”
Her hand flew to her chest, and she bowed her head. “I didn’t know! I’m so sorry!”
“She found a ladder. No one let her out,” Prince Fernando claimed.
I wanted to believe her. But I didn’t. Stella was intelligent and picked up on language and her surroundings fast, despite her damaged skull. She knew running was stupid.
So why did she do it?
“We'll figure out the ladder issue soon. You must be punished, but I’ll go easier on you because of your ignorance. Is this your brother?”
He motioned to the prisoner.
I craned my neck, but I still couldn’t see her face behind the prince’s back.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she answered.
I closed my eyes as relief flooded me. He wouldn’t kill her … this time.
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