Shock ripples through the room like a wave. My stomach clenches with anxiety, and I find myself wringing my hands together, desperate for answers. How could they have known? We’ve been so careful, so secretive in our every move.
“Wait,” Blaze says, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “How could they possibly know about our plan?”
“Someone must have betrayed us,” Felix adds, his voice low and dangerous.
“Or they might have been monitoring us somehow,” Griffyn chimes in, his usual carefree demeanor gone, replaced by a serious expression.
As the theories bounce around the room, I struggle to keep my emotions in check. Anger, fear, and frustration all threaten to overwhelm me. I close my eyes for a moment, focusing on Aksel’s presence beside me. It helps to ground me knowing he’s back safe with us.
“Regardless of how they know,” Aksel says, his voice firm despite his injuries. “We need to end this now.”
“Agreed,” Rion murmurs, his brow furrowed in thought.
As the room falls silent, the gravity of the situation sinks in. I can practically feel the anxiety and uncertainty that hangs over all of us. I look at Aksel, his face bruised and battered, and something within me snaps. I can’t just stand here, doing nothing.
“Alright,” I announce decisively, turning to Aksel. “Let’s get you patched up.”
He tries to wave me off, but I won’t have any of it. I grab his arm gently, careful not to aggravate his injuries, and guide him over to the couch. As I help him sit down, I call Rion over too.
Without asking, Rion shows me his healed stomach. “I’m fine, Acushla, I’ll go rinse off. Take care of the Akshole.”
That brings a small smile to my face.
Aksel scoffs. “Still with the Akshole? I was just imprisoned!”
“Griffyn,” I call out to him, keeping my eyes on Aksel. “Would you mind making some food for Aksel? He needs to regain his strength.”
That makes Rion hesitate and I roll my eyes.
“Griffyn can reheat the food you’ve made. Don’t worry. Go shower,” I tell him.
Rion nods and leaves.
“I’ll get it,” Griffyn replies, disappearing into the kitchen.
I focus on tending to Aksel’s wounds, cleaning and bandaging them as best as I can. My hands shake with each touch, but I force myself to remain steady. I know he’s in pain, but he doesn’t complain or wince, instead watching me with a mixture of gratitude and stubbornness in his eyes.
“Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice rough from pain and exhaustion.
“Of course,” I reply softly, my heart aching for him.
A small, pained smile creeps onto his lips.
As I finish patching him up, Griffyn returns with a tray of steaming food. The smell of the meal wafts through the air, comforting and enticing. Aksel hesitates for a moment before taking a bite, then another, and another.
Slowly, as he eats, I can see the color returning to his cheeks. His eyes regain some of their brightness, and the tension in his shoulders begins to lessen. It’s not much, but it’s a start.
“Feeling better?” I ask, watching him closely.
Aksel nods, swallowing his last mouthful of food. “Yes, thanks.” He turns to look at everyone else. “Thank you all for getting me out of there. It’s late. You all need rest.”
I take Aksel’s hand, leading him up the stairs to his bedroom. My main concern is making sure Aksel gets the rest he needs.
“Come on,” I urge him gently as we enter the room. “You need to lie down and recover.”
Aksel sighs but doesn’t protest, allowing me to strip him and guide him to the bed.
“Now, you strip too,” he demands.
