“Well, if you’re truly mated, your consciousness was just showing you one possible way your story could have gone, if you took that path.” Frid added.
“The path you did not take.” Sol nodded.
“This is way too confusing. Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream?” Victor asked.
I crossed my arms over my chest. Of course I was notsure. I still did not know what to make of it. My rational mind told me that it was impossible, that I was delusional, that I was confused to believe in something so farfetched. But my instincts told me otherwise. In my mind, I was a deranged fool, but in my heart, there was no hesitation. I knew what I knew. Alina was mine. She belonged to me. She was my mate. She was the part of me that had been missing for all these years. Shortly after I returned from Devil’s Cave, I knew that I would do anything to get her back. The amount of effort and time it would take was irrelevant. She was in the palace, so I had to be there too.
I stayed until the stars began to fade away and a faint glow painted the horizon. When the sun finally made its appearance, I was already back in the guardsmen’s quarters washing up and preparing for my duties.
CHAPTER SIX
ALINA
The next time Sally placed the grainy mixture in front of me, I could not bring myself to drink it. The words that I got used to hearing from everyone returned to me in that instance. It made me feel like what I had done in the sunroom was wrong. I had been seen by plenty of physicians who insisted that my health would take a turn for the worse and completely deteriorate if I did not take my condition seriously. They told me that I have a severe case of inflamed nerves – whatever that meant. I bit my lip, watching Sally move around the room. The girl picked up the empty glasses and untouched dinner plates, before straightening the curtains. When she turned her back to me, I quickly splashed the contents of the glass into thepot with the leafy plant I had conveniently placed beside the bed.
When it was done, I looked back at Sally, worried that she saw me discarding the mixture. If the girl knew what I was about, she did not show it in any way. I exhaled and sank back onto the pillows, already feeling the guilt creeping up on me for deceiving the maid.
What if I was wrong? What if my condition took a turn for the worst?
I missed one dose, but I did not feel any better. I was still too weak to get up and move about on my own. I had to rely on the help of servants every time I did anything even remotely physical.
“He’s good looking, I’ll give him that,” Sally said and I made an effort to catch the tone of her conversation.
“Who is?”
“Mr. Kent.”
I fidgeted with my blanket, wondering if she had been talking about him the whole time. I really had no idea.
“Is he?” I asked just to say something.
“He sure is. I wonder if he’s going out with someone.”
“Going out?”
“Yes. I would like to ask, but I never have an opportunity.”
“I see.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea? Should I ask him?” Sally continued.
“I . . . don’t know. I guess.”
“Then I most certainly will.”
I pursed my lips, suddenly feeling too hot.
“Are you alright, milady?”
“Yes. Could you please open the window?” I turned to my side facing away.
“You should be careful with the fresh air. It’s not so good for you.”
“Why?”
“Because of the people of course. All the diseases and dirtiness they bring to the city. The palace is the only place where we don’t have to see that filth.”
“Is that so?”
