Page 38

Grace

AS I STOOD AMIDST THE enchanting gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers caught my eye, their delicate petals swaying in the gentle breeze.

Lost in thought, I pondered over the impromptu speech that Trex had just delivered to the people of Alara. The melodic chirping of the birds added a soothing backdrop to my musings.

Replaying his words in my mind, I couldn’t help but admire the way Trex commanded the attention of those he addressed with such confidence. He had such a strong and determined presence on the screen just as he did in person.

It was in that moment that I realized without a doubt, Trex possessed all the qualities of a remarkable King and leader.

The speech had ended what felt like ages ago, leaving me with a lingering sense of anticipation, wondering where he was. Finally, I headed in to wait for him to come back.

Right as I was reaching toward the door panel, a blinding pain hit my shoulder. I held onto it tightly and let out a cry. Trex’s voice echoed in my mind, calling my name.

Olivia called out from inside, and I could hear her rushing toward me. I looked at my hand, half expecting it to have blood on it. Something was causing this horrific pain, but I saw no injury and my skin looked fine.

Olivia supported me by putting her arm around my waist as I stumbled to the main door of the suite.

I froze in my steps, feeling sick to my stomach as Trex’s anguished face flashed through my mind.

Oh god. He’s hurt.

“Trex.” I fell to my knees, groaning in agony.

Olivia slammed the panel next to the door. “Orin. Help!”

He turned quickly and rushed into the room, dropping to his knees in front of me. “What’s happened?” His voice faded to the background as I reached my thoughts out to Trex, but couldn’t locate him. It was as if he was gone. My heart seized.

“No. He can’t be....Trex,” I cried.

I was aware of Orin reaching down to help me stand, but my feet gave way again. Immediately, he scooped me into his arms to carry me.

“I’m taking her to the infirmary,” he said over his shoulder at another guard as he ran down the hall.

I could feel every nerve in my body throbbing, knowing what Trex was experiencing.

Tears welled up in my eyes, then streamed down my face as I pleaded, “I can’t lose you.”

When we were close to the double doors, which I believed were the entrance to the royal infirmary, my heart stopped.

Two palace guards were approaching from a different direction, carrying Trex. The odor of charred flesh made me gag.

“Trex! Oh my god,” I gasped.

“Put me down.” My own pain vanished as I flailed in Orin’s arms.

Placing me on my feet, he trailed behind as I hurried after Trex and his men entering the infirmary.

They laid him on one of the large, sleek medical beds and stepped back while Rekna and another medic rushed to help him.

I pushed past the guards and went to Trex’s side. My chest seized with the realization he was unconscious and I had no idea if he would survive.

The wound had a horrific look, almost as if a thick red-hot poker had been brutally driven into his shoulder, causing the skin to burn and leaving behind a gaping hole.

Rekna looked up and gave me a warning look, but it was too late - I was already holding my mate’s hand and caressing it.

Tears marked my cheeks.

A medical device was being hovered over Trex’s shoulder by Rekna.

“What happened to him?” I choked out.

“He was shot with a laser weapon,” said someone from behind.

I saw an older Alaran male dressed in orange-gold and blue robes when I turned.

He carried himself with dignity, yet wasn’t overly intimidating.

I became self-conscious as he watched me curiously. “He what? Why?” I gulped, turning back to stare down at Trex’s serene face.

None of this made sense to me. Trex mentioned that the royal family was popular among the people of Alara. How could they do this to him?

The doctor treating Trex with Rekna had paused and squinted at me with a terrifying gaze.

Orin came closer and put a hand on my shoulder than leaned to speak into my ear. “Come with me.” His voice was laced with a warning.

The knowledge of me being Trex’s mate had to remain hidden until it was safe to reveal.

The older Alaran in the robes hadn’t creeped me out. His curiosity about me made me feel self-conscious. I doubted he knew of my connection to the Prince until now.

But this strange medic’s gaze made my skin crawl. There was something sinister in the way he looked me over.

I caught Rekna’s eye, and he gave me a half nod as if to say I should leave.

Facing Orin, I was torn. I hated to leave Trex’s side, but Trex would want me to be safe and let Orin do his job.

“We should go,” I whispered, feeling the eyes of the strange medic on me as we walked away.

Upon reaching the corridor, Orin glanced down at me with a furrowed brow. “Are you still in pain?”

I looked at my shoulder, shaking my head. “No.” I rubbed it. “I think I was sensing Trex’s pain.”

Orin’s face paled. “We need to get you somewhere safe. Tell no one what you told me.” He gently grasped my upper arm and took a step forward.

“But I don’t want to leave him. Can’t we stay nearby? I asked, stopping.

Orin pressed his lips, but I saw a flash of worry in his eyes. “He is in expert hands. I will tell you the minute he is awake. But he will kill me if anything happens to you. Let me take you to your suite and I will come back and check on him.”

I sighed and bowed my head. Orin was right. I had promised Trex I would stay put, and I’d already given away my connection to him.

My fists clenched, and I sent out my thoughts to him in an attempt to test our connection. To see if he was waking up. When all I got back was silence, I felt a surge of panic. My face and hands became covered in sweat. I felt lightheaded, but I took a few breaths to calm down.

He can’t leave me. He just can’t. Whatever gods are out there, please heal my Trex and make him well again. You brought us together. Don’t take him from me. Please, not now.

I PACED THE ROOM FOR what felt like hours. My hands trembled as I rubbed my tunic and fought back tears, unable to bear the idea of life without Trex.

I’d tuned out Riley and Olivia’s whispers and continued to search for Trex’s thoughts in my mind, eager for him to regain consciousness.

Riley intercepted me by stepping in front, blocking my path. It surprised me and I snapped back to reality.

“You should sit down and relax. Let me get you something to eat or drink.”

I balled my fists and the knot in my stomach tightened. “I can’t eat. Not until I know Trex is going to be okay.”

Riley sighed and walked back to the sofa, resigned to the fact I was not ready to accept help from anyone.

Finally, the door slid open, and I swung my head to see Orin. His face didn’t betray his emotions, but when he got closer to me, he gave me a thin smile.

“Rekna says Prince Trex will be okay. He’ll be moved to his suite once he wakes up.

“I want to see him,” I said abruptly, ready to fight for the right to be by his side.

Orin raised his hand. “Commander Krin and I have already had a conversation about it, and I am to accompany you to his suite. You can wait there for him.”

I was relieved I didn’t have to fight to see Trex. “Thank you, Orin.”

“It is only right. You are Alara’s future Queen, and you should be with your King.”

Dimples I didn’t know he had appeared as he wore an adorable grin. It marked the first smile I had ever seen from him.

I wasn’t used to seeing this side of the young warrior, but I suspected it was because of his crush on Olivia. It was clear she didn’t want to acknowledge it, although I saw her giving him flirty looks, too.

“Krin is going to stand guard with Kagen,” Orin said to Olivia when he noticed her watching him.

Giving him a shy smile, she nodded.

He turned to me. “I will stand guard outside Trex’s rooms.”

“Okay, Let’s go then.”

I smiled and followed Orin into the corridor. “Who was that medic with Rekna?” I asked as I glanced up at his profile.

Orin shrugged, but didn’t look at me. “He’s new to the palace. I don’t know him.”

Then it hit me. He’s the medic Trex mentioned. Shit, I should have figured it out .

“Do you think he knows I’m Trex’s mate?” Of course he knows...that’s why he looked at me that way. I’m so stupid.

The warrior shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. He is a royal medic and is not likely to tell anyone.”

My mouth twisted to one side. For some reason, I had my doubts, but I still hoped Orin was right.