Darkness hovered in the sky, and thunder roared, accompanied by striking lightning. But nothing was as frightening as the sight within the closed chambers of the Western Tower.
Elias was bleeding… too much to begin. His body was weak, and he was in and out of consciousness. The physician had arrived early, but no herb was helping. Nothing was stopping the bleeding.
Outside, Rowan paced like a madman, his hands constantly ruffling his hair.
"What's wrong?" he demanded, but no answers came. The Western Tower had been sealed; only his trusted men and servants were allowed.
The door creaked open, and Mason walked out. He was Rowan's physician and had been the one to heal his legs.
"How is he?" Rowan asked, but the sight before him was not comforting. Mason was covered in blood—not his, but Elias's.
"We are losing him," Mason murmured.
Before the last word dropped, Rowan barged in. The servants halted for a moment and stepped aside.
On the king-sized bed, a little figure lay. His eyes were half open, and his body was a pale shade. He looked nothing like the man who had confronted him barely hours ago.
"Eli," Rowan choked. He rushed forward, pulling him closer.
"What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" he asked, but Elias smiled faintly.
"It doesn't hurt," he whispered back.
Rowan opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He was short of words. His hands held Elias closer—he did not mind the blood.
"I'm sorry… Sorry, I didn't tell you. Sorry, I dragged you into this mess," Rowan pleaded. But Elias squeezed his hand softly.
"What's there to be sorry about… I'm finally getting what I want." Rowan stared down at him as his eyes closed and his hand dropped.
The silence that followed was louder than anything.
He was gone… Consort Elias was dead. But no one dared pronounce it. Rowan pulled him even closer, tears staining his pale cheeks, but there was nothing more. His chest did not rise. No breath came. No heartbeat echoed. Only silence. Rowan did not scream. He only held him tighter, as if his grip could bring him back.
Outside, Blake and Mason contemplated something crucial.
"The prince is not in the right frame of mind. That's why I'm passing this decision to you," Mason announced, and Blake nodded.
"He needs him… Elias is dying, and without his help… he may not make it," Mason added.
Blake stood still for a while. It was a hard choice to make, but to save Elias's life, he knew without a doubt Rowan would burn the world if need be.
"Summon him," Blake concluded. Mason smiled brightly.
"If you need me to attest to this, I will be a letter away." Blake nodded.
Mason entered, but the sight before him was not surprising.
"Dismissed," he told the servants, who walked out.
"Mason… Eli," Rowan choked.
Mason stepped closer. "I know. That's why I need you to be prepared. I promise I won't let anything happen to him," Mason assured, and Rowan nodded.
"I need you to sit with him on the floor," Mason instructed. Rowan did as he was told.
It wasn't the first time working with Mason. Not only was he a physician, but he was also a descendant of the great white witch of Eda grounds. Though he did not possess any magic like the others, he was a gifted healer.
Mason circled them with lit candles. From outside, Kim, Blake, and Sonia stepped in with bouquets of white lilies.
"Place them around the circle," Mason ordered, and the three began working almost immediately. Rowan was not stupid. They had done something similar in the past when he was on the brink of death.
"We are breaking the laws," he muttered, and all eyes turned to him.
"But it's for his life… I will do anything," he added.
Mason sat down outside the circular temple and began chanting in foreign words. As they listened, the wind blew as if commanded, and the darkness descended. Thunder roared, and candle flames swayed in one direction.
"Brother… I need you." Mason muttered, then impenetrable fog filled the enclosed space.
But just as soon as it came, it was gone.
Everyone turned—and there he stood. Mason stood up and walked over to him, giving him a bear hug.
"Meet Cyrus… my elder brother." He introduced Cyrus was a man of few words, but his air carried familiarity. His eyes lingered longer on Elias.
"Long time no see," he muttered, then descended and placed his hands on Elias's stomach. He could see it, but how was he to tell them?
"He is hurt and weak. He should not be stressed," Cyrus said, then turned to Mason.
"Let him have some of this… It will stop the bleeding." Mason took the herbs, but his brother was gone, with the fog he came with.
Sonia was quick to fetch boiled water, and the herb was administered.
By the break of dawn, Elias opened his eyes. He watched the room for a quick second before sitting up.
"I thought I saw Rowan," he muttered, but it was only Sonia and Kim.
"You must be mistaken. The prince did not visit last night," Sonia assured, and Kim nodded.
Elias shrugged, then stood up.
"No… You can't!" they screamed, but Elias was okay. He felt no pain, and his joints were just fine.
"I feel renewed," Elias murmured.
He quickly got into the bath, freshened up, and got ready for breakfast. Even while he lived with the prince, it was his duty to patrol the palace and help the people.
Elias glowed—his roughly arranged hair held in the back, his fine, jade-like skin, and soft hands. As they walked, parts of last night's activities flashed, and Elias instantly turned to Kim.
"Did I not faint? Why do you all act like nothing happened last night?" Kim stared at Elias, a thousand emotions going through his mind.
"It was not my intention… But what we do not know won't kill us."
Elias chuckled bitterly. Even those sworn to him were commanded by another. His fate was indeed doomed.