at me. She shakes her head, lowering her gaze.
“Tell me,” I grind out, keeping my voice low.
“Look at me, Elias,” Sybilla softly demands.
Turning my gaze to meet hers, I see the sadness swimming in her eyes. There is something very wrong, something that I do not want to hear, something that happens in war, but not to a good woman, not to the woman who would no doubt lay her life down for my Queen.
“Your doctor says that she won’t make it,” Sybilla whispers. “The dagger was not just shoved into her side, but it was twisted. He has sewn her wound and given her something to help her sleep, but those bastards probably killed my friend,” she whimpers.
Tears flow down her cheeks, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her against my chest. I lift one hand and place it on the side of her head, forcing her cheek against my torso. Her entire body shudders as she inhales a deep breath and attempts to calm herself.
“It is up to the gods, sweeting. There is naught else that we can do. The healer has done what he can,” I whisper.
“It’s not fair,” Sybilla whimpers, lifting her head from my chest to look up into my eyes.
Using the back of my hand, I use my knuckles to wipe the tears from her cheeks, more flow and follow the same path, as if I’ve not wiped a single one away. My queen aches for her friend, and I imagine, I would feel much of the same if one of my men were taken from me.
The wind begins to howl, the thunder rolls, but there is no lightning, there is only rain. So much rain pours down so quickly that I fear that this land could flood, and we’ll all be washed away.
Returning my attention back to Sybilla, I refuse to think any more about what could happen and only hold her.
“No, Sybilla. It isn’t fair, though I find that the fates never are,” I whisper.
“They really aren’t,” she snaps, her lips trembling.
Dropping my chin, I touch my mouth to her forehead and I inhale her scent as I close my eyes and just thank the gods that they protected her from the same fate as Ellyn.
It is selfish of me to be thankful that she is not the one lying on her sickbed, but it does not stop me from being incredibly thankful that she stands in front of me, breathing, healthy, and carrying my heir.
Chapter Thirty-Two
SYBILLA
Elias dresses, not just in his sexy tights and tunic, but he slips his chainmail shirt and skirt on. The sun is beginning to set, the excitement from the day causing me to feel exhausted.
Katrina was led away from the tent a while ago by Merek, Ellyn was moved to a smaller bed away from our bed and that was cleaned up. Jasmine was taken away as well. Though, as Elias readies himself, I know that something is getting ready to happen.
I asked him before he left for this war if they fought at night and he explained to me that they didn’t. There wasn’t enough light. I get that, it’s not like they have city lights here in this world. There isn’t any electricity and when it’s night outside, it’s pitch black.
“Are you going to tell me where you’re going?” I ask as I lean back against the wooden headboard of the bed and watch him.
He lifts his gaze, his eyes finding mine and his eyes search my own. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he must find it because he nods once and closes the distance between us.
“I’m leading a group into the castle to take over from the inside. Their defenses are weak, most of their troops have abandoned them. They are ailing, they are losing and I am going to end this here and now. I need to get you somewhere safe and I will not compromise you a moment longer than I have to,” he explains.
I shiver as I look up at him. This all feels very, scary. I’m not sure how else to describe it, but I’m terrified. This isn’t like our wars, there are no tanks in their war, there are no strategic plans and technological weapons that can hit a target from miles away. He has to go inside and fight with his hands, with swords and shit. I am not okay with this.
“You’re the King, can’t you stay here with me?” I urge.
His lips