Aldrich “You said your father is dead!” I exclaimed to the boy. He shrugged, sinking away.Cathy whipped her head around to me, a dangerous warning in her eyes. She then looked down to Theo. “I told you not to talk to strangers,” she reprimanded him coldly.“Mommy, I was wrong,” he murmured, “please don’t be angry.”This was a different child than the one I found hanging from the hole, rebellion and panic on his face. This was a boy who truly adored his mother, guilt replacing that rebellion.She knew that. I watched her delicately run her fingers through the boy’s hair, the same hair as mine. He was still dirty, and she was brushing away fragments of the wall from his scalp.“It is none of your business who his father is,” Cathy growled, weaving her fingers in his hair, “do not yell at my son.”“Tell me, which bastard is the child’s father then, if he’s not mine? How dare you have sex with another man!” I demanded, anger fully encompassing my voice. I couldn’t contain it, not even i
I told myself it was mere curiosity that led me back to the cottage that night.Weaving through the moonlit forest, unseen and hidden within a mask, I nearly convinced myself of this. I was only going because of my hungry curiosity and natural hatred for the unknown. Us animals are curious creatures, and we do not tolerate questioning very well.“A prince must know everything about his people,” I added out loud as I side-stepped a pine tree and onto the familiar dirt path, nodding in agreeance with myself. “Yes, that is it.”However, the small, rational part of me knew that it was because of how my heart felt staring at the boy, and the hatred on Cathy’s beautiful face.I easily found the cottage next to the large willow tree. It was warmly glowing through the darkness. I didn’t have much of a plan, but my stealthy nature did not need one. I was a famous war general whose footsteps were more silent than the fluttering wings of a fly.I stared at the cottage for a moment before approac
Cathy“Aldrich?!” I yelled out as he relinquished, a mass of muscle collapsing heavily to the ground.I watched in horror as the noble prince, war general, and experienced soldier fell unconscious on my floor. He had spent most of his adult life in war, probably combatting the most notorious generals and warriors, but passed out in my living room onto my daisies.“Shit,” I muttered as I rushed over to him. He inflicted wounds during the battle, but they were shallow—he was able to kill all three of them within a minute. But something weakened him, something worse than shallow gashes. Something I was not aware of.As my brain reeled over what it could be, I realized I was afraid of him dying.Theo skittered over and helped me move Aldrich, who morphed into his human form. We managed to drag him then lift him onto my bed, not caring that his blood stained my sheets. I flinched at the familiar sight of him in bed and tried to forget the last time I saw him in this state.This made me hes
Aldrich“It was Cathy who healed my wounds?”When I woke up in my chambers, I was more surprised to learn this than the act of waking up somewhere completely different than I fainted. Alan, a staple of my entourage, nodded. He was my second hand man, and although as general I did not have time for friends, I would call him the closest thing I had to one.“Yes, we found you outside her cottage. I have to say, her dressing skill is very professional,” he drawled, an amused look on his face. I could see the question in his eyes about why I was there. I didn’t care to entertain that yet.“Alan, go find out more information about the assassins. I also want to know what my wife has been doing for the past four years.” I waved him away.He saluted me before following my orders, exiting the room with a chuckle.I was left contemplating how Cathy managed it. Military medical staff come from the healer clan and generally needed to study in medical school from childhood. Only after a long period
Cathy“Stay home, Theo. I will be back soon.”I stepped out of the cottage and allowed for Aldrich’s guards to escort me to the palace, hoping my son would not protest.“Okay, mommy,” he responded obediently behind me before I shut the door, shooting him one last meaningful look. I hoped it was strict enough to make him stay put.As the guards led us from the forest to the castle, I contemplated why I had been sent for. It was not by Aldrich—it was by the Queen herself. I had never met my supposed-to-be mother-in-law. Perhaps she wanted my account of the assassins, or how I healed her son. Anxiety shot through me at that, knowing I’d have to concoct some elaborate lie to hide my bloodline. My mind wandered to the worst theory—that maybe she thought it was I who helped injure him, for he did lay wounded on the ground outside of my cottage. That image contributed to my former accusation of drugging her son would not make her a warm host.I sucked in a breath, remaining calm despite thin
As I glided back to the palace as fast as my animal legs could function, I frowned at Alan.“She is my wife. Should I not worry?”Alan continued running with me until the end of the camp, the same amusement as before in his eyes. A knowing smile curled his lips.“You should. I’m just happy for you.”His words stuck with me as I ran, and I resisted the smile that almost surfaced.***CathyMy back hurt, but my pride ached more.I sent Theodore away once we returned to the cottage. I didn’t want him to see my wounds; he had endured enough torment. After the queen had left, I woke up from my feigned sleep and ran him the hell out of that palace. Thankfully, we avoided the mass of the guards–they were busy with whatever emergency the king announced. No one objected to our departure.After stumbling bloody and injured through the woods back home, I was exhausted. My back was dried with blood, and it felt like I was recovering from a house fire, the way the whip licked up my back like a fla
I gave him a blank look as I processed the news. My ex lover, who drugged me and coerced me to lock away my wife. Why would they ever want to meet with me again after that? Rage outpowered the confusion as I recalled Cathy admitting to me that Emily was behind the assassination attempt. A coldness passed through me, and I nodded with a scheming smile. “Tell them to meet with me at my other cottage. Please accompany their needs until I arrive.” Let them enjoy their last meal, their last sip of wine. The guard obeyed and swiftly retreated north down the dirt path, closer to the palace where I resided when I did not want to be under my mother and father's jurisdiction. The cottage that hosted our wedding night, the wedding night Emily tarnished. When I shut the door, I was grateful Cathy was tucked away in the kitchen. I contemplated how I was going to announce the request. I did not want her to rage in front of Theo. Bracing for the storm that she would most defi
AldrichAs we walked into the lion’s den that was once merely my living room, I tried to focus on other things–the conversation that needed to be made, the argument that would surely break out.The threat I would rattle both of their bones with. The murderous anger I’d have to stifle.But I couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful she looked.Cathy walked in with her chin high, and she looked like royalty way more than I ever did.She didn’t even look earthly–she ascended royalty, more like supernatural beauty. The glistening, ruby gown defined her blonde hair, the gold around her neck lightening the green in her eyes.She hated me, but I would fight wars for her, alone.My ex-lover and her husband look at us with unmasked surprise. They certainly were not expecting a guest. I smirked at them, placing a hand on Cathy’s lower back. I hoped she wouldn’t bite my hand off for the gesture later. Elias sipped from his cup of tea with a look of approval.He stared at her with no trace of r