15. Chapter 15

OPHELIA

A loud groan filters through my lips as my lids flutter open. Darkness meets me and I struggle to move but find that my limbs won't respond to my needs. The stone is deathly cold against my cheek. Get up, I scream to myself. I have to survive. I have to live another day to show that Juliette is not bound to her father's demands. I try again but can't find the energy to move.

Tears gather in my eyes as I give into the pain, my entire body shaking with what I've put myself through. Those men never stopped coming but I fought with everything I had, using every trick I had in my book to stay alive until I took a cut to the side.

I can hardly breathe but other than the ragged sound of air expelling from my lungs, there is only silence.

My vision blurs as I struggle to stay conscious, footsteps barrelling down the halls. I tense and resume my efforts, firm hands holding me down a second later. "No!" I whine, "No, I just-"

"Pheli, it's just us. You did it, alright?" I'm pulled into Blaise's arms as Artemis holds my face in his hands, surveying the damage. I can't feel my body but the warmth they both provide tells me that I'm safe. Silently, I look over the space, appalled at the bloodied carnage I left behind. Anyone walking in here could tell that I fought for my life.

I don't feel like I've won, though.

Blaise kisses my temple, rocking me against him as I drink in their presence. It's over. "I'm sure Queen Helvania and King William will be pleasantly surprised to see you still alive," Blaise chuckles and hugs me a little harder till I hiss at the pain. "We need to get you cleaned up. Anything broken?"

"My nose?" I hiss again when Artemis starts to pat me down, a low whine coming from me when he touches my arm.

"Breathe, Pheli." Artemis grips my arm and then my shoulder with his other hand. "This is going to hurt." He counts down from three and twists my arm back into the socket. I howl in pain, the tears I was holding back making an appearance. "You're okay. You're here with us." He bows his head to mine, all three of us content in this moment. "However, the gala is in less than an hour and-"

"Juliette's okay?"

They both nod. "Checked on her. She's strong, Pheli," Blaise adds. "So strong. She's perfect for you."

"I just wanted her to have a choice, Blaise. You didn't see her-"

"Oh, I did, Pheli. I did and I would have done the same." Blaise resituates, slipping an arm around my shoulders and the other under my thighs before pulling me to his chest and standing up. I bite back another groan as pain shocks my system. Artemis grabs my sword, trailing behind us. "We're going to take the servant routes back up to the room and get you cleaned up."

I don't say anything. There's no strength left to. I can't even nod without my vision blurring but I'm safe. And alive. And on my way to see my perfect piece of sunshine.

The walk back is silent, only the clanking of my armor echoing in the halls. I'm soaked to the bone and I know that it's seeping into Blaise's clothes but he doesn't seem to mind as he tugs me closer, murmuring that it'll all be okay. That everything will be okay. I don't believe for a second that it's all over, especially when someone is sent down to check on where I should be laying in a pool of my own blood.

The fact that neither royal checked earlier when Queen Helvania's men didn't return much earlier confuses me. Blaise enters our connected rooms, walking to set me down on the edge of the bed. I hold onto him limply as he maneuvers me to sit up against the headboard. "We've called a doctor and Her Majesty brought one of the dresses she made."

"No doctor," I spit out.

My brothers freeze, turning to me and I grimace at the mess that I've left behind, the carnage that I created and my own blood seeping into their clothes. Blaise tilts his head to the side. "Pheli, we're not sure how extensive the damage-"

"After," I cut him off. "After. We don't have time. If Juliette chooses before I show up…" I trail off, holding my side with my good arm, trying not to break down. Goddess, everything hurts and I have to focus on taking deep, calculated breaths to keep my vision from tunneling. "Gala, now." Their worry is palpable but we only have so much time.

I've been to a few of these galas and royals that have already chosen like to present their other half as soon as possible to lay claim. King William will be no different and Queen Helvania is impatient. Once that gala truly begins, it will be too late. Juliette will be forced to choose and any hope to be with my sunshine will be ruined.

"Pheli, you're bleeding. And-" Artemis bites his lip and then sighs when I glare at him. I'm not changing my mind. Even if I have to crawl in there. "What do you need help with?"

"Everything."

We share a laugh as they rustle around the room for what I'll need, snagging a maid to clean me up as much as she's able. I just have to be presentable. I just have to take one step into that room and claim my princess. I can do that much.