Fear played havoc with him as he pushed the horse as fast as it would go. This was his fault. His doing. Whatever the cause, whatever the malady, his actions were at the heart of it all. And if something should happen to Thalia…
No! Do not think that way. Do not dare to even consider it!
Thalia was sick and she needed him. Just as he needed her.
He arrived at Amberhall Manor far quicker than should have been possible. Pushing the horse to breaking point, Caspian rode it to the front door and dismounted before the horse had come to a stop. There, he strode inside without knocking, throwing back the front doors and charging forward as if the world was ending. In many ways, it was.
“Thalia!” he cried out as he made for the front steps. The staff were peppered about, and they pointed up the stairs and down the hall. “Thalia!”
He raced for what he presumed to be her bedroom. Outside the door, he saw her older brother waiting for him. Damien’s eyes lit up at the sight of Caspian’s charge.
“Your Grace…” He made for Caspian. “Thank God you –”
“Where is she?” Caspian demanded without breaking stride.
“This way.” Damien stopped short, turned, and strode toward the room. “She is awake, Your Grace, but weak and –”
“What is wrong with her? What happened?”
“We don’t know. The doctors are still on their way.”
Caspian reached the open doorway to Thalia’s bedroom and stopped. It was the first time he had done so since hearing that something was wrong, and the only reason that he did was to catch his breath… and to consider what was going on.
His breathing was ragged. His body was shaking. And that pit in his stomach gaped and screamed at him because he felt as if his world was ending. But through the doorway, he saw a sliver of light shine across the room and fall upon the single bed. And when he followed its glow, when he saw who lay in the bed, he swallowed and forced down the fear because now was not the time for such things.
What had happened between himself and Thalia was not important. Not how they got here. Not who was at fault. What mattered was that his wife needed him.
With that in mind, he stepped into the room.
“Your Grace…” Rosaline knelt by the head of the bed. “You came.”
“How…” He swallowed as he waded further into the room. “How is she?” He dared to look at the head of the bed and his heart leapt when he saw that Thalia was awake.
“I have felt better,” she said weakly.
He gasped to hear her speak, but only because she sounded so pitiful. And that spoke nothing to how she looked. Lying in bed, beneath the covers, Caspian had never seen someone who looked so weak and broken. Skin that was pasty and grey and covered in sweat. Hair that was thin and lifeless. And heavy bags under her eyes. She looked close to death.
“Thalia…” His voice cracked and his knee wobbled as he limped toward her. “What… what happened?”
“She collapsed,” Rosaline explained. “It came from nowhere, Your Grace, one minute she was fine and the next –”
“Rosaline,” Thalia croaked. “Please.”
Rosaline looked between Thalia and Caspian, seeming to realize the situation she found herself in. She smiled weakly, touched Thalia on the arm, and excused herself. She slipped from the room and softly closed the door behind, leaving the two alone.
Caspian stayed back for a moment, unsure of what to do.
What he wanted to do was go to his wife, to take her in his arms, and to tell her that she would be fine because he would make sure of it. He wanted to show her that he was wrong, that he knew as much, and that he would be with her now until forever.
How did it take this happening for me to realize how I feel? I am ashamed and disgusted with myself. I do not deserve her forgiveness. And if she hates me, I will accept it.
“Thalia…” He took a step closer. “I… what happened?” he asked, not sure of what he should say.
She smiled weakly. “Oh, it could be anything. Likely a virus of some kind. Possibly food poisoning. It is nothing to worry over.”
“Of course it is.”
“True enough…” She laughed and then coughed. “Perhaps I have been a little run down and this is the result. The doctors will tell me soon, I am sure.”
