I didn’t wait for the healers to decide to come help their Queen. I carried Wen in one arm and Killian in the other, moving as fast as my leg would allow. Which should have been impossible with the bone grinding against itself, but adrenaline was a wonderful thing.
Killian would not let go of either of us, his arms wrapped around my neck, pressed against my side while I cradled Wen against my chest.
“Search every inch of this castle!” I barked at passing guards. “Reinforce all entrances!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Blood was trailing behind me. I could feel it, warm and wet, but the pain was secondary. My family came first.
“Check the alibis of every guest still here! Bring me anyone suspicious!”
“At once!”
Killian’s voice cut through my commands. “Papa, your leg is bleeding.”
“I know, pup.”
“But there’s SO MUCH blood.”
“It will heal.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Not as much as seeing that man grab you.”
My mother was being carried behind us on a stretcher. She was still unconscious but breathing steadily. I overheard the healers saying she would be fine, just a blow to the head, and relief for her mixed with the agony of seeing Wen injured.
We reached the infirmary and I finally, reluctantly, let healers take Wen from my arms to lay her on a bed. But I kept Killian, who absolutely refused to let go.
“Your Majesty,” one of the healers said gently. “We need to examine her.”
“Then examine her. I am not leaving.”
They knew better than to argue.
A guard appeared with a bundle of clothes and tossed me a pair of pants. “Your Majesty.”
I caught them one-handed, Killian still attached to my other side. Right. Pants. I tried to put them on while standing on my destroyed leg and holding my scared son.
It was a mistake.
I hopped, nearly fell, caught myself on a table. “Fuck.”
From the bed, Wen’s eyes fluttered open. She looked pale and drained, but she was watching me hop around on one leg trying to get pants on.
“Need help?” Her voice was weak but there was amusement in it.
“I am fine,” I said, hopping again. My bad leg hit the table.
“Son of a...” I bit off the curse, remembering Killian was right here.
“Mama!” He said, and I set him down on the floor so he could stand next to her bed.
“Hi, baby,” Wen’s mouth twitched, then she looked at me again. “You’re very graceful.”
I froze, staring at her. “You almost smiled.”
“I did not.”
