Chapter 7

SABINA

I blinked my eyes open, taking in the familiar surroundings of the infirmary. My hands and feet were wrapped in thick bandages. I didn’t remember when the nurse had done that. I must’ve drifted off to sleep.

I glanced to my left and saw Aboloft perched on the largest bed, his gaze fixed on me. I quickly looked away, my cheeks heating up from being caught staring, and turned my attention elsewhere.

The rustle of robes made my heart pound. He was coming over. I tensed up, even though I wasn’t sure what I was bracing myself for. Just seeing my former best friend was enough to send my mind into a whirlwind.

“You seem to have slept well,” he said, standing next to my bed.

Did I sleep well? I suppose I did, considering I didn’t wake up from a nightmare. Actually, it was the first time in eight years that my sleep wasn’t interrupted by a nightmare.

I had no idea how that happened, but I wasn’t about to ask Aboloft. He could never know about my nightmares.

So, I just nodded. “Th-thank you, my Lord. For your kindness,” I stammered. He had been kind enough to have my wounds bandaged. He didn’t let me bleed out.

Aboloft gently stroked my face with the back of his hand. “Don’t get used to it, my sweet. This is just the beginning. What I’m going to do next will break you, and then you’ll understand the magnitude of your mistake.”

His voice was soft, dangerously soothing, striking my soul.

I swallowed hard but didn’t respond. I had nothing to say. He was the king, he could do whatever he pleased.

He had already stripped me of my rights, reducing me to an object that anyone could claim if they wished.

“I wonder what I should do next,” Aboloft mused, his fingers tracing my cheek.

~Please let me go. Please set me free.~

That’s what I wanted to say, but I knew he would never do that. I was his prisoner for life now. But even if he never released me, I just hoped he would show me mercy.

“Maybe I’ll make it hard for you to breathe.” His hand moved to my neck but didn’t squeeze. “Or maybe I’ll take away your sleep privileges.” His fingers brushed over my eyes.

His words sent a wave of terror through me. It started slow, but the more he spoke, the faster it wrapped around my heart, like a python—suffocating me.

I would’ve preferred if he had choked me to death rather than talk about torturing me. But it seemed like life would never be easy for me.

“You can kill me,” I whispered, surprised at my own words.

Aboloft chuckled before sitting on the edge of my bed. “Kill you? Bluebell, why would I do that?” He asked as if the idea was absurd.

“It would be easier for everyone,” I replied, avoiding his gaze.

“And who do you mean by that?” he asked, his fingers tangling in my hair, which desperately needed a wash.

“Everyone. You. The people of Wilsden,” I said.

“That’s where you’re wrong, my sweet.” Aboloft leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“I told you not to do that,” I said through gritted teeth.

“What is my name?” he asked, ignoring my protest.

“I don’t know,” I replied bitterly.

“Of course you do. You remember everything about me, just like I remember everything about you,” Aboloft said.

“You’re wrong. I remember nothing about you. I forgot you the moment I told you to leave me,” I lied.

His fingers, which had been gently combing through my hair, froze at my words. I looked up at him to see his eyes darken until they flashed dangerously.

I knew lying wasn’t the best option, but if it stopped Aboloft from doing all this, then it was worth it.

“You were never a good liar, Bina.” Hearing that name made me catch my breath. I closed my eyes and was immediately flooded with memories from the past, making it hard for me to breathe.

Aboloft never called me Sabina; he always called me Bina. I remembered how we used to dip our feet in the lake, talking for hours, and then getting scolded by my father when I got home.

But that never stopped me from spending time with my best friend. No matter what the people of Wilsden said, I always chose Aboloft. Until one day, it became too much, and I had no choice but to let him go.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said.

“Pretend all you want. I know you remember. And one day, you will tell me exactly why you told me to leave you,” he promised.

“When can I go back to my cell?” Right now, the safety of my cell seemed much more appealing than Aboloft’s company.

It seemed like I had grown accustomed to the solitude my cell offered. It was better than being in the presence of a king who constantly talked about torturing me.

“When I think you’re ready,” he replied.

He stood up and started pacing. I tried to understand why he was still in the infirmary with me. He was the king. He shouldn’t be here, dealing with a slave.

“My Lord, may I ask you something?” I asked, unsure if I was crossing a line.

“And what would you like to ask me?” Aboloft asked, his dark eyes fixed on me. How I wished to see those eyes filled with joy.

“Forgive me, my lord, but did you spend the night here, in the infirmary?” I asked, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Yes, I did,” he replied.

“Why are you giving up your sleep for a mere slave?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“If I’m losing sleep over my slave, she’s not just any slave,” he replied.

~Did he just say I wasn’t worthless?~

“Why would you do that, my Lord?” I asked, my voice shaky. I knew I was crossing a line, but Aboloft seemed to be in a forgiving mood. Was he always this patient with his slaves?

Instead of answering, Aboloft moved closer, bending down until our faces were inches apart. His eyes sparkled in the dim light.

“Because I can’t sleep when you’re hurting, Bluebell.”

His words stirred up a memory I’d tried to bury. A memory that, despite everything, still made me smile.

~“How are you feeling, Bina?” Aboloft rushed over to where I was sitting, my feet dipped in the cool water.~

~“I’m okay, thank you,” I replied, smiling as he kicked off his boots and joined me, his feet splashing in the water.~

~We sat there, enjoying the breeze. Just as I was about to speak, Aboloft took my hand in his, gently kissing the blisters.~

~“Does it feel better now?” He always asked this after he kissed my wounds.~

~I nodded. “Yes, thank you. But you didn’t have to do that,” I said.~

~“I had to. I can’t stand seeing you in pain,” he said, kissing my hand again.~

~I was about to respond when I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Had he not been sleeping?~

~“Aboloft, have you been sleeping?” I asked.~

~He shook his head. “No, I haven’t,” he admitted.~

~“Why not?”~

~I worried about him constantly. He needed someone to look after him, because he wouldn’t take care of himself. But he was the prince. He could do whatever he wanted.~

~“You shouldn’t do this. You need to sleep,” I told him.~

~“How can I sleep when you’re hurting, Bina? I can’t rest when I’m worried about you,” he said, and I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond.~

~“If you won’t take care of yourself, then I won’t tell you when I’m hurt,” I threatened. Maybe I should stop telling him now.~

~If the king found out his son was losing sleep over a commoner, it would spell trouble for both of us. And I couldn’t afford any more trouble, especially not where my father was involved.~

“~You can’t hide it. I’ll always know when you’re in pain. Always.” His eyes were sincere, but I still had to ask.~

~“How?”~

~“When you’re happy, your eyes light up. But when you’re in pain, or worried, that light fades.~

~“So don’t bother hiding anything from me, Bluebell, because I’ll always know. Always,” he said, his voice full of conviction.~

~I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. I wanted to argue, but the intensity in his eyes left me speechless.~

~Oh Aboloft, please don’t worry about me so much. If only he understood why I didn’t want him to worry.~

“My lord.” The voice broke through my memories, pulling me back to the present. A guard stood at the door of the infirmary, his hazel eyes serious under his helmet.

Aboloft stood and turned to face him. “Speak!” he commanded, his voice hard.

“My lord, I apologize for the interruption, but the King of Sodora is here and wishes to speak with you,” the guard said.

My heart pounded in my chest. Another king was here. How many alliances had Aboloft made?

And how many more was he planning to make? And why was this king here?

“Bring him here and have the maids prepare refreshments,” Aboloft ordered.

The guard hesitated, clearly confused. I was confused too.

Was Aboloft serious? Did he really want the King of Sodora to come to the infirmary? Wasn’t that disrespectful?

I’d never been to the castle and didn’t know how royals conducted their business, but inviting someone to an infirmary in a dungeon didn’t seem right.

“Here, my lord?” the guard asked, his face a picture of bewilderment.

“Did I stutter? Bring the King of Sodora here and have the maids prepare refreshments,” Aboloft repeated, his voice echoing in the infirmary.

The guard bowed deeply. “Yes, my lord.” He turned and left the infirmary, leaving Aboloft and me alone again.

Once the guard was gone, Aboloft began pacing. Even though we weren’t close anymore, I wanted to ask why he’d ordered the King of Sodora to come to the infirmary.

“My lord?” I called, trying to get his attention.

He stopped pacing and looked at me. “Yes?”

“Forgive me, my lord, but may I ask why you ordered the King of Sodora to come here, to the infirmary?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t overstepping.

“Because I’m here,” he replied.

“Yes, my Lord, but—”

“But what?”

I bit down on my lip, holding back the words that threatened to spill out. I was desperate to understand his actions, to make sense of his choices. But I was no longer in a position to ask questions. I was his captive, my curiosity a luxury I could no longer afford. All I could do was lay in bed and watch the events unfold.

Would the king be furious? Would he sever ties with Aboloft? I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be the cause of any trouble for Aboloft.

The man returned, this time with company. A dozen guards, all dressed alike, flanked him. Six on his left, six on his right, and in the center stood the king.

He was as tall as Aboloft, with deep green eyes, prominent cheekbones, and hair the color of gold. He wore robes of the same hue, with a hint of red peeking through.

Surprisingly, he was without a crown. I had always thought kings wore crowns when visiting each other.

When I was first brought here, Aboloft had been wearing a crown. But it was absent when he visited me in my cell.

“Leave us,” Aboloft ordered.

Without a word, the guards bowed and exited the infirmary, leaving the King of Sodora standing alone.

Once they were gone, the king’s face broke into a smile. It was a smile that made him even more handsome, if that was possible. It lit up his eyes, making them twinkle.

I turned to look at Aboloft and found him smiling too. A smile I hadn’t seen in eight long years, a smile I didn’t realize I missed until I saw it again.

It was a smile that had the power to wash away my worries, to make everything seem alright. Seeing it now, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. But he wasn’t smiling at me, he was smiling at the King of Sodora.

“Bancroft, you’ve finally arrived.”