Chapter 197

Chapter 197 So much lost time “Doris, wake up.” Doris flinched right out of her sleep when William touched her shoulder. He stood above her with a golden letter clasped in his grasp. Something about his eyes shot a new wave of worry right through her. “What is it?” Doris sat up quickly. William raked his fingers through his hair as if he didn’t know what to do or say. A hole started to form in her chest at what might come out of his mouth.

“My father called home for me. He wants me to return by nightfall.” William said as he seated himself on the side of the bed. Doris moved up and wrapped her arms around him. Slowly, she released the breath that tried to strangle her. “Are you alright?” Doris whispered. “Did it say anything else?” “When I got the letter… I thought it was going to tell me that he was dead.” William glanced back at her. A glaze of sadness in his eyes that she wasn’t used to seeing. It pulled at her hollow chest. “I didn’t think it would be from him.” “I’m glad it’s not what you thought.” Doris brushed his hair to the side. “We should go to him.

He must have something important to talk to you about.” Doris knew that she didn’t need to remind him that his father was sick. She didn’t need to mention that he might die soon, it was clearly already at the front of his mind. He needed to see his father as soon as possible. William nodded and pushed himself up. “I will gather everyone to pack up. We can leave ahead of them and get there within a few hours time.” Doris watched him leave with the weight still on his shoulders. She frowned a little at the sight. She couldn’t imagine the sort of fear that went through him when he thought his father had died instead of being the one that wrote to him. The mind was a dangerous thing when everything around them was uncertain. As quickly as she could, she got up to get ready and packed up all of their things. Beth came in soon after and brought a try of food with her. “I heard we were going back to the palace!” Beth grinned.

She gripped Doris by the arm and made her sit and eat. “It’ll be nice to sleep in a real bed again. The cot has really torn into my back. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling sleeping out here in a tent every night. I would lose my mind if I was pregnant.” Doris shook her head at her friend. “You heard right. We are returning to the palace, the king has called for William for a meeting. He wants him back by tonight and I think we will be able to make it.” Doris said as she started to inhale her food. Beth laughed at the sight of her. “As for the idea of returning to our real beds… it’s all that keeps me going.” “Have you felt your wolf wake up yet?” Beth asked lightly. Doris froze mid bite and closed her eyes. Her wolf felt as if she was resting rather than sleeping, but at least she could feel her again. It had been a long minute since she remembered to check up on her wolf. There was so much happening, she wasn’t even sure how she remembered to get dressed every day. “I think she should be waking up soon. It feels as if she’s starting to already.” Doris wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I miss her. I hope the drug they gave me doesn’t have a bad effect on the baby. I don’t think Martin knew I had a child in me—otherwise I doubt he would have risked it.” “Oh my, I surely hope not! I hope you feel your wolf wake up soon and reassure you, I’m sure she would know better.” Beth smiled sadly before she stood and cleared the plates. After she was done, she finished packing for Doris. Once they were finished, they carried their things out to the carriage and William stalked up to yank the bag out of her hand. “What are you thinking? You shouldn’t be cleaning any of this up or lifting anything.” He shoved her bag in a nearby guard’s arms and helped her up into the carriage. The camp around them already looked ready to be taken down, the rest of the guards worked swiftly to get it all done. Beth climbed in beside her before they were joined by William. “Will Enzo be joining us?” Beth asked casually. Doris turned her head quickly to stare out the window so no one would see her grin. “He rides with the rogues. They will meet us back at the palace by nightfall.” William said distractedly. He hit the top of the carriage and a moment later, it took off through the snow. Doris lightly patted Beth’s knee when she saw her friend blush. Beth glared at Doris and crossed her arms over her chest. Doris bit down on her lip as hard as she could to keep in her laugh. When she looked up, William had been watching them with a blank expression. It immediately sobered her up and cut out any sort of amusement she felt in that moment. It wasn’t the time to be joking with her friend when her mate was in pain. The carriage ride felt as if it stretched on and on. Doris stared out the window and saw them pass through the areas that were clearly used as part of the battlefield. Ripped clothing and torn ground were all that were left behind. No sense of death or decay remained and for that she was glad.

The palace soon came into view and left a strange feeling in her chest. She knew that once she walked through the doors, it wouldn’t be the same as it always was. Even more so than when they returned from the north. There would no longer be Martin lingering in the library-would she ever be able to return there?

It would feel strange, like she didn’t belong there anymore even though she used to love it. For some reason, her mind wanted to block out the place and strip it from who she used to be. It only brought back memories she didn’t want to face. Luna Queen and Prince Jack would no longer wander the halls and look for people to ridicule. Perhaps many guards and servants would be gone because of the war. It didn’t matter how she changed or how the people changed around her, the palace would never be the same. But still, her heart also felt a strange sense of home. For so long she despised the palace as if it was a rotten tomb, but now her heart longed for the familiar walls. She wanted to walk up the familiar steps and sleep in a familiar room. It’d been a long time since she considered somewhere her home like that. Even with all of the toxic past it held her with, perhaps she was finally ready to let all that go.

“It’s about time.” A groggy voice said from inside her. Doris almost flinched out of her skin. William’s eyes snapped to her as if he sensed something and she smiled at him that she was okay. “Cordelia! I thought you were still asleep.” Doris said silently. “I was, but your thoughts were so loud they woke me up.”

Cordelia grumbled. Doris wanted to roll her eyes but she knew that William was watching her. “What did I miss?” “I’ll catch you up later. We’re about to return to the palace for the first time since this war started.”

Doris eyed William who gazed out the window as if he was lost in thought. Perhaps his wolf was trying to convince him everything would be fine. “I’m glad to know you see this place as your home. We need a place to be safe at. We need a home, your baby needs a home.” Cordelia whispered. The carriage came to a stop in front of the palace steps.

“Is… is my baby going to be okay?” Doris asked as the door opened. Beth was helped out first. “Of course it will. As long as you don’t stress yourself to death.” Cordelia muttered. “A baby with a mate always comes out healthy and perfect. I wouldn’t worry about that now.” “It’s hard not to with all that’s been going on.” Doris sighed. She slid across the seat and William helped her down. He held on tightly to her hand and led her up the palace steps. Doris waved goodbye to Beth who hurriedly went towards her room. William didn’t let go of Doris, he led her straight towards the king’s quarters.