Chapter 252 - The Beast vs the monster (2/2)

Ales's head ached. {Passages, tunnels, a labyrinth?!} This was the first that he'd heard of any of it, but he refused to let his loyal followers know as much. He would wait for Cam to wake and seek her knowledge and advice on the matter before continuing forward. He nodded to the head warrior. ”Very good, Vigo. Have Lookout keep eyes out for him and any of the traitors who fled with him. Have anyone caught locked in the dungeon until proper measures can be taken.”

The older, larger man nodded as he bowed his head again. ”Yes, Sire.” His eyes moved to the heavy doors of the infirmary. ”Will Her Majesty be alright, Sire? Those who saw it said she fought bravely with a fierceness of Fenrir himself.” The man's battle-scarred face shown with admiration for the young queen as he spoke.

Ales nodded his head as he followed Vigo's gaze toward the door. A smile curved his lips. ”She did, indeed... and had I not been absolutely terrified for her safety at the time, I would admit it was quite the display.” His gaze moved back to Vigo's as his smile widened. ”I have no doubt our queen is strong and will pull through in little time.” He cupped his hand over the man's thick shoulder. ”I will pass your concerns to her once she wakes...” His smile faded as his worried eyes moved back to the door... ”As soon as that old bastard opens the bloody doors, that is...”

Just then the doors opened, and the doctor immerged. He was wiping his hands on a blood-stained towel. His eyes moved over the group as he gave them all a nod. ”I see that you are busy, Sire. I will not take up much of your time-”

”Oh no! We are all here waiting for word on Her Majesty! Please, how is my queen?” Ales interrupted impatiently.

The doctor arched a skeptical brow but continued on anyway. ”The broken rib has been reset, and she has awoken from the sedative. Once she shifts back to human form all will be well, Sire.” The doctor's lips quirked up in a half-smile. ”Her Majesty has always been a tough one, Sire, there is little need to worry about her. I'm sure it will not be her last visit to my clinic regardless of her current title.” He chuckled as he turned away from the small group of men and headed back toward the doors. He'd barely gotten them pulled open when Cam came running out and shot straight into Ales's arms.

She squeezed him tight burying her face in the clean linen of his dressing shirt, letting the familiar scent of him ease her worried mind. ”I was so worried you'd went after him, and something had happened.” She pushed away from him slightly but didn't release her grip around his waist. ”When I woke, and you were not by my side... but the maid said that the doctor had asked you to wait out here... so I came as soon as I was able.”

Ales searched her large, pale blue eyes for any lingering signs of pain but there were no traces. ”Do you feel better now, my love?” He brushed tiny strands of her hair away from her face as he continued to study her.

Cam nodded. ”Right as rain... nothing a quick shift couldn't handle...” She gave him a tender smile as she pressed up onto her tip-toes and tugged him down into a kiss.

Vigo cleared his throat, a faint blush peeking out from behind the scarred fist resting against his lips. He gave a deep bow and the other two men followed suit. ”We are all glad to hear you are well.” With that, they lifted. ”If there's nothing else, we'll get back to work, Your Majesties.”

”Thank you again, Vigo... Ran... Hild. I will find the three of you in a while, once I've properly seen Her Majesty to our bed chambers.” The men all nodded and gave another deep bow before turning and heading back down the hall.

Cam leaned into Ales, wrapping her arms around him tighter. ”You know... I don't think I'll ever get used to all the 'Your Majesty' and 'Your highness'... It all seems so odd to me...” She moved her gaze from the empty hall the men had vanished down up to meet Ales's. ”I can only ever think of your mother when I hear those titles...” The pain of loss colored her words, and a light mist of tears filled her eyes.

Ales lightly brushed at her eyes with the back of his index finger. ”I know, it is strange for me as well. I miss them a great deal.” He let out a heavy breath as his eyes trailed away from hers and out the window behind the leather chair, he'd been sitting in. ”Maybe with all that has come to light, we will finally be able to give the kingdom and ourselves the closure it needs... give mother and father the justice they deserve.” He hugged her tighter against him as a shudder crept up his spine. {Could Fern really have killed their own parents...}