The Sugilite Prince

♛ A Perilous Night ♛

Maeve follows the guard closely, her heart thundering wildly in her chest. She lifts her flowy mauve dress, as the cobbles in the courtyard are red with blood. As she walks into the infirmary, her knees weaken at the sight. The wounded are so many. They lay on the floor waiting their turn to see Aerendyl and the other healers. With agonizing horror at the sight, she wills herself forward.

“I can help!” She says pulling up her sleeves meeting the healer’s eyes who simply nods her head. She turns to ask her escort. “Where is Jeon?”

The guard points to his seemingly lifeless body, “Oh, he must have died waiting his turn.”

Her green eyes are wide with panic as she rushes to his side. Her body crumples to the ground overcome with grief, the tears rising unbidden to her eyes.

She grabs his bloody hand and tenderly brings it to her anguished face. Jeon stirs and can barely open his eyes. It seems to take all his strength just to squeeze her hand in reassurance. He pushes himself to say the words, “my love.”

“Is it really you?” His voice is seriously weak and husky.

“Yes.” Tears run down her cheeks as she sees the seriousness of his wounds.

In his weakened state, he still tries to bring comfort to her, “He is okay, don’t worry.”

“No, Jeon! It’s you I was worried about. I love you! Please don’t leave me, she says.” Anguish seared in her chest as his words had unlocked her heart and soul. She realizes too late how much she loves him.

He caresses her hair softly, trying to memorize the touch of it beneath his hand as he gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry, my love, that I can’t grant you that wish. It was my greatest honor to guard you and to love you.”

Leaning down slowly, she kisses his warm lips. His eyes closed and she laid a gentle hand on his forehead, trying to ease his pain.

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