Alaric POV
I sat in the dark for three days. I refused to attend to any palace duty. I refused to eat.
The walls of my chamber felt like a cage. I blamed myself for every minute Sophie spent in that hole.
I should have seen the trap. I should have protected her from Isolde. I accepted the dinner invitation and let the woman who brings me peace fall into a pit of vipers.
I stayed in the shadows and counted the seconds.
A knock hit the wood of my door. It interrupted my dark thoughts.
"Your Majesty, your morning meal is ready." Elspeth said. Her voice sounded small.
"I thought I told you I am not interested in eating anything!" I replied in anger.
I felt a surge of fury. This woman had the guts to talk about food while Sophie suffered in a cell.
The irony was a blade in my gut. I wanted to roar at the walls. Then a soothing voice cut through my rage.
"You promised me you would not starve yourself." The voice said.
My heart skipped. The sound was impossible. I froze in my room. I didn't know if my ears deceived me. I wondered if my mind finally broke from hunger. I had to check if the sound was true.
I rose up quickly. My legs felt weak but I did not care. I ran to the door. My hands shook as I grabbed the metal deadbolt. I unlocked it quickly. I threw the door open.
It was Sophie.
She stood there in blue silk. The one I had bought her. Her face showed bruises but her eyes were clear.
I could not help myself. I took her hands. I pulled her to me. I hugged her tightly. I wanted to feel her in my soul. I wanted to make sure she was real. Not a trick of the light. Hugging her was not enough. I needed more. I leaned down. I kissed her.
I did not mind the guard. I did not mind the chefs. I did not mind that a King should not fall in love with a chef. All I wanted was her. She was my air. She was my center.
Sophie pushed me back. She looked at me with a frown.
"I told you not to kiss me. I don't belong to you Alaric." She said.
I stepped back. My face felt hot. I arranged my tunic in an awkward way. I felt like a boy instead of an Alpha.
I looked at her. I wondered. Why can't she love me back? Or does she feel the same fire? Maybe she is scared of the crown. Maybe she is scared of me.
I turned to the other chefs.
"Set the table." I commanded.
They rushed inside the room. They moved with speed. They set the silver tray down. They arranged the napkins. And the spoons.
They fled the room as soon as they finished. They knew I would send them away. Sophie turned to follow them. She reached the door.
"I can see the blue band on your head." I said.
"It signifies you are the Chief Royal Chef. So where are you going?"
She stopped. She turned. She walked toward the table. She bent down. She arranged the dishes with precise movements.
She began to explain the ingredients of the broth. I did not listen to a single word she said. I just stared at her. Anytime I look at her, everything else disappears. The room becomes a blur. The palace becomes a memory. She is the only thing I see. I did not hear her description of the meal. I only heard the rhythm of her voice.
"Eat with me." I said.
She looked at me. Her eyes widened.
"Your Majesty." She said.
I did not wait for her excuse. I grabbed her hand. I pulled her close to me. I sat her down on the chair next to mine. I looked into her eyes.
"Please eat with me." I said. I made my voice softer.
She picked up the spoon. She scooped the broth. She took a sip. She nodded as she tasted her own work. I watched her lips move.
"Feed me." I said.
She looked hesitant. I saw the look in her eyes. I know she would say I trouble her. I trouble her because I love her. I want to be close to her. I want her to develop feelings for me too. I am a King who has everything. But I am a beggar for her heart.
She scooped another spoonful. She brought it to my mouth. I swallowed the warm liquid. The broth was rich. It held the taste of home.
We sat in silence for a moment. We shared the bowl.
"How did you get out of the cell?" I asked.
"Who unlocked the gate?"
"The Grand Queen Mother released me." She said.
I felt a chill. My grandmother does not act out of mercy. She acts out of strategy.
"What did she ask for in return?" I asked.
Sophie looked down at the silver tray. Her voice became quiet.
"She gave me a condition. I have three days to find out what is wrong with Prince Daemon. I must find the truth or the cure."
I leaned forward.
"And if you fail?"
Sophie reached into her pocket. She pulled out a silver dagger. The blade caught the morning light.
"She told me to use this. If I cannot find the truth I must end my own life to save my honor."
I felt a roar build up in my chest. My grandmother is playing games with the life of the only woman I've ever loved.
She turned a release into a death sentence.
"She has no right." I said.
My voice was a snarl.
"She has every right Alaric." Sophie said.
"I am a foreigner accused of a crime. This is my only chance to prove I am innocent."
I looked at the dagger. I looked at the bruises on her skin. My mind began to race.
I had three days to save her. I had three days to find the poison before the woman I love used that silver blade.
