Chapter 108 - Helping Hand

Arawn sat on the throne in his father's stead. Due to the assassination attempt, his father would be kept in his quarters for another day. Until then, the prince would take on twice the responsibility, although he sent his men out by themselves to scout the forest while he would sit in with the council and listen to any arising issues with the nobles. 

He stood from his seat as two dukes began to argue over some issue with expanding their land. Both families believed their dukedom owned the small plot of land. Arawn previously looked into it and even sought out the land, dressing as a commoner to see what was so precious about such land. After assessing the area, he could only assume it was due to the scenery and their egos being the real reason for owning it.

For now, he would let them bicker between them; there was not a lot more on the schedule other than the council's greed. He did not know how his father dealt with them; at least when there was war, the meetings were much more riveting. The prince clasped his hands behind his back as he stood next to the great white tree behind the throne and stared down at the magnificent drop. 

Other than keeping the throne room light and airy, without a wall behind the great throne- the king and prince had kicked many off the side of the palace. Whether that was by execution or a pest trying to play the game of politics and losing. Where he stood now, if he took another step, he would fall into the depths of the waterfall. 

Arawn glanced up and looked at the villages near the woods. If Evanna was here, she would definitely be looking on in awe of them. One side of his lips twitched up into a smile. Such simple things made her smile and, in turn, made him smile. 

"Your highness, they request your attention," Haryk interrupted his reverie. The prince's lips thinned, and he turned his cold stare back to the meeting. 

As soon as the meeting was finished, Arawn marched out of the throne room. It was past midday now, and he wished to stretch his legs; Evanna was most likely in the gardens once more. His legs automatically took him in that direction; he wanted to stretch his legs. He was restless, especially after seeing Evanna in that slip and almost kissing her. 

His gaze was set ahead as he walked towards the double doors to the gardens, but his mind was turning again, calculating his next move. Maybe he should make a deal with her. Evanna was part elf; if she has a gift, then he could teach her how to harness it. But she was a half-breed; would she really have a gift? Some elves don't even get a gift.

"Your highness! Your highness!" 

Arawn stopped after seeing Anwel sprint towards him, his eyes stricken with panic. The prince narrowed his eyes subtly, and his glare made the warrior flinch, but with a single bow, he raised his head.

"What news do you have that warrants you to run like a mad man towards me?" Arawn tilted his head to the side with a raised brow. 

"It's lady Evanna." The prince stilled. Did she escape? "She collapsed and is now bedridden with a fever," Anwel exclaimed. Arawn instantly changed direction without responding to Anwel; his movements were quick and sharp, his footsteps and chilling aura made servants and nobles move out of the way. Just how he liked it. 

As soon as Arawn was in his quarters, he let his façade fall, and he sprinted up the stairs, glaring at anyone who looked in his direction, causing them to scamper as he did so. He stood outside of Evanna's doors and glanced around. A handmaiden was passing by; her eyes kept darting between him and what was probably an escape route. 

Arawn turned and looked at her, "Find Haryk," He commanded. The handmaiden curtsied and scurried off in search of the butler. Once she left, he ordered the guards to clear out the remaining area of servants before he opened the doors. The prince stilled after seeing her dressed in a new nightgown, one of the softest pink that complimented her well. 

But that was not what stilled him. Evanna was outside of the covers in such a pale and sweaty state, her hair was sprawled out behind her, and he could see her occasionally convulsing. Rina was by her side, dabbing at her forehead with a damp cloth. 

He removed his eyes from Evanna and glared at Cedric. He was standing guard at the end of the bed. Arawn did feel better knowing that Cedric had a wife, and the warrior did not have a death wish in not looking at Evanna in her nightgown. If he did, Arawn was sure to have injured him.

It was bad enough he was in her room. But it seemed he was waiting for him.

Cedric bowed. "What happened?" Arawn asked through gritted teeth. He was trying for polite, or as polite as one could be for someone with a block of ice in his chest instead of a heart.

"Lady Evanna seemed quite pale and ill. She was in the gardens when she looked to be in pain before fainting," Cedric informed him. 

"If you could see she was unwell before this, why did you not escort her back to her room before collapsing?" Arawn snapped. His voice was still low so as not to wake Evanna, but Cedric could still hear him. 

Cedric bowed his head, "Your highness, I apologise and take full punishment for not escorting her back."

"Stand guard outside the room." Arawn tsked him and waved his hand. Once the door was closed, he approached Evanna's bed and watched as Rina flinched at his presence. He could see how much she cared for Evanna and that they had bonded in less than a week. 

"Rina, I hope your loyalty lies with lady Evanna now, and I will not be hearing any slanderous rumours about her," He said crisply, hoping that the handmaiden would hear his warning.

Rina looked up at the prince with widened eyes. "Your highness, I served under your mother and under your sister. I am ever loyal to the Elion family. I would never speak of-"

"Good," Arawn interrupted with a small smile. Rina bowed her head and pursed her lips when she looked back at Evanna. Arawn's brows drew together as he saw her chest flush red and the veins by her neck begin to bulge slightly. She was in pain, he placed his hand against her cheek, and he could feel how hot she felt. 

Without thinking, he removed his boots and coat and climbed onto the bed with her. Rina's eyes widened, and she turned away, busying herself with something. Arawn lay on his back and pulled Evanna into his chest. He could feel how fast her heart was beating and the heat radiating off her. He replaced the cloth on her forehead with his hand and called upon his gift, cooling the top of her head.

Arawn had not used this particular technique in a while. He reduced his body temperature to help with Evanna's fever. She began to cool down, and she snuggled into him more comfortably. Her chest and cheeks returned to being pale. He could not help her with the pain she was going through, but he could at least do this. 

For hours he lay there with her, refusing to eat when Rina and Haryk offered food. He did not care for his royal duties and wished to comfort Evanna. He knew instantly when he saw her in pain and convulsing earlier that her body was going through the change of receiving her gift. That meant it was her eighteenth birthday. 

If Evanna had not been captured by them, where would she be now? In the forest or a town. Who would catch her or look after her? His jaw ticked at the idea of Evanna not being with him right now. Arawn stroked the top of her head, something he realised she liked after the first time he did it, and he gazed at her stunning features. 

It was then he decided he would help her. He noticed how much Evanna was in awe of everything, and reports from her guards told him that she took an interest in Reselda and her shop and visited the library. Arawn knew that she wanted to learn more about her elven heritage.

It would have been hard to be brought up in a human kingdom that despised elves, and of course, she was not brought up in the elven culture. Evanna was curious, and he was going to whet her curiosity and use it to his advantage. It was a good deal; she would learn how to deal with her gift and the eleven ways of life in exchange for information on the gem. 

He hoped his plan would work. He wanted to help Evanna regardless, but at the moment, their relationship was still strained. There was not enough trust between them. As soon as she makes that first step alone in trusting him, then the walls would fall down, and he could work on making her officially his.