Lycan's Affection
The Sacrifice

Eleanor felt her world stop spinning, throwing her straight into a wild vortex of crashing worlds. She was pregnant? She was carrying the...

"I have felt the forming energy in your stomach, My lady. It most probably will be a boy."

Eleanor's lips parted, her chest heaving lightly. "I am really carrying His Highness's child?"

The healer nodded, then broke into a big smile. "Congratulations, Your Highness. His Majesty will be ecstatic about this news."

Eleanor nodded. "He needs to wake up. Now there are two people waiting."

The healer's smile widened. "Yes, Your Highness."

Eleanor wrapped her hand around her stomach, the other coming to slowly cover her mouth, tears running down her cheeks. It felt like a ray of sunshine was peeking through the grey clouds that had threatened to swallow them whole ever since Brandon died.

She already knew. If he really was a boy, she would name him Brandon. Conaan would want that, except if it made him too sad. Except if...

She slowly stood up, then slowly walked to Conaan's chambers. The healers were sitting, talking in low, hushed tones.

"How is he?"

They all looked up at the same time and gave their respects, but only one opted to speak.

"His Majesty is stable. We were just discussing how it would be the perfect time to administer the cure."

Eleanor swallowed, then slowly covered the distance to Conaan. He looked so unhealthy, even though his skin was still warm. She brought his hand to her lips, then placed a tender kiss on it, her eyes closing as she did it.

She leaned back, then pushed his hair back, her fingers raking through the still luscious strands.

She gave a small wistful smile, then closed her eyes, her hand just wrapping around his own.

ROGUE VILLAGE

Shadow leaned away and clapped his hands. Jenna had been carefully bundled up, while Jamie stood by the side, his lips drawn, his eyes downcast. He knew Jenna had it coming. They all owed the king loyalty, the way he had spent his life serving them.

"Are you coming or do I have to force you too?"

Jamie slowly shook his head. "I will come. How is His Highness?"

Shadow watched him for a long time, before he threw Jenna over his shoulder, then started to walk out.

"Barely hanging," came the reply.

Jamie followed behind, his hand clasped behind him, his chest heaving.

The small bag of clothes fell from Simon's hand, his eyes wide. The king was barely hanging on? His eyes were wide as he watched Shadow and Jamie walk away.

"That is..."

His brows furrowed, and without picking up the items on the ground, he turned and ran down the dusty path to the small cottage on the farthest end.

No one in the rogue village entered the cottage or bothered about it, and it was the perfect place to hide especially after being kicked out of the council by His Majesty himself.

Simon burst in through the door, his eyes wide as he took in the faces of the now fallen council members, his breaths short.

"What is it? You did not get food?"

He shook his head. "I heard...news about His Majesty."

"If you are not about to tell me that bastard is dead and I can go back there, then just shut up."

"He is in a coma, and barely hanging on," Simon said, then sat. "This is it. This is our opportunity to avenge my master, Lord Lucas. He died so ungracefully in his hands and..."

"Is Conaan really in a coma? I thought the bastard was immortal?"

"I saw His Shadow kidnap someone. I do not know who they are, but he said it himself. "

Silence descended between them, as the wheels in their heads turned.

"We can not risk it. Eleanor is just as ferocious. How are we supposed to bypass the security? How are we supposed to..."

"Think of Lucas. Look at how he died. Look at us, doing nothing but playing chess and hoping for food to fall from the sky. Do you not remember how many servants you used to have? Do you not remember how much food you could afford? How much gold? Look at us now."

Simon nodded in agreement, as silence descended on them again.

"What do you suggest we do?"

Another round of silence.

One finally spoke up. "We need to enter the palace and force that wench out of seat. Since he is in a coma, he is vulnerable. We can..."

"That is treason!" One said, his eyes wide.

"He betrayed us too. He deserves this."

Everyone went silent.

"Who is with me?" He asked, stretching his hand. Simon was the first to go, before the others slowly put them in, adding the numbers.

One however, stayed out of it, insisting it was treason and he saw no reason to go on with it.

Back at the palace, Eleanor was still in Conaan's chambers, the healers sitting around, all silent. Some prayed under their breaths, others just watched solemnly, the atmosphere somewhat gloomy.

"My lady. You have been sitting there for hours. Yiu should get something to eat."

Eleanor swallowed. "I do not know if I can take care of myself when I need to replace a cure for His Highness, and I have failed. I need to..."

"Find a cure, yes, my lady."

They all turned to the new voice, and Jenna was standing by the door, Shadow behind her, his sword resting on her neck. She still had the lines from the gag he had used, and the ropes he had bound her in. Her face was solemn, and she slowly bowed to Eleanor.

"Who are you?" Eleanor asked, standing, her eyes thin.

"My name is Jenna, amd I know how to cure His Majesty."

Eleanor's eyes widened as she stepped forward. "Do you really..."

"My lady. What if she is lying? What if she is from his enemies and..." A healer started to protest.

Eleanor raised a hand, stopping her from talking. "Did you really say that you know how to cure him?"

Jenna nodded. "I am the moon goddess's image after Meredith. So you cannot doubt my abilities. But I do doubt the extent you would go to see him wake up."

"What?"

"You are a ferocious queen. But if I had not come here within three days, His Majesty would surely have given up his spirit."

Eleanor gasped, her eyes widening, tears stroking the edges. "I would do anything. I would..."

Jenna stepped forward. "His Highness can only be awakened by a force stronger than the hatred of the person who had administered the poison. Will you be willing to give up your mate bond, Your Highness?"

Eleanor nodded without hesitation. "I can..."

"His Majesty...." Jenna trailed off, her eyes darkening. "He could forget you."