Lycan's Affection
In His Highness's Absence

Eleanor rushed to Conaan's side, her eyes wide.

"Your Highness?" Her hand immediately sought his fingers, and his eyes fluttered open.

"Eleanor." His voice was raspy, deep, and she swallowed, bringing her other hand to feel about his face.

"What happened to you? Did you catch a cold? Brandon said it is a fever, but..." She trailed off, then took a deep breath. "I will bring a wet towel immediately."

He said nothing, but tightly held on to her hand.

"Your Highness?"

"It is enough," he said, moving closer. She immediately sat back, her eyes filled with concern, her lips sucked in between her teeth.

"Your Highness."

"I am not dying. It is a fleeting illness and I will be on my feet by evening."

She swallowed hard. "Do not speak about dying, Your Highness."

She adjusted his head so she was sitting on his side, his hand clasped in hers, her other hand moving delicately across his face.

"Why?" He asked, a little teasingly, his eyes, however, a little sad.

"I have only just found you. If you expect me to hold any of your promises to be true, then you should not speak of leaving me so soon."

He gave a small snicker. "I will not. You have nothing to worry for."

She immediately nodded. "I will go to the cookhouse myself and bring some food. I will bring a wet towel too, and you should rest till you feel strong enough."

Conaan said nothing and simply propped himself up, settling his back on a pillow. He did feel a bit stronger, but he knew it was like a bait.

"Eleanor?"

She turned to him, her eyes wide, her feet stopping midway to the door. "Yes?"

"Can I get a promise?"

Her brows furrowed. "A promise?"

He nodded. "Yes. Promisee that whatever happens, you shall not forget my eyes." He paused, holding her gaze. "Because in the moments when everything else about me was angry, my eyes always stayed enamored by you."

She swallowed, for some reason, feeling it like a goodbye. Like a last wish. It felt like there was something she was missing, something she would dread to know.

Briskly, she covered the distance to him, her hands cupping his face. She kissed him like it would be the last, even though she was determined to have many more. She broke away, her hands caressing each side of his face, her eyes taking him in.

He looked up, his eyes hooded, but as he had said, truly enamored.

"Why would I need to remember it? When I can just stare at them forever?"

He gave a faint smile and nodded, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Do not talk about death. Consider us immortal, Your Highness."

He only smiled again, and this time she leaned forward again, kissing his forehead. He felt the warmth spread all over, and she slowly let him go, her fingers squeezing his one last time.

He watched her back as she left, his lips turned up in a rather wistful smile.

"Immortal," he muttered to himself, then turned away, his eyes closed.

Brandon placed his sword on the cloaked man's throat, his eyes thin. He had received a report from a guard about a suspicious man with no scent who had arrived the palace surroundings this morning.

The man, ironically had not even tried to hide, and was seemingly unarmed. But knowing Conaan's current condition, he could not be too careful.

"Identify yourself," Brandon said again.

"I was...I was sent by the former beta of Polaris, Matthew. He has asked me to deliver this letter to Eleanor or Conaan."

Brandon's brows furrowed. "You are a werewolf from Polaris?"

"Yes, but I mean no harm, I swear it. Originally, I was...."

"Open up," Brandon said, stepping away from him. There was no way for him to run, as it was heavily guarded.

He sighed, then pulled back the hood. He was a young man with rather cute features who looked better suited for pageants than war.

"What is your name?"

He swallowed. "Eric. I am the current acting Beta of Polaris."

"And you expect me to swallow anything that beta of Polaris says?"

"You have to believe me," Eric said, desperation tinting his voice. "I risked my life and my loyalty."

"At what cost?"

"My childhood friend," he said, breathing hard. "Matthew has been locked in Polaris' darkest dungeon ever since he let Queen Eleanor escape from it. Alpha Alexander has refused to grant him his freedom since he has refused to pledge his loyalty to him, and has always stood by Eleanor and Conaan."

"Is that true?"

"Yes! He has sent a letter too. I swear, Matthew has been starved, beaten, abandoned, but he never withdrew his vows against his own brother."

Brandon eyed the letter Eric pulled out, without letting his guard down.

"Alpha Alexander has received the loyalty of Queen Eleanor's uncle, Anderson. He had asked me to bring a letter to him, but Matthew had exchanged the letter."

Brandon immediately collected it, his brows furrowing as he read the contents.

"Is this really true?"

Eric immediately nodded, desperate to get his message delivered and be on his way before Alpha Alexander suspects anything. "Will you hand it to Queen Eleanor and King Conaan?"

"Certainly. You can be on your way."

Eric swallowed. "I and Matthew will trust you, then."

Brandon nodded, then raised his hand to a guard. "Escort him to the city gates safely. He is not an enemy."

The guard immediately nodded, then escorted Eric out of the vicinity of the Lycan palace.

Brandon held the letter closely, then immediately rushed up the spiral stairs as he saw Eleanor. She had balanced a tray of food on her hands, and was heading towards Conaan's room.

"Eleanor."

She looked up, her brows immediately furrowing at the concerned expression on his face. "Is something wrong?"

"We received a letter. Apparently, Polaris intends to deport some of its soldiers to infiltrate our army. It will take our manpower, and leave us with traitors if we ever go to war."

She bit down on her lips. "Damn that snake, Alexander. Such an underhanded bastard. When will they come?"

"Tonight. And with His Highness so ill..."

"I will put him to sleep. And then I will come with you."

"But His Highness will not approve."

She stopped, turning to Brandon. "No one knows Polaris wolves more than I do. And in His Highness's ill health, I am Queen."

Brandon nodded slowly and she walked away, her steps stiff.