Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The buzz was killing…it felt like a hammer was being slammed against her skull from behind. She could hear their voices; they blended into one until it made sense.

"...there."

"….far….it…..yes."

The voices were those of the people closest to her. Thorne and Adina.

Her eyes fluttered open, it was blurry at first but then she came into focus. She could hear the two talking about her…but why? And how much had she missed?

Thorne's gaze flickered to the bed and only then did he realise she'd woken up. He rushed to her side, face pinched in worry.

"Adina.." his voice was tight with worry.

She tried to sit up, but a sharp ache twisted in her stomach, making her gasp. "Thorne.." She clutched his arm tight, eyes shut. It all came rushing back. The execution of Freya and…

"Carter!" She voiced out, eyes snapped open now. "C-Carter, he was there, right there." Her gaze shifted from Thorne's to Thessara. "Did you see him? I told you he was there. Please tell me you caught him." She rushed out, full on panicking.

Thessara looked defeated. She took a step forward, "Adina.."

"Carter wasn't there." Thorne cut in sharply and her gaze shifted to his.

"What?" She croaked out.

Thorne held her hands tight to ground her. "Carter, he wasn't there. We searched and looked but there was no one who even looked like him. Carter cannot dare to show up at the palace. We have guards and warriors stationed at every corner of this palace, this kingdom. There's no way he's getting into the palace.

Adina's ears rang as his words dulled out, she remembered it clearly. Carter had been standing all the way in the back, blended extremely well amongst the people. He had a dark cloak pulled over his frame, hiding his physique even…the only thing that was visible was his eyes.

And she'd seen the recognition in Freya's eyes. Carter was here.

Adina shook her head, "No, that's impossible. I know what I saw. I saw Carter. He was standing right in the middle of the crowd. He'd bypassed every guard and he came in." She rushed out, glancing at the others to see that they wore the same expression.

"You have to believe me. I- I can't make this up."

"Adina" Thorne called calmly but she was far too gone to hear him.

"C-Carter, he was really here. We aren't safe if he can just stride in whenever he so wishes to."

"Adina."

"No, we have to do something. He's going to take revenge now. He's come in and slid into our midst. He can—

"Adina!" Thorne's voice was thunderous as he gripped her arms tightly, forcing her to look at him.

His eyes locked onto hers, "Carter wasn't here and he'll never be here. He's not stupid enough to show up in the palace. Listen to me, Carter was never in Obsidan palace. He has no way of coming in here and not a single soul but you saw him."

Adina shook her head, still convinced. "Thorne, you don't get it. He—"

"No, you don't. This is a result of your fear. You're scared and your imagination has begun to mess with your mind. Carter will never come near you. He will never." He said with so much confidence.

Adina could only stare, her mind doubtful now. Was it really her imagination? Did she really not see him? Was she losing her mind to fear?

Was she—

"It's the crystal." Someone said and Adina's head snapped up, ready to retort only to be shocked that it was Thorne, not Thessara.

"What?"

Thorne stared at her gravely. "I know everything." He stated and Adina's heart sank.

His eyes were heavy, filled with guilt and anger. "Why? Why Adina? Why didn't you tell me? Why did you hide this information from me? The crystal is messing with you. It's sucking your energy and it's dangerous to your life. Why did you lie to me?"

Adina couldn't look at him, her gaze shifted to Thessara, silently blaming her for telling it all to Thorne. The older woman on the other hand didn't relent, nor look away. She did what had to be done.

"That crystal it is—"

"It is nothing.." Adina interjected sharply. She didn't want this. To have Thorne learning of this and knowing him, he'd be so against it. This was what she didn't want.

"Adina.." Thorne said, baffled.

Adina shook her head, gripping his hand tight. "I know what you think. I know. But this isn't it. I can't let go of this thing inside of me. I can't—"

Thorne stared at her, shocked. He slowly pulled back from her"And you would rather let yourself be harmed," he said quietly, "you'd rather be hurt than take it out? Is that it?"

Adina swallowed hard. Her throat felt tight. "You don't understand," she whispered.

"Then make me understand." His voice cracked, just slightly. "Because from where I stand, it looks like you're choosing suffering. It looks like you're choosing danger over us."

A tear fell to Adina's cheek but she made no move to wipe it. She shook her head rapidly, "No—no, I'm choosing everyone." She finally looked at him. "That crystal isn't just inside me for nothing. It's the only thing keeping Khaos from returning. If it's removed—"

She couldn't say the rest…. It'll make it even more real.

Thorne paced around restlessly, his hands clenching and unclenching. His eyes were red with fury. Suddenly he stopped right in front of her, jaw set tight.

"I refuse to let you put yourself in harm's way. Thessara will take out that core and that will be it." He said with finality, turning to walk away.

Adina's eyes widened at his words, shocked rushed off the bed, ignoring the few dark spots that filled her vision. She ran towards him before he could reach the door.

"No, please don't. I won't take it out. Not even if you say so." She said defiantly.

Thessara's eyes widened behind them, unable to understand why she was being so difficult.

Thorne stood still, eyes on her. "You won't take it out, even if I order so?"

Adina trembled but her mind was made up. After all that's happened, she refused to be the one who brings Khaos back into this world.

"I- I can't take it out. Taking it out means doom. Khaos—-He'll awaken. All that's needed to complete his reawakening is this core inside of me." She shook her head indignantly, and stubbornly. "The crystal stays inside me, Khaos can't awaken. He can't take form. I can endure it—I will endure it."

"And if it kills you?" Thorne shot back. "If it kills our pup?"

Her breath hitched.

"I'm a sage," she said desperately. "This is what I'm meant to do. Sacrifice. Risk. If I have to—"

"Sage or not, you're my mate! The day u let you take a risk this dangerous is the day I stop being your mate!" He snarled before storming out of the room.

Adina fell to her knees yet again, sob wrecking through her body. Of all the things she feared the most. Thorne hating her topped the list.

Thessara draped a blanket over her trembling form as she helped her to her feet. "Come now, child. Everything will be sorted."

Sorted? Everything was far from being sorted.