Chapter 222: Right beside you
Though Katelyn had fallen asleep, Amelie couldn’t bring herself to close her eyes. Her mind kept replaying Katelyn’s words, how Gabriel had never been in such a condition before.
Restless, she sat upright and quietly climbed down from the bed. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she stepped onto the balcony. The cool night air greeted her as she settled onto the swing, her gaze drifting toward the sky.
"Is all of this happening because of me?" she whispered to herself, the weight of guilt heavy in her voice. "The Queen didn’t even look at me when we returned to the palace..."
Her hand gently moved to her bump, caressing it protectively.
She didn’t want to believe in prophecies, didn’t want to give in to ancient warnings and whispered fates, but everything that had been happening to Gabriel since her arrival in his life... it made her heart pound with growing fear.
’I asked you to sleep,’ Gabriel’s voice echoed gently in her mind through the bond. Amelie blinked, startled. He had mindlinked her — but how did he know she wasn’t asleep?
’Gabriel...’ she whispered. ’Why aren’t you sleeping?’
’The healers came by earlier,’ he replied softly. ’Also... Noa sent word. Their mother is awake.’
’Don’t tease me like that,’ Amelie responded, half-hopeful, half-doubtful.
Gabriel smiled faintly as he lay staring up at the ceiling of the hospital room. ’Our bond is purer than you realize, Amelie. Even your restless heartbeats speak to me. Just rest. I’m completely fine now.’
She hesitated before answering, her thoughts calm but wistful. ’But I like watching the stars. At this hour, the sky is clearer...’