The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 97

Queen Lilith shoved past her son and yanked the doors open, rushing to her husband's bedside. Sure enough, King Richard was motionless. 

Elysia, wide eyed, looked to her own husband, knowing this couldn't be easy on him. In the minute since he made the announcement, Shade had composed himself. His hands no longer shook, his voice no longer trembled. The only evidence he had witnessed his father die, was the brief glimpse of somberness seen in his eyes. 

He took hold of her hand, already guiding her away. "We should go." 

Elysia looked back, fighting his grip on her. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, saying nothing, his gaze straight ahead, determined to distance himself from the room.

She struggled to keep up with his fast pace as she stumbled behind him clumsily, his grip on her wrist unrelenting. At first she worried he was somehow mad with her, then realized he had no idea how firm his grip was. He was barely aware of anything at the moment. 

Only when they made it outside did his pace slow, until they came to a sudden stop. He took several breaths, until his breathing calmed. His fingers were still curled around her wrist in an unrelenting hold, as if he couldn't bear another part of his life slipping away from his control. 

How disoriented he must be. To go from a nobody, an orphan, a guardian, to a Prince. The long lost son of King Richard and Queen Lilith. Then, once his true identity is revealed, he isn't allowed any time to dwell on the changes in his life. Instead, he marries Elysia the same day. And while their marriage was the highlight of his life, he wasn't afforded time to adjust to any of the other life-altering discoveries. He wasn't given any time to think at all. 

Elysia felt sick. She had pushed him to meet his father. Had she pushed him too soon? After all, the King might be alive still had he not met his son. It was known for people on their death beds to hold out until sharing a last word with their loved ones. This was proof of it. King Richard had held on until the return of his son. He didn't have to worry about his wife or his kingdom anymore. He didn't have to fight for every breath. He was free. 

Shade, on the other hand, was feeling anything but free. They were probably looking for him now, eager to place the crown on his head. Every minute that went by was a minute Susurrus was without a ruler. 

Even though Shade just met his father, Elysia was sure this was still hard for him to bear. It would be difficult for anyone. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" 

Shade was still staring off into space. Wherever his thoughts were, they were far away.

He shook his head in response. 

It was killing Elysia, to be left in the dark. She wanted to know what pained him. Obviously he was hurting. But he kept her out of it. Whether to protect her or to protect himself, Elysia would never know. 

She didn't get another chance to ask him. A messenger approached Elysia before she could think of what to say.

"There's someone here to see you, your highness."

Elysia frowned. "Here to see me?" She wondered who it could be.

"Yes, a rather young someone. She is very small and very frightened. She said her name is Emmy."

Elysia gasped. Little Emmy was here? Something must be wrong. She glanced at Shade apologetically, then requested the messenger take her to the little girl.

Her thoughts raced. Was Emmy's family in trouble? Were they starving? It had been so long since Elysia last paid them a visit, since she last gave them food. Phillip had made it clear he never wanted her near the house again.