Chapter 220: Protection Spell
Everything moved so fast, or maybe it was just in my line of vision as blurriness consumed them. Sounds and voices were soft, distant echoes. The pounding in my ears intensified, too, and I couldn’t focus as they all collided all at once.
I saw white multiple times and was hauled back to the image of the moving high-painted ceilings.
The moment I felt the soft sheets beneath my bottom, I lounged forward, cheeks puffed and a foul taste in my mouth. There was already a vase positioned, and I grasped the sides and puked heavily.
I felt my mask come off, and my hair was pushed backward.
"Breathe, my love. Breathe." Drevon’s hand stroked my back.
After what seemed like forever, I was finally relieved, but the echoes didn’t stop. I felt Drevon’s hand beneath my chin, and a warm cloth wiped my lips. I opened my eyes a little, the images too blurry, and I shut them back.
"My liege, I came as fast as I could."
That was Celia’s voice.
"There’s something wrong."
My back pressed against the bed, and I felt her fingers on my wrist.
"How is Eloise? Is she going to be okay?" Diana asked, deeply worried.
"That’s not right."
"What is it?" Drevon demanded.
"Her pulse runs quick and uneven, my liege. Did anything cause her fright? Was she in any state of alarm? Her blood pressure is high."
"I found her on the ground; she must have fainted."
"A dream..." I chanted, trying my best to say more than that, but I couldn’t.
That feeling came again, like I had no power over my body and something was trying to shut my senses down and make me give in to the fatigue. But I didn’t want to.
"She’s feverish!" Diana panicked. "She must be under a lot of stress. I never should have taken my eyes off her."
"A brew might not be able to calm her as quickly. May I suggest you give her blood? The moonblood can help ease her. It’s the fastest remedy I can give, my liege."
"It’s too risky. She’s more human now. It might not heal, but burn through her," Drevon uttered.
"A small amount will do, my liege," Celia implored.
I could sense Drevon’s uncertainty and fear, but I could feel him already making a quick decision to take away my pain.
"Your blood won’t work."
My eyes flashed open, and I saw Corvin at the far corner before he stepped into the light, revealing himself to everyone.
"She’s under a powerful spell. Whatever you do, you must not let her fall asleep."
It was swift and lethal. One minute Drevon was beside me holding my hand, and the next second he was across the room, Corvin suspended to the wall with his hand at his throat, choking the life out of him.
"Who are you?" Drevon seethed with pent-up rage that shook the room. "Speak before I consider I have no use for your speech!"
"I know him!" Diana pointed out. "He was at the ball, and he looked very suspicious."
Diana’s words only fueled Drevon’s bloodlust.
"I-I think it’s time you step in, Mother of the Endless, before your h-husband takes my head."
"Her Majesty knows him?" Celia questioned.
Corvin sighed when no response was heard from me. Like a mirage, he slipped right past Drevon and was suddenly behind him.
"W-What are you?" Diana asked with wide eyes. "How did you do that?"
"Shall we leave the questions for later?" He cast a look behind when he felt Drevon pinning him with a dark expression. "I have come for her sake. I had no idea the Lord of the Order was already here. I’d have been more cautious."
"The Order?" Drevon said in a familiar tone.
"Zevrin the White was here, and he has done something to your wife. If she sleeps, then he shall take her along with your unborn child, not unless I cast a protection spell."
The lights in the room flared, and Corvin was forced to turn and take a step back.
"My liege, please calm down. Princess Diana cannot bear, nor can the queen," Celia struggled to speak.
Diana was gasping for breath as the heat sucked the air. However, it repressed but still lingered. There was no telling what Drevon would do, for I felt the bloodlust slipping through our connection, and the weight of it caused heavy chills down my spine.
I have never seen Drevon so impossibly calm and yet maddening with fury; it screamed only in his eyes, and the glow to them overtook the light in the room.
"I might not walk out of here alive," Corvin murmured.
"D-Drevon," I found my voice, although it was difficult for me. "I vouch for him."
Drevon forced his stone-cold expression off Corvin to me, but only his eyes softened, an action only I could see.
"You know him?"
I nod slowly.
Corvin neared me and stretched his hand above my head. "I must be quick before she sleeps. May I, Monarch of Lycans, Father of the Endless?"
Drevon only looked at me, and if it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have given a go-ahead.
A simple nudge of Drevon’s head was all Corvin needed.
"Dreams must be dreams and not a gateway." He snapped his fingers, and my eyes closed.
• DREVON •
When Celia checked Eloise’s pulse, she said it was back to normal and even better.
"You’re a warlock," Diana said to the mysterious masked man.
He angled his head so that he could see her face. "You’re familiar?"
"I have read about your kind."
"Celia, you may leave. Prepare a brew in case."
"Yes, my liege." She stepped out.
"How long should she be asleep?" I asked, knowing whatever this Zevrin did was related to Eloise’s unconscious state.
"Rest assured. She now sleeps peacefully, and Zevrin the White cannot interfere. I have blocked him, that may have angered him, but it’s worthwhile seeing his mask crack."