The Fallen Prince

13

Ciaran's POV:

I wake up with a throbbing headache and my shoulder is killing me. Moving slow, I drag my shirt off and look at my disgusting, bruised shoulder. The pain isn't the words I've experienced, but it still hurts so bad.

There is a knock at the door, and I bite my tongue to keep back my insults, because I have a feeling it is Rowan at the door. He has already knocked on the door a couple of times and I cursed him out, telling him to come back if he plans on executing me.

Huh, maybe he has decided to do so.

Maybe he spoke with Soto and the king decided to have me killed.

"Ciaran? Will you open the door?"

Wait, it actually is the king!

I rush to the door and pull it open, because even if I'm about to be killed, I will die being known as a decent and respectful person.

"Sorry, I thought you were Rowan," I say, moving aside so the king can enter the room. "Are you here to kill me? If you are, can we please get it over with before I change my mind and try to run?"

Soto seems shocked. "Gods, no! Why would I kill you?"

"Well, Rowan seems convinced I'm a traitor and that I want to infiltrate Arlian, so I'm having a few trusting issues when it comes to you and him at the moment."

"He told me what happened," Soto says, walking over to the desk. "May I sit?"

I give a small nod and sit down on the bed.

"Your arm needs to be seen by a doctor again for a healing salve," he tells me, looking at the horrible bruising.

My face heats up now that I realize that I am still very shirtless and all of the injuries from yesterday are very obvious. I give a small hum of agreement because I do not like him asking about my ugly injury.

"I will later," I promise him, because I know how much he cares about his son, and I feel like some of that care extends to me.

Soto hums. "Rowan has been trying to get me to convince you to let him in here."

I purse my lips, because I still do not want to see Rowan.

"Don't worry, I am not trying to push you to do that. He needs to earn forgiveness, and I believe you. I was shocked when Vayl attacked us, but no one had ever seen the king, queen, or prince before so we thought there was a sudden change in peace and we did not dwell, as our focus was to defeat our enemies. We did not know where the prince went, but my biggest fear was that he, well, you, were in your palace somewhere, biding your time until you could rekindle the war."

"Well, I am not. Rowan refused to listen to me. He kept yelling at me and demanding that I tell him about my plan to infiltrate Arlian, but I quite obviously have no intent of doing so."

Soto sighs. "I know, Ciaran. I cannot make excuses for him, because he never should have yelled at you like that. I am so angry with that boy right now," he says, and I can see how livid he is.

At least someone is on my side.

"Where is he now?" I ask, not because I wish to see him, but because I wish to avoid him when I go to see the doctor.

Soto notices this. "I shall escort you to the doctor so you do not have to interact with him."

I follow the king down the hall and toward the hospital wing, and we do not, to my pleasure, run into Rowan. That is, until we enter the doctor's healing room and find Rowan sitting down on the bench in the office.