Horse Stone (Book 1 of Ilyrian Series)

Chapter 96

The hours until morning slowly ticked by, and yet I couldn't sleep, my mind racing a mile a minute and there was no way to shut it up.

I was nervous, scared even, of what I would see if I fell asleep, not knowing if Ethan would be able to contact me or at least try to and give me nightmares that I couldn't wake up from.

I had no idea what he could do now that I knew he was not from here and was this Sharlorn type of creature that attacked Vanar so long ago in a different world than this.

My cat came back from hunting and went over to me. She hopped onto the couch and walked over to me, and I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

"Mreow?" my cat asked as if she knew that I was still awake. She nuzzled my cheek and purred, and I sighed and opened my eyes, looking at her.

Concern filled her eyes, and she cocked her head while she watched me. "Mreow?" she asked again, and I had a feeling that she was concerned about me.

"I'm ok, Tig," I said, my voice barely above a whisper and scratched her behind her ear. "I just can't sleep. I'm scared."

My cat flicked her ears to the back of her head before she laid on top of me and started to knead my chest. She nuzzled my cheek again before she purred, and I closed my eyes and listened to her soothing purrs.

Her whole body grew slightly warm, and I slowly started to relax enough to fall asleep.

"Thanks, Tig," I said, my voice barely above a whisper and words slightly slurred with drowsiness. "I always knew that you were my favorite."

And with that, I fell fast asleep, grateful to have a protector like her.

***

The smell of food filled my nose, and I bit back a small groan and furrowed my brows while I slowly started to wake up. I tried to turn around but wasn't able to because of something on my chest, still purring away with no sense of time.

"Tig," I mumbled sleepily and poked her side. "I think it might be time to get up."

My cat buried herself deeper into my chest and purred some more, not moving from her spot.

"Come on, Tig," I said again and pushed her slightly. "Get up so that we can get this day started. I'm sure that he will be here soon."

I opened my eyes when I thought that and sank deeper into the couch, feeling dread wash over my body.

Tig didn't leave her spot and flicked her tail. She moved her face closer to mine and nuzzled my cheek gently.

I smiled slightly while I closed my eyes again, trying to enjoy the peace and quiet, even though I knew that I couldn't do it for long, especially since I had no idea when my father would come by to collect me.

Someone at the door cleared their throat, and I opened my eyes a little and turned that way just a bit to see Dr. Wilson standing there. He smiled slightly before he bowed, breaking eye contact. "Your Highness," he greeted. "Your breakfast is ready."

I licked my lips and nodded in thanks. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You didn't have to make me anything, though. I would have gotten something when I went home..."

Dr. Wilson shook his head. "I know," he said. "However, I wouldn't have had it any other way. You deserve to have something before you leave. His Majesty would not have been pleased with me if I hadn't fed you."

I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Don't," I said softly before I cleared my throat. "He would be fine if you didn't feed me. He'd understand that I didn't want to be a bother."

"But you aren't a bother," he said and shook his head. "You have never been a bother, and I wish that you would see yourself not as one."

I didn't respond and looked down at my cat, my cheeks turning slightly red. I knew what he meant and understood where he was coming from, but there was no way that I could stop that feeling.

I would always feel like a burden...

Dr. Wilson sighed and moved a hand through his hair before he cleared his throat and shook his head. "You will be fine with this one day, Your Highness," he said softly before he cleared his throat again. "I can promise you that."

I hesitated before I slowly nodded. "Ok," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I believe you." I pushed at my cat a little to get off of me. "Come on, Tig," I said when she didn't get off of me right off the bat. "Get up so that I can eat. I need something before my father comes to get me..."

Tig flicked her tail in annoyance but did what I asked and hopped off of me and onto the ground by my feet. She stretched and yawned before she sat down and looked at Dr. Wilson before she looked at me.

"Hmph," Dr. Wilson said while he pressed his lips into a thin line and slowly nodded.

I furrowed my brows and cocked my head, curious. "What did she say?" I asked while I stood and walked over to the kitchen but stopped when I was a few feet in front of him. "What did she want?"

Dr. Wilson sighed and shook his head. "It's nothing to worry about, Your Highness," he said, and I pursed my lips in annoyance, not enjoying that answer. He cleared his throat and grew serious. "She wanted to remind me that there would be a chance you were going to be visiting Shadow today."

He was lying... I could tell.

I narrowed my eyes and scowled but didn't say a word while the wizard bowed and looked away from me.

"All in due time, Your Highness," he said before he cleared his throat and gestured to the kitchen. "Please, come in and eat your breakfast. Your father will be here shortly."

I hesitated but did what I was told to do and walked to the kitchen with my cat at my side. "And if he isn't?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What then?"

"Then you shall wait here until he collects you," he replied before he shrugged. "Or we can go visit Shadow and have His Majesty meet you there." He paused and cleared his throat. "Would that suit your needs?"

"It would," I replied and nodded, feeling slightly relieved that he would take me to see my horse if my father didn't collect me in a while. "Thanks, Doc."

"My pleasure, Your Highness," he said and bowed again while he smiled. "Anything for you. I promise."