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Chapter 4: Dorian

Aelin was running through the halls of the stone castle. Servants were staring after her with looks of confusion and concern, but she didn't care that she was drawing attention. She cursed at herself as she sprinted to the right the stairs to Dorian's tower coming into view at the end of the hall. How could she have been so stupid! She had thought he was fine when she left, he had said he was okay! How did she not see it? Stupid, she was so stupid. She should have stayed longer, should have been here for him. She reached the bottom of the stairs, the guards posted there stepped out of her way. Smart she thought as she took the stairs two at a time, coming to a stop outside of the dark wooden door. Her magic was humming through her veins as she reached out and touched the door knob, it felt cold beneath her hand. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

She was not prepared for what waited on the other side. The cold hit her first and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as she surveyed the room. Dorian's tower had always been a bit of a mess in a cozy way, but what she looked at now was chaos. Books and papers were thrown about carelessly as if an explosion had taken place. There was broken glass scattered across the floor and the smell of wine and vomit reached her nose. Her eyes darted to Dorian's bed it was neatly made, the red sheets without a single wrinkle. When was the last time he slept there? She scanned the rest of the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She took a step forward her boots crunching on the broken glass beneath them.

That was when she saw him. Sitting in the corner, leaning against the wall. She could tell that his eyes were open, but he didn't register her presence. He saw something else. A chill went down Aelin's spine as she slowly made her way over to where he sat, careful not to startle him.

Gods he looked terrible. His normally neat raven black hair was shaggier and wildly tossed about. Whiskers now covered his once clean shaven face, and dark circles had taken root under his sapphire eyes. His eyes sent a shiver through Aelin as she saw the pain there. She quickly looked away and focused on the pale color of his skin and hollowness of his cheeks. When did he last eat?

She stopped now only a foot away, and knelt down blocking Dorian's view. Watching as his sapphire eyes stopped staring into the darkness and focused on her. She didn't know what to say or do, she was angry at herself. Tears streamed down her face and she looked away. A cool strong hand brushed the side of her face wiping away her tears. Aelin turned grabbing his arm and pulling him to her, wrapping her body around his holding him tight. She felt Dorian hold her back and rest his head against her neck. She held him as tight as she could. She didn't know how long they sat like that as the sun crept up spilling a small amount of light through the curtains into the room.

"You came" Dorian slurred breaking the silence. Aelin could smell the alcohol on his breath and pulled out of their embrace to look him in the eye.

"Of course I came Dorian" she said softly " I told you I would always be here for you."

Dorian shook his head and stood. Aelin jumped up placing her arms around his waist to steady him before he fell back to the ground. He placed his arm behind her neck and leaned against her for support. "I don't deserve to be King" Dorian whispered in her face.

"Dorian.."

"No I don't, I almost killed someone! Killed them! I've killed so many people, their blood it screams, and Sorsha the thump, and blood, and eyes. You and Chaol!

He wasn't making sense. The room was growing colder. Aelin didn't need him more upset. She pulled him towards the bed. He needed sleep she decided, then food.

Dorian suddenly stilled in her arms as he realized she was leading him toward the bed.

"No!" He whispered reaching down to pull her arms from around his waist. He turned in the direction of the sofa but stumbled backwards. Aelin was barley able to catch him before he landed in a pile of broken glass. A slur of curses escaped her mouth, and Dorian turned to look at her. "Not very Queenly language majesty". Aelin smirked at him rolling her eyes and hauled him back to a standing position. "You need sleep" She glared at him.

Fear flooded back into Dorian's eyes. And Aelin hated it, she wished she could take it away. "No, they wait for me there". Aelin didn't know what he meant but Ress had mentioned the nightmares. Apparently Dorian had dozed off during a council meeting a few weeks ago. Which had resulted in daggers of ice being shot through the room. Multiple people were injured and a few almost died.

"I won't let them hurt you"

Dorian stumbled leaning in closer to Aelin's face. "They will hurt you, I've seen it". Worry and fear written all over his still handsome face. Aelin tried to hide her own concern for what those words meant. She tightened her grip around his waist. "You forget I'm the fire breathing bitch queen". The corner of Dorian's mouth lifted slightly. He looked into her eyes. "Aelin.."

"I won't let anything happen to you, I'll stay right here."

She sat him down on the bed and laid down beside him. She turned over on her side so that she could see him and grabbed his shoulder forcing him to lay his head on the pillow. He laid there staring at the ceiling. She watched his chest rise and fall. Suddenly Aelin was hit with a wave of exhaustion. She fought hard to keep her eyes open. Reaching across the bed she found Dorian's hand and squeezed it tight. He laced his fingers through hers and Aelin closed her eyes.