Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 146

Adelaide

I stared down at the fresh cut across my palm, watching crimson droplets well up. Lycanthar lay before me on the ancient stone bed, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. The black veins spider-webbed across his pale skin, pulsing with malevolent life.

"Are you ready?" Elara asked softly, her hands glowing with protective magic.

I nodded, though my heart hammered against my ribs. "Tell me again what I need to do."

"Let your blood fall directly onto the wound. You must maintain physical contact throughout the entire process, no matter how much it hurts."

Thalia knelt beside me, her face drawn but determined. "I'll anchor you with my magic."

Taking a deep breath, I held my bleeding palm over Lycanthar's ravaged chest. The first droplet fell, and the world exploded into agony.

Pain tore through my body as moonlight flowed from my soul, battling the darkness in Lycanthar's flesh. The black veins writhed like serpents as my power fought to purge them.

"Adelaide!" Thalia's voice seemed distant. I felt her magic joining mine—weak but steady, a lifeline in the storm of power.

Elara's hands pressed against my shoulders, weaving a protective barrier. "Hold steady. The toxins are fighting back."

Through the haze of pain, I watched the black veins slowly recede. The corruption dissolved under the assault of celestial light, each inch feeling like it tore pieces of my soul away.

Finally, with a sound like breaking glass, the last veins shattered and dissolved. The wound began to close, healthy flesh replacing corruption. His breathing deepened and steadied.

I collapsed backward into Elara's arms, every muscle trembling with exhaustion. But it was done. The corruption was gone.

"Is he...?" I whispered.

Vespera knelt beside the bed, checking Lycanthar's peaceful form. "The black magic has been completely purged. But he'll need days to recover consciousness."

I struggled to sit up. "Then I stay. I need to make sure he's safe—"

"Adelaide." Vespera's voice was firm. "We need to discuss our next moves. Garrick and Morgana won't remain idle."

Thalia moved beside me, her face gaunt. "Before we left Eldoria, my father told me something. There are only two weeks until the blood moon rises. If the vampires strike then..."

"They'll have the perfect opportunity," Elara finished grimly. "Master Carl's notes spoke of it. On the blood moon, all werewolves become weakened—their strength diminished, their healing slowed. If Morgana launches her final assault then, with Lycanthar still unconscious and the entire werewolf nation vulnerable..."

Two weeks. The weight of that deadline settled over us.

"We need to rally every ally we can before then," I said. "I'll contact Alexander for human reinforcements—"

"And I must reach Grimlock in Grimstone Vale," Vespera interrupted. "The orcs need to understand what's at stake. They cannot remain neutral if vampires are planning to strike on the blood moon."

Thalia was quiet, then spoke with resolve. "I'm going to Lycandor Keep."

"Absolutely not." I turned to face her, taking in her pale complexion and how she swayed. "Thalia, you can barely stand. It's too dangerous."

"Draven is there," she said simply. "Imprisoned, probably tortured. I won't leave him to Garrick's mercy."

"You'll be walking into a death trap!"

"I have to try." Her eyes met mine with stubborn determination. "Adelaide, I can feel it. Time is running out for me. If I don't see him now, tell him about the children..." Her voice broke slightly. "I need him to know the truth before it's too late."

The truth hung between us—that her pregnancy was slowly killing her. I wanted to argue, but I could see her mind was made up.

"I'll go with her."

We turned to look at Elara, who spoke quietly from where she organized her supplies.

"Elara, no," I protested.

"Master Carl taught me more than healing magic," she said firmly. "I know concealment spells, illusions, protective wards. If Lady Thalia is determined to attempt this rescue, she'll need someone to help her move unseen."

Thalia grasped Elara's hand. "Are you certain? The risk—"

"Is worth taking. If we can free Commander Draven, he might rally loyal forces from within."

I stared at my dearest friend, memorizing her face. "Thalia..."

She pulled me into a fierce embrace. I held her tightly, feeling how fragile she'd become.

"If I don't come back," she whispered, "promise me you'll take care of Nova and Pax. And tell Draven... tell him I'm sorry for leaving before. Tell him it was never because I didn't love him."

"You're coming back," I said firmly, though my voice shook. "I won't accept any other outcome."

She smiled, heartbreakingly brave. "Always the optimist."

Vespera approached us. "I'll move fastest alone. The orc territories are treacherous, but I know the paths." He looked at me seriously. "Adelaide, I give you my word—I'll return with reinforcements as quickly as possible. Guard the Wolf King with your life."

"I will," I promised.

As dawn began filtering through the sanctuary's ceiling, we made final preparations. Vespera gathered his belongings and weapons.

"Stay hidden," he advised. "This sanctuary should mask your presence from magical detection, but don't take unnecessary risks."

I watched as he walked to the cave entrance. With a shimmer of magic, his form shifted until a green wolf stood where the man had been. He looked back once, then bounded into the forest and vanished.

Thalia and Elara were ready an hour later. Elara had woven concealment charms around them both, and they carried only bare necessities.

"Remember," I said, gripping both their hands, "if the situation becomes impossible, retreat. No heroic sacrifices. Promise me."

"We promise," Thalia said, though I could see she'd break that promise to save Draven.

They slipped out like shadows, and I watched until they disappeared into the trees. The forest swallowed them whole, leaving no trace.

Alone now except for Lycanthar's unconscious form, I returned to the inner chamber. I settled beside the stone bed where he lay.

His face was peaceful in a way I hadn't seen since our early days together. The silver hair that had grown dull during imprisonment now gleamed with former luster. His breathing was deep and regular.

I reached out and took his hand in mine. His skin was warm now, no longer fever-hot. The simple contact sent a flutter through me—not the overwhelming bond we'd once shared, but something gentler.

"I don't know if you can hear me," I said softly, "but I'm here. I'm going to stay until you wake up, until I know you're truly safe."

Moonlight slanted through a crack in the ceiling, falling across both of us like a blessing. The ancient runes carved into the walls pulsed with gentle warmth.

I settled back against the stone, still holding Lycanthar's hand, and prepared for the long wait ahead. Outside, my friends were walking into terrible danger. Armies were moving in the darkness, and the fate of the continent hung in the balance.

But here, in this sacred place, there was only peace. Only the steady rhythm of breathing and the soft glow of divine protection. Whatever trials lay ahead, this moment felt like the eye of a storm—a place of calm before the final, decisive battle.

The real test was only just beginning.