Gideon emptied the rest of the wine into a tumbler, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "My heart has never reacted like that. Her touch... it felt like a brand on me as if my wolf wanted her."
He stared at his palm for a moment before taking a slow sip.
"So, you're actually going to go through with it?" Micah, his Beta, stepped into the room. He reached for a corner lamp, the dim yellow light cutting through the shadows. "I heard she's the only woman who didn't scream or beg when the offer was made."
"Has my father returned? I have words for him," Gideon said, ignoring the comment and draining his glass.
"Not yet," Micah replied. He watched Gideon closely before reaching out and taking the empty tumbler from his hand.
"Eros is outside shaking. You didn't have to terrorize the man; he's new to the envoy post." Micah chuckled dryly. "And you've had enough. You were drinking well before she arrived."
Gideon chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth as he set the tumbler back onto the tray. "I told Eros to disappear, yet he's still here? Lurking outside?"
"I brought him back," Micah answered, leaning against the table. "I told him you simply enjoy terrorizing the new recruits. It calmed him down, mostly." He paused, looking at his friend. "So, what is the bride's name?"
"I didn't ask." Gideon leaned back, recalling the way she had stared at him. She hadn't flinched or looked away like the others. "I think she was simply struck by my handsomeness."
"What?" Micah broke into a genuine laugh, shaking his head at the Alpha Prince. "You're serious?"
"Naturally. Women usually don't dare make eye contact with me," Gideon stated.
Before Micah could retort, a servant cleared his throat at the doorway. "Your Highness, Miss Valois has collapsed. The physician reports she has sustained severe injuries to her back."
Gideon's brow furrowed. "Who is Valois?"
"The bride, sir," the servant replied.
Gideon surged to his feet, bolting toward the West Wing where she had been settled. Micah trailed closely behind as they reached the guest quarters.
"Open the door," Gideon commanded the maid stationed outside.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but the physician is currently treating her wounds," she whispered, her head bowed low.
"Do as you're told." The weight of Gideon's voice made the girl tremble.
She moved instantly, pushing the heavy doors open for the Alpha Prince.
Gideon strode into the room while Micah remained in the corridor. He stopped short at the sight of Adeline lying face down on the bed, her back exposed.
"Your Highness, you shouldn't be in here! I am still mid-procedure," the royal physician protested, an injection held ready in his hand. Gideon ignored him, moving directly to the bedside. His gaze traced the jagged lines of lash marks and deep welts, some of which were still weeping blood.
"Call a female nurse. Why are you the one treating her? You know the protocols for a royal bride," Gideon said in a dangerously low voice as he stared at the carnage on her skin.
The physician swallowed hard. "Leigh is on her way, Your Highness."
Leigh, the palace's lead nurse, hurried through the doors at that moment. She froze for a second at the sight of Adeline's back before quickly nodding to Gideon.
"Tend to her," Gideon commanded. He started to turn away when a faint, broken sound reached him.
"It hurts..." Adeline whimpered in her unconscious state.
Gideon's fists clenched at his sides. He pivoted and stormed out of the room. "Eros! Eros!" he roared the moment he cleared the threshold.
Micah jumped, startled by the level of fury radiating from the Prince. "What is it? What happened?"
"Bring Eros to me," Gideon barked.
Micah moved instantly, returning moments later with the envoy in tow. Before either man could settle, Gideon lunged, seizing the collar of Eros's blazer and jerking him forward.
"Why is my mate wounded?" Gideon snarled. "How did you miss this, Eros? Why didn't you report it the second you saw her?"
Eros gasped, his feet barely touching the floor. "Your Highness, I truly know nothing. I saw only the greed of the Valois family. They discarded her as if she were a burden. I had no idea about the injuries beneath her clothes."
Micah stepped in, firmly pulling Eros from Gideon's grip. He gave the younger man a steadying pat on the back. "I'll investigate this myself, Your Highness. Come, Eros."
"Find out quickly," Gideon commanded, his eyes turning golden with a simmering rage.
"I will," Micah replied, steering Eros away.
Gideon returned to the guest suite.
"Your Highness, Miss Valois is far too thin for her age," the royal physician, Vance, said, his brow furrowed in concern. "It's clear she hasn't been fed properly for years. Her wolf's strength is almost non-existent. But there is something... unusual about her."
Gideon's eyes didn't leave Adeline's pale face. "What is it, Vance?"
"The amount of abuse her body has endured over the years should have broken her," Vance explained, glancing at Leigh for confirmation. The nurse nodded solemnly.
"Your Highness, I believe she possesses a latent healing ability that has kept her alive through it all," Leigh added. "Even if her wolf is weak, her body refuses to give up."
Gideon's jaw tightened. "Just focus on her recovery. I don't want her to feel another second of pain."
"Understood, Your Highness," Vance assured him. "The injection I administered should provide her with maximum relief for now."
Gideon remained by her side until the physician and Leigh had finished dressing her wounds.
A maid was then summoned to help Adeline into a gown made of the softest silk, ensuring the fabric wouldn't irritate her skin. As the maid reached for a basin of warm water to clean Adeline's face, Gideon stepped forward.
"I'll do the rest," he said.
The maid bowed and hurried out, the heavy doors clicking shut behind her.
Gideon dipped a clean towel into the lukewarm water and wrung it out with practiced movements. He sat on the edge of the bed and began to gently wipe away the tear stains and dust from her pale skin.
"I can't believe I'm doing this for you, Adeline," he murmured, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I have never done such things for anyone. You should understand how precious you have suddenly become to me. And I'll kill those who did this to you."