"Your Highness, Lady Adeline is stable," the female physician informed him, bowing her head. "She is awake now if you wish to see her. I applied my healing magic to accelerate her wolf's natural recovery, so the wound will be fully closed by tomorrow."
"Thank you," Gideon said, exhaling a breath he felt like he had been holding for hours.
He stepped into the royal chamber and found Adeline sitting up, sipping water from a crystal glass before handing it back to the waiting maidservant.
"Gideon," she whispered.
He hurried to her bedside, dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around her, hugging her tightly while remaining mindful of her bandaged abdomen.
Adeline placed her hand on his back, caressing him gently. "I'm fine. What about the witch? Is she still alive? How did you manage to bring me back?"
Gideon pulled back slightly, motioning for the maidservants to withdraw from the chamber. Once the heavy doors closed, he spoke softly. "I ended her."
