Elara’s breathing was faint, her chest rising and falling slowly under the weight of exhaustion. We’d cleared most of the rubble from her, but she still hadn’t regained consciousness. I could feel the weight of her limp body against my arms, her robes torn and dust-covered, her face pale.

“We need to get her back to the palace,” I said, my voice tight with worry. “She needs help. Now.”

Aric stood beside me, his gaze flicking between the fallen girl and Elara. The girl’s hands were trembling, her red eyes still glowing faintly as she tried to suppress the chaotic energy swirling around her. Aric had bound her wrists loosely with a strip of fabric from his cloak—not enough to restrain her completely, but enough to signal that she was under control. For now.

“She’s stable,” Aric muttered, his tone flat, though I could sense the urgency beneath his calm exterior. “Teleport us back.”

I nodded, my heart pounding as I focused. Teleporting with someone else had been disorienting enough; now I had to transport four people. I glanced at the fallen girl, her tear-streaked face a picture of fear and confusion. Her power was unpredictable, but she seemed too scared to lash out again.

“Hold on,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Aric gave a curt nod, positioning himself beside the fallen girl. I tightened my grip on Elara, closing my eyes as I pictured the castle gates, the entrance we’d left behind just hours ago. The image was clear in my mind, every detail vivid—stone walls, the archway, the guards stationed there.

I raised my hand, summoning the magic. The familiar hum surged beneath my skin, and a faint shimmer appeared in the air in front of us. I focused harder, pulling at the magic until the shimmer expanded, swirling outward to form a portal. The view of the castle gates flickered within it.

“Let’s go,” Aric said, stepping forward, guiding the fallen girl through first.

With a deep breath, I followed, carrying Elara through the portal. The strange sensation of being pulled through space hit me again, my stomach twisting as the world blinked out and back into place. A moment later, we emerged on the other side, the cold air of the palace courtyard hitting my face.

The guards stationed at the gates snapped to attention, their eyes widening in shock as they saw us appear out of thin air. One of them took a step forward, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

“Prince Aric!” he called out, his voice edged with confusion. “What happened?”

Aric didn’t slow down. “Clear the way,” he ordered, his tone sharp. “We’re headed to the infirmary.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The guard hesitated for a moment, glancing at the fallen girl, but then nodded quickly, signaling to the others to stand aside.

I followed Aric through the courtyard, struggling slightly under the weight of Elara’s limp form. My arms ached, but I wasn’t about to let her go. We passed through the main doors of the castle, the warmth of the palace interior a stark contrast to the cold outside. I could hear the distant murmur of servants and guards, but everything around me felt muted—my focus was entirely on getting Elara to safety.

We reached the infirmary a few moments later, and a healer rushed to meet us, her eyes widening as she took in the scene.

“Princess Elara,” I said quickly. “She’s injured—she needs help.”

The healer nodded, her hands moving swiftly as she motioned for a stretcher. Two assistants appeared, lifting Elara from my arms and placing her gently onto the bed. I stood back, my heart still racing, as the healers began their work.

“Stay here with her,” Aric said, his voice suddenly closer. I glanced up to see him standing beside me, his expression unreadable. “I’ll take the fallen to the king.”

I nodded.

Aric turned to the fallen girl, who stood quietly beside him, her eyes downcast. She looked... defeated. The fire that had burned so uncontrollably just moments ago seemed to have fizzled out, leaving only a scared child in its wake.

“Come with me,” Aric said, his tone firm but not unkind. The girl glanced at him, then nodded silently, her bound hands trembling slightly as she followed him out of the infirmary.

I watched them go, the weight of everything crashing down on me at once. My legs felt weak, and I sank into a chair beside Elara’s bed, my mind racing.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling shakily. I wasn’t ready for any of this.

The healers worked in silence, their hands glowing faintly with magic as they tended to Elara’s wounds. I watched them, the faint hum of healing magic filling the room. It wasn’t long before Elara’s breathing became steadier, her face regaining a hint of color. Relief washed over me. She was going to be okay.

I stayed by her side, not moving as the minutes ticked by. My thoughts drifted to the fallen girl—the fear in her eyes, the raw power she couldn’t control.

Those thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. I glanced up to see a palace guard standing in the doorway, his expression serious.

“The king has summoned you,” he said. “You’re to join Prince Aric and the fallen girl in the throne room.”

I nodded, standing quickly. I cast one last glance at Elara, who was resting peacefully now, before following the guard out of the infirmary. My heart was pounding again, the weight of the king’s summons settling on me like a stone.

The walk to the throne room felt longer than usual, my mind buzzing with anxiety. I had no idea what the king was going to say—or what he was going to do—about the fallen girl.

We reached the throne room, and the doors were already open. Aric stood at the far end, in front of the king, and beside him was the fallen girl, her head bowed, her hands still bound. She looked even smaller here, in the vastness of the throne room, like a child who didn’t belong.

The king’s eyes were fixed on her, his expression unreadable.

I stepped inside, feeling the weight of the king’s gaze shift to me as I joined Aric.

“You’ve brought her here alive,” the king said, his voice low. “Explain.”