A Royal Obligation
Chapter 216: Eirik’s Awakening

Chapter 216: Eirik’s Awakening

The healing chamber was dimly lit, with the faint glow of moonlight seeping through narrow windows lined with thick velvet curtains.

The air was heavy with the scent of herbal poultices and faint traces of lavender incense meant to soothe the wounded.

The walls were lined with shelves holding vials of elixirs, jars of crushed roots, and other medicinal supplies. In the center of the room lay a large bed draped in soft linens, where Eirik rested.

Kaelix sat slumped in a chair beside the bed, his head resting on the mattress near Eirik’s hand, which he held tightly even in his sleep. The dark circles under his eyes betrayed sleepless nights filled with anxiety and grief. His breathing was soft but uneven, as though even in slumber, his mind refused to grant him peace.

Not far away, Julian and Lucian had settled on a low wooden bench pushed against the wall. Julian’s head drooped onto Lucian’s shoulder, while Lucian’s head leaned awkwardly against the stone wall behind him.

Despite their noble upbringing, exhaustion had stripped them of all composure, leaving them looking vulnerable, like boys far younger than they were.

A quiet stirring disrupted the stillness. Eirik’s fingers twitched faintly, his head shifting ever so slightly against the pillows. His lips parted as though he were trying to say something, but the sound came out as no more than a soft exhale.

Kaelix jolted awake instantly, his body snapping upright as his heart began pounding in his chest. He tightened his grip on Eirik’s hand, leaning over the bed, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear.

"Eirik? Can you hear me?"

The twins, startled by Kaelix’s sudden movement, were jarred awake as well. Julian nearly slipped off the bench, catching himself with a sharp intake of breath, while Lucian blinked rapidly, his head swiveling toward the bed. Both scrambled to their feet and moved closer, their wide, sleep-clouded eyes fixed on Eirik.

Eirik’s eyelids fluttered as he tried to open them. His vision was blurry at first, the room’s dim lighting and unfamiliar surroundings disorienting him. Kaelix leaned closer, his face etched with both relief and worry.

"You’re awake," Kaelix breathed, his voice barely above a whisper, as though speaking louder might shatter the fragile moment.

Lucian and Julian exchanged quick glances, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension. They stayed rooted to their spot, watching Eirik with bated breath.

Eirik’s throat was parched, and he struggled to form words. Kaelix noticed and quickly reached for a goblet of water on the bedside table. "Here, drink this," he urged gently, sliding his arm behind Eirik to help him sit up.

The twins hurried to the bed, their hands brushing against Eirik’s back as they helped him lean against the headboard. Lucian adjusted the pillows while Julian steadied the goblet as Kaelix tilted it to Eirik’s lips.

Eirik drank slowly, each sip soothing the raw dryness in his throat. When he had enough, he lowered the goblet, his breathing still weak but more steady. He glanced around the room, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Where... am I?" he rasped.

Kaelix smoothed back Eirik’s hair, his touch tender and reassuring. "You’re safe," he said softly. "We brought you to Neomenia to heal."

Memories began flooding back to Eirik, disjointed and chaotic. He saw flashes of the dense forest, the terror of being pursued, Sadiki’s betrayal, and the armed men closing in.

Then came the sharp, brutal pain in his stomach, a kick that had felt like it shattered something deep inside him. His hand moved instinctively to his abdomen, and his breath hitched as a wave of emptiness swept over him.

Kaelix froze at the motion, his face tightening with a flicker of dread. He reached out, placing his hand over Eirik’s, as if trying to stop him from venturing too far into his thoughts.

Julian and Lucian stood at the foot of the bed, their faces pale with worry. Julian shifted nervously, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, as though he could protect Eirik from whatever realization was dawning on him. Lucian remained rigid, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Eirik’s eyes darted between them, then back to Kaelix, who was watching him with an expression that was equal parts love and anguish.

"Is the baby... alright?" Eirik’s voice broke as he asked the question, his eyes searching Kaelix’s face for an answer he desperately wanted to hear.

The room fell into an oppressive silence. Kaelix’s heart clenched painfully, his breath caught in his throat. Julian and Lucian exchanged helpless glances, their own grief mirrored in their expressions.

Kaelix swallowed hard, his free hand tightening into a fist on his lap. He struggled to find the words, his mind racing as he stared into Eirik’s pleading eyes. "You’re alright, my love," he said softly. "You’re safe now."

Eirik shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving Kaelix. "That’s... not what I’m asking," he whispered, his voice barely audible but filled with a growing sense of dread. "Kaelix, tell me... is our baby okay?"

Kaelix felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room. The weight of Eirik’s question pressed down on him, suffocating and unbearable. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Eirik’s eyes, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Julian shifted uncomfortably, his hand moving to his mouth as though to stifle a sob Lucian stepped closer to the bed, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure.

Eirik’s eyes darted between Kaelix and the twins, his breathing quickening. His fingers clutched the sheets as fear began to take root in his chest. "Please..." he began, his voice trembling.

Kaelix interrupted him, his voice firm but gentle. "You just woke up, Eirik. You need to rest. The healer needs to check on you."

Julian, sensing the tension, bolted toward the door, eager to summon the healer and escape the unbearable weight of the moment. Lucian hovered by the bed, his hands clenching and unclenching as he avoided looking directly at Eirik.

Eirik’s chest heaved as he looked between them, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. His hand gripped Kaelix’s wrist, his touch weak but insistent. "Kaelix... tell me," he pleaded, his voice breaking.

Kaelix leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Eirik’s forehead. "Rest now, my love," he whispered, his voice heavy with unspoken grief. "We’ll talk soon."

The healer arrived moments later, and Kaelix and Lucian stepped aside to allow them access to Eirik. But even as Eirik submitted to the examination, his gaze lingered on Kaelix, searching for answers that he wasn’t ready to give.