Crown Of Hearts
Chapter 15: reality of the situation

Chapter 15: reality of the situation

The sound of his racing heart filled his ears as he watched Alexander’s face intently, waiting for the man to say something.

Alexander’s usually sharp eyes softened and warmed up as he looked at the man that was standing a couple of steps away from him.

He stepped forward and Damon’s breath hitched.

This was it, the moment he had been waiting for. It seemed like ages had passed until Alexander closed the distance between them.

"I have carefully considered this..." Alexander paused as his eyes gazed into the pair of enchanting blue ones that were looking up at him. The anticipation in them palpable.

"Damon, I want..." Alexander suddenly froze and Damon frowned. Was he having second thoughts? Something stung his chest as he looked at the man that was looking past his shoulder.

"Alexander?" Damon asked only for the man to glance at him, his eyes filled with a panic that was greatly unsettling.

Before he could ask what was wrong, Alexander had his hand around his wrist, hurriedly tugging him towards the door at lightning speed.

The door was swung open just as bright orange flames made their way through the window.

They weren’t fast enough to make it out safely and Alexander was quick to hug Damon to his chest, protecting him from the roaring dragon flames as they both jumped further into the corridor to safety.

Damon was still shaken by how fast it had all happened as he reminded still in Alexander’s arms, their surroundings covered with thick grey smoke.

He slowly inched out of his embrace only for Alexander to flinch slightly.

"Alexander, are you alright?" Damon asked, remembering how this man had jumped before the flames to protect him.

He was definitely hurt.

"My back..." Was all Alexander managed to whisper as he felt himself lose consciousness from the intense pain that stabbed his entire body from the burns he had obtained from his hot silver armour.

Damon frowned in worry as he hurriedly took off the metal pieces from his body.

Once he was done, his frown deepened at the sight of the white shirt that was entirely soaked with blood at the back.

He returned his attention to Alexander whose eyes were fluttering slowly in an attempt to stay conscious.

"Hey, stay with me." Damon whispered, his voice frantic as his hands landed on Alexander’s face, gently cupping his cheeks.

When he got no reply, he quickly swang into action and carried Alexander on his back, giving him a piggy back ride.

He was heavy but it he could handle it. Damon needed this man to survive. He had to live.

It was a rare sight to see a prince carrying someone and the several guards that had rushed to his room at the commotion were quick to escort him.

A few offered to carry Alexander but Damon was quick to refuse.

He was the reason Alexander was like this.

The least he could do was to help him.

"How many dragons are they?" He asked one of the soldiers.

"Five, your highness." The man replied and Damon frowned.

It had been a year since the last dragon attack on the castle and it had been a victory on the human side.

All the three dragons that had attacked them had been killed but those prideful creatures never seemed to accept defeat.

They were just so eager to die.

"Half of you should go and help the others." Damon told the two dozen men that were following behind him.

Half of them left and he was left with twelve men.

Normally he didn’t need as many men during an attack but he couldn’t compromise Alexander’s safety.

Damon made his way towards the emergency rooms that were crafted from obsidian rocks. A material that was immune to a dragon flame.

His family except for his father, was already there with a good number of the maids and servants.

"What happened to him?" The Queen asked, worry evident in her voice as she scanned her son for any injuries before she looked at the man he was carrying.

"He got injured while protecting me." Damon replied.

"I will have the royal physician brought to check on him." The Queen assured and Damon offered a curt nod before he entered a room that was reserved for him and lay Alexander down on the bed.

He made him lay on his abdomen so as not to hurt his wounds.

Damon’s face was etched with worry as he proceeded to remove his shirt that was stuck to some parts of his body.

The sight of Alexander’s back once he was done was horrifying.

Damon had no doubt that he could heal but the depth of his injuries could still leave scars on his fine body.

That was not as concerning, Damon just wanted this man to be fine and his face relaxed a little once he watched the physician step through the door that he had left open.

The old familiar face offered a little comfort and Damon allowed himself to step away and let the man do his work.

"Will he be fine?" Damon asked, the worry in his voice evident as he watched the physician applying a paste on Alexander’s wounds.

The man gave him a faint smile.

"With the severity of his injuries, I cannot promise much but he will live if that’s what you are asking?"

Damon’s fine brows furrowed into a deep frown, the news he had received greatly unsettling him.

"When will he be conscious?" He asked instead.

"In a day or two." The man replied as he bandaged the wounds.

Damon looked at Alexander’s peaceful face.

He had spent days on edge, waiting for this man’s confession and now this had happened.

Damon wanted to curse out loud at how twisted the reality of the situation was.

He sat by Alexander’s bedside, his thoughts on the raging war outside minimal.

"You need to get fine, you hear me." Damon whispered as his hand found its way to his hair, gently pushing it away from his face.

The door to the room was pushed open shortly afterwards and his twin sisters walked in.

"I have never seen you so worried and concerned for someone." Daphne noted as she came to stand by his side.

"You seem to care so much about your knight." Davina added and Damon’s jaw clenched. He wasn’t in the mood for this.

"I care for him." He briefly replied and to his surprise, they both placed a hand on his shoulders.

"Then I am sorry this happened to him." Daphne said, the empathy in her voice catching him off guard.

"You could have been the one laying on that bed if it wasn’t for him so, I hope he gets well soon." Davina added and Damon’s heart warmed up.

"Hearing you say that means a lot." He thanked both of them and when they left, he held onto Alexander’s hand, slowly dozing off to sleep as the sounds of battle outside quietened.