Chapter 582
Sage stepped quietly out of the bedroom to find the Queen and Zilia in the drawing room, their faces etched with worry.
“She’s awake,” he said simply. “She’s asking for you p>
Mabel was on her feet in an instant while Zilia was right behind her. They hurried past him into the room while a nearby maidservant bowed and rushed off to spread the word to the rest of the family.
Inside, Mabel went straight to the bed, gathering Katelyn into her arms as gently as possible. Katelyn clung to her mother like she was still a little girl with her face buried in Mabel’s shoulder and her arms tightly wrapped around her mother.
Mabel held her for a long moment, then eased back just enough to press a soft kiss to her forehead, fingers smoothing down Katelyn’s tangled hair.
“Why did you take off the ring, sweetheart?” she asked, voice trembling with leftover fear. “I told you to never take it off p>
Katelyn’s eyes glistened. “Mom… I didn’t. I don’t know how I lost it p>
Before Mabel could say more, the door flew open again.
“Kate, dear!” Raidan’s voice broke as he strode in, Gabriel, Dominick, and Casaio right on his heels.
Mabel stepped aside with a watery smile, letting her husband take her place. Raidan sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Katelyn into his chest.
“Daddy,” Katelyn whispered, eyes fluttering shut as she melted into the hug. In her parents’ arms, the scaredy feeling finally felt a little farther away.
Sage stayed back near the foot of the bed. Casaio moved beside him and rested a steady hand on his shoulder.
Katelyn pulled back a little, looking around at all of them, at Gabriel especially.
“Ophelia… She’s crazy,” she said. “She’s obsessed with Amelie and Gabriel. I saw her up close. She… She cut me off from my wolf. I couldn’t feel any strength. Her magic is terrifying p>
Casaio leaned forward. “How did you get away, Kate p>
Katelyn swallowed, wincing at the memory. “She left the basement kind of room for a few minutes. The ropes… which were soaked in wolfsbane burned me like fire every time I moved.” Her fingers brushed the thick bandages on her wrists. “But I knew if I didn’t try, she was going to force Gabriel to bring Amelie to her. So I fought. I used every bit of strength I had left… and somehow, I just teleported. Right here. I don’t even know how p>
Then Casaio let out a soft huff of laughter, warm and teasing, trying to cut through the worrisome atmosphere. “So our little Kate isn’t so little anymore, huh? She saved herself and finally got the ability to teleport p>
Katelyn’s lips curved into the tiniest smile. “Even I can’t believe I did it,” she whispered.
Dominick, standing near the door with his arms loosely crossed, cleared his throat gently. “We should let Kate rest,” he said, glancing around at the crowded bedside.
“Yes,” Mabel agreed, brushing a stray lock of hair from Katelyn’s forehead, “but first we need to have her properly checked. Harriet should be here any moment p>
As if summoned, the door opened again and Harriet slipped in, medical case in hand.
“Your Majesty,” she said with a quick curtsy, then turned warmly to the bed. “Pardon my tardiness, Princess. How are you feeling p>
Katelyn managed another tiny smile for the healer who’d patched her up more times than she could count growing up. “A bit weak,” she admitted.
Harriet checked the glucose bag, noting it was empty. She swapped it out with a fresh one with practiced efficiency before moving to monitor Katelyn’s vitals.
“Everything is perfect,” Harriet said, a genuine smile finally breaking through her professional mask. “Your pulse is steady, and your oxygen levels have stabilized. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to change the dressings. I’ve already handed the painkillers to your attendant, so don’t hesitate to use them. The Wolfsbane and Silver have taken a heavy toll on your system; you need rest and light meals p>
As Harriet began to pack her equipment, the door creaked open. Amelie slipped into the room, holding a restless Noah in her arms, with Carlos following closely behind as a silent shadow. Noah’s tiny hands patted Amelie’s neck, his small fingers fiddling with the gold chain around her throat as he made soft, babbling sounds.
“Amelie, why are you standing there? Come closer,” Katelyn whispered.
Harriet bowed and made her way out, signaling to the family that the crisis had passed for now. Amelie handed the baby to Gabriel, who took his son with a protective tenderness, and moved to the bedside.
“You scared us,” Amelie said, her voice trembling as she wrapped her arms around Katelyn in a careful hug, her hand gently patting her sister’s back. “Don’t you ever do that again p>
“It wasn’t intentional, Amelie. I didn’t know it would happen,” Katelyn said softly, pulling away from the hug.
“Take rest now,” Amelie urged.
Katelyn didn’t seem convinced. She slowly brought her hand up, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the medical tape on her face. “Does the cut look bad? On my cheek?” she asked, her eyes searching Amelie’s for the truth. In their world, a scar was more than a blemish, it was a mark of vulnerability.
“It will heal. Don’t worry,” Amelie promised, quickly catching Katelyn’s hand and squeezing it warmly to keep her from touching the wound. “Harriet is the best; she’ll make sure there isn’t even a trace left behind p>
“Now, let Katelyn rest,” Mabel pointed this time. “Sage, do you want to stay p>
“Yes, I would love to,” Sage replied promptly.
“Aren’t you tired?” Katelyn asked.
“No, I am not,” Sage answered, already moving to her side.
Shortly, the room was emptied, leaving Katelyn and Sage behind.
“Brother Gabriel didn’t say a word. I wonder what’s in his mind,” Katelyn murmured.
“He is angry,” Sage replied, “that a witch touched his sister. Gabriel keeps a straight face in most of the situations. And right now, he must be planning on how to make Ophelia pay for what she did to you p>