Chapter 655
“Zander, I understand your pain,” Casaio said as he handed a cup of steaming coffee to the younger man. He sat beside him on the cold wooden bench the hospital garden pressing in on them. Casaio took a slow sip of his own coffee before he turned to look at Zander.
“Flora regretted what she did to Amelie every single day,” Zander remarked bitterly, his fingers trembling as they gripped the paper cup. “And I believe Prince Gabriel still held a grudge against her. He’s called the Dark Prince for a reason. He doesn’t care about the lives of others, only his own interests.” He took a sharp sip of the coffee, the heat doing nothing to melt the cold in his chest.
“Gabriel’s decision wasn’t entirely wrong,” Casaio pronounced, his tone shifting to one of objective reason. “Flora should have informed him the moment she received the first warning. No matter the situation or the fear she felt, she was supposed to tell us. Gabriel did take this decision in a hurry to end the nightmare once and for all, but Flora’s tiny fault lies there too. We cannot point fingers in the middle of a mishap where everyone was trying to survive p>
Casaio sighed. He reached out, his hand patting Zander’s shoulder. “I know what it feels like to be torn away from your mate, Zander. I truly do. So, I understand your pain. But don’t let that pain turn into a blind rage. Besides, Flora can wake up any time. Since it’s already, we can’t contact the doctors at the capital. In the morning, we will do it and even call the healers from the palace p>
Zander nodded simply and finished the coffee. He clasped his both hands together, praying silently for giving strength to Flora to get up.
“Mom and Dad are devastated,” Amelie said, her voice trembling as she leaned her head against Gabriel’s shoulder, seeking any bit of warmth she could find. “Noah is asleep, thankfully. This should never have happened. Who do we blame? Where do we draw the line? There is such a thin line between everything. I’m so sorry for hurting you earlier this evening, Gabriel. I know my words were harsh p>
“I don’t mind,” Gabriel whispered, his voice soft yet steady. As Amelie lifted her head to look at him, he met her gaze with an intensity that burned. “What matters now is Flora’s willpower. Didn’t you hear what the doctor said? Flora doesn’t seem to want to wake up. That is why, even after the transfusion succeeded, she slipped into this coma. It’s a rare occurrence for an Alpha, to simply give up p>
“That means the guilt is consuming her,” Amelie muttered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. “The words thrown at her for what she did to me… They must have occupied her mind completely. I don’t even know what Alex said to her while he had her p>
“That bastard likely twisted them,” Gabriel said sternly, his jaw tightening. “He probably reminded her that they both wanted you dead once, and now, suddenly, she’s playing the savior. He knew exactly how to break her spirit before he lost his own life p>
He reached out, tucking a stray hair behind Amelie’s ear. “And don’t defend me in front of the others,” Amelie said. “Flora is your sister. If you keep taking my side, they will think you love me more than your own blood p>
“I do,” Gabriel replied without a second of hesitation.
“But I don’t hate Flora anymore,” Amelie stated, looking toward the door of the intensive care unit. “I just hope she wakes up soon. I can’t bear to see everyone associated with her hurting like this p>
Gabriel let out a dark, mirthless chuckle that didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s so easy for them to feel hurt now that Flora is battling for her life. But I can’t help but remember the day you were running for yours. Did anyone care for you then? No one. Not your parents, and certainly not Zander, who is now acting like some idol of justice. If it weren’t for you, Amelie, I would have snapped his head off for daring to raise his voice at me p>
“Don’t speak like that,” Amelie pleaded, her eyes wide with fear and sadness.
“Why? You know that’s the real me,” Gabriel remarked, his violet eyes hardening. “I’m not a saint, Amelie. I have a very low tolerance for tantrums, especially from those who weren’t there when you needed them most p>
Amelie smiled a little. She leaned closer before wrapping her arms around her neck.
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” Sage’s voice crackled through the phone with concern.
Katelyn leaned against the cold marble railing of her balcony, staring out at the golden lights shimmering across the vast palace grounds. “Everything happened so fast that I didn’t even have a moment to breathe, Sage. Besides, I was with Noah, he needed someone calm around him while his parents were away p>
“Should I head to the hospital now?” Sage asked.
“Maybe wait until the morning,” Katelyn replied, a sigh escaping her lips. “The atmosphere is toxic right now. I heard Brother Gabriel is being blamed for using Flora as bait to lure out Alex p>
“But wasn’t it Flora who kept Alex a secret in the first place?” Sage countered with logic. “Why is Gabriel being singled out? In fact, no one should be blamed for a situation that was already a mess. I’m holding onto the hope that she’ll wake up soon p>
“Hmm. I hope you’re right,” Katelyn murmured. “I really want to hug you right now. But you’re not even here p>
“Just close your eyes and imagine me there with you,” Sage said softly. “I think I’m missing you too much already. I might head to the capital tomorrow, it’s the weekend, after all p>
A small, mischievous smile finally touched Katelyn’s lips. “I could always just teleport to you, you know. You’re forgetting that your mate possesses some rather special abilities,” she said, her tone turning playful and boastful.
“Ah, yes. But I don’t want you to feel exhausted by using your power for every little thing,” Sage stated, his voice full of protective warmth.
“Hmm. You’re right. But to be with you, I don’t mind the fatigue,” Katelyn replied softly.
On the other end of the line, Sage smiled, but his pupils suddenly dilated. Sensing her presence before he even heard her, he ended the call and spun around.
Katelyn didn’t give him a second to speak; she launched herself toward him. He caught her effortlessly, his hands bracing her as her legs wrapped around his torso and her arms draped around his neck.
“Surprise!” Katelyn exclaimed, her eyes dancing with a playful, triumphant glint.
“You really did it,” Sage chuckled, his gaze dropping to the thin fabric of her attire. “But you teleported here in your nightdress, Princess.” His lips brushed hers, teasing her but not kissing her.
“Ah! I didn’t even realize,” she murmured, a flush of heat rising to her cheeks as she smiled against his lips. She lowered her eyes and pressed her lips to his, pulling him closer.