EMBER POV
"We need to go check what it is," I whispered to my wolf. While I ran towards the dungeon.
The screams coming from the dungeon were enough to make my skin crawl. I didn't even think. I just continued racing down there. When I got to the bottom, the smell of damp mold and old blood hit me like a wall.
Prince Julian was there, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. He was sobbing, his face a total mess. "My brother is in a critical condition! Somebody help him! ,…He's dying!" he yelled, looking at the guards.
"We can't do anything, my prince." The guards maintained their position looking at him.
"So will you watch my brother die?, because of your alpha order." Julian looked at them with so much hatred.
"We think it's best you inform his majesty," one blonde hair guard said as he approached him.
"Ain't you his right hand man?" Julian asked, grabbing him by the collar, "Go inform him now !…Liam." He pushed him from his sight.
But Liam didn't fall; he had good stamina.
"My prince, please be calm Liam isn't subjected to your orders." Another guard spoke, giving him a slight bow.
"You assholes are good for nothing!!…he brushed his hair backward, then placed his hand on his waist. I could see sweat dripping from his hair.
"Someone go call the king,' Julian yelled.
And some other guards rush towards Evander chamber.
I stood back in the shadows, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Don't let him see me please, moon goddess." I prayed while watching them from behind. A few minutes later, the air in the hall got heavy. Julian stopped yelling and people stopped whispering.His Majesty walked in, looking like death himself.
"Interesting. You seem quite comfortable turning my hall into a marketplace." Evander said, raising his eyebrow in disgust.
"Your Majesty, please!" Prince Julian scrambled toward him, with his cracking voice. "Cassian is getting worse. If he doesn't get out of this hole and get treatment now, he's gonna die. Look at him!"
"Oh? Now you expect me to care? How amusing." Evander replied, clasping his hands behind him and then he looked at Julian up and down like he was something stuck to his shoe.
Julian swallowed hard and lowered his eyes. Then said:
"I know you don't care about us…. but at least care enough not to let him die like this."
"Why should I?" he smirked, "Don't tell me because we are brothers it would annoy me more." He added, brushing dust from Julian cloth.
"Julian dropped to his knees, hands shaking "Your Majesty, I mean brother, please show us mercy . I can't lose him. I can't. Just let him out. Let someone help him."
"If a single word could sway me, it would not be 'brother.' Stand up. Your begging disgusts me." Evander said, staring at Julian on the ground, lifting his chin in quiet disgust.
"Please…." Julian kept pleading.
The Council members rushed toward the scene. hovering like a bunch of old crows. They started chiming in . Then , they lowered themselves at once.
"Your Majesty, forgive him," one said.
"He acted out of fear, not rebellion," another added.
"Spare him this punishment," a third whispered.
"No," His Majesty said. His voice was like a cold snap in winter.
"Our King Alpha, I'm begging you!" Prince Julian cried out.
In one motion, the entire council bowed, foreheads nearly touching the floor.
"Alpha," they said in unison, "have mercy on the boy."
"So the entire council begs… for one boy? How soft you've all become." Evander, tilted his head slightly.
"We kneel before you not to question your authority, but to ask for compassion. Let Cassian be brought out. Let him be treated. We will ensure he pays proper restitution."
Silence...
The council members remained on their knees.
"There's only one way," His Majesty said, his eyes flicking over to where I was hiding.