CHAPTER 26

**AMELIA**
He rides quickly, each movement a race against time. I feel the blood flowing faster, and my skin is growing pale. Tears continue to fall, pain and fear swirling in a whirlwind of emotions. The castle gates open, and Aaron shouts, his voice filled with urgency.
“I need a healer now!”, Servants rush towards us as I struggle to stay awake, every second a battle against the darkness.
“Amelia, stay with me.”, Aaron whispers, his voice desperate. I feel his firm hands holding me, the pain and fear blending into a storm of emotions. He lays me on the bed, his eyes locked onto mine.
“Please, stay with me.”, he implores, his eyes shining with unshed tears. I fight against the darkness; each breath is a battle. Healers arrive, their hands working swiftly to stop the bleeding and treat my wounds.
“You’re not going to die, I promise.”, Aaron says, his voice an anchor in the storm of pain and fear. I breathe heavily, feeling Aaron’s hand gripping mine tightly. The warmth of his hand is a lifeline in the storm of pain consuming my body. I scream as the healers begin to treat my wounds, each touch a new wave of torment. I roll my eyes, groaning, and look down, seeing the deep cut in my body.
“You’re going to be okay, Amelia.”, Aaron says, his voice filled with determination and concern. Tears stream down my face as the healer approaches, examining the wound with clinical eyes.
“This will hurt; I need you to keep holding her, Your Majesty.”, the healer warns. Aaron nods, holding my body firmly and giving me a piece of cloth. I bite the cloth hard, bracing myself for what’s to come. The pain that follows is unbearable. I feel something thin and sharp piercing my body, and I scream again, the sound muffled by the cloth in my mouth.
The world spins around me as I thrash on the bed, but Aaron doesn’t let go. His presence is a constant, a force that keeps me fighting against the pain and fear. I feel myself growing weaker; exhaustion is setting in. Another healer tends to the wound on my neck, and the pain intensifies, as if my body is being torn apart from within. I can’t bear it any longer, and finally, the darkness envelops me, pulling me into unconsciousness.
When I try to open my eyes, everything is blurry and indistinct. For a moment, I think I’m dead and won’t have the chance to break the kingdom’s curse. But then I realize I’m not dead. I’m alive, still fighting. I open my eyes slowly, blinking against the dim light of the room. I moan in pain as I try to move, and my head automatically turns, searching for Aaron. He rises from the chair beside me, quickly approaching.
“Stay lying down; you need to rest now.”, he says softly, concern evident in his eyes.
“The vampires…”, my voice is a hoarse whisper, each word a struggle.
“All the vampires who attacked you in that forest are dead, Amelia.”, he responds, his voice firm and reassuring. I feel a mix of relief and residual fear. The pain is still there, but there’s a certain peace in knowing the immediate threat is gone. Aaron remains by my side, his presence a constant, and I feel grateful for him being here.
“Aaron…”, I begin, but my voice fails. The words I want to say seem to be stuck in my throat.
“Shh, don’t talk now.”, he says, his hand gently stroking my face.
“You need to focus on resting and healing.”
I close my eyes for a moment, trying to find some peace amidst the pain. Each breath is a struggle, but knowing Aaron is here gives me strength. Time seems to stretch, with each minute an eternity of pain and exhaustion. But Aaron doesn’t leave my side, holding my hand firmly and whispering words of comfort. I feel safe, despite everything, knowing he is here to protect and care for me. Finally, exhaustion overtakes me again, and my eyes close. I slip back into the darkness, but this time with the certainty that I am safe and that I am not alone.
I wake again, feeling an unbearable thirst. The night still wraps the room in shadows. I turn my head and see Aaron sitting at the table, writing something with a focused expression. My voice comes out low and hoarse:
“Aaron, I need water.”
He rises quickly, his boots softly echoing on the stone floor, and approaches the bed with a cup of water. He hands it to me carefully. I try to sit up, groaning in pain, and drink the water in large gulps. As I do, I realize I am wearing a white nightgown. The soft texture against my wounded skin makes me feel vulnerable, but also protected. Aaron watches me with worried eyes, and I see a shine in them that almost makes me cry. Memories of the battle in the forest, the sensation of the vampire’s teeth piercing my neck, and the searing pain all come flooding back. I almost died. This reality weighs on me, making me feel weak and scared.
“I’ll ask them to bring you something to eat to regain your strength.”, he says, standing and leaving the room. I touch my neck and feel something rough and medicinal covering the vampire’s bite mark. It’s an herb leaf, probably part of the healers’ treatment. Tears start to flow down my face as the physical and emotional pain overwhelms me.
Minutes later, I hear footsteps in the hallway. Two servants enter the room, bringing a tray of food, and Aaron accompanies them. They leave quickly, leaving us alone. Aaron picks up a bowl of hot soup and approaches me, the concern evident in his eyes.
“You need to eat.”, he says gently, helping me sit up better in bed and holding the spoon for me. The soup smells comforting and familiar, and I feel a sense of relief as I taste the warm, nourishing broth. Each spoonful is a battle between hunger and pain, but Aaron is there, encouraging me with soft words and a firm, gentle touch. Gradually, the food and his presence began to give me some strength, both physical and emotional.
“Thank you. For everything.”, I whisper, my voice still weak but sincere.
“What I said before is true; you are important to me, and I won’t let anything bad happen to you again.”, he responds, his tone filled with sincerity and something deeper that makes my heart beat faster. After finishing the soup, I feel a bit stronger, but exhaustion still weighs heavily on me