78!

BRIANNA

I felt weak. I couldn't speak but Liam is in danger. His next opponent is trying to kill me. I can't seem to get into his head to know why.

“Are you okay, Brianna?” Trisha asked me but I couldn't speak. I felt so weak and useless. I pointed towards Liam but she wasn't understanding me.

“Use your personal mind link, he will hear you,” she said to me and I nodded.

With all the strength in me, I connected our minds. “He is trying to kill you, Liam,” I struggled to put the words together but I did.

He didn't respond but I know he heard me. I exhaled heavily as I fell on the rocks.

“You need to get up, Brianna. You can't be seen as weak,” Layla said to me. I was beginning to hate her.

“You got this,” she said and I sighed. I looked at Liam and I breathed out.

“You can do this,” I heard his voice inside my head. “You are strong and brave,” I felt my strength building up and I stood up.

I felt dizzy but I stood firm. Liam's opponent charged towards him and he let him hit him numerous times.

And all those times I felt every inch of pain he felt. Mason and Ethan were both wondering what he was doing.

“Well, so was I!” I screamed in my head.

In a swift motion the opponent charged him with a knife but Liam maneuvered him, taking him off his feet.

The man landed on his back and there was a loud crack. His back was broken. The people cheered for Liam, singing his praises.

“Long live the King. Long live the King,” they cheered on as Liam took down every one of his ten opponents leaving him victorious.

“Yay!”

“I hope that's the last thing he has to do,” I said to Layla.

“Just one more thing your grace, just one more thing,” she caressed my hands, trying to make me be in the present.

“What's next?” I asked her, trying to keep my eyes open.

“The baptism,” she said. We watched as Liam and the priest walked deeper into the river. It was getting really deep and shallow.

But my eyes were getting close and weak. Liam stood in front of the priest, who took him deep into the water with his hands on Liam's nose.

After a while there was a bit of struggle from Liam and then there was nothing. The cheers from the crowd died down and the whole place was silent.

“Liam,” I called out, searching for him with my mind. I looked at Layla and shook my head. She closed her eyes, trying to keep her tears back.

If Liam doesn't live through this, he can't be King even though he is revived by the healers.

“Here is your King!” The priest yelled, bringing Liam from the water.

“He's alive!” Someone yelled and the screams increased.

“Oh my goodness,” I exhaled with my eyes closed. I could hear the voices of people.

“Brianna, Brianna…” and suddenly I didn't. The darkness washed over me.

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I could hear the faint sound of what sounded like someone praying.

“Who are you praying to?” I turned to ask Liam who was beside me.

“Thank the goddess, you are awake,” I heard other commotion in the room and I looked around.

“You scared me,” Trisha said, sitting on the other side of the bed.

“You scared all of us,” Liam said, kissing my hands.

“How long was I out?” I asked and the room fell silent. “Tell me,” I said, sitting up.

“Too long,” Layla said and I rolled my eyes.

“Hours, days?” I asked.

“A week,” Liam said and I gasped.

“That means you are King,” I said, smiling.

“Not yet, not when you were down,” he took some strands of my hair and placed them behind my ears.

“Don't scare me like that again. I can't do without you,” Trisha said, hugging me. I looked at Ethan who shrugged his shoulders.

“I thought that was Ethan,” I said to her.

“Me too,” Ethan said and we all laughed.

“We will leave you both alone,” Mason said, sending everyone out.

“Come on Trisha,” Ethan pulled her away from me and she cried out.

“I'm so glad you are alright,” Liam said, holding my face. I rested my head on his palm.

“I'm glad I get to look into your eyes again,” I said to him and he smiled.

“I have an idea to jump start your strength. Give you an adrenaline rush,” he helped me up, dressed me up and took me to the stable.

“There is no way I'm getting on that thing, Liam,” I said to him.

“You are a wolf, Brianna. You shouldn't be scared of a horse. See..” he said, touching the skin.

“I'll try,” I moved closer to a white horse and touched her skin. She reacted calmly not like the others I have been with.

“See, mind taking her for a spin?” Liam asked me.

“Of course, if it's okay,” I said to him. The horse was brought out of the stable and Liam helped me get on her.

“Comfortable?” He asked as he got on his.

“Yeah,” I whipped the horse and we raced towards the edge of the field.

“How come you were scared last week?” He asked and my face fell.

“I'm sorry, Liam. I shouldn't have fainted,” I said and he scoffed.

“My mother didn't last as long as you did,” he said and my eyes widened.

“She didn't?” I asked him.

“She didn't, you broke a record and never apologize. It's a sign of weakness,” he said and I laughed.

“Where did you learn that one?” I asked him.

“My father told me last week,” he said and I gave him a puzzled look.

“When I was under the water I had the opportunity to see anyone I wanted and I chose him. He gave me that as a parting word.”

“You didn't ask to see the queen?” I asked him.

“You are about to be queen and I knew seeing her will bring a lot of emotions. She might not want me to return. That's why I chose my father,” he said, sadly.

“You are a brave man Liam and you will be a good King,” I said to him. He looks at me with love in his eyes.

He was about to speak when the horses became agitated. “Easy girl,” I tried caressing her but she kept moving around, unstable.

“What's happening to them?” I asked Liam.

“They are sensitive to something, we should take a look around,” he said to me but I couldn't move.

“I think I found what they are sensitive to,” his horse stood beside mine as I stared at Thane.

“Liam,” I yelled as he raced towards him.

“Get Ethan and Mason!” He yelled without looking back.