Siv's eyes open to rocking and strong arms around her. There is a sound of hooves hitting the ground with force, sounds of screams, and a sound of a fast heartbeat. But as soon as she starts regaining consciousness, the piercing pain from her side is unbearable, making her cry in agony. Then, she passes out again.
The next time Siv comes to, she is being carried by someone. She is drenched in cold sweat.
"I'm cold." She mumbles while shivering.
Whoever is holding her presses her closer to their body. She is finally placed on a firm bed or table. She opens her eyes and sees a few blurry silhouettes. There is bustling everywhere in the room.
"Is Bjarte alright?" She asks whoever is willing to answer.
"He is fine, just focus on yourself right now." A man answers, so close to her she can feel his warm breath.
"Brandt? Is that-" A wave of pain washes over her leaving her speechless. "Shit." Everyone in the room freezes and looks at each other.
"Can you afford to take your time, right now?" Brandt roars.
"Apologies, Your Highness." The middle aged doctor answers. "Bring me some wine."
"Please calm down, my lady." Siv is freaking out.
"Like hell I'll let you stitch me with those instruments." All color has left her face.
'I couldn't even go through surgery back home, they will totally kill me with their archaic medicine.'
"My Lady, I have performed this surgery many times before."
"Yes, Lady Siv." Brandt joins in. "He is a Royal Doctor after all." Siv squeezes her eyes shut for a long while before she can speak again.
"What do you use as anesthetic?"
"Opium Poppy." The doctor answers.
'Huh, they are going to kill me.'
"You drink the dried fruit with wine and it will take effect after a few minutes." He adds. She motions to the doctor to get closer to her and uses all the strength left in her body to pull him from his shirt.
"You better make sure there is no internal bleeding and no damage to the surrounding organs, and make sure there is no infection. If you kill me I will haunt you and every generation of your offspring after that until the end of time." A chuckle escapes Brandt's lips before he presses them together pretending that he didn't. The doctor looks scared out of his wits.
"And get me some damn whiskey, that wine is more of a fruit punch." Siv adds before relaxing back on the operation table. The prince smiles.
'She is really an odd one.'
"Would you hold my hand?" Siv pleads, Brandt meets her eyes and his body moves without thinking. He takes her hand in his and squeezes it.
***
Siv wakes up a couple of hours later with a dry throat and a hazy mind. As the room comes into shape around her, she is surprised to find that her hand is still in Brandt's. He is sitting on a chair by her and has his forehead on the bed.
'Was he here the whole time?'
"Thank you." She whispers. She slips her hand away from his and caresses his hair.
'Guess Colby's spell worked. No more migraines when I am close to him. Where is Colby?'
Then, she drifts into sleep again.
A few days pass since the incident, Siv was moved to the comfort of her room after the surgery. There is still no sign of Colby. She is starting to worry that something bad might have happened to him.
"The Royal Doctor is here, Lady Siv." Veda announces, followed by Lord Oscar.
"Good morning, Lady Holmen."
"Lord Oscar." They greet each other before the doctor starts his daily check up.
"Everything looks good, my lady. Even the scar is smaller than I had anticipated. We can probably remove the covering in a few days."
"Thank you Doctor."
As soon as Siv is alone, Colby appears. Siv is not surprised by his appearance as much as the way he looks. His black long hair is down and a mess, he has dark circles under his eyes, and it looks like he hasn't bathed in days.
"What the hell happened to you?" She asks. "You look worse than me." Colby hurries to her bed and falls to his knees next to it.
"I don't know how to apologize to you, my lady." His eyes are watery, "Please, kill me. I deserve it."
"Ok, that's a bit extreme. I am alright, as you can see."
"You were stabbed, and I couldn't protect you. And I will not be able to do so in the future either." He looks down to the floor.
"What do you mean?" Siv Frowns. Colby takes a moment to speak, he has to organize his thoughts first. A lot has happened and his speculations have proven to be true.
"The Grand Mage discovered that I have been visiting you even before the ceremony, which is against the rules." Siv watches as guilt twists his face.
'By his appearance he was probably punished for it.'
"I was locked in the red room for a week. It's a place that strips you from every magic you have." He explains. "Thankfully I had already finished the spell for His Highness."
"It worked." Siv tries to cheer him up but he only gives her a sad smile.
"I am happy to hear that."
'I have never seen Colby like this. Something big must have happened.'
"I will not be able to see you anymore until I become your sorcerer, officially." He says with slouching shoulders.
"What?"
"I am sorry."
"But Colby, I will probably get killed without your protection. I don't even know what my punishment for helping Bjarte out of the palace is going to be."
"I wasn't there this time and you-"
"Almost died, yeah." Siv is fuming now. "What happened to I will protect you even if I have to go against the Grand Mage himself?" Colby clenches his jaw.
He stares at the rug for a long while as if he found every intricate design extremely interesting. Then, he gazes at her with serious honey eyes.
"Listen Siv, you have to be very careful. The situation is more dangerous than we thought."
"What do you mean, Colby?"
"The Grand Mage is part of the scheme."
"The Grand Mage? But why?"
"Just know that I will do everything I can to help you, but I have to keep an eye on him." Colby pushes to his feet.
"Who is the Grand Mage working with?" Siv asks.
"It might be a while until I see you next time, my lady." He gently takes her hand and kisses it. "Stay safe."
"Colby, don't you dare leave without answering me." Siv orders.
"I will tell you when the time comes, it is dangerous for you to know."
"It is dangerous for me not to know, Col-."A knock interrupts them.
"Her Majesty the Queen." Colby frowns.
"Don't trust anyone." He says before disappearing.
"Oh my, Siv how are you feeling?" Ylva walks to her bed and sits next to her. "I apologize for not being able to visit you sooner but a lot has been happening."
"I am sorry about helping Bjarte, he was injured because of it."
"Oh dear, you saved his life, why are you apologizing?" Ylva takes her in her arms. "He confessed that he forced you to do it, so don't worry about it."
'Thank God. No treason yet.'
"Now, I don't want you to get upset and make your wound worse, but the announcement for the Traditional Vying is taking place tomorrow evening." She eyes her silently for a moment.
'I wasted so much time being in this bed. I was hoping to get closer to Brandt with the help of Colby's spell. Now even he is not going to be around anymore.'
"Damn it."