THIRD PERSON POV
Alexander sat in the room assigned to him for his stay in Asia while staring out the window at the landscape, he had resolved the issue and Lord Ryan had confined in him that he has found his mate , his mate being a human slave that was brought to his own castle , he was lost in thought, his mind preoccupied with the matter when suddenly he was hit with a sharp pain in his chest area near his dead heart.
He gasped clutching at his chest trying to understand what was happening. The pain was intense, like a knife twisting on his skin.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" his attendant asked rushing to his side.
Alexander shook his head no words coming out. He felt like he was being torn apart from the inside out and just then a face flashes before his eyes. Nikolas his mate , Alexander knew it was the mate bond calling to him even though he has not marked Nikolas ,as far as they had met and touch before, the bond process has started.
Alexander leapt to his feet knowing in that moment that Nikolas was in danger.
"Summon the royal guard," Alexander bellowed his voice echoing through the room. "I must return to the castle at once."
Alexander's eyes glowed red crimson his pupils flashing with a fierce light as he sat on the plane flying back to his castle. His attendants exchanged nervous glances, sensing the danger emiting from their king.
"Your Majesty, please, you must calm down," one of them said, but Alexander's response was a low menacing growl his attendants cowering in fear. His inner beast was in control now and nothing would stop him from seeing blood.
Alexander's mind was consumed by thoughts of Nikolas .He couldn't shake the feeling that Nikolas was in danger, and that he was to be blamed.
He thought back to their last conversation, when Nikolas had asked if he had found his fated mate. Alexander had lied, telling him he hadn't. If only he had been honest, Nikolas would not have been avoiding him. If only he had told everyone that Nikolas was his fated mate, none of this would have happened.
Alexander's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. He was furious with himself and he is going to kill xaiter because before he left he had instructed him to watch over Nikolas.
Meanwhile after Nikolas passed out from the pain, Xaiter carried him to his room, his heart heavy with concern. He lays Nikolas on the bed, his eyes widening at the sight of the deep wounds on his back.
"By the gods," Xaiter whispered, "What have they done "
The wounds were so deep that Xaiter could see Nikolas' bone, his flesh torn and bloody. Xaiter knew he had to act fast or risk losing Nikolas forever.
He quickly fetched a bowl of water and began to clean Nikolas' wounds
As he worked, Xaiter couldn't help but think of what the king will do to him because He had been present during the flogging forced to watch as Nikolas was brutally punished.
But Xaiter had been powerless to stop it. The Committee's were present and disobeying them would mean going against his own people.
Xaiter's fists clenched in frustration as he cleaned Nikolas' wounds. He had wanted to intervene, to protect Nikolas as the king had instructed ,he had tried his best to down play the punishment but in the end he was forced to stand by and watch as Nikolas suffered.
He had never seen injuries this severe not even on a supernatural being. The deep gashes on Nikolas' back seems to go on forever, and Xaiter knew that even a supernatural would take at least two days to fully recover. But Nikolas was human...
"I don't know if he will make it" Xaiter thought because these wounds are too deep even if he could get the castle doctors to help he fears it might be too late but xaiter knew that he couldn't call for the doctors. Lady Victoria and the Supernatural Committee had made it clear that no one was to treat Nikolas so Xaiter was on his own.
He applied a makeshift poultice to the wounds, hoping to stop the bleeding but as he worked, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness. He was a skilled fighter and advisor but this was beyond his expertise.
As he finished applying the poultice Nikolas stirred as he whispers " Mom" his voice weak.
"I'm here, Nikolas," Xaiter replied, his voice soft. "Just hang on, okay? I will do everything I can."
Nikolas eyes are closed and xaiter wasn't sure if Nikolas would survive the night.
********
As the plane touched down on the runway Alexander's impatience boiled over. He did not even wait for the engines to die down before getting out of the cabin, his long legs eating up the distance to the castle abandoning the car that was waiting for him.
"Your majesty wait!" his attendant cried, but Alexander was already gone vanishing into the night with his vampire speed.
His mind is consumed by thoughts of Nikolas, his mate. He could feel Nikolas' pain, his fear, and his determination.
Alexander burst through the doors of the castle no guard dares to near him as his eyes scan the hallways for any sign of Nikolas but then he saw Xaiter emerging from a room while carrying fresh towels and a bowl. Alexander's instincts took over and he ran towards Xaiter, his long legs moving quickly.
On reaching to where Xaiter is Alexander's hands shot out to grasp Xaiter's neck. His eyes blazing red and his fangs bared.
"Where is he?" Alexander growled.
Xaiter's eyes widened in shock because Alexander should not have been back until the next week " Your majesty" Xaiter stammered then he remembered the question "He is in his room. I am trying to clean his wounds..."
Alexander's grip tightened, his fingers digging into Xaiter's skin. "Take me to him," Alexander said.
Xaiter nodded " Your majesty please, you have to calm down. Nikolas is hurt badly. He needs care, not your anger."
Alexander's gaze narrowed, his inner beast giving him back small control."Take me to him," Alexander repeated, his voice low but still deadly.
Xaiter nodded leading him to Nikolas' room Alexander's eyes fell on Nikolas' broken form, and his heart shattered into a million pieces.
He turned his gaze back to Xaiter "I told you to watch over him and you let this happen!" Alexander's voice was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the room.
Xaiter trembled his eyes downcast. "Your Majesty, I couldn't do anything. It was Lady Victoria with the elders. They had the power behind them. I tried to stop them but I apologize ."
Alexander's face twisted in rage as he shouted "Your apology won't bring Nikolas back healthy and whole!" his voice echoing off the walls. "You were supposed to protect him, Xaiter! You were supposed to keep him safe!"
Xaiter took a step back, his hands raised in a pleading gesture. "I know, Your Majesty. I failed you, and I failed Nikolas. But please, you have to understand—"
Alexander's laughter cut him off, a harsh, mocking sound. "Understand? You want me to understand? You who stood by and watched as my mate was brutalized? You, who did nothing to stop it?"
Xaiter's eyes widened in shock. He had never suspected that Nikolas was the king's mate. He felt cold dread creeping up his spine as he realized his mistake.
Xaiter dropped to his knees, his head bowed in submission. "I am truly sorry for not protecting your mate, Your Majesty. If I had known he was your mate, I would have died before anything happened to him. Do what you will, I accept my punishment."
Alexander's expression twisted . "I think it's death," he sneered.
Xaiter didn't flinch, his eyes still downcast. "I accept, Your Majesty. I am willing to pay the ultimate price for my failure."
The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two men. Alexander's gaze bore into Xaiter's back, his mind racing with anger and hurt because this was the man who had stood by him for so long , killing him would mean losing someone loyal.
Finally, Alexander spoke up his voice cold and detached. "You will not die yet, Xaiter. First, Why is he not in the hospital wing or has a doctor attend to him here?" he demanded.
Xaiter trembled his eyes downcast. "No, Your Majesty, he has not received any professional treatment."
"What the hell are you doing, then?" Alexander thundered, his voice echoes through the room.
Xaiter cringed his voice barely above a whisper. "The elders forbide all the doctors at the castle to treat him, Your Majesty."
Alexander's eyes blazed with fury. "If I don't see a doctor here right now, Xaiter your head is rolling down the castle stairs,"
Xaiter bowed, his movements swift and panicked. "Right away, Your Majesty," he stammered, before turning and fleeing the room.
Alexander's gaze followed Xaiter's departure his mind seething with anger . He then turned to Nikolas, his heart aching at the sight of his mate's broken form.
He sits down beside Nikolas on the bed his eyes fixed on the wounds on his back. Nikolas lays on his stomach his face pale and drawn from pain.
Alexander's hand reached out, his fingers tracing the edges of Nikolas face .He could feel Nikolas' pain, his suffering, and it fueled his rage.
"Forgive me, my love," Alexander whispered. "I should have been here to protect you but I will make it right, I promise."