Chapter 162
CAMILLA’S P.O.V
I didn’t go out to see the people, it was a fool’s mission. I figured the best thing to do was to ignore them and they would leave but by the next morning, they were still there. According to the I from the guards, the line had increased reports HEF considerably and a few of them had slept there overnight. It was insane to say the least and it didn’t matter how many people came out to tell them that I couldn’t heal them, no one wanted to listen to it.
If I was being honest, I didn’t blame them, they were terrified and this was the only slither of hope that they had. It was cruel to rip it away from them but it was a from them but it was a necessary evil. They were too disruptive and they were causing a lot of concerns around the palace. Even the elders were worried, that much was obvious the moment they called Ryker and I for another emergency meeting.
“You have to find a way to get rid of them,” one of them said. He tried to hide it but he was tapping his feet anxiously and wringing his fingers. “They cannot be allowed to stand there for so long. If they stay, they will overpower us.”
“What do you suggest I do?” I asked folding my hands in my lap. “I cannot just throw them away. I am one woman, and I don’t have the capabilities to heal them.”
“Don’t you?” he asked and I raised a brow.
“Is there something that you are insinuating?”
“How did the man get healed so quickly? We know you could heal people from the time of the vampires. You have been suspiciously quiet about your abilities since then. You know how to heal them, why don’t you just do as they ask and get it over with?”
I stretched out my hand to him. “If you want to take the blood right out of my veins then go ahead but I hate to tell you that it will do you no good. My powers died with the vampire king. They were given to me specifically to outsmart and thwart him. The moment he died, there was no use for it anymore.”
It was a huge bluff but one that I was willing to take. Under the table, I felt Ryker slide his hand over my thigh. It was a simple gesture but one that meant the world to me. I kept my eyes fixed on the elder almost taunting him to say something. He was quiet for a full minute before sighing.
“We need to find something else then, something to make them believe that they are healed. Perception can be a far greater tool than reality,” he offered. “If you could just pretend to heal them, if you could bless them then maybe they will leave.”
“And then what?” asked. “What happens when they return to their homes and they are not healed? What happens when they realize that it was nothing but a sham? They will turn on,
and I will be the brunt of their anger. Angry people make for terrible subjects and I will not be the center of a mob’s rage. Feel free to do it if you want.”
He frowned. “You are the one they want.” The other elders began to whisper in agreement. “You need to do something to appease them.”
“I am not a prized cow meant to be milked at the desire of the public,” I shot back and everyone fell silent. “I will not be pulled around like a puppet on a string. Your job as elders is to keep the peace, so do it and do not bother me until it is done. If there is anyone with a legitimate condition that seems out of the ordinary, bring them to the physician and he will heal them to the best of his abilities, if it is not then send them away. I do not care how it is handled, only that it is handled. Am I clear?”
No one dared to speak, there were scattered nods all around the room and I turned to see Ryker looking down at me with a proud and amused expression on his face. Once I was sure that they understood, I stood to my feet and Ryker followed suit. We walked out without another word and it wasn’t until we were safely out of the council room that I let out the breath I was holding.
Ryker was leaning against the wall with a small smirk playing on his lips and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud. He followed suit soon after and we stood there like children giggling in the hallway of the palace. The sounds of our laughter echoed off the walls with no one to share in it but us.
“You definitely put them in their place,” he mused after he had calmed down. “I guess they won’t be coming to you for advice anytime soon.”
I rolled my eyes. “I just want the people to go back home. We worked so hard to keep this under wraps, the last thing we want to do now is risk anyone finding out that I still have them.”
“That wouldn’t be a problem if you hadn’t healed the man like I suggested,” I didn’t bother responding because I knew his words held no bite. “It doesn’t matter now anyway, this is what we have been dealt with and we have to make the best of it. Let us hope the elders are able to send the crowd away. I don’t want to have to explain to Audrey why she cannot go to school tomorrow as well.”
I grimaced as I thought about how sad she was when she got the news today. I couldn’t risk her safety by sending her out in a carriage with the others. There was no telling what an angry mob would do to a child and I didn’t want to risk it.
“Everything will be fine,” I mumbled more to myself than him. I hoped that by saying it, I would believe it. “We have a lot of work to do today, will you walk with me?”
It took over four hours but the elders were finally able to clear the crowd. I didn’t know what they said to them and I didn’t ask because some things were better off left unsaid. I was just relieved when I looked out the window and there was no longer a long line of people waiting for me. It turned out that most of them were just paranoid, they weren’t actually sick or dying- just terrified.
Once I was sure that the people were okay, I sent out some spies to keep an eye out for the man that I had healed. I wanted to be updated on his whereabouts, what he did and who he spoke to daily. From the feedback I got, he spent most of his time- indoors with his family. A few people had tried to visit him but he hadn’t come out all day. I wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
I tried not to focus on it too much but it was hard. I wanted to know how it was possible for news to spread that quickly and why he spread it despite me asking him not to. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I went through the night time. motions on autopilot. I didn’t even realize when I had finished dinner or taken both daughters to their rooms. It wasn’t until Ryker put his hands on my shoulders and steered me to a stop that I realized what I was doing.
“I think you need to relax,” he muttered and before I could ask, he started pulling me forward. “Come with me.”
I tried to ask where we were going but he didn’t answer me. He led me down the stairs and out through the back door. I could see the confusion on the faces of the guards but none of them dared to ask us any questions. Ryker led me deeper into the forest until we were far enough from the castle that no one could accidentally walk in on us.
“When last did you go for a run?” he asked as he undid the buttons of his shirt. “You have been strung up tightly lately. I think it has been two weeks to a month?”
It was three weeks but I didn’t want to tell him that, it would only further solidify his theory. I simply stayed quiet and crossed my arms over my chest as he took off his clothes. It wasn’t until he was down to his underwear that I finally blushed and looked away.
“Take a run..
She said and I scoffed. “What is the big deal, Camilla? It isn’t hurting anyone. No one is here. Why won’t you do it?” I shrugged. “Even you don’t have a good excuse, I’ll race you.”
“You’re faster.”
“You’re smaller, you can weave through shortcuts.”
I debated it for a second before sighing. “What do I get if I win?”
“Anything you want,” I raised a brow but he quickly cut in. “If I win, I also get anything I want. Do we have a deal?”
It was a fool’s errand but I was feeling highly competitive so I nodded. “Deal.”
The corner of his lips tipped up as I quickly pulled off my dress. It was a nightmare to manoeuvre but I managed to do it. He turned his back to me once I was down to my underwear and I quickly shifted. It felt good to be in my wolf form, it was like taking a stretch after being cooped up in a carriage for a long time.
Ryker’s large black wolf sauntered over to me and he nuzzled my fur with his nose. I let out a small whine and sat as he licked my fur affectionately.
“Are you ready?” he asked down the bond but I didn’t respond. I waited for the right moment before pushing him onto his back and taking off. I felt him laugh. “Game on, Camilla.”
